Page 8 of Fae's Mate
I groan as the first rays of sun bleed through the window. I’ve barely slept, my sleep constantly disrupted with images of Seki. Unable to shake her from my thoughts, and my cock has been agonisingly hard all night, despite failed attempts to alleviate myself. Thrice.
With a huff, I throw back my bedding and ready myself for the day. I only spoke with three of the humans yesterday and plan to speak with the other eight today, which will probably take up most of my morning. I try to think of an excuse to call upon Seki again but come up short.
As I make my way through the palace, I realise I will need to feed the humans. A wave of anxiety washes over me as I contemplate feeding eleven more mouths. I may have to call on Summer Court for aid. Iamin this predicament because of one of theirs, after all.
When I enter the kitchen, the servants all bow to me before swiftly resuming their work. I tell them what to prepare, and that today, it is to be served in the dining hall, as opposed to the various quarters that are resided in by courtiers. Of the three high fae living in the palace, myself included, one will probably not deign to eat with the humans, while the other is in the dungeon below.
It isn’t long before the long oak table is dressed and laden with plates. I sit at the head of the table alone, as my sister—as I predicted—has chosen not to join us, and await the humans. I hear them before I see them, chattering loudly amongst themselves, and my chest tightens with anticipation. Though I don’t show it, instead I remain sat perched in my high-back chair, maintaining a nonchalant composure.
As the human’s filter into the room, they pause as they behold the breakfast I have laid out for them. I gesture for them to join me.
“Well, I’m starving!” Remarks the blue-haired female who waltzes over to the table, jangling across the room, then perches halfway along it and starts loading her plate.
It doesn’t take long for the others to follow suit. I notice that the two chairs on either side of me remain empty, no one daring to sit so close. Not even Seki, who has chosen to sit the furthest from me. Disappointment gnaws at my gut. Sipping from my wineglass, I watch them all silently. My elbow rests on the table, my chin propped up by my fist. When the chatter dies down, replaced by moans of delight as they eat, I decide to address them.
“Breakfast will be served here each morning; you do not need to all attend together if you do not wish to.” No one speaks, so I continue. “I will speak with the rest of you throughout the morning, then this afternoon I will arrange your accommodation.”
A few murmurs skitter through the group, but they are not meant for my ears. As I wait for silence to fall again, I dare a glance at Seki. She does not look my way, but focuses on the food on her plate. As soon as my gaze falls upon her, my skin heats, and the surrounding air thickens, so I quickly look away. I need to get some fresh air.
“I will leave you to your food,” I declare, rising from my seat and heading for the door.
“Wait,” someone calls behind me. When I turn, the blonde, curly haired female holds my gaze as the others watch her cautiously. I have not spoken with this one, so I do not yet know her name.
“Do you mean to say we are free to go wherever we want?” She asks softly.
I consider her words for a moment, glancing around at the group of humans, who now all watch me curiously. I should bargain with her for the question, but it is too early, and the humans have not yet learned our ways.
“I don’t see why not; you are not my prisoners. I would prefer you stick together this morning, so I may speak with each of you, but after that… go where you wish within the palace and its grounds. If there is somewhere you are not to be, you will find the way locked.”
Before anyone else can ask another question, I stalk from the room, not daring to glance at Seki for a second time.
Chapter 7
Seki
The High Lord calls on Willow first after we return to the suite we are all staying in for the time being. I’m curious to see what accommodations he has in mind, but I guess I will just have to wait until this afternoon.
Alana sits beside me, having pulled an armful of books from the shelves, and is now surrounded by them, flicking through the pages. Whatever she’s searching for seems to have piqued Riley’s interest too, as he and Amber join us by the fire. I haven’t heard Amber say a word since she sat down. She just sniffs occasionally, her gaze cloudy as if she is deep in thought.
Alex sits to the other side of me, signing casually to Yasmin, and they occasionally laugh. The two have been almost inseparable. Charlotte sits with us too, nibbling on a weird-looking cookie she swiped from the breakfast table, and I sit alone, which suits me just fine.
I watch the flames flickering in the fire and contemplate my being here. Did time pause when we left the human realm? When we return, will it be to the exact moment we left? Or is time passing by without us? The electric bill for my shop will be through the roof, and my mother will be furious at not being able to reach me. Even if she does only ever call to ask when I’m going to give up on the shop and go back into the education system so that I can ‘get a proper job’.
Bangles jangling alerts us that Willow has returned, and the guards point to Yasmin. Alex rises with her and insists they go to see the High Lord together, and both leave the room. This time, when the door closes, it doesn’t lock. I bet the guards are still standing on the other side of it, though.
Willow slumps down onto a cushion beside me, her oversized skirt fluttering. “So, what part of Asia are you from?”
I cringe and stifle a groan. “My mom is Japanese, my dad was American, if that’s what you mean?”
“Oh cool! Do you speak Japanese?”
“No,” I sigh, “I also don’t like sushi, or sake, and I don’t know any martial arts,” I huff.
“Shit… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—” Willow stammers, face flushed.
“It’s fine,” I grumble. It’s not the first time someone has asked me these types of questions just because I look like an anime character.
“No… it’s not, that was… look, I’m sorry. Can we start over?”
