Fae Uncovered by Emilia Hartley

Author:Emilia Hartley [Hartley, Emilia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-03T16:00:00+00:00

15

CERRI

I sat between the bound man’s legs and got comfortable while the healing potion worked its way through his system. Rhoan refused to look me in the eye after that, but I understood. The healing potion looked interesting, to say the least.

But Rhoan was healing, and that was all that mattered. I leaned into his now-healed chest and rested my head over his heart. I claimed it was so that I could make sure his heart was mending correctly, but I just wanted to relax into him. Releasing the wooden tendrils that I’d used to hold him still while I burned away the bolt, I waited for Rhoan to push me away.

Instead, he wrapped his arms around me and sighed. We sat there, together, for a long while. Tears slowly started to build in my eyes. They made my chest tight. I pulled them back, but only barely.

“I’m…” Rhoan started and stopped. He groaned which pulled my attention upwards. He stared at the ceiling while thought after thought careened across his face. “I’m not used to people taking care of me.”

Well, that explained why he’d fought me every step of the way. Helping him had been like helping a stray cat that I’d lured into a carrier with the promise of food. The moment I’d closed the door behind him, he’d started howling bloody murder.

He ran his hand up and down my arm as he held me. His eyes were still distant when he spoke. “I did all sorts of things in the name of your court. More often than not, I got hurt. That was just part of the job to me. I would slink off and take care of my wounds myself.”

I tightened my fist in his shirt. He shouldn’t have had to live like that. I couldn’t imagine my mortal parents would have treated him like that, so it hurt to think that my fae parents used him. Rhoan deserved better. He wasn’t a tool—at least, not in the literal sense.

Metaphorically, the man was a total tool.

“I’m always going to be there to help you,” I promised him.

He scoffed. “You have a job to do. That job doesn’t involve me. If you spend all your time worrying about your guard, then you’re not going to be able to do what you have to do.”

“Shut up.” I didn’t mince my words. “I’m the princess, and you’re the guard. It’s your job to listen to me. So, when I say I’m going to care for you, you let me care for you.”

Rhoan laughed. He tightened his grip on me like he was afraid that a good thing might vanish into thin air if he didn’t hold on tight. I let him crush me in his arms. It felt too good to move just yet.

This felt wrong, like sleeping with a co-worker. I knew better, but I wanted more. He took a vow as a knight. That wasn’t something I could just order away to selfishly have him all to myself.

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