Page 1 of Veil of Shadows (Fae of Woodlands & Wild #2)

CHAPTER 1

Phillen pulled back a hanging tapestry in the Stonewild palace’s west tower, and a cool circular stairwell appeared. “Back we go, Elowen.”

I curled my lip at him but stepped into the stairwell. He lumbered in after me, letting the tapestry fall back in place, then began to climb the stairs.

Begrudgingly, I followed.

The feel of the stairwell’s rock interior, numerous steps, and dampness reminded me of the tunnel Jax had used to smuggle me into the palace nearly a week ago—a palace that Jax, or rather the Dark Raider, or more accurately, Prince Adarian , had apparently grown up in.

I trudged up the stairs behind the crown prince’s personal guard and carefully held my arm so I didn’t bump my self-inflicted injury. Each step felt like it brought me closer to death, but I followed Phillen because I had no choice.

“You should have just done as you were told, Elowen, and waited for him to free you.” He glowered, an expression I could actually see since his mask was gone.

My eyes narrowed at Phillen, or perhaps I should start thinking of him as Nellip, since that was apparently his true name...lying bastard that he was.

On second thought, I would continue thinking of him as Phillen as a reminder of his betrayal. Of all of their betrayals.

I scoffed and shot back, “It was three days , you know. How was I to have known any of you would return? I thought you’d all left me to remain locked in that chambers indefinitely.”

Phillen looked to the ceiling and took a deep breath as we continued to climb the stairs. “We only just returned today. By tonight, the prince would have found a way to free you. It’s just that...things aren’t as simple as they seem. He couldn’t very well race to release you the second we stepped foot inside the palace. Fae would have noticed his abrupt absence.” The guard glared at me over his shoulder. “So, if you’d just waited, instead of pulling that stunt to escape, things would have turned out much differently.” He paused to face me, and since he was a step above me, he literally towered over me. “Speaking of which, do you know what would have happened if any of the serving staff had learned who the prince really is? Did you even think of that?”

My nostrils flared, and I curled my uninjured hand into a fist. Stars, I wanted to punch something. My voice turned syrupy when I replied, “Oh, I’m so sorry, did my desperate actions put you all in a delicate situation? Pardon me. How atrocious of me to even consider taking matters into my own hands.”

Phillen harrumphed, his aura rising in agitation, then he began climbing the stairs again, not saying another word.

Our footsteps echoed around us as we trudged back to my suite—or rather my cage—on the third floor.

Nobody was about in this forgotten stairwell. I had a feeling Phillen had chosen this route intentionally since the Dark Raider and his notorious band of criminals all knew how angry I was. They were probably afraid I would shout their crimes to anyone who would listen, even though I’d promised not to reveal their identities.

I seethed at Phillen, which he studiously ignored, but if I didn’t focus on my anger, I would likely burst into tears. Because now, my lifelong dream for freedom—when it had been on the brink of my reality nonetheless—had all come crashing down simply because I hadn’t trusted Jax to free me and instead had broken out of the enchanted chambers on my own.

Yet they could hardly blame me for doing that. Jax had promised to return with my guardian three days ago to loosen my collar so my lorafin magic could mostly be free. But he hadn’t. He’d never returned, so naturally, I thought he’d abandoned me. There was no way I could have known they’d all been called away unexpectedly for an emergent meeting with House Graniteer.

Shoulders weighing down, I continued up the stairs behind the burly guard, still cradling my arm as I tried to rally my spirit, but my soul felt crushed. Defeated. Despair filled me so poignantly that I could barely breathe, yet I followed Phillen, only because I had no other choice.

Phillen faced me again when we reached the third floor. An open arched doorway revealed the floor’s empty hall waiting behind him. “Why did you do it, Elowen?” Regret twisted his features, and I couldn’t help but notice the fight seemed to have gone out of him. “Why did you try to escape? He promised to free you, and he always keeps his promises.”

