“What about producing an heir?”
I don’t have much of an answer for that. It’s uncommon for fae to be able to reproduce with someone who isn’t their fated mate. That’s why Gia and Farrel haven’t had kids yet. It wasn’t a fate match, plus Gia was too old by the time they got together. I don’t know for sure, but I suspect Gia became so desperate to be queen she pursued Farrel in hopes that her chance to gain the crown would be better if she was married.
“I suppose I’ll just have to live forever,” I joke wryly. No one laughs, so I get serious. “It wouldn’t be impossible for us to conceive.”
Quinn makes a sound of protest. “Could we not talk about me having a baby?”
“Is it true you wanted to come to Valora?” Mother directs the question at her, gracefully changing the subject.
“I’ve asked Kirian to bring me a few times,” she replies diplomatically.
I bite back a grin. Quinn’s learned a few tricks from me. She speaks the truth without revealing my lie. She might be mad at me for bringing her here so abruptly, but she doesn’t want to get me in trouble. Yes, she’ll be a great queen and an even better wife.
“How old are you, dear?” Mother continues her interrogation.
“Eighteen.”
“So young.”
Frustrated, I grunt. “Humans mature faster than fae. Quinn’s an adult.”
My mother lets out a resigned sigh. “I’m aware.”
“And,” I go on. “I’ve known her since I was twelve. It’s not like I just met her today.”
“So, Earth is where you run off to every birthday?”
“It’s your birthday?” Quinn asks sharply.
I might be in trouble. “I suppose I never mentioned that the portals were a birthday gift from a wizard.”
“Nope, you left that out.”
“Birthdays don’t hold as much importance here. Since we live so long, it’d be silly to celebrate every single year,” I tell her, even if my own annual party says differently.
Gia snickers. “Seems like she doesn’t know you that well, Kirian.”
“She knows me better than anyone in all of Valora.” And that’s the truth. In Quinn’s world, I don’t have to overcompensate. Be tougher or smarter than anyone else. I can just be me, a man who likes fantasy books and board games. A faerie who carries a marble in his pocket because it belongs to a certain human girl. “You’d all do well to remember that I am your king.”
I hate to play that card, but I’ll do what I must. Once a king and queen abdicate the throne, they’re moved to the royal council. My parents’ opinion is taken into consideration, but my word is law. Whether Mother and Father agree with this union is irrelevant.
“Of course she’d want to snag the throne,” Gia sneers. “But she doesn’t know our ways. Our customs. Our traditions.”
“She knows more than you think,” I tell her.
“What are you drinking?” Quinn pipes up.
“Honeysuckle wine,” Gia replies.
My woman lets out a knowing hum. “Is it good?”
“Yes.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said, you’re welcome. The flowers come from my field,” Quinn announces, and I smile because I know where she’s going with this. “I’ve supplied your honeysuckle for—how long did you say, Kirian?”
“Over two thousand years.”
“That’s right. I’ve never asked for anything in return, but I believe the fae custom says you owe me.”
I cover my laugh with a cough. Of all the times Quinn decides to be done with people’s shit, she does it in front of the royal family.
I’m proud of her.
According to the fae, if you accept a gift from someone who isn’t a family member, you have to give something back in return.
Gia turns her nose up haughtily. “There’s an expiration date on those gifts.”
“A decade,” Quinn agrees, and I know Gia can feel the weight of her debt.
I’ve collected honeysuckle eight out of the last ten visits to Quinn’s field. Gia won’t feel right until she’s repaid them. Of course, my mother has consumed the wine as well. She can split the cost with my sister. Four favors apiece isn’t so bad.
“The ball starts in two hours,” Mother reminds me, going back to her roasted duck and potatoes.
“Fantastic.” I find Quinn’s hand and interlock our fingers. “Alert the staff of the event change. This is no longer a birthday gala. It’s an engagement party.”
Quinn
He’s serious about this. He really thinks we’re getting married.
