Page 166 of Never Kiss a Fae

Soon I would emerge from this watery cocoon.

Someone needed me.

I only wished I knew who.

Rest,I heard someone say.You’ll find me when you’re ready.

Mmm, I loved that voice.Okay.

I’ll be waiting…

Okay,I repeated, snuggling into the hot male at my side.I miss you.

I miss you, too, princess.

“We’ll go back to them soon,” a deep voice murmured, lips close to my ear. “Maybe even tomorrow. Sleep and we’ll evaluate your strength then.”

“Mmm, ’kay.” I nuzzled his skin, adoring the fresh scent and allowing it to overwhelm my senses. “I trust you.”

And I did.

Because he was mine.

And I trusted what was mine.

“We’ll see” was his reply. “Sleep, little queen.”

I yawned, nodding. Who was I to argue with a king?

Chapter24

Cyrus

My father joined me on the balcony of my rooms, his light hair tied back at the nape. Most Water Fae preferred to wear their hair long, enjoying the way it flowed like water over their shoulders. I preferred to keep mine shorter, as was customary of my spirit side. That might have to change in the years to come.

Another concession,I thought.All for a female I never desired to love.

Yet glancing over my shoulder now to see her blonde curls against my navy pillows had me thinking otherwise. Claire was special. Very, very special.

“How is she?” my father asked, following my gaze.

Well fucked, I mused, eyeing her swollen lips and resting form. The silky sheets hid her body from view, but I knew the rest of her was just as well sated as her mouth. “She’s recovering,” I said out loud instead. “Slowly, but steadily.”

He nodded. “Her healing will improve and strengthen even more once she’s near her other elements.”

I agreed. “Yes. I’m thinking of moving her tomorrow.” While she still slept most of the day, her moments of lucidity were powerful. And, well, demanding. Every time she opened her eyes, she reached for me and wouldn’t focus on anything else—like eating—until I fucked her senseless. “I had no idea the mating bond could be so… stimulating.” Not that I was complaining. I rather benefited from Claire’s neediness.

“Your bond is making up for what should have been months of courtship,” he murmured. “I’m not surprised it’s asserting certain requirements on you both.” His expression lacked the amusement in his tone, his gaze taking on a faraway gleam as he rested his elbows on the balcony railing. “I’ll save you the lecture, son. We both know what this means.”

I appreciated him not wasting my time with words. My mind was littered with enough of them already. “I can’t ascend until I’ve found Exos.” Because I couldn’t rule two kingdoms.

He remained quiet for a long moment, the breeze from the seas below ruffling the collar of his suit and blowing the fabric of my loose pants. It felt nice being surrounded by life and energy. Yet my duty to the Spirit Kingdom hung over my head, weighing me down. I couldn’t just turn my back on them. Even after I accepted my rightful place here, I’d advocate for the kingdom I considered my true home.

“I wish you would have come to me,” he finally said. “About Exos, I mean.”

“You know why I didn’t.”

“Yes. But you know I can keep a secret from the Council, Cyrus.” He glanced sideways at me. “I think this week proves it, don’t you?”