Caedmon shrugged, staring off into the distance, not once slowing his brisk pace. “It was home a long time ago.”
Sensing he didn’t want to say more, Morgan let the matter drop. As the night continued to darken, she frowned in confusion. “I thought I was being taken to trial. Where is the judge and jury and court? Where are the people and buildings?”
“It’s not that kind of trial.” Atlas caught her arm when she would’ve turned around to confront him, forcing her to keep moving. “You have to survive Faerie and pass three trials if you want to get out alive.”
She became slightly sick at the thought. “There is no way in hell that they’re going to allow me to pass.”
Atlas didn’t immediately disagree, and her stomach churned.
“Faerie is the one who will judge you. The fae aren’t allowed to interfere, but they don’t leave anything to chance either.” He reached up and began to braid his hair as he walked—war braids that showed off his ears and lavender tinged skin. “That doesn’t mean we can’t win.”
Morgan grunted in agreement…because no other option was acceptable. “So Faerie is sentient?”
“Yes and no,” Caedmon answered. “Though the source of our magic, it has a will of its own. It will do whatever is needed to survive. If it sees you as a threat, then we will never leave. Ifwe pass the trials, we’ll be brought before the light and dark fae queens and be judged.”
Morgan chewed on her lip, debating the wisdom of asking a question when she wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer. The darkness continued to thicken so it was harder to see, and it gave her courage to plow ahead, curiosity getting the best of her. “You’ve met her.”
There was a slight hitch to his stride, something so infinitesimal, she almost missed it, and she instantly regretted bringing up the subject. Not only because it brought him pain, but because she didn’t want to know if they’d had something special.
Didn’t want to know if he missed the other woman.
Then a new worry entered her mind, and she wondered what would happen if the queen decided that she wanted him back.
The very thought made it feel like she’d been kicked in the chest.
She wasn’t used to feeling jealousy and possessiveness when she thought of him. Then she felt very small when she realized that it was because of him. He always went out of his way to seek her out. He would give her the best foods, make sure she always had tea at the ready.
He never flirted, keeping a respectable distance from others. In fact, the more she thought about it, she didn’t remember him being around any females.
He did that for her.
To show her that he was available.
That she would never have to question his loyalty.
He was so devoted to her that the thought of another woman wanting to claim him put her in a rage.
“Morgan.” Caedmon was suddenly in front of her so fast that she nearly plowed over him. She’d been so lost in her thoughts, she wasn’t even aware that they’d stopped. He caught her shoulders, steadying her, and she gave into the urge to hug him close.
He took a shuddering breath, then wrapped his arms aroundher and pulled her against his chest. His arms were tight, but instead of confining, all she felt was comfort.
“The light queen and I knew each other a long time ago. We both knew our duty to Faerie. So while we enjoyed each other’s company, we were both careful not to take things too far.” He rested his chin on the top of her head and snuggled her closer. “Fae live a long time, friends and lovers come and go. We’ve learned not to get attached like humans.”
Morgan pulled back with a frown. “But you and Atlas aren’t like that. You’re not cold and dismissive like the other fae.”
Atlas chuckled as he neared, then tapped her on the nose twice like he thought she was adorable. Affection transformed his face, and her stomach twirled like a ballerina at seeing his stunning beauty up close.
“We are exactly like them, maybe even worse.” The smile slipped away, replaced by a hungry expression that made him look like he was on the verge of devouring her. “Only you bring out our softer side. You brought our bleak world back to life, made our rusty hearts beat again. It’s painful and messy and something I didn’t know I wanted so badly until you stumbled in my life.”
Then he swooped down and kissed her like he needed her to breathe.
When he finally lifted his head, she nearly demanded he come back and finish the job. Maybe she would have if Caedmon hadn’t tightened his arms around her when her legs wobbled. She should’ve been embarrassed to be caught between two men, but being with them felt natural, like they were pieces of a puzzle, none of them whole without the other.
“As much as I would love to continue this, we need to find shelter.” Caedmon ran his fingers along her spine, the simple gesture soothing her ragged nerves.
Despite his words, he didn’t pull away, and she felt his erection pressed against her stomach.
For the first time, she imagined what it would be like to be intimate with him, how overwhelming it would be if he everstopped holding himself back, and she shivered at the thought, surprised by how much she wanted that chance.
