Finn bumps her again, and the touch sears into her bones. His grin spreads, and the icy walls that had been building between them for the past hour shatter. The Finn-induced ache spreads from her chest and settles in a pounding rhythm between her thighs.
"I have a high respect for your authority," he states, placing a hand over his heart.
"Could've fooled me."
"It's your guard I don't trust."
"Elwood is loyal. He?—"
"Wants me dead, Queenie."
The Fairy Queen's feet snag on the grass. A pair of hares nuzzle into her ankles while amistbirdsettles its pale body on her shoulder. Finn's blue eyes glow with wonder as he takes her in.
The burning need between her thighs grows the longer their eyes meet. The world around them turns silent. The trees and grass unfocus, and all she can see is Finn’s smile. Her eyes catalog every scar.
His words, his body—make her want things she shouldn't.
The Fairy Queen blinks. Elwood's disdain for him was merely a precaution against an outside threat.
Nothing more.
"Elwood does seem to have a particular dislike of you. I thought you agreeing to go into the Deadlands for us would've alleviated it."
Finn throws his head back. Golden hair snags on his collar. The strong column of his throat works with each deep chuckle. The harsh ridges of his chest muscles wink through the gap in his shirt.
The Fairy Queen’s heart pounds painfully against her ribs.
"And steal his chance to be your hero? No chance, Queenie." Blue eyes sparkle down at her. "When were you two last together?"
His words don't make sense. They were just together an hour ago before Finn dragged her into the woods. Her earlier worries about human memories seem to be?—
The expectant look in his eyes makes the meaning dawn on her. Heat spreads along her cheeks as she shakes her head. Themisbirdburrows under her pink curls, nipping at her cheek.
"Elwood and I aren'ttogether. He has made offers of marriage in the past, but I," she swallows thickly, "I'm not to be wed."
"Why?" Finn asks, holding up a low branch for her to pass underneath.
The forest grows dimmer the deeper they travel. The trees overlap like fingers, and the golden sunlight turns sporadic. Life still hums within the meadow. The scent of encroaching decay is faint. The hares at her feet scurry away, and themistbirdflies to safety in one of the taller trees.
"My betrothed was killed by the Void." The words taste like poison. "The entity first entered our realm in the neighboring kingdom of Goldren. It claimed the lives of the royal family. Rot spread over the land, consuming everything without delay. Those who managed to flee it initially said an obsidian tower fell from the sky, and from it the Void infected our world."
Her steps pause, and Finn halts behind her.
Moisture burns in her eyes, but she blinks the errant tears away. Turning towards the path, she glances away from the human. Crying will do her no good. It will not save the ones she still has or bring back those she's lost.
"The Spirits had foretold that the King and Queen of Goldren’s son would be my mate. Together, we would unite our two fairy kingdoms as one. Ushering in a new era. With himkilled as a babe, I honor the memory of what could've been by not marrying another."
If the Void had arrived after they had wed, would it have made a difference? Or would the Deadlands have claimed her just as it had him? These questions have plagued her for centuries.
For a moment, she allows herself to pretend he was here. If he were, she'd at least have someone to share the burden with.
The Fairy Queen has felt utterly alone in her plight. The Void has taken her family, her mate, she'll be damned if it takes her life too.
Finn has gone silent during her tale.
Turning back towards him, her breath catches. Blue eyes are wider than the moon, and his skin is as pale. Her brows lower as his hand falls to the hilt of his dagger.
Before she can form a question, he unsheaths the weapon. With a roar, Finn charges towards her, blade extended.
