Skimming the edge of Feywood Forest, I clung close to the towering trees, relying on the thick canopy to shield me from prying eyes. The last thing I needed was to be spotted by one of the villagers who would surely reveal my clandestine excursion to Aidan. I hated the idea of worrying him, but I simply didn’t understand what could possibly be the harm in stealing a peek at the King of Ethereal Light.
I quickened my step, eager to see the infamous royal and return to the cottage before Aidan awoke. According to rumor, King Elian and his royal guardians were traveling across Feywood to journey deep into the Wilds. The desolate, untamed land to the south was said to be inhabited by terrifying creatures, ones so frightening just the thought made my skin crawl. When I was young, Aidan would regale me with stories of courageous Fae who would slay the blood-thirsty beasts. Perhaps, that was why he’d trained me with those daggers, so that one day I may vanquish monsters.
Or at least, that was the tale I told myself as a child.
The crunch of grass beneath heavy footfalls sent my head spinning over my shoulder. I darted behind the trunk of a massive tree and pressed my back to the rough bark. My heart hammered against my ribs as the murmur of male voices joined the chorus.
“I’ve heard female Kin will do anything to bed a Light Fae.” A deep male chuckle followed the inappropriate remark. “And that their rounded ears are their most sensitive spot.”
I clapped my hand over my mouth to keep the snort from erupting. It seemed Fae males were just as clueless as their Kin counterparts.
“I’ve heard the same,” said another male. “And that they are wild in bed, much more entertaining than the conceited females at court.”
“Well, it is a shame we are only passing through Feywood then.”
“I bet you’d have time, Bodrick before the king flies through. Cornelia told my sister you were so quick in bed it was over before it had even begun.”
Another chorus of laughter echoed through the quiet forest.
“Shut your mouth, Marten. At least, I’m not forced to pleasure myself with my own prismatic manipulation. I’ve heard you’ve become an expert in creating the female—”
“Quiet, you imbeciles, did you hear that?” A third voice sailed through the air, only yards away from my hiding spot.
My heart catapulted up my throat, and I barely restrained a gasp.
“I didn’t hear anything,” said one.
“Because you were too busy flapping your lips about nonsense.”
From the corner of my eye, a brilliant burst of light illuminated the murky forest.
“Over there! I can sense an aura.”
No. No. No.
Unsheathing my daggers, I clutched one in each fist and searched for the calm Aidan had drilled into me across countless lessons. Slow your breath. Control your pulse. Clear your mind.
I didn’t know much about royal guardians, other than the obvious fact that they were the most skilled warriors in all of Aetheria, and if these males had been chosen to guard the king, they must have been especially powerful. As a magicless Kin, all I had were my blades.
The slap of heavy boots grew closer, ratcheting up my pulse despite my best effort to remain calm.
“Come out by order of the King of Ethereal Light,” one of the males shouted.
Tightening my hold around the hilt, I considered my options. I could run, but there were at least three of them and they would likely be faster than me. Or I could surrender. Perhaps they’d show me mercy. I was not in fact doing anything wrong other than eavesdropping on their lewd conversation.
“I will count to five. If you do not surrender, we will take you by force.”
Hemmingbyrd wings battered my chest, their mad flutter lashing at my insides.
“Five… four….”
Run. A voice screamed in my head, and my feet obeyed the command before I could think better of it. I darted out from behind the tree and raced along the edge of the forest, my arms pumping like mad.
“Get the girl, now!”
Heavy footfalls struck the path behind me, the ominous crackle of leaves and twigs growing ever closer. I whirled around an enormous trunk and turned deeper into the forest, despite every nerve urging me to run in the opposite direction.
Then all went silent.
The only sound was the mad thumping of my heart.
An errant gust of wind sent dark hair with streaks of platinum across my face. Squeezing my eyes closed, I raced blindly for a few more steps before steel bands circled my torso and pressed me against an unyielding form.
A scream ripped through my clenched lips as I was lifted off the ground.
