A whip of air elemental magic abruptly flared.
Before I could hit the wall, the elemental magic wrapped around me. My airborne tumble slowed, my momentum disintegrating.
In my next breath, I plummeted downward, and then two hard arms curled around me.
I blinked.
“What...how...” My chest heaved. I gulped and tried to process everything. The very male I’d nearly hit held me. We were crouched only an arm’s length from the house I’d almost smashed into, and his air element had miraculously saved my neck from being broken.
A low discontented rumble vibrated the male’s chest, but his words were calm when he said, “Might I suggest securing yourself better next time you decide to fly at an illegal rate through the capital?”
His voice was deep and smooth. A tingle radiated down my spine. “I’m...I’m sorry.”
I peered upward and was rewarded with a glimpse of piercing blue eyes. Dark hair upon his head ruffled in the breeze, and the hilt of a sword stood up from his back. Rugged features that were smooth and devoid of any real expression snagged my attention. But unlike his veiled demeanor, my eyes widened in surprise as I took in his features.
Gods . . .
He was likely the most handsome male I’d ever seen.
For a moment, all I could do was stare at him, then I finally found my voice again. “I...I’msosorry. I didn’t see you, or rather, Idid, but not until the last moment. I completely apologize, but I was trying to?—”
A rush of wind, indicating another carpet had just stopped near us, blew over my face.
“Why are you touching her?” Abel’s terse tone cut off my thoughts. “Let her go. Immediately!”
My entire body tensed, and my spirits plummeted.
Abel hovered above us, standing indignantly on his carpet as hatred flashed in his eyes while he gazed upon the stranger who held me.
I sighed in exasperation. Apparently, I hadn’t lost my neighbor after all.
“Who are you?” the stranger asked calmly, his tone and expression giving away nothing.
Abel sneered. “I’m her betrothed.”
I huffed and glared at Abel. “No, you are most definitelynotmy betrothed.”
“Well, I will be. It’s just a matter of time.” Abel glared at the stranger again. “Unhand her. Now!”
The stranger’s arms tightened, and his gaze shot upward. The angle gave me a clear view of his square jaw and the strong lines of his throat. “She said you’re not her betrothed.” His tone dipped, a low warning in it.
Something gleamed in Abel’s eyes as he and the stranger stared off. Something I’d never seen before. And my neighbor’s aura felt positively insane.
That was new, and a moment of unease slithered through me, especially since the Stone’s legend said things like this could happen. Fae who were hunting the Stone could change. Become dangerous. Becomeunhinged.
Heart rate ticking up, I replied as calmly as I could, “Abel,you’ve never been my betrothed. You need to stop with these delusional beliefs.”
Abel’s lips pulled back, making him