“I didn’t realize when I asked for my marble back, you were actually going to lose your marbles,” I whisper-yell as Kirian pulls me down a long corridor on the second floor. “I don’t know how it works here, but where I come from, you can’t just caveman your way into a marriage.”
Yeah, I just used caveman as a verb.
“Why not?” Kirian sounds absolutely clueless, and I’m reminded that he has zero experience when it comes to romance.
Neither do I, but as a woman, I feel like I have a general concept of how it’s supposed to work.
Kirian’s still shirtless, which isn’t doing my brain any favors. Thankfully, he pulls a small square out of his back pocket and starts unfolding it. The dark blue material multiplies in size until it’s big enough for him to tug it over his head.
Enchanted clothing. Of course. This shirt is a little different than all the ones I’ve seen him wear. A little more revealing. It’s like a loose tank top, but the back shape is an X, exposing his muscular shoulder blades.
For his wings. The wings I didn’t even know about until today.
The men who first greeted us wore similar clothing. I bet it’s so they’re ready to fly at any moment.
I thought I was self-conscious in my world.
Now, I realize I didn’t know the meaning of the word.
Everyone here is so beautiful. Even the tough guy with the tattooed face could be in a magazine.
My appearance isn’t something I worry about when I’m with Kirian.
But here I am, with the same overalls I’ve had since I was a preteen. I grew out of them a long time ago. In order to make them fit, I adjusted the straps and cut the legs off to make shorts. They’re ratty and stained. My faded pink tank top isn’t much better.
Don’t even get me started on my hair. Before Kirian took me, it was pulled into a neat ponytail. Now it’s a wind-blown mess.
To make matters worse, Gia actually thought my face was the result of some tragic injury. I’m still pissed about that.
“Listen,” I start, trying to reel in my temper. “A little warning about this visit would’ve been nice. I could’ve presented myself a little better.”
“You handled yourself fine. Really put Gia in her place.”
“I don’t mean that, and you know it. I look like a bum.”
And his family… they were all so elegant. His father was dressed in a dark blue jacket with gold trim. His mother was in a matching gown, and it looked like something straight out of the Renaissance. Gia and Farrel were both wearing cream colors, but they were just as formal.
Kirian’s face gets serious as we stop at the end of the hall. “If I’d asked you to come with me today, would you have said yes?” While he waits for my answer, he touches his hand to the doorknob. The lock must be enchanted too, because it just clicks open.
“No. Probably not,” I reply. “I was trying really hard to stick to my guns.”
“Then I’m glad I did what I did,” he says, stubborn and unapologetic.
With a light shove to my ass—seriously, he did that on purpose—Kirian shuffles me inside. “Our bedchambers.”
Using the word ‘our’ already? How presumptuous.
When I see the two huge rooms, a part of me thinks it wouldn’t be so bad to call this place mine.
There’s a fireplace to my left. It’
s a rustic style, with round stones going all the way up to the cathedral ceilings. The walls are exposed brick, but they’ve been painted white. It brightens up the room, which is much needed with the darkness outside.
Since walking into the castle, I’ve noticed their preference for lighter shades. Creamy marble. White walls. Lots of chandeliers.
Six wall sconces light the room, and when I look closer, I realize they’re actually hanging lanterns. I wonder where the electricity comes from. There’s no fire inside, but they don’t appear to be plugged into the wall either. It can’t be solar power, since they don’t have a sun here. Star power, maybe? Is that a thing?
A dark-blue velvet couch and chairs sit in the middle of the room. There’s a huge round rug with various shades of blue and yellow spun through the fibers. A stained-glass window is straight ahead, and it has the same royal blue and gold in the shape of a long, triangular flag.
The Night Realm colors.
I walk forward when I see a painting of a young Kirian mounted in a gold frame.
“I remember when you looked like that.” Nostalgia sweeps over me as I step closer to examine the picture. He’s probably about fifteen here.
