B’nar nodded. He respected Shannon, just like we all did. She’d fucked up, but she’d always been a good person to have watching your back in a battle, and he knew it. My gut churned at the thought of leaving her in the palace, even knowing B’nar would protect her, but I had to ensure my plan was viable. “I need to leave her in your care for a week or so.”
“Why?”
His question was merely curious. Especially now that he’d seen how I hated her being out of my sight.
“I need to make sure the cottage is safe enough and still in one piece.”
“Indeed. But you don’t need to leave her for that long, my friend. I can take you there…if you trust me with your location. It is wise that I know where you are just in case of…problems.”
Maybe it was dangerous to trust B’nar so much, but I did. He’d never let us down in the past and was always there when we needed him. “I do trust you. I just don’t want to put you in an awkward position if the Spring High Lord finds a Winter Kingdom High Fae in his lands with a human shifter.”
B’nar’s grin turned feral. “It won’t be awkward. I don’t need permission to enter that arrogant fucker’s lands. I’m the heir to the Fae Kingdoms. If he finds out you are there and still wishes to cause a problem, I’ll be more than happy to put him right back in his place. Under my fucking boot, if I get the chance.”
I couldn’t help my smirk. “No love lost there, then.”
Electric-green magic flashed in his irises. “None. He was a spoiled and entitled little shit when he was a child, and he still is.”
“Okay, then. So long as you’re unconcerned that if he finds me there, he’ll want an audience with you. Someone like that is always looking for their next angle.”
“Oh, I’d be happy to discuss how I agreed to you entering a part of Faery, the world where I rule in my father’s stead, and how I don’t need his permission.” There was a delighted look on his face at the thought of adiscussionwith the Spring High Lord.
I grinned. “In that case, I’ll take you up on your offer. The sooner I can get Shannon somewhere peaceful, where she can heal, the sooner I can get her home to her sister.”
“You know Faery is your home, too, don’t you? I know you don’t consider me your liege, but I hope you consider me a friend. As such, you will always have a place here, which extends to your mate.”
I nearly choked on the sip of peach tea I’d just taken. “She’s not. We’re not…”
B’nar chuckled, clapping me on the back as he walked by. “Of course not. Not yet, at least. We’d better get going if you want to return before dark tonight.”
I stood, a scowl on my face and followed my friend. It wasn’t that I was angered by his words; it was more that I knew he was right. Deep in my soul, I had a connection to Shannon that scared the shit out of me. I had brought her here intending to make sure she fought her demons and built up her strength, physically and mentally. But, even though I felt drawn to her, part of me had believed I’d be able to walk away whenever I chose, especially if she rejected me. I hadn’t fully acknowledged to myself what Shannon was to me. Not clearly, at any rate. I released a shaking breath. She was my soul mate. Yet I doubted that she’d agree. At least, not yet.
But she would.
Sunbeams cut through the window panes, hitting the wooden floor and illuminating the dust motes disturbed by B’nar striding through the moderate-sized one-room cottage. I coughed and looked around. Gwen and I had once been happy here until my father had widened his search for me, getting closer and closer. Even at a five-day ride from the Winter Kingdom border, it had been too risky to stay after word had reached me that his men were closing in. My heart ached for Gwen, for everything we thought we’d have in the human world, for the life that she never got to live. But there was a feeling of peace in this tiny cottage, which I’d often felt when she’d smiled at me. Gwen hadn’t been my soul mate, but I’d respected and cared deeply for her. I wasn’t a sentimentalist, yet part of me wondered if a piece of her kind soul lingered here, happy that I might use this place again. Even if it was with another female.
“I know you wanted isolation, Stone, but this really is the middle of nowhere. Where will you source food from? Perhaps I should send someone to stock up your cupboards…”
B’nar’s doubtful expression made me laugh. I don’t know; perhaps it really was Gwen’s influence on me. She’d brought light into my life before; perhaps she still could. And in turn, maybe I could pass that on to Shannon. Mother only knew she needed it. Determination gripped me. I’d make this work.
“Now, now, Prince, there’s no need for that look of disdain. Not every Fae can be born into riches and palaces. The common folk have to grow and kill their food….” My words sounded harsh, but I said them with a smile. B’nar wasn’t entitled, he’d roughed it with us on many occasions, but still, he was born intoa lifestyle that common Fae could never hope for. And he was right. I could fill this place with food, but like I’d told him before, I wanted to provide for my soul mate myself.
My soul mate.
The surge of warmth that came with that thought knocked me sideways. It was terrifying to actually admit what Shannon was to me. But it was also liberating. I’d avoided it, fought it, even hated that our enmity was so deeply rooted that it touched my soul. Now, all I wanted was the opportunity to…what? Prove to her how good we could be together? Or prove how worthy I was of her? I straightened my spine. Both.
I chuckled at B’nar’s mock scowl as he folded his arms over his chest. “Failing that, there’s a sizeable village not far from here.”
“So you don’t want my offer of food?”
Seeing the most powerful Fae in this world stand in the middle of the tiny cottage with a bemused look on his face while dust motes floated around him was almost surreal. I grinned as I swept a finger along the rustic dining table I’d made so long ago. I needed a day or two to get this place cleaned up and ready for Shan, but I found I was looking forward to bringing her here. “I will gladly accept your offer for enough to support us for a few days. After that, I really would like to provide for Shannon myself.”
Now, he just looked smug, his pale green eyes glinting with amusement. “Ah, so you still want to provide for your not-mate? To prove that you can be relied upon for protection and sustenance so that when youdofind yourrealsoul mate, she can tell her what a good prospect you are.”
I rolled my eyes. “No offence, Prince, but piss off.”
He chuckled, not in the least offended. I forgot sometimes that B’nar was capable of fun. It was rare that he showed the more relaxed side to his nature, but we were alone, and out herein the forest, no one was watching except the pixies I could sense nearby.
“Well, if we’ve reached the point in our friendship where you can fling profanity at me, you should start using my common name, Ventry, or Vent, if you wish. Calling me ‘heir of’ is far too formal, even for me.”
