Page 5

CHAPTER 5

MIRA

One creditor down, three to go. Though I’m thrilled I just managed to pay off one debt, I hasten down the street, anxious to return home before I’m spotted by one of the other lenders to whom I still owe money. Thankfully, I reach Sunflower Lane without incident.

After I slip inside the gate, my gaze catches on bright colors in the trees and bushes. I walk closer, stunned to my core. It can’t be. And yet… one of the raspberry bushes is covered in ripe berries. I pick one and study it, then pop it into my mouth. Flavor explodes across my tongue, the perfect blend of tart and sweet. It doesn’t make sense, none of this does.

I glance around the garden, my disbelief growing as I spy huge red apples hanging from the apple trees and large winter squash on the vines. The more I explore, the more I find. I kneel to touch a fully grown cucumber, then move to a tomato plant that’s no longer wilted. I count over twenty fully ripe tomatoes. There’s also a nice crop of corn that appears ready for harvest.

How?

I straighten and peer over the fence at the nearest neighbor’s garden, but it’s as dead as any garden amid the cold winter months. During my walk through the city today, I didn’t see a single blooming plant, not even the smallest flower. It doesn’t make sense, and yet my garden has come back to life on a day I can visibly see my breath.

This morning, just before leaving to visit the creditor, I’d stood on the porch surveying my little domain, wishing with all my heart that the growing season would’ve lasted longer. I’d also spent a few moments envisioning my garden in its full splendor. Somehow, my wishes have come to pass.

Deciding I’ll figure out the why of it later, I get to work on the harvest, knowing I should probably pick everything and preserve it as soon as possible. Before the fruits and vegetables die in the morning frost tomorrow, or before a neighbor takes notice. I can only imagine the rumors that would spread if someone witnessed this sight. People would say I was a witch or perhaps in league with the fae, and I don’t want that sort of trouble.

It's backbreaking work and it takes all day and night, but I manage to get the job done. All the shelves in my pantry that were empty after my trip to Barry’s Trading Post are once again brimming with food. My spirits rise as I fight back a yawn.

Tomorrow, I’ll sell more canned goods and dried herbs in the marketplace, as well as a small selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. If Barry won’t take the items, I’ll find someone else. Then perhaps I can pay off a second creditor.

I won’t lose my house.

Tears spring to my eyes, but I’m too tired to actually cry, so I reheat last night’s soup, grab a slice of bread, and sit at the table. I eat quickly, clean the kitchen, and head upstairs.

Despite my exhaustion, I toss and turn all night. Every time I fall asleep, I dream about the horned, white-winged fae male. You’re mine , he keeps telling me. Over and over. In dream after dream.

You’re mine, you’re mine, you’re mine.

In the morning, after rising much later than planned, I dress and have a quick breakfast, then eye my father’s ax as I contemplate sneaking into the forest to cut some firewood. I could always postpone my trip to the marketplace until tomorrow. But before I can reach a decision, I experience a sudden wave of warmth that gives me pause.

I turn to the window, yet there’s no one there. But I feel it. I feel him . The horned, white-winged fae. A pleasurable shudder affects me as I recall how striking he’d looked standing on top of the building in the marketplace the other day, his wings spread wide, the sunlight gleaming off his curved horns. I shouldn’t be attracted to him, but I can’t help it. I shouldn’t be thinking about him all the time, but I can’t help that either.

Has he glamoured me into desiring him? Or am I naturally drawn to the handsome fae male whose name I don’t even know?

I peer out the window but see nothing. Just like the last time I’d sensed him visiting my home. But I’m certain he’s here.

Unable to stop myself, needing to get closer to him and experience more of the warmth, I step onto the porch, not even bothering to don a cloak. The day is so cold my teeth immediately start chattering, but that tender feeling of warmth makes it more bearable.

“Hello?” I whisper. “I know you’re there. Show yourself.” When he doesn’t reveal himself, I decide on another tactic. “Come on, don’t be a coward. Show yourself , fae.”