“I’ve never seen it,” Kirian says from behind me. “But I’ve been told the artist did a good job of catching my likeness. Someday you could have one right next to mine. Or, even better, we could have one of us together.”
Enough of this silliness. Playtime is over.
I face Kirian. “We need to talk.”
Dread forms in my stomach for two conflicting reasons. One, I don’t want to leave, but I have to. Two, I’m not sure I can get back to my world.
“Valora isn’t so different from the human realm,” Kirian goes on optimistically. “I think you’ll like it here. The fae have adopted many of your customs. Your metric system and your calendar year, for example. English is the primary language, although figures of speech and sarcasm are still lost on many. We’ve taken animals from your world, so we have species you’re familiar with. Like kittens. Would you like a kitten?”
“No.” He’s so not getting the point.
“A marriage ceremony isn’t necessary—a verbal agreement is binding—but we do it anyway. The people like to see the union, and they love to celebrate after. Weddings are a big deal.” He flashes me a wolfish grin before continuing, “Unfortunately, we’re behind on technology. I don’t think that’ll bother you too much, since your parents were so against it. You won’t find cars, internet, or cell phones here. There are certain citizens who can’t withstand the fumes or the electronic radiofrequencies. The sprites are very delicate creatures. We do have indoor plumbing, though.”
“That all sounds great, but I have a life somewhere else.”
“How can that be true when I’m not there with you?” Kirian comes closer, and I can feel the heat coming off his body. “I’m your life, Quinn.”
He’s not trying to be cruel, but the truth of it stings. All my hobbies revolve around Kirian. Since becoming homeschooled, he’s been my main source of social interaction.
My memories are so tangled up with him, I’m not sure I know how to be on my own. My college major is still undecided, and I’ll probably hate living in a dorm.
But, damn it, I’m determined to try. “I’m supposed to be leaving for school tomorrow. I have plans.”
“We have a university here in Delaveria.” Kirian’s eyebrows furrow with frustration because I’m not backing down. “You can study whatever you want. Philosophy, history, literature, art.”
“The way your family looked at me.” I touch my face. “They were disgusted. I don’t belong here.”
I can’t stop picturing the way Gia wrinkled her nose. Or her perfectly perfect face, her porcelain skin, her long light-brown hair, and lavender eyes. Physically, she’s like the female version of Kirian.
It’s been a long time since I cared about anyone calling out my freckles. But seeing all that blinding beauty made the insult a hundred times worse than being teased by a jock who eats his own boogers.
Kirian’s mom and dad are just as stunning, and they’re total opposites. Zella is light, with blond hair and vibrant violet eyes. Keryth has darker features, with crystal-blue eyes, tan skin, and coal-colored hair. I have no idea how old they are, since fae take a crap ton of years to show age.
I hate to admit it, but Kirian’s family is right to be concerned. He could do so much better than me.
“You… really want to be free of me?” he rasps. The pain in his voice is so heavy, it makes my chest hurt.
“You don’t want to be stuck with me when you have a soul mate out there somewhere,” I remind him softly, touching his arm. “What happens when you find her?”
That’s my real fear. Sure, he says he wants me now, but I’m all he knows.
“I’ll never love another the way I love you.” He drops to a knee. Grasping my hands, he bows his head and presses my knuckles to his brow. “The first day I met you, you did so much more than pull me out of the water. You gave me something to look forward to. You didn’t judge me. You became my sanctuary, my happy place. I crave your company and your attention, and I feel like I might die if I had to go the rest of my life without you.”
Whoa. Talk about intense. “Why didn’t you tell me how you feel sooner?”
“I didn’t know you love me. I’ve always sensed your affection, even known you desired me, but I thought your feelings might fade with time. But after what you said earlier, I know you want to be my mate.”
I chew my lip. “I’ve honestly never considered the possibly. In my mind, you’re already spoken for.”