“Where do you think you’re going, little Kin?” A deep voice sailed across my rounded ear, and I hazarded a glance over my shoulder.
Pointed ears and a sharp profile with wisps of silver hair.
I drew in a breath as my gaze landed on the male’s glittering, ethereal wings fashioned of pure light. They slowed their graceful movement, and we began to descend.
“Let go of me,” I snarled and slashed at my captor with a dagger.
“Fine.” The firm hold of his steely arms fell away, and I plummeted to the ground.
I hit the hardpacked earth with a smack, the impact reverberating from my knees all the way up my spine. Muttering curses, I adjusted my grip on the daggers as the three males coalesced around me.
Pure, luminous splendor radiated from their muscled forms. Each wore pristine white uniforms with gilded piping, the thread seemingly created from shimmering light itself. With hair like spun gold and creamy white countenances, I couldn’t help but gawk at their unearthly beauty.
“What are you doing skulking in the forest, Kin?” one of the males barked.
“I wasn’t skulking,” I hissed, wobbling on my knees. “I was merely on my way to the village.”
The tallest male ticked his head at the dagger in my fist. “You were not sent to ambush the king?”
“Me?” I nearly choked on a laugh. “Of course not.”
“Then why would a female be wielding weapons like those?”
“Do Fae females not train in combat?”
“Only at the Conservatory—”
“Hush, Bodrick.” The one with glinting azure eyes moved closer. “Do you know what the punishment is for assaulting Fae?”
“You assaulted me!” I shrieked. “I was minding my own business when you dropped from the sky and scooped me up.”
“Forget the lashes,” said Bodrick. “She’s a pretty little thing. I’ve never seen a Kin with hair like that. It looks as if Raysa shot lightning down from the sky, right across her dark locks. Let’s have some fun with her instead.” A hungry gaze lit up his pale amber eyes.
Oh, gods no. My stomach somersaulted, and I attempted to push myself off the ground.
“Stay down,” the tall male snarled, and all three guardians stalked closer.
Cold sweat dribbled down my spine, and my fingers tightened around my daggers. My muscles tensed, coiled to strike. Why, oh, why didn’t I listen to Aidan? I would rather fight to the death today than allow any of these males to touch me. What a stupid, stupid decision I’d made coming here.
“I get the first taste of that sexy rounded ear.” Bodrick sneered, running his tongue across his bottom lip. I slashed the air between us, my blade glistening beneath the slivers of remaining sunlight. “Oh, feisty, I like that.” Splaying his fingers, a rope of light shot from his fingertips and coiled around one dagger, then the other, ripping them free of my grasp. I stared like a gaping idiot as my weapons clattered to the ground. What the stars? I knew Light Fae wielded magic, but I’d never witnessed it. He lunged, wrapping muscled arms around my torso as he pinned me to the ground.
“No!” I kicked and struggled beneath the male’s massive form as terror screamed through my veins. Finding an inch of space, I jabbed my knee up between his legs, and the bastard released a satisfying grunt. As he shifted to adjust his wounded male parts, I raked my fingernails across his cheek.
“You bitch!” he howled and rolled off, finally freeing me. Wild laughter broke out among the males as they watched their companion squirming on the forest floor. I leapt to my feet and collected my daggers as the others continued to chuckle.
“Assaulting a Fae calls for ten lashes,” Bodrick snarled, still cradling his manly bits on the ground.
The blare of a horn snapped all three males to attention.
“Curses,” the tallest one mumbled.
“We’re moving out, Bodrick, get your ass up,” the other one barked.
He rose, muttering oaths and fixed his narrowed glare in my direction. “Not before I kill that little wench and take her ear as my trophy.”
A rush of air escaped through my clenched teeth, and I staggered back a step, then another.
“Leave her be, we don’t have time for this,” the tall one hissed.
A brilliant glow illuminated Bodrick’s hands, the light so intense my eyes slammed closed. “This will only take a second.”
“I said no! We’ll have enough monsters to face in the Wilds, save your energy, you fool.”
A second horn blasted, and my eyes snapped open.
They were gone.