A deep chuckle fills the air, then the huge horned fae male appears before me. Yes, appears . Out of thin air. His wings aren’t out, but he still looks as resplendent as ever.

My heart beats faster. Up close, he’s so remarkably stunning, I find myself at a loss for words. The chilled breeze ruffles his hair. He climbs the steps and closes the space between us.

Not for the first time in his presence, time stops.

He’s close. So close that I feel the waves of warmth coming off his body. My teeth stop chattering, and I’m very aware of how little space exists between us. He could reach out and touch me. If he wanted to. Or I could touch him. A boundless ache builds inside me, and I find myself struggling for air.

“You are human .” His voice thrums with displeasure, and I’m not sure why he’s hurling the word ‘human’ at me like an accusation.

“Of course I’m human.” I cross my arms over my chest and lift my chin. “I’ve never claimed to be otherwise.”

“You’re human,” he says, briefly touching the ends of my hair, “but you look like a little forest nymph.” He brings his hands higher and tucks my hair behind my ears, then traces the tips of my ears as though to make sure they aren’t in fact pointed like his.

His touch is everything. It sizzles through me, inducing heated quakes and delicious shivers that leave me breathless.

“Sorry to disappoint, but I’m no forest nymph.” I swallow hard. “Why have you been glamouring and following me around? And your name… I’d like to know your name as well.”

A smirk plays over his lips as he continues stroking my plain, curved human ears. “Demanding little thing, aren’t we?”

I release a quick breath and roll my eyes. “Just answer my questions. Please.”

He pauses caressing my ears, drops his hands to his sides, and stares at me in visible shock. “Did you just… roll your eyes at me?”

“I suppose I did.” I keep my chin lifted high, refusing to cower before him. Is he planning to eat my heart? What about throw me off a mountain? All the scary stories from my childhood come rushing back. Not that I need the stories. During the battle and the days following it, I witnessed and heard plenty of brutal acts against my people. I think of the soldiers’ heads rotting on the parapet and fight a shudder.

The fae tilts his head to the side, studying me with growing curiosity reflecting in his dark eyes. “I’m highborn. No one, and I mean no one , not a single fucking soul, human, fae or otherwise, has ever rolled their eyes at me.” Rather than fury, astonishment laces his tone. He’s truly shocked by my behavior, and well, I’m a little shocked too.

What in the fires was I thinking?

My stomach drops to my feet, and I strongly consider running. I’m starting to regret leaving the safety of my house.

Not that he couldn’t just punch the door open and come inside…

Gods, I still don’t know his name, nor do I know the answers to my other two questions—why he’s glamouring me and why he’s following me around.

Does he really think I resemble a forest nymph? My face heats. Though I’ve never encountered a forest nymph, I’ve heard they are beautiful creatures. Does that mean he thinks I’m beautiful? A shaky breath escapes me.

“Well?” he says in an expectant tone.

“Well what?”

He scoffs. “Aren’t you going to apologize for rolling your eyes at me? Offer me a nice, heartfelt apology, and perhaps I’ll let you live.”

He’s toying with me. He must be. There’s a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, and though I can’t be sure, I think he’s trying not to smile. Well, two can play at this game. If it’s not a game, I suppose I’ll find out when my head is added to the parapet.

“Given how much you’ve vexed me during the last week,” I say carefully as I watch for his reaction, “I don’t believe I will apologize.”

At last, he breaks into a smile, and oh it’s as glorious as the sun emerging after a full week of rain. The way his face lights up breathes life into my soul. I find myself smiling back, and before I realize what’s happening, he’s taken my hands in his, squeezing ever so gently. My pulse quickens.

Though it’s winter, I swear I hear a chorus of insects reminiscent of a sultry summer night. I also think I feel a warm breeze, maybe for a second or two, and I catch the scent of honeysuckle in the air.

