Phillen scratched his chin. “Another fairy with a metalwork affinity who isn’t employed by the mines?”
“I suppose that’s possible,” I replied, “but Archon Severell said it takes specific training to learn how to create the magical jewelry.” I ran my finger along my collar, and a slight tingle of magic pulsed against my skin. “In all likelihood, one of their employees forged these, or someone who used to work for them did. And even if they stole the gems directly from the mine shaft, logic deems that they were indeed crafted here and then transported to our land. A Silten fairy would have no idea how to forge this kind of jewelry. And remember what Guardian Alleron admitted in the Ustilly Mountains? He hired a forger to create my collar in a land far away. He didn’t even know where it’d been crafted exactly, but I would bet rulibs it was somewhere near here.”
Bowan clapped me on the back, a jovial laugh erupting from him. “Look at you, Elowen. You’ve turned into quite the investigator.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help my smile.
Lars cleared his throat. “I agree with Elowen. It seems most likely it was a Solis fairy who’s either still employed by these mines, or used to be, who’s behind it all.”
Pride shone from Jax’s expression, and he shifted closer to me and slipped an arm around my waist. He pressed a kiss to my neck and whispered, “Beautiful and intelligent...how did I get so lucky?”
The bond hummed inside me. I turned my head, and his lips found mine. His kiss was searing, possessive, and my body instantly responded.
Breathless, I finally pulled away from Jax, only to find everyone looking respectfully away. Cheeks heating, I sagged into my mate’s side, embarrassed at how easily he elicited reactions in me.
His only response was to nip my neck again before saying to his friends, “I’ll still inquire about security in the mineshaft, just to be sure it’s not possible more gems were created unbeknownst to the archon, but I think you’re right. We should focus our efforts on the Hartivul staff who could have created Bastian’s anklet, and possibly Elowen’s collar, which means we have many fae to question.”
“What’s the plan now?” Alec pulled his cloak tighter around him. A fierce wind had picked up, bringing with it blowing snow that hit one’s skin like icy needles. He leaned down and straightened Bastian’s clothing as well, covering the half-breed’s exposed hands.
“Now, we wait for admittance to that facility,” I replied, relieved that my voice sounded even, following Jax’s kiss. “Then we have our crown prince begin questioning the fae with metalwork affinities. If he uses his Mistvale commanding voice, they’ll be forced to reveal the truth of what they know. Because even if none of them match the description the semelees showed me, it’s still possible one of them will know something about the anklets, or if a past employee created the anklets, they may be able to direct us on where to find them.”
Phillen’s eyebrows shot up. “Did you really just speak that casually about Jax using his Mistvale magic?”
Bowan laughed. “Oh, Elowen, I really am growing to enjoy you. You didn’t even blink when you suggested that.”
A blush warmed my cheeks, and Jax chuckled and nuzzled my neck. “For you, my love, I’ll commandanyone.”
We waitedfor Archon Severell to return with word from the Solis royals on whether we could visit their facility.
Wintry weather continued to blow around us, and I cupped my hands, breathing into them, but despite trying to warm myself, my fingertips grew numb, and I could no longer feel my toes.
Jax stepped closer to me, his booted feet crunching quietly in the snow, and he pulled me into his embrace.
Warmth from his chest penetrated my cloak, and his arms felt like hot steel bands around me. He ran his hands up and down my back, then dipped his mouth to my ear. “Are you cold, my love?”
My only response was a shiver and chattering of teeth.
A low, discontented growl came from his throat, and a puff of magic emitted from him. The air around us abruptly warmed. Heat enveloped my frozen limbs, and it felt as though a warm ray of sunshine burned down upon us.
I sighed in bliss. “Have I ever told you that I’ll never get sick of how many elements you control?”
He chuckled. “I’m glad my abilities please you. And have I ever told you that every time my magic aids you, I get a strange jolt of pleasure?”
I murmured something halfway intelligible. I was too distracted to do more as I soaked up his heat, but when my mind actually processed his words, my lips curved into a smile. “Is that our mating bond talking?”
“It is.” He wrapped me tighter in his embrace, then rested his chin on the top of my head. I nearly moaned in pleasure since he kicked his heat up another notch. “Every time I meet your needs, I feel wildly satisfied.”
Sighing, I managed to reply, “Well, in that case, don’t let me stop you. I would hate to interfere with thatwildly satisfyingfeeling of yours.”
Another laugh rumbled in his chest, and he pressed his lips to my ear. His voice dipped to a husky whisper. “Do you know what else I findwildly satisfying? Those little sounds you make when I?—”
But before he could finish his sultry remark, a flash of magic billowed in the air around us.
I squeaked.
AhugeSolis male stood before us, having appeared as though from thin air. And considering he wasn’t holding a portal key that fizzled out of existence, I knew that he’d mistphased.
The new male was as tall as Jax and just as broad. Tangled silvery hair flew around his head, and eyes as crashing as the Adriastic Sea regarded us. Large black leathery wings—taller wings than I’d ever seen on another fairy and tipped with talons—folded together at his back.
