Page 114 of A Dance with the Fae Prince (Married to Magic 2)
Chapter 33
The momentshe removes her hands from our mouths, Giles exhales a sigh of relief that ends with her name. “Shaye.”
There’s no chance for her to react before his arms are around her, clutching her, holding her as though she’s the last woman on earth. Shaye is clearly startled. Her eyes dart from Raph to myself. I give a small and knowing smile before turning to Raph.
“Why don’t we give them a moment?”
“We don’t need a moment,” Shaye says defensively.
“Shaye.” Giles pulls away with a hard look.
Shaye rolls her eyes, but the small smile at the corner of her mouth betrays her true emotions. “All right, one minute.”
I pat Raph’s shoulder and guide him over to a nearby tree that we stand on the other side of. I lean against it, crossing my arms, and stare out over the sloping forest. My gaze is soon brought up to the High Court, glittering against the night sky, looming above us.
“He likes her a lot.” Raph startles me from my thoughts.
“He does,” I agree.
“She likes him, too, even if she doesn’t want to show it.”
“That’s astute for a kid.” I ruffle his hair. He scowls and combs it back into place. I’ve learned that Raph doesn’t like things that remind him of his age. I must be the worst, because it only makes me want to remind him more.
“One, not a ‘kid,’” he says firmly. “And two, I know a thing’r two about love.”
I snort. “What do you know about love?”
“I know it when I see it.” He puffs out his chest. “Like, that night when you and Prince Davien danced. You two are in love. Anyone could see it.”
A knot in my chest eases as a different one forms in my stomach. I wonder if he’s right and how many people could see it. I wonder how many recognized what was happening well before I did, or even Davien. I wonder if that night, even when he swore to me that there would be no feelings between us, he knew he already loved me and that I loved him.
“Well? Am I right?” Raph presses relentlessly.
“Yes,” I confess with a soft laugh. “You are right.”
“Knew it! And that’s why you’re going to save him.”
“It’s one of the reasons. Saving your kingdom is also a pretty big motivator.” I look back to that tall city looming up on the hill and the sheer wall that encapsulates it. For every one Butcher I see prowling, I’m sure there’s at least five more, hidden away. A whole army of killers, trained from their very first breath. Do we really stand a chance against them?
“Sorry for the delay.” Shaye rejoins us with Giles at her side.
“No apologies necessary.” I push away from the tree.
“Were you two kissing?” Raph waggles his eyebrows.
Shaye leans forward, sticking her nose right near his. “You know, your father and mother aren’t here right now to protect you. You really want to try me, little man?”
Raph’s spine goes rigid as he stands up tall. “No, not in the slightest, sorry, Lady Shaye.”
Shaye hums and straightens away. “I’m watching you, kid.” Funny enough, he doesn’t object to being called “kid” when Shaye is the one to say it. She does have that intimidating aura—one that only grows more intense when she looks up toward the city. “So, you came here with the intent to break into the High Court?”
“Giles tell you?” I ask.
“He didn’t need to, it’s obvious. Why else would you come? Especially with Dreamsong destroyed.” Shaye’s mouth twists into a frown. Her eyes flash with a rage unlike any I have ever seen. This battle has always been personal for her, and Boltov only compounds the reasons she has to fight with his attack on Davien and Dreamsong.
“How did you survive Allor?” I ask.
“Tell you on the way.” Shaye starts up the hillside. “I think I know the best place for us to make our way in.”