“Fuck that, Quinn,” he responds gruffly, lifting his face. “The only person who owns me is you.”
Kirian’s still kneeling in front of me, and the scene is surreal. I’m in a castle with the man of my dreams. He looks good enough to lick and knowing what his lips taste like only makes me want him more.
When I remember the way his tongue stroked mine, I get all tingly. My lips buzz with anticipation and I grow hot between my thighs.
Abruptly, Kirian stands, and when he picks me up, I let out a surprised squeak.
“We’re not flying again, right? You gotta give a girl some warning first.”
“No more flying today.” Smirking, Kirian walks into the second room where I see a gigantic four-poster bed made from dark wood. The same blue velvet from the couch is draped over the top, and the mattress is covered by a white comforter and furry white pillows.
And we’re headed straight for it.
Kirian dumps me on the soft surface. My butt sinks in before I feel it firm up while conforming to my shape. Like it’s alive.
“What kind of mattress is this?”
“It’s made from the feathers of a goose that lays golden eggs.”
“You’re not serious.”
“I am. No pulling of your leg,” he teases, grabbing my foot to unlace my sneakers. One by one, they hit the floor. His boots join them before he climbs on the bed, stretching out next to me.
Lying on his side, he props his head up with one hand. It makes his bicep bulge, and the shirt is so loose it falls down far enough for me to see his nipple.
We’ve never been in a bed together before. We’ve shared the same blanket in my treehouse, but that’s not the same.
This feels intimate.
Real.
Kirian’s scent is stronger here. After all, it’s where he sleeps—maybe even naked. Leaning down, I discreetly sniff the pillow.
Ah. Fresh fallen leaves and crisp autumn air mixed with a hint of pine. The best smell in the world.
Kirian’s fingers touch my knee, and the rough callouses on his hand tickle my skin. Holding my breath, I watch those thick digits skim up my thigh. He idly fiddles with the frayed hem of my shorts, seemingly unaware of what he’s doing to me.
God, he turns me on so much.
“In the past thousand years or so, I think the only time I’ve missed
my sight was earlier today when you got the best of Gia. To see her face…” He chuckles. “The rule about gift giving—I told you that so long ago. How did you remember it?”
My voice is quiet when I confess, “Don’t you know I hang on your every word?”
Kirian’s face gets serious as he hooks an arm around my waist and pulls me closer. “Marry me, Quinn.”
“I can’t say yes to that.” Like he said—a verbal agreement is binding.
“Then don’t right away. Think about it. Stay with me for a year.”
I make a grumbling noise. “Do I have much of a choice?”
“It would be difficult to find a way back now,” he admits. “Another portal won’t be available until my next birthday.”
“How will I explain that to my parents?”
“You’re forgetting something very important.” He gently bops me on the nose with his finger. “A day in your world is a year in mine. Mere seconds have passed there since you’ve been here. You’ll age at the same rate you would on Earth, which means you won’t look older when you go back. As far as your parents are concerned, you’ll only have been gone for a night.”
If being in Valora causes me to age more slowly, then that means… “You mean to tell me I could live here for, like, twenty-five thousand years before I die?”
“Probably longer. Thirty thousand years is the full lifespan of the fae.”
“Will my ears get pointy?”
“Eventually, but they’ll change back if you go home.”
“When I go home.”
“Whatever,” Kirian huffs, sounding very human. “Come on, Quinn. What do you have to lose?”
He’s right. What do I have to lose? A day. Literally. I can spend twelve months here and my family would be none the wiser. My resolve is crumbling.
Then he adds, “Please. Please, Quinn.”
I can’t resist when he begs, and he knows it.
“Okay, I’ll stay on one condition.” Kirian’s eyebrows raise, and I continue, “We try to find the witches or any witch that can give you some answers.”
“Fine.”
He agreed way too quickly. I feel like he knows something I don’t. So I tack on, “And we can’t get married until we find some information of use.”
The Fae King's Curse Page 6
