Page 6 of The Stolen Crown

I offered the same reply as always: “I certainly will consider it, Vanna.”

The merwoman let out a long hiss before she dove beneath the gentle flow and swam for the sea.

One more look at the missive explaining why the cousin of the Ever King and his crew would be dallying amongst the glamour fae, then I tossed the kelp parchment into the water.

How long should I make the man wait to journey to his kingdom? I might stay for an additional month. Perhaps I could torture him a bit and remain in my lands the whole of a turn. Tait’s loyalty to his cousin was unmatched, and I had no doubt he would stay here, seething, through it all.

With a heavy sigh, I rose, brushing off pieces of moss and dirt from my skirt and cloak.

A turn without seeing Livia simply wouldn’t do, but the thought of Tait’s face twisted in unspoken rage was enough to tempt me. Surely, Livie would understand.

Then again, it might be better to simply go for the planned visit sooner rather than later, all to be rid of the man. Face-to-face, I could demand the Ever King never again give his order for Tait Heartwalker to escort me, or I would torment the entire royal house with the most fearsome illusions.

Glamour was a curious magic. More devious than some. Every fae was different and held unique abilities. Some could craft spells with blood and bone. Others, like me, manipulated minds with illusions so powerful they could convince others to walk straight off a cliff without even recognizing the danger. There were even glamour fae who could mimic and shift their forms and features.

In my land, it was challenging to know what was real and what was not.

Tait might be capable of reading my damn heart should he wish, but I could claim his mind.

I grinned, imagining all the ways to confuse and befuddle the man, and set about refastening my dagger with a hilt made from smooth alabaster.

To one side of the path, a black coach could be summoned, should I desire it. One touch to a nearby bulge in the soil and troll folk who burrowed relentlessly throughout the fae isles would see to it any desire from their princess would be met.

A heavy sigh slipped from my chest. The sooner I returned home to the Borough Palace, the sooner I’d be surrounded by endless courtiers and questions and whisperings about the stoic, handsome sea fae who rarely left the docks.

Truth be told, I needed solitude for a time.

I’d take the route to the high court by foot. Here, I could stroll the knolls and forest roads that abutted the shoreline. It was a lovely walk, scenic and leisurely. My reasoning had nothing to do with the road sloping enough that I had a perfect view of the harbor, a perfect glimpse of any trade ships or…other vessels with larger hulls and endless sails.

I could use the time to unravel this horridly meddlesome attraction I kept for my stoic escort.

Tait Heartwalker was not simply intriguing due to his aggravatingly handsome features. From our earliest interactions, my heart stirred near the sod.

I hated him for it.

I did not want to desire such a disagreeable man. Where would such a soul fit in my household of brilliant satins and gilded revelry? I knew well enough love was meant to be consuming, unbreakable, damn near obsession. I had witnessed it with my own folk and friends to believe it to be true.

Affection and devotion were not supposed to be hateful and burdensome.

I brushed a heavy fernleaf aside and lifted my chin. It was long past time to accept that Tait Heartwalker was not the love of my fate.

“I do not want him.” My voice was hoarse, as though it were painful to speak the words.

And it did not go unanswered.

“Poor, sweet one. Sounds as though your heart be cracked. ’Tis releasing a love, so it seems. Allow me to take away the pain.”

My pulse quickened, and desire thrummed in my veins, heady and wanting. Between two mighty ferns, a man emerged, half formed. His face was made of torn sinews that revealed mucus dripping between yellowed teeth and eyes as dark as a burnt corpse.

Shit!

Run. I needed to run. Instinct burned in my veins, jarring my legs forward. I spun on my heel, readying to flee, until something warm and sweet clouded my thoughts. A delectable shroud over the need to escape.

Why would I even think such a thing?

The creature, hideous as he was, no longer disgusted me. Fear was a distant memory. From his sagging lips came the sweetest sound. Cheery like a morning bird but low and sensual in the next melody, a husky whisper of a lover.

I took a step back, like something unseen still urged me to flee. But my heart yearned to stay. There was peace to be found here. Respite from the weary days. My mind spun in a frenzy, fighting a battle against my soul and its desire to linger a little longer.