My collar vibrated when a churn of anxious nerves dipped my stomach into a swirling mess. “How could I have known that? I’ve known Jax less than two weeks, and all he’s done is lie to me.” I threw my uninjured hand up, and in the process, accidentally knocked my injured arm into the wall. Pain exploded up my limb. Gasping, I cradled my elbow.

Phillen winced. “Goddess, Elowen, I know you’ve claimed you don’t need a healer, but you do.”

Panting, I huffed at the brawny, auburn-haired siltenite. “I don’t. I’ll be fine in a few hours.” I sneered and cradled my arm more. “So do with me as you will.”

He sighed heavily and nodded down the hall. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way, but I have no doubt the prince will be checking on you soon, and the last thing I want to be is the receiver of his temper if I don’t do as he says, so onward, Lorafin. We’re almost to your chambers.”

Phillen locked me back into my suite, and once the lock engaged, a pulse of magic emanated from it. Once more, that buzz of Jax’s monumental power coated the lock, which meant none of my unlocking spells could undo it. Well, not unless I wanted to risk more injuries by traveling to the Veiled Between again and asking a semelee to lend me their power. But considering the state of my still-healing arm, which I was guessing had at least two broken bones, that currently wasn’t an option.

Caged once more, I swung away from the door and stalked across the plush chamber while cradling my injury.

Despite the extravagant décor and magical enchantments that would see to my every need, inwardly, I raged. Howled. Cried. Just when I thought for certain I would finally be free, my dream had been ripped away from me. And once again, I was a prisoner in this damned room.

I kicked at the carpet and paced a few times. Since my arm was still entirely useless, I was stuck here until I fully healed and could figure out my next move.

I padded to the couch in the sitting area and sat gingerly, then studied my injury more. My hand and wrist were swollen. Purple squishy flesh made my fingers look like sausages, but my elbow didn’t hurt as badly. Already, it was bending more normally, but bruises were still present, although they weren’t nearly as severe as the bruises I suffered from when I’d been subjected to Jax’s magic during his calling.

Shuddering, I shoved that memory aside.

I finally released my arm and lay back on the sofa to stare at the wall. I had no idea what to do now. My attempt at escaping had failed. I’d discovered the Dark Raider’s wicked secret. My collar was still in place, and according to Guardian Alleron, would be indefinitely since he’d requested that it be forged that way. And worst of all, the dream I’d been pursuing my entire life, the ability to be free if I only did as my guardian said until my thirtieth birthday, had been shattered. Guardian Alleron had never intended to free me, but I wasn’t even sure it mattered anymore because apparently Jax didn’t either.

Worst of all, whether Jax had ever intended it to be so, I had a new guardian now—the crown prince of Stonewild Kingdom. Jax owned me. And if that wasn’t bad enough, he was also as dishonest as Guardian Alleron. The Dark Raider had told me so many lies. So many. And to think I’d once hoped we could be friends.

I scoffed. Truth be told, I’d wanted to be more than friends with him. Much more. My stupid virgin body had craved his touch despite who he was. I’d reacted so acutely to his scent and protectiveness. Ever since I’d met him, an electric spark of attraction had sizzled within me. Yet the male had only sought to use me. Just like every other male in my life.

You’re such an imbecile, Elowen.

A teapot and a cup of tea suddenly materialized on the table in front of me, appearing from thin air. I started, my heart beating rapidly at the suite’s magical gesture.

“Took me by surprise with that one,” I murmured to the enchantment, then I figured a cup of tea might help, and it wasn’t like I had anything else to do. “Thank you,” I added with a grumble.

Leaning forward, I poured a cup of the steaming brew with my good hand, then added a hefty dose of sugar and milk. Out of nowhere, a plate of biscuits popped into existence, sitting right beside the tea.

A small smile lifted my lips. “You always think of everything, don’t you?” I murmured to the chamber.

“I try to.”

Jax’s quiet response made me jump, and I swirled toward the sound of his voice, nearly spilling the hot tea in my lap.

