Fae King's Temptation (Court of Bones and Ash Book 1) by Layla Harper

Author:Layla Harper [Harper, Layla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy fiction novel
Publisher: Layla Harper
Published: 2020-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Rogar

Aelinor patrols the perimeter.

The air has chilled significantly from the warmer temperatures we experienced earlier. For Kyra’s sake, I was tempted to leave the fire, but the flame is a luxury we cannot afford. We have covered our tracks well enough until now; we can leave no trace when we continue onward to Lithyr. Gauron kicks dirt into the pit, extinguishing the fire, while I bury the remains of our meal. Between the four of us, we devoured the meat to the bone and feasted on the wild berries Aelinor gathered.

My gaze tracks to where Kyra sits, blowing steam from the top of the cup she holds between two hands. The furs bundled on her body trap my scent against her bewitching form like a brand. The sight infuses me with a rush of satisfaction. Unwarranted, since I cannot claim her, yet it pleases me all the same.

“We’ve lost ground.” Gauron spits. He is agitated. Magic brings out the worst in an orc, and this place is brimming with power. “If we don’t pick up the pace, we’ll squander more time in this blasted forest than either of us is comfortable with. The hunt could be upon us, and we’re none the wiser because of the nature of these woods. Are you sure this is the best approach?”

“The strategy is sound.” Is it? Since our encounter with the goblins, my thoughts wheel around one point: protecting the mortal woman unabashedly sipping hot brew while monitoring my exchange with Gauron with an inquisitive brow.

“You risk much seeking the witch yourself.” Gauron shakes his head as he rubs one palm against the other. “I do not understand why this task was not entrusted to me.”

I can give him no answer. Kyra’s situation is delicate, yes, but delivering a human to the high queen under adverse conditions does not merit my involvement. Gauron is more than capable of protecting Kyra. He has earned his position. He has emerged as the victor time and again when the rite of Mak’gora, the duel of honor, has been evoked for the duty of ruling as my second-in-command. Never once has he failed me.

But Kyra is no ordinary human.

Perhaps he is right. Perhaps I can no longer see this mission objectively.

Gauron looks pained. “If your decision is not clouded by what occurred in Nagir, then why, Rogar? Have I given you cause to doubt my loyalty?”

“No.” I clap a hand over his shoulder. “This has nothing to do with you, my friend. There is no one I trust more in all the realms. We may not share blood between us, but you are my brother in every way.”

So why have I not told him about Kyra?

My words fail to ease his worry, but he nods. “I’ll begin my patrol. Use this interruption for a night’s repose. The earlier we ride out, the better.” Gauron’s nostrils flare. He takes a calculated step back, warily eyeing the camp’s perimeter.

I do the same. An orc’s sense of smell is more discriminating than most creatures, a throwback to the days when we were more beast than fae.

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