The Faerie Guild Trials (Earth and Shadows Book 1) by Gem Preston

Author:Gem Preston [Preston, Gem]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-07-21T00:00:00+00:00

In the tales of humans, harpies were often depicted as repulsive beings. However, the reality is quite different. Harpies are faerie creatures, graced with exceptional beauty. Their expansive feathered wings bestow them with remarkable strength, capable of carrying other faeries. Additionally, their sharp claws possess the ability to cut through even leather armour.

PAGE 295, THE BOOK OF FAIR FAMILIES

C H A P T E R S E V E N T E E N

I have no idea what time it is when I wake, only that I assume it is still dark, judging by the lack of light fighting its way through the thicket. I try to summon the shadows to me, my shoulders sagging in relief once I hear them whisper lovingly in my ear, as if stroking my hair with affection.

A deep sigh sounds from behind me, and I freeze, releasing them immediately. Oh, no. I wriggle slightly, my breath hitching, when two muscular arms tighten around my waist, pulling me closer against a hard chest.

A rush of memories hits me as I remember what happened before I fell asleep. The blood loss. Ansel’s nature and earthen magic. Him protecting and healing me.

I press a finger to the wrap, hissing when the area throbs with tenderness. It is healing, thankfully, but it won’t completely seal for several hours.

Ansel stirs behind me. “What's wrong?” he asks, his inner voice clear and missing the hoarseness I would expect from his actual voice.

“I'm all right. I didn't mean to wake you.” I turn my head slightly to see him. “How long were we out?”

“At least a few hours, I think. It's still dark.” He squints in the dim light filtering through the foliage. “We should move soon. The exit must be near.”

Right. The trial. We're still in the middle of it. I shift uncomfortably in Ansel's grasp, and heat creeps up my neck. This situation is more intimate than I'd like to admit.

“Thanks for helping me,” I mumble, my voice soft with gratitude.

His arms around me loosen, and I can almost feel his shrug. “No need to thank me. It was the least I could do after you helped me.”

“Well… thank you anyway.” I turn slightly.

Ansel's hand comes up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch gentle. “You're welcome, Mathonwy.”

I meet his gaze, and the air surrounding us feels heavy. There's a tension that seems to pull us closer, and for a moment, it feels as if everything else fades away. The trial, the pain, all of it.

A rustling sound from outside the hedge breaks the spell. Ansel's hand drops away, and a guilty expression rests on his face. He clears his throat and shifts, untangling himself from me and rising to his feet. “We should start moving. Let’s get out of this trial.”

I nod, pushing aside the unexpected swirl of emotions that had overtaken me. I pick up my bag and take his offered hand as he helps me take to my feet.

“Right,” I say, just because of the need to say something.

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