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Her body stiffened in my arms. She pressed her hands in my chest, no longer caressing but pushing away.

“And who is this?” a female voice inquired brusquely, making me aware of people who had gathered around us.

The woman who had asked the question stood with her hands on her hips and her dark eyes narrowed at me.

“ Um…” Ciana stepped out of my arms, then even further away from me. “It’s Kurai. He came to rescue us. And this is Shyanne,” she introduced the woman to me, then gestured at the two other humans standing nearby. “And this is Maria and Peter. We all heard the explosion and got out, just in case.”

“He made the explosion.” Malis pointed at me. “Joy Guardian magic,” she explained casually, then turned to me. “So, this is the woman you were so eager to get back? You never mentioned that she was a Joy Vessel. That sure makes her expensive property, definitely worth hunting her down at all cost.”

Instead of coming to me for protection, Ciana stood back.

Did she also think I only valued her as a Joy Vessel?

“That’s not why I want her,” I snapped, annoyed.

These people knew nothing about Ciana and me. They had no idea what we shared or what she meant to me.

Gefred tilted his head with a flash of new interest in his eyes. “You said you only wanted her. Does it mean we can have the other three?”

Maria whimpered, tossing a desperate glance out into the desert, as if ready to bolt.

Shyanne frowned. “Some rescuers you are. But I’m not making it easy for you this time. I’d be damned if I let another bunch of dirty fae stuff me into a cage again.”

Raimus and Sakin sauntered our way, carrying a large bag and a wooden crate.

“We found some food here, but most of it is crap, like fruit and stuff,” Raimus announced.

Sakin grimaced. “I can’t stand fruit. Most of it is either too squishy or too crunchy. But there are some meal packs too…”

He stopped, eyeing the humans.

“Where did you find these?” Raimus finally noticed the humans too. “And how are we going to share them?”

“We won’t,” I said firmly. “They aren’t a part of your loot.”

“What?” Malis stomped her foot. “But what are you going to do with them then? Let them walk away? Just like that? They’d die from thirst in a day or get eaten by something.”

“What a waste that would be,” Gefred lamented.

“They’re welcome to come with us,” I said. “But only if they want to and only as free beings.”

“Where are you going?” Shyanne enquired.

“To the Temple of the First Priestess,” Gefred replied.

“No.” I stretched my neck, bracing for a fierce argument from my team of misfits.

“We can’t go back to the temple. The queen’s guards are looking for Joy Vessels everywhere.

They’ve come by the temple already and they will again.

Besides, I no longer completely trust the Joy Guardians who are in charge of the temple now. ”

I wasn’t sure if I should’ve trusted the former Master Guardian as much as I did, either. Master Arter never mentioned he paid money for me. On the contrary, he’d always insisted he took me in only out of the kindness of his heart.

Did the fact that I was sold and purchased turn his act of kindness into a transaction that minimized his good intentions?

I didn’t know.

Ultimately, he still raised and educated me.

He must have genuinely cared about me. But he also lied to me all this time.

Maybe it was because he didn’t want me to question where the temple had the money to buy a child.

Because then he would have to explain why we charged the pilgrims for access to the Joy that was supposed to be free for all fae in the kingdom.

Either way, Oria had likely already reported to the royal guards that I’d showed up at the temple. Even if she hadn’t, she had made her position clear. Without a chance for another portal, the Watchers wanted to eradicate all humans. If I brought Ciana to the temple again, she’d be dead.

“Joy Guardian, you promised to give us joy, and you’d better deliver.” Malis rotated her new sword with menace.

Gefred dropped the horses’ reins and tightened the rope that held his skirt, looking ready to fight if needed.

Gripping my daggers in both hands, I stepped aside to lead the imminent fight away from the humans.

I was a far better warrior than any of the four desert dwellers. Even in my weakened state, with my tendril magic gone, I was certain I could defeat any one of them. If they all attacked me at once, however, chances weren’t on my side. What they lacked in skill, they made up for in viciousness.

“Wait!” Ciana rushed to us. “What do you want from him?”

“He promised us joy!” Malis snapped. “That was the deal in exchange for us risking our hides to save you from the traders.”

“He gave us his promise,” Raimus chimed in. “If he doesn’t deliver on it, he’ll die.”

A slow, gruesome death awaited any fae who dared to break his promise. I looked into Ciana’s dark eyes, I saw the reflection of stars in them, and to me, she was worth it all. She was worth dying for. But I would do more for her than dying. For Ciana, I was willing to live, no matter the cost.