The crown prince of Stonewild Kingdom stood near the bedchamber’s arched entry. He leaned against the wall, wearing the same cobalt sweater and black slacks that he had earlier when he’d discovered me downstairs detained by his staff.

I studied his features despite my anger with him. I couldn’t help it. For the first time since we’d met, he wasn’t disguising himself, and I couldn’t not notice.

Dark hair, curling slightly at the ends, draped across his forehead, and eyes so blue they reminded me of ocean waves, cresting in shades of navy and sapphire, regarded me intently. I could stare at his eyes all day. He had mesmerizing eyes, hypnotic in a way.

Snapping myself out of his innate ability to entrance me, I quickly assessed the rest of him. He had a defined jaw, something I’d seen hints of through his mask in the previous two weeks. And he had a strong nose that was slightly wider than what would be considered classically handsome yet only made him more ruggedly appealing. His lips were well-defined and slightly full, exactly as I remembered when I’d caught a brief glimpse of them after slapping him across the face in the Ustilly Mountains. Broad shoulders, a tall and strong physique, and an intimidating presence rounded out his allure.

The Dark Raider’s unhidden appearance was breathtaking, and I hated to admit it, but he was an absolutely beautiful male. Yet, without his mask, it was almost like looking at a stranger. Although, all I had to do was stare into those swirling cerulean irises and inhale his scent, and I knew who he was.

But despite recognizing him on an intrinsic level, I didn’t actually know him. Because one minute, he was Jax, the Dark Raider and savior of the poor throughout the continent. And the next, he was Prince Adarian, the crown prince of Stonewild Kingdom, who could be just as ruthless as his counterpart, considering he’d locked me back in this chamber.

One thing that I was certain of—this male was a wearer of two faces and a deceiver of us all.

I waved at the tea distractedly. “You summoned this?”

He shrugged. “I thought it may help.”

He pushed away from the wall, and his soft footsteps prowled along the carpet as he approached me, yet I refused to acknowledge him further. Even so, he dropped onto one of the chairs across from me, and his focus settled on my injury. “I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

I angled my upper body away from him, shielding my arm from view. Chest rising faster than I wanted to admit, I took a sip of tea. The cup rattled on the saucer when I set it back down.

“I’m just fine, Guardian Jax,” I replied, a sheet of ice in my tone. “I couldn’t be better, and how are you on this lovely evening?”

His nostrils flared, and he leveled me with a narrowed stare. “Don’t call me that. You know I have no desire to be your guardian.”

“Yet you are now, aren’t you?”

The muscle in his jaw began to tick. “Not by choice. Please, Elowen. Call me Jax, as you have been, at least when we’re not in public.”

I met his gaze straight on and unflinching. I brought the teacup to my mouth and took another sip. “But Jax isn’t your name. Your real name is Adarian.”

“I prefer Jax.”

“Why?”

“Jax is a nickname used by those I consider my friends.”

“And you want me to use it?”

“I do.”

Snorting in disgust, I set the tea down and pushed it away. Just a few days ago, hope would have bloomed in my heart at hearing that. I’d wanted friendship with him too. Okay, more than friendship. But now? I seethed inwardly. No, I wanted nothing to do with him now.

I tilted my chin. “Do you make it a habit to lock up your friends and lie to them about who you really are?”

His throat bobbed in a swallow, but then the corner of his lips kicked up in a devastating smile. “No, you’re the first.”

But I didn’t rise to his inviting humor. I couldn’t.

Bravado fading, my shoulders slumped, and I hated that my voice sounded broken when I asked, “What are you going to do with me?”

His humorous expression vanished, and he leaned forward, draping his elbows on his knees. When he replied, his voice was quiet and his eyes dim. “That is a very good question, Elowen.”

I wrapped my uninjured arm around my middle. “I would never tell anyone your secret, Jax. I promise I won’t. Please , just let me go.”

