Ella came forward. “Say the wordexsolvowhile touching the stone you wish to use. It will come out and then press it against whatever you wish for it to affect.”
Glancing at Kane, I caught a hint of a smile on his lips. It was the kind of smile not meant for everyone, amused and unexpectedly warm.
“That is a noble gift,” he said to the pixies.
They dipped their heads in unison, wings shimmering rainbow-colored dust around them. Then they flew back into the throng of guests, leaving a glittering trail in their wake.
After picking up the bracelet, I placed it on my left wrist and tried to clasp the ends together. My fingers trembled, the day’s events wearing me down.
“Here, let me.” Kane reached out before I could stop him, his touch gentle but unhesitating. He closed the intricate clasp with ease. “A gift from a pixie should be treasured.”
“Does that mean they don’t hate me?” I asked, only half joking.
His hand lingered on my wrist as he thumbed the floral design etched into the leather. The contact sent a strange tingle through my arm.
“It’s not in a pixie’s nature to hate—dislike, annoy, sure, but they seldom hate.” Leaning back in his chair, he picked up his goblet. “Those are powerful dusts they gave you. Try not to use the bone dust tonight.”
My cheeks heated at the joke.
Right, in a few hours, we would be in bed together, solidifying our union. I had been trying to ignore that minor detail as best I could.
Kane eyed me with a slight smirk on his lips. His amber gaze heated as he sipped from the goblet. The intensity of his gaze made me twist in my seat, and I instinctively rubbed my cheek, covering the bottom portion of the star-shaped birthmark.
“Don’t.” His voice dropped an octave, rough and gravelly, as he reached out and brushed my hand away.
I froze. “Don’t do what?”
His brows drew together, and he leaned closer, the distance between us evaporating. My skin prickled with awareness.
“That’s my favorite part of your face,” he said quietly. “I’d prefer if you stop trying to hide it.”
“Wh-what?” I stammered, my chest tightening.
He can’t be serious……can he?
But there was no lie in his eyes. He truly meant what he said, but why? How could that be his favorite part? I had to know.
Before I could ask the question, Renna slammed three massive dead rabbits onto the table with a heavythunk.
I yelped and nearly jumped out of my seat, my conversation with Kane coming to a startling halt, causing the nearest fae to chuckle.
“Wild jack rabbits from the Decari Forest. A fine gift from our Master of Hunt.” Kane didn’t even flinch. He waved to Gitz, who immediately stepped forward and collected the ring holding the animals. “Have our chef prepare a soup for tomorrow with these. Thank you, Renna.”
The fae huntress gave a curt nod and disappeared without a word.
“She’s a bit abrasive,” Kane said, leaning toward me, his voice dropping to a more private tone again. “But she can track anything.”
“Is that how you found me?”
We stared at one another. All this time and the two of us had never talked about this.
“No,” he said after a long pause. “Not even Renna knew where you had gone.”
“How, then? Did you do something to my grandfather?” My voice came out sharper than I intended.
Kane must’ve heard it too, because he placed his hand over mine. Not commanding or possessive. Just steady. Solid.
“The dryads found you. As far as I know, your grandfather never spoke a word of what happened to you, only that you ran away and he didn’t stop you.”
