“Then where are we? Don’t all five courts directly border the in-between?” I ask, confused.
“Yes and no. The Great Wood borders the in-between, and the kingdoms border the Great Wood.”
The way Rowan says Great Wood sounds ominous and vaguely important. So it’s a place governed by no one? How in the world does that work?
“Before you babble on, the Great Wood is older than any court. It is governed by the strongest of creatures and has no master other than itself. Many fae refuse to traverse it alone. Only highly skilled and powerful fae such as me or the masters are safe. Anyone else would be challenged and they would lose.”
A cool shiver travels down my spine. “Oh. So creatures like the wendigo?”
Rowan laughs, and it appears to startle to stillness around us that I hadn’t found unnatural until now. “No, of course not. Wendigo’s are weak demons who wouldn’t dare set foot in the Great Wood for fear of being eaten alive.”
Only the great fae king Rowan would say the wendigos that almost took my life a month ago are considered weak. If those creatures are nothing compared to what lurks in the shadows of the Great Wood, then what the hell is out there? The cheery yellow hue of the trees isn’t comforting any longer, it feels wrong. As if something is hiding just ahead of us through the leaves, waiting.
“Ugh. Why’d you have to tell me that? Now I’m all freaked out.”
Rai falls back to ride beside us. “Don’t worry, Tiana. No one will mess with a fae king, his queen, and a fae master.”
Rowan tips his crown like a cowboy hat. “He’s right, we will protect a vulnerable lady such as yourself.”
I scoff. “Vulnerable? Speak for yourself. I can hold my own.”
“Of course you can,” says Rai, in a voice that isn’t very convincing.
The males exchange looks while grinning like fools, and I gesture between them, my eyes narrowed. “I don’t think I like this, at all.”
Chapter Five
The day goes by as slow as molasses. Lunch comes and goes with no issue, and just as the sun sets along the horizon, Rai announces that the town is just up ahead. I almost whoop with joy at the prospect of getting off this horse for the night. Who knew riding would leave my thighs feeling so sore? Plus, it had gotten hotter and hotter as the sun rose in the sky, causing me to sweat.
I’m sure that my hair is a tangled mess of frizz by now and my pits smell like a garbage can. Meanwhile the two males with me look calm and just as refreshed as they did when we left this morning. Full-blooded fae bastards. Rowan laughs at that, and it startles me again to remember we still have that mind-boggling connection between us. And then my cheeks color. He just heard me call myself smelly like a trash can. Nice one Tiana. Nothing makes a girl want to bash her head against a tree more than saying something stupid in front of the man she finds attractive.
The small woodland dirt road becomes wider and better-paved the father we travel into the village until turning into stone. This place is what I’d expect a fae settlement to look like. Cobblestone streets, old brick buildings with rickety signs, and vendors lining the road trying to gain the attention of travelers. The locals stare at us as we pass—well, mostly at Rai and Rowan. I seem to be a second thought, or a focal point of jealousy from the females.
Rai stops in front of a large building before dismounting and handing the reins to a young fae male. The boy beams at Rai when he drops a few shining coins into his palm. He gestures for me to get off and I do so, albeit awkwardly. Rowan steadies me on my way down and grabs a bag off my horse, carrying it inside for me.
The main room has a dozen tables full of chattering air fae, a bar with only a few seats open, and a large stage to the far left. No one’s up there right now, but I suspect they have live entertainment when the sunsets for good. Several people seem to recognize Rai and wave to him. He returns the gesture while smiling warmly in their direction. He must truly frequent this place to know so many locals.
“Here we are. It’s not much, but their beds are comfortable, and the food is good,” Rai explains.
“Looks perfect to me,” I reply, “but I think I want to bathe more than I want to eat right away.”
He nods. “I’ll show you guys to your room.”
“You mean our rooms?” I ask, but the question is lost in the noise of the inn as Rai pushes through toward the stairs on the opposite side of the room.