He studied me again, his look so intense that my cheeks began to heat. Raw emotion blazed from him, but then he shook his head. “Even if you mean that and your intentions are purely honest, you and I both know that sometimes our choices aren’t up to us.”

“Are you truly that worried about a Mistvale fairy forcing me to reveal your secret?”

“I am.”

“But what are the chances?” I threw my uninjured arm up. “They would have to suspect that I knew who the Dark Raider was, and what are the odds of that?”

He sighed. “They’re slim, very slim, I know, but it’s still a chance I can’t take. Too many lives are at risk.”

“Because you’re protecting your actual friends, not me.” A stinging pain clenched my chest that had nothing to do with my injuries, but it was the truth. Jax was protecting Phillen, Lars, Bowan, Trivan, and Lander. His loyalty didn’t lie with me.

Jax winced. But instead of denying my accusation, he slowly stood and prowled around the coffee table to sit beside me. The couch dipped under his weight, and since he sat so close, his thigh pressed to mine. Heat soaked through my breeches. Goddess, he was warm, always so warm.

But I inched away, breaking our contact.

“May I see your arm?” he asked softly.

I cradled it closer to me. “No.”

“Elowen. Please. Let me see how badly you’re injured.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then...I’ll respect your wishes if that’s truly what you want, but I would greatly like to help you if I can.”

He sounded sincere. Dammit, why does he have to always sound sincere? Reluctantly, I extended my limb and revealed the full extent of the collar’s brutal dousing effects.

He inhaled a sharp breath. Gently, he ran his hand along the broken bones, but already I was mending. His touch didn’t cause me searing agony. “What caused this?”

I gave him an annoyed look. “I’m sure you can guess.”

His attention shifted to the gold collar encircling my throat. “You ventured to the Veiled Between again without permission?”

“Yes.”

His nostrils flared, his attention still on my collar. “I hate that thing.” He said it so quietly that I almost didn’t hear him. “I wish I knew how to get it off you.”

“Me too.”

For a moment, we stared at one another, and I could tell by his rising aura that his frustration was genuine. I imagined it was even more irksome for him to be met with a problem that he couldn’t solve, considering who he was—the heir to an entire kingdom. Fae no doubt did as he demanded whenever he commanded them, and if there was something he desired, he was probably given it.

But now, he had me—a caged lorafin with her magic perpetually suppressed thanks to the collar, and there was nothing in this kingdom or the next that could change what Guardian Alleron had done to me as a child, even if Jax was the crown prince.

He scrubbed a hand over his face. “May I get you a healer? If nothing else, to provide a potion to minimize the pain while you heal?”

I shook my head. “I’m fine. Truly. I’m healing fast, and it doesn’t hurt as much. Each minute that ticks by, it gets less. I should be back to normal soon.”

He looked down, then interlocked his fingers. “I can’t change your mind on this?”

“No. There’s no need.”

“Very well.” Another moment of silence passed. The only sound I heard was the faint noise of the bells chiming in the capital. Late evening was approaching.

Out of nowhere, Jax asked quietly, “Why did you try to escape?”

I raised my eyebrows. “Three days ago, you promised to free me, but then you left and didn’t come back. I thought you were never going to, so what choice did I have?”

He released an aggrieved sigh and raked a hand through his hair. “I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am for that. I never intended to leave you that way. An emergency with the ten Houses arose. It was out of my control, but I always intended to free you that day because freedom is the very least that you deserve.”

“Right, of course.” I released a breath dramatically, and my earlier ire began to rise. “How horrible of me not to have known what was going on outside of these locked doors and to inherently know I could trust you completely when you lead such an honest life.”

He growled. “Elowen, I’m sorry . I would have explained things better if I’d been able to.”

“You couldn’t have explained anything? Or asked someone else to? Instead, you just left me?” That stinging feeling of abandonment that always rose up in me, considering I’d been raised to believe that my mother had left me, rose sharply. But even though my guardian had murdered my mother, and she’d never actually left me to die in the Wood, that age-old response held.

