Cruel Fae: A Fantasy Reverse Harem Romance (The Wicked Thorns Book 1) by Renae Wright

Author:Renae Wright [Wright, Renae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

“Nice to see you’re finally lucid, human. Welcome to Teine, the Court of Flames. Try not to burn yourself on the locals.” Sylvan smirked before stalking off.

I rolled my eyes. Some things hadn’t changed.

Aelix stepped out first before turning back to offer me his hand. “You’ve been through a lot. Let me help you.”

I took it and eased down from my seat, trying not to put too much pressure on my injured leg.

He scanned my face. “Now that you know I’m fae, everything has changed. Do you despise me now?”

“Things have certainly… changed, but I don’t despise you. I just need some… time to figure this all out.” I was too tired to put much effort into my words. I needed to rest. Still, I forced one foot in front of the other.

I sucked in a breath at a sharp stab of pain as my injured leg buckled beneath me.

As per usual, Aelix was there, ready to sweep my legs out from under me. “I’ll carry you,” he whispered as he enveloped me in his warmth and lifted me away from the carriage.

I shook my head and tried to focus on the facts. Aelix was kind. He protected me. He saved me from Jaxson more than once. He was good and he was fae. However, I couldn’t forget why I was here. Despite all obstacles, I’d made it to Teine, and I was one step closer to finding Alice and retrieving my bracelet.

A castle loomed over us, encircling a sprawling courtyard. Imposing turrets built with blackened stone pointed skyward above elaborate parapets and smoke billowed from four monstrous chimneys.

“Teine, the Court of Flames.”

“It’s… different,” I muttered as we entered the courtyard through an archway. Stone gargoyles peered down at me with distorted, feral expressions.

I didn’t belong here.

“This is a place of significance for rituals and has housed many generations of high fae,” Aelix said.

“Like you?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “I’m high fae, as is Sylvan.”

“What makes you high fae? Is it like the elite in Arillia?” I couldn’t hide my curiosity.

“The high fae are distinguished from other fae because of our ability to tap directly into the Well of Magic,” Aelix explained. “We are responsible for the rituals that allow that magic to be passed to the rest of the fae.”

“The Well of Magic?”

“The source of all fae magic. Our powers are limited by its capacity, amongst other things,” Sylvan muttered cryptically.

“And you live here?” I asked.

“Teine is my home, and its protection is vital.” Aelix’s grip on me tightened.

“You feel a deep sense of duty for this place.”

It was a statement, not a question, but he answered it anyway. “Because it is my duty.”

Sylvan leaned down and whispered, “Between you and me, he’s pretty fucking uptight about it too.”

Aelix kicked a leg out at the ice fae, but Sylvan easily dodged him.

I smiled. If someone had told me just days ago that I’d be amused by a fire fae and an ice fae while entering a gothic castle of epic proportions in Vaentia, I never would have believed it.

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