Rowan waggles his eyebrows at me before gesturing for me to climb the stairs first. The smug expression on his face makes me want to sock him in the face, but I refrain due to the crowd. I’ve never met a male who both infuriates me and makes me want to kiss him at the same time. I settle for glaring as I pass which only makes him laugh. My frustration boils higher as I stomp up the stairs after Rai.
He leads me down two other hallways before coming to a stop in front of a wooden door with the number seventeen on it. Rai materializes an old-fashioned metal key into his palm before clicking open the door and swinging it open for me. The room is as plain as it can get. There’s a queen bed with cream sheets, a night stand, and a massive metal tub that must be for bathing. Looking at it makes me cringe. The only light comes from a roaring fireplace, seemingly lit by magic alone.
Rai walks up, slapping me on the shoulder. “Everything looks okay, right?’
“Yeah, great,” I say bleakly.
Rowan chuckles again in that smug way while tossing our things onto the bed. Rai tells us he’s going to drop his stuff off in his room before going down to grab us a table for dinner. Rowan waves him away before I can ask why we got one room instead of two.
Rowan and I are left staring at each other from opposite sides of the room. He’s leaning against the end of the bed, one foot crossed over the other. He looks so normal and comfortable here too, like he’s been in every environment under the sun and nothing bothers him. It infuriates me even more. At least Lucien has flaws. The male standing in front of me is the picture of a porcelain doll. A very attractive one at that. His eyes move to the wash bin next to me and back again.
“What?” I snap.
“Don’t you want to bathe?” he asks casually before snapping his fingers. One moment it’s empty and the next the tub is filled with steaming water that smells of roses and citrus. Even if it is impressive, I refuse to show it.
“Yes, but not with you watching.” I motion for him to turn around.
He snorts but does as he’s told. I don’t take my eyes off of him the entire time I strip. When I peek into the tub, it’s swirling with flower petals, bubbles, and magic. My feet go in first, and I bite my lip at how good it feels. When my achingly sore thighs hit the water a moan of ecstasy spills from my mouth. Rowan doesn’t comment on it, but he does flop onto the bed with one arm over his eyes.
“Is this okay?” he asks.
I eye him suspiciously. “Yes, I suppose so. Why do we have a shared room anyhow?”
“You’re my fated mate and queen, remember? From the moment we set foot into the kingdoms to when we leave it’s important that the people see it. Don’t worry, I’ll behave. Mostly.” He chuckles, and I watch his muscled chest bob up and down from the movement.
“That makes sense,” I begrudgingly admit.
“Of course it does, now hurry it up. I’m starving.”
For once I don’t argue as I finish by dunking my head under the water to scrub my hair. The water must be spelled to take all of the dirt and grime off of my body because once I step out it looks murky and gray. Rowan tosses me a towel from the bags, and I wrap it around myself. He stands and switches places with me before swirling his finger in the water once to restore it.
“What are you up to?” I ask, gripping my towel.
“Taking a bath, what does it look like? Now turn around.” He motions, but then grins. “That is, unless you’d like to watch. I wouldn’t mind.”
My face flames as I whip around. All I hear after that is him sinking into the water. “Can I turn around just to look in
the bags? I won’t look.”
“I don’t mind. There’s no need to make excuses to look upon your mate in his natural state.”
I turn but stare straight at the bags on the bed as I rifle through them for something to wear. “Again, you’re the worst.”
He bursts out laughing, and the water sloshes. “I only do it because you’re so easy to tease.”
Ignoring him, I pull on a big, thick, wool shirt that I’m pretty sure is his and black leggings. After that, I climb onto the bed and brush out my hair, smelling it with each stroke to appreciate the subtle scent of roses. Knowing that I’m a hypocrite, I peek in his direction behind my hair. He’s facing away from me, but the muscles on his back ripple with each movement he makes in the tub. I wonder what that would feel like under my hands, I think, my cheeks flaming at the desire that pools in my stomach.
You can try it if you want.
Ah! Get out of my head you pervert!
Pervert? You’re the one sneaking glances at a naked man.