Jax’s nostrils flared. “There was no time for me to return, but I see now that I should have asked someone to explain things to you. It just...all came about quite unexpectedly, and I made a poor decision.” He turned to face me more. “But even if I had found a way to let you know what was happening, I couldn’t have promised anything, not even when I would be back with your guardian to loosen your collar. My life here...” He shoved a hand through his hair again, displacing the wavy locks and making a few stand on end. “It isn’t as easy as it seems. I’m constantly watched even though I’m the heir, and if anyone knew I’d smuggled you in here, I’d have to explain myself.”

“Well, they know now since I ran around the palace this morning.”

“Yes, I’m aware. And the two servants who found you have probably already spread the news.”

“So how will you explain that ?”

“I’ve created a new narrative.”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course you have. And who have you told your latest lie to? Your father? Your mother? All of the staff?”

“I haven’t told my parents yet, but I’ll have to, and I’m sure the council will also be curious once they hear you were injured.” He tore a hand through his hair and frowned heavily. “I’ll have to think of something to explain your actions because despite being the crown prince, I can’t randomly abduct fae, break their arms, and not answer for it.”

“They think you broke my arm?”

He shrugged. “Who’s to say? The staff love gossiping.”

“Such a pity,” I replied sarcastically.

He growled. “For now, please play along while I sort things out. So if anyone asks, you’re a fairy I met in Fosterton the other week who I took an interest in, and you agreed to visit Stonewild and only just arrived yesterday. Your injury is from a fall you took down the stairs, and you’re here of your own free will.”

“ Free will, did you say?” I curled my fingers so tightly into my palms that my nails nearly sliced my skin.

Jax’s swirling cobalt irises blazed. “I can understand your anger with me, but believe it or not, I never intended for you to discover who I was. I never intended for any of this. I just wanted the best for you, Elowen. And getting wrapped up with me isn’t what’s best for you.” Pain abruptly sliced across his face. Regret too. He quickly looked away, but not before I saw genuine sorrow filling his expression.

My breath caught. He’d looked that way too, three days ago, when he asked if I wanted to be free, even if freedom meant saying goodbye to one another forever.

Chest heaving, I tried not to react to him, but that was impossible. I’d felt things too at the thought of never seeing him again. My response held no rational explanation. We were practically strangers, yet...something in me had felt on the verge of breaking when I knew we were to part ways.

I scoffed inwardly. I hated these strange reactions he elicited in me, hated even more the warring emotions that abruptly shifted through me, even at this moment when I was determined to hate him. Anger. Doubt. Anxiety. It was all a swirling mess, but once again, he sounded sincere, and he looked tormented by what had happened.

But is he? Goddess , I sighed inwardly. This male is a master at deception. Who’s to say this isn’t an act too?

I forced my fingers to relax, then made myself take another sip of tea. I wanted to believe him, but I no longer knew if I could. He was living a double life, and anyone with that kind of treachery was lying to someone at all times. There was nothing to say he wasn’t lying to me right now.

Despite knowing that, and despite knowing he could just lie to me again, I found myself asking, “Who is he, anyway? The half-breed male with the antlers that you wanted me to find? Why is he so important? Why did you risk bringing me here just to find him?”

Jax’s jaw locked so hard that the muscle jutted out. “I can’t tell you.”

“Why not?”

“Elowen,” he said in a warning tone, “don’t push this.”

“Why? Are you afraid I’ll learn something else I shouldn’t? Something to use against you, perhaps? Would it even matter at this point if I’m to be caged indefinitely?”

His eyes darkened, but he didn’t reply.

I tapped my fingers on my thigh, and the urge to fidget grew as quickly as my rising temper. “Then who are your friends? The ones who are apparently guards or noble fae, yet accompany the Dark Raider on his raids? Will you at least tell me who Lander, Bowan, Trivan, Phillen, and Lars really are? I know those aren’t their real names.”

