Page 144 of Hunted By the Fae King’s Shadow
Twin gazes turn to me in sync.
“He’sthe childish one,” Amriel gripes, just as the Shadow says the same. They turn to glare at one another, and I can’t help but laugh.
I’ll put them back together, at some point. But maybe Ishouldgive my mate a break. Two hundred and twenty-six years of separation is a lot to overcome in the span of a week.
“It doesn’t hurt, does it?” I say, eyeing Amriel.
He stares at his hands, turns them over. “Not this time.”
“Good,” I say. “Then I guess I’ll let you stay separate, for now. But you can’t fight, and if you’re going to have me duplicating you, you have to do something for me.”
Amriel’s eyes slit, but the Shadow looks eager. “What?” they say as one.
I turn a circle, taking in the color-soaked sky, the gleaming purple forest. From here, the ground slopes gently toward the trees.
In a matter of moments, I can be in the Wildwood again. Passing through the spectral landscape that takes my breath away.
I turn back to Amriel. To his Shadow. And let my mouth curve upwards, let them see how much I intend to enjoy what happens next.
“You have to chase me,” I say. “Catch me. And…well, you know the rest.”
Then I turn to the Wildwood.
And take off running, my grin too wide to contain.