“Mira.” He says my name with such longing, it makes my eyes burn, and I can’t help but feel flattered that he recalls my name from Tribute Day.

“Please,” I whisper. “What’s your name?”

“I am Lord Kaiden Valloc of Linnshire in the Summer Court, but you may call me Kaiden.”

Though my mouth has gone dry, I somehow manage to utter his name. “Kaiden.” Again, I hear the chorus of locusts, crickets, and other insects, as well as the steady trilling of tree frogs, and a warm breeze caresses my face. Summer Court, indeed. I feel the pulses of magic coming from Kaiden, a buzz of heat that permeates my senses and makes the back of my neck prickle with awareness.

“I have followed you a few times this week, little nymph,” he says. “I will admit to that. Yes, I’ve even visited your home and spied on you through the windows. I suppose if I’m to be fully honest, I should also admit to flashing into your living room very briefly too. But I haven’t glamoured you. Not once.”

My mind reels. If he hasn’t glamoured me, then from where is the warmth and the heartbreaking tenderness coming? I’ve heard of love at first sight, as well as lust at first sight, but even those phrases can’t explain the fierceness of my attraction to Kaiden.

I’ve always feared the fae, and he is very much my enemy. His people conquered mine and they aren’t leaving Trevos anytime soon. I shouldn’t want anything to do with him, yet I cannot tear my hands from his. Nor can I look away or stop leaning closer in hopes of inhaling more of his enticing masculine scent or the hints of summer that continually waft off him.

“Is it true that fae cannot lie?” I ask.

He grins, revealing more of those pointed white teeth that ought to frighten the stockings off me. Instead, I find them interesting and think they complement his enchantingly handsome features. “Fae can lie just as easily as humans,” he says. “But I swear to you, I swear on the soul of my mother, that I haven’t glamoured you once.”

To my utter shock, he backs me against the house, then leans down to bury his face in my neck.

Oh gods. Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods.

I hold my breath as he takes a deep inhale. He releases a low growl that vibrates my insides and makes me quiver with need.

“Gods, you smell delicious.”

I turn my head quickly to the side, and he takes a step back, albeit a small one. He also releases my hands. I place my palms on the cool surface I’m leaning against and stare at him in wonder.

No glamour? I don’t understand.

There’s no way love or lust at first sight could be this intense. No way I would stand still and allow him to caress me and squeeze my hands and smell me of my own volition.

I feel as though I’ll go mad if he doesn’t kiss me or touch me in an intimate manner soon.

He starts to lean down, bringing his face closer to mine, and I close my eyes in anticipation of his kiss. Oh Gods. It’s happening. It’s happening and I should probably stop it, but fuck if I can think of a single reason to push him away at this moment. His warm breath caresses my face, I hear him inhale deeply, then…

Boom!

An earth-shattering explosion sounds in the distance.

I gasp and my eyes fly open as the house shakes and the windows rattle.

Kaiden’s grip on me tightens. He snarls and glances over his shoulder, peering in the direction of the castle.

A thick cloud of smoke billows in the air. The towers of the castle appear intact, but perhaps one of the outbuildings near it was just destroyed.

I swallow hard and can’t help but tremble. Please don’t let there be more fighting, more war. Please don’t let there be any more deaths.

Kaiden peers at me, his expression dark and forbidding. But there’s also an unmistakable gleam of tenderness in his eyes, a sweetness that seems reserved only for me. He’s clearly agitated by the trouble near the castle, but he’s sparing a look of sweetness for my sake. It makes my head swim the way it does when I drink too much blackberry wine.

“You will stay here in your home until I say otherwise,” he says in a firm tone. “Do not leave until I return and let you know the city is safe.” He pushes me toward the door. “Get inside, little nymph.”

Though his commands both irk and confuse me—who the heck is he to order me around, and why does he seemingly want to keep me safe?—I still can’t help but stare in awe as he backs up and summons his impressive white wings.

He gives me one last look, then shoots into the sky.