His jaw clenched. “No. The less you know, the better.” He scratched the back of his neck, his movements quick and agitated. “Believe it or not, I’m trying to protect you. Just being associated with the Dark Raider puts you at risk.”

I scoffed and abruptly stood. Pacing, I cradled my healing arm, then realized I no longer needed to, so I let it hang normally. “So not only are you breaking your promise to free me, but you’re also refusing to tell me anything about the half-breed you seek or anything personal about your friends, yet you claim it’s all for my well-being. Funny how this doesn’t feel like that.”

Standing, Jax stormed toward me, his eyes flashing ice and fire. “It is for your well-being, Elowen. Just being close to me puts you at risk. I’m the fucking Dark Raider , and if that ever came to light, and you were questioned...” Agony swirled in his eyes. “I care so fucking much about you. That’s why I’m not telling you anything, and believe it or not, I’m beyond sorry that I’ve put you in this position. I never wanted this for you. I wanted—” He tore a hand through his hair.

Lips parting, I stared at him.

Such raw emotion blazed in his eyes that it threatened to cut me open, but he didn’t continue. Instead, he blinked and looked away.

“Wanted what?”

He shook his head. “Nothing.”

I planted my hands on my hips. “If all of that is true, and you really do care about me, then you would trust me not to tell anyone your secrets, and you would know that I’d have the sense to avoid Mistvale fae and that I’d have the decency to guard your identity as the Dark Raider. Because I know you’re not evil, Jax. I’ve seen that. I believe that even if you’ve lied about so many other things that I know I can’t trust you. But I do believe you want the best for those considered less than you. I would still protect your secret for the good of others, yet you still refuse to release me.”

I held my breath while waiting and hoping that he’d change his mind.

His face fell. “Elowen...I can’t . Phillen and Lars are right. No matter how infinitesimal the risk is of you being questioned by a Mistvale fairy, I can’t risk it. It wouldn’t be fair to them. But it kills me to do this to you.” The energy rising from him was so potent, so visceral. Again, the sincerity of his words rang through the room.

A moment of doubt hit me. Is what he’s saying now the truth? Does he actually care about me too? Not just his friends? Even though nobody in my entire life has ever truly cared about me? Tears threatened to fill my eyes, and hope wanted to fill my chest, but in my next breath, I took a step back.

What are you doing, Elowen? This male is keeping you his prisoner. Even if he claims he doesn’t want to. Don’t forget that.

Swallowing the thickness in my throat, I blinked the tears back. “Even if that’s true, it doesn’t change anything. You’re still choosing to keep me as your prisoner indefinitely. You’re essentially choosing your friends over me. So if that’s the case, then leave me here if that’s what you’re so intent on doing. I’ll survive just fine in this pretty new cage with its magical enchantments. I’m sure it’ll keep me fed and sheltered, so if you ever need to call upon your lorafin again, Guardian Jax, I’ll be ready and waiting.”

His head snapped back as though I’d slapped him. “Elowen, I’m not your guardian. Not in that way. I don’t own you. I’ll never claim ownership over you.”

For a moment, my breath stopped. His declaration sounded so heartfelt, so honest. But isn’t keeping me here owning me?

I took another step back the second any softening occurred within me, then snapped my spine upright. I would not fall for his pretty lies again. I would not believe Jax as I had my guardian. To my downfall, I’d believed that Guardian Alleron had wanted the best for me when he’d claimed such things, and that had turned out disastrously.

But Jax is nothing like Guardian Alleron. You’ve seen enough to know that.

I shoved that internal voice of reason down. I was so damned tired of being understanding to my abusers.

That stopped today.

Standing taller, I raised my chin. “Save your apologies, Jax. They mean nothing to me now. Because as much as you don’t want to admit it or take ownership for what’s happened, you are my new guardian, and I’m your newest possession. It’s best that we both accept that for what it is.”