Now my face flames for an entirely different reason and I squeeze my eyes closed. Rowan stands before climbing out of the tub and padding toward the bed. The bags rustle and I grip the hairbrush tightly in both hands, praying that he gets dressed soon so that I can flee to the dining room below us. The bed sags with new weight, and I feel him kneeling in front of me.
“Open your eyes, Tiana.”
“This feels awfully familiar,” I whisper.
His fingers graze my cheek. “I promise I won’t tease you anymore.”
I blink my eyes open to see that he is indeed kneeling in front of me, only wearing a pair of loose black pants. His tattoos are stark in the firelight, and shadows play tricks on me as they seem to be moving. Rowan’s face is serious again as he pushes me back on the bed before taking the hair brush from my hands. I start to protest weakly when he leans over me, but he places one finger upon my lips.
“Listen to me Tiana. For me, this isn’t make-believe. I’m not pretending to love you, or be your mate, or your devoted king. This is real for me, and the only reason I tease you is to make it hurt a little less.”
“Rowan, I—”
He cuts me off with a swift kiss, and my hands slid up his chest to wrap around his neck without another thought, pulling him in. He comes willingly, opening his mouth wider for me to inhale him. My nails scratch along his back as I arch my chest into his. We devour each other like we need each kiss as much as we need air, and I lose myself in the heat of it. The feel of his hands on my body, and his magic calling to my own makes my soul soar. Maybe this is right, maybe we are meant for something more, maybe . . .
My thoughts trail off when he engulfs me in his arms, pulling me as close as humanly possible. The desire surges like an inferno, making me wrap my legs around his waist. He moans in the back of his throat before sitting up, allowing me to straddle his lap. Our hands roam of their own accord, getting to know each and every alcove of our bodies. My nails scratch his back harder this time, and he growls, his canines snapping out farther to draw blood across my lips. I tilt my head back, feeling pleasure rather than pain. He kisses along the column of my throat, leaving little love bites along the way.
When I snap back up, he’s staring at me, eyes glowing wildly with desire and something else. This beautiful, powerful, perfect male loves me. He just said it out loud. Do I love him in return? Do I know him enough to? I bring my hands up to cup his face and kiss him sweetly, tasting my own blood mingling between us.
“Rowan… I…”
A banging at the door stops me, and Rai’s voice comes through. “Hey, I have hot food downstairs. You guys coming?”
We lock eyes and I scramble off him, the desire drying up. What was I thinking? Again, I had stupidly let the fae magic desire suck me in. What was I even about to tell him? That I love him? Would it have been true? Rowan reaches for me but I’m out of range and opening the door before he can stop me. Rai smiles at first but looks from my flushed face and bruised neck to Rowan kneeling on the bed and back again. His expression turns uncomfortable, and he rubs the back of his neck.
“I’m ready, but he’s still getting dressed. We will see you down there,” I say to Rowan after quickly pulling on my boots.
He doesn’t say anything as I push Rai out the door and slam it behind us.
Chapter Six
The next day we ride for hours in stark, uncomfortable silence. Rowan follows behind Rai and I, and hasn’t spoken to me since last night. He was gone from the room this morning before I woke up and has barely looked at me all day. Did I hurt him by fleeing? Of course you did! I yell at myself. He confessed to me, probably hoping for one in return. But I’m not ready. My feelings are mixed, and that might be hard to hear, but it’s the truth.
Rai stops his horse in a grove of trees before pulling out hard cheese, jerky, bread, and water canteens. “Quick lunch for now. My father will have dinner for you when we arrive.”
I catch the canteen he tosses to me and move my horse closer to grab some food. Rowan pulls his horse up next to mine, but still acts like I’m not even here. Rai gives me a look I can’t decipher while gesturing subtly at Rowan. I shake my head and shrug before looking away. There’s nothing I can say to make it better.
Rai sighs. “All right, what the hell happened last night?”
We’re both silent, but I glance at Rowan. He’s finally looking at me, but his expression is closed. It sends a cold feeling through my chest.
“Nothing,” Rowan responds dryly.
