Page 23 of Fae's Mate
I go to whisper his name back but realise I don’t know it… I don’t know it… I don’t even know his name.What the fuck am I doing?
I come crashing back to my senses and lurch away from him. Detangling myself from his arms and allowing the cool night air to rush into the space between us. Both of us are still breathing heavily as we stare at each other in the wake of our frenzy.
Russet eyes swirl with emotion; confusion, desire, guilt, and I am suddenly filled with panic. I have to leave. No words come to mind, no excuse or rationale. No apology or complaint. Just the unyielding desire to run. So that’s what I do. I turn my back on the High Lord of Autumn Court, and I run away.
Chapter 16
High Lord
I knew telling the humans that half of them would need to stay in the Summer Court was a bad idea. As soon as the words leave my lips, the group gathered around the breakfast table erupts. They voice their opinions to me so easily already, and I am not sure whether to be pleased or offended. All I know is that my ears are ringing.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me?”
“You can’t separate us?”
“Ooh, that sounds like fun!”
“How long do we have to stay there for?”
“You can’t tell me what to do.”
The only two silent humans are Yasmin, who is frantically communicating to Alexis with her hand signals, and Seki… my Seki, who sits watching everyone else, without voicing an opinion of her own. She hasn’t spoken a word all morning, hasn’t glanced in my direction once. I pray to the fates that she is not one of the five to leave my court.
“I know you have a lot of concerns,” I begin, in an attempt to calm them, “I assure you, you will be well taken care of by the High Lord of Summer Court. It is a pleasant place. I’m sure those of you who choose to go will enjoy your stay there.”
“Choose?”
“How long will it take to get there?”
“Why can’t we all just stay here?”
“Yes, it is a choice. One I hope you can reach amongst yourselves. My courts resources are… limited. As a member of the Summer Court was involved in bringing you through the veil, they have agreed to share the responsibility of hosting you. It would put strain, on any court, to host so many at one time.” I admit, my pride bruising.
“As for how long it takes… that depends on your horse-riding skills, but no more than three days. I have arranged for my sister and a handful of guards to accompany you.”
“How long must we stay there?”
“Is the way dangerous?”
I sigh, rubbing my beard. I steal a quick glance at Seki, but she remains silent, avoiding my gaze.
“The road has… some slight dangers, but nothing my guards cannot handle, I assure you, you will be safe. And as for how long… I don’t know. As long as it takes to summon enough magic to cleave open another portal. But you have my word that you will be called upon, and returned here when the time comes.”
The group murmur amongst themselves for a while longer. Some of them seem angry, others concerned, even curious. Only Seki remains silent.
“Well, I’m happy to go,” announces Willow, who leans back in her chair with a shrug.
“Me too,” adds the human with the long blonde hair, Edith.
“Come on Mol—it’ll be fun! Remember the map? The Summer Court palace is on the coast, it will be like having a beach holiday,” encourages Sascha.
“Fine, I’ll go. But I want to be notified the second there are plans to re-open the portal.” Mollie snarls at me. I don’t have the energy to take offence or explain to her how magic works and that a portal cannot be re-opened. A new one will have to be cleaved. So, I simply nod. Only one more human needs to agree to go and my gaze once more falls upon my mate. She looks around the table, and when her mouth opens as if to speak, my heart thunders in my chest. No, no, no.
“I’ll go too.”
It is not Seki who has spoken, but Charlotte, and I cannot help the sigh of relief that leaves my chest.
“Very well. I will make arrangements. Be ready to depart at midday.”
