I heard him issuing orders to the fae soldiers under his command, and I also heard him taunting some of the human soldiers during the fight, presumably just before he slaughtered them. Several times, I experienced flashes of the bloodlust coursing through his veins, a darkness that has left me utterly shaken.
Papa scrubs a hand down his face. He remains quiet and sits very still for a long moment.
I glance at my rucksack, impatience and fear clawing at my insides. The urge to flee Braemar grows stronger.
In a few hours, it will be morning. Tribute Day. If I’m to have any hope of escape, I must sneak out of the city under the cover of darkness. I pray I’ll find a way past the fae patrols that stalk the streets, not to mention the fae sentries that are likely guarding the stone walls of the city.
“My sweet daughter,” Papa eventually says, “I am so sorry about the seer’s revelation. I wish you had told me sooner, though I’m not sure that could’ve changed anything. I… I will go with you. I know of several weaknesses in the wall. I can help you escape, and then we’ll travel south and cross the sea if we must. I’ll do whatever I can to keep you hidden from this highborn fae whose voice you keep hearing.”
My heart lurches. “Oh, Papa, I appreciate you wanting to help me. But it’s too dangerous. If the fae catch me trying to escape, I’ll likely just be taken as a slave, at least until Gideon discovers me. But you’re a mananda former soldier. The fae guards would probably kill you on the spot.”
He stands up and gives me a stern look. “I’m coming with you, Isabel, and that’s final. Now, come help me pack and then we’ll be on our way. I will not argue with you about this. You’re my beloved daughter, and I intend to keep you safe.”
His firmly spoken words nearly cause me to burst into tears. Not because he’s being stern with me, but because he’s being so protective. Just as I knew he would be if he caught me trying to run away. I curse myself for waiting until the very last moment. I should’ve run away a week ago rather than the night before Tribute Day.
He grabs my rucksack and guides me to his bedroom, clearly not trusting me to wait for him. I help him pack, then I turn my back as he quickly gets dressed.
Thankfully, I can’t hear Gideon’s voice at the moment, nor can I sense his presence or feel the coldness of winter that clings to him. But the memory of his voice echoes in my head, and myflesh prickles at the recollection of the soft caresses of his cool breath on my neck.
How strange that I know his voice and his scent, yet I have no idea what he looks like. But I’m certain that if I encountered him in the flesh, I would recognize him immediately. Because of the mating bond. The bond I am desperate to outrun. Perhaps if I cross the Clarrsian Sea and put a great distance between us, it will make the bond go completely cold and perhaps even break it. I can only hope. And pray.
Once we’re ready, Papa guides me out the back door and into the frigid night. Technically, it’s not winter yet, but the Winter Court army seemed to bring their weather with them, and it has been deathly cold since their arrival. Snow flurries drift softly down from the sky, and though I know I should keep myself as hidden as possible, I can’t resist the urge to lift my face to allow the flurries to land on my cheeks and nose.
Papa clears his throat and makes a frantic gesture, and I quickly lower my head, letting the hood of my cloak conceal my identity.
“Sorry,” I whisper.
“Keep your head down and walk with me. If we’re stopped, pretend you are mute and let me do all the talking. And if I tell you to run, you run. Understand?”
“Yes, Papa, I understand.” Fear clogs my throat.
Are we really doing this? Are we really about to sneak out of the fae-occupied city of Braemar? In the aftermath of the battle, the city is supposed to be locked down. No humans are permitted to leave or enter. If a fae patrol catches us, I fear we’ll be doomed. Papa will be killed on sight, and I’ll be taken as a slave.
As we venture closer to the towering stone wall that surrounds Braemar, I send up countless silent prayers to the gods.
Please let us escape safely.
Please don’t let Gideon find me.
Please, please, please.
CHAPTER 2
GIDEON
High above Braemar Castle,I tread air as a cold wind sweeps across the cityscape. In the distance, the vegetation covering the mountains glows and glimmers with ussha, the lifeforce that powers fae magic. As ussha continues spreading beyond the four fae courts, my people have been following it and settling in lands once solely occupied by humans and orcs. The sight of the glimmering trees reinforces my resolve to protect the regular faefolk who depend upon highborn fae like myself to keep them safe.
As my wings flap steadily and I hold position in the early morning sky, my gaze moves to the humans lining up to enter the castle below.
It’s Tribute Day, the day each human household is required to offer ten pieces of silver to the Winter Court, and King Theron has tasked me with making sure the event runs smoothly.
My senses on high alert, I study the line of humans that curves through the streets all the way to the northernmostsection of the city near the gates, looking for any signs of violence or unrest.
But I’m also looking forher.
The human female from my dreams.
My mate? I’m starting to believe that, yes, perhaps I am fated to a human woman. Ever since I arrived in Braemar, I’ve dreamed of a human female with flowing golden hair each night. Though I’ve spent the preceding days scouring the streets in search of the female, I’ve yet to set eyes on her.