“Obviously it’s not nothing. You guys can’t go in there acting like this. You’re supposed to be in love already, not working your crap out,” Rai says, throwing his hands in the air. He points at me. “You, you’ve been confused since the get-go and that’s fine, but spill it. Now. How do you feel?”
“W-what?” I sputter.
“You heard me! Spill it!”
I glance at Rowan, and he’s looking back at me with interest. “Uh, well. I’ve always been physically attracted to all the masters, but I only have emotional feelings for two. Lucien, as we’ve bonded a lot since meeting a few months ago. And Rowan, as he’s been with me from the start. But I do feel… More inclined toward Rowan.”
“All right, but you’re denying him because?”
I close my eyes and blurt out. “Because I don’t know him! He knows me but I don’t know him! I need time to decide, and he shouldn’t fault me for that. I’m not hundreds of years old like everyone else around here is!”
“There. Doesn’t confessing make you feel better?” Rai asks.
I open my eyes to glare at him. “No!”
“Well get used to it. Fae are different from humans. We’re painfully honest and upfront, making it difficult for us to decipher what you are saying but not saying. It’s time to be honest with yourself and everyone around you, Tiana.”
With that he pulls on the reins, urging his horse onward, effectively ending the conversation. I can feel Rowan staring at me, but I refuse to turn my head. They might prefer honesty, but it’s still hard for me. I’m ashamed and embarrassed by my thoughts and emotions right now. Loving more than one man shouldn’t be possible. Maybe I’m just lying to myself by saying I love them both, but for different reasons.
“Tiana,” Rowan pleads. I urge my horse forward, and she speeds into a gallop. “Tiana, please. I apologize.”
“I accept your apology. Now can we never speak of this again?” I ask, my face flaming.
He laughs. “What are your human customs, anyhow? It seems like keeping your thoughts and feelings bottled up only causes further stress and confusion for everyone involved.”
“It’s called sparing someone's feelings. You’re hurt by my confession, are you not?” I ask while finally looking him in the eye.
He shrugs. “To be hurt by the truth is a consequence fae accept and internalize.”
I decide that we will simply agree to disagree on the matter. Fae are fundamentally different than humans. T
hey don’t have the same emotions or feelings as us. Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember that. We continue the journey with easy conversation about our surroundings. There’s nothing special about the air kingdom. After breaking out of the Great Wood, the trees turned a normal light green. The only thing I can be sure of is the constant breeze scenting the air with chamomile and mint. It’s refreshing, and playful just as my air magic feels.
The foliage breaks ahead to reveal a sparkling marble wall over fifteen feet high. Over that, I can spot the tips of towering buildings built with the same white and black stone, golden and silver lining the edges. A gilded iron gate stands before us, guarded by tall, lithe males similar-looking to Rai. Their hair is bright gold and held back from their face with gold hair pieces that match the studs winking in their ears. Their armor is of a similar fashion—flashy and a little bit over the top.
Rai waves one arm through the air and the gates creak open. The guards move aside, bowing toward their prince. He sits up straight on his horse, tilting his chin higher in the presence of his subjects as we move through the streets. Building after building all look the same. Built with some sort of expensive marble-colored rock, and edged in actual metals, melted into it. And the citizens here are not commoners, that’s for sure. Every one of them is wearing expensive robes, tunics, and jewels from head to toe. These fae must be the nobility of the air kingdom, and they clearly love Rai. As he passes, they bow low, smiling, some even go as far as to throw flowers in his direction. But despite the crowd, the streets are silent. You could hear a pin drop if not for the heavy clopping of horse hooves.
Rowan and I, on the other hand, are met with skeptical looks. We move forward together, wearing matching outfits that Rai had picked out for us. We’re in traditional colors of the air fae kingdom, white and gold, which is clearly displayed all over this shining city. His tunic is simple, but elegant. The blinding white is dampened by the dull bronze thread and complemented by his elegant, golden jewel-encrusted crown for which I have the matching diadem.
High Fae Academy - Year Three: Paranormal Fae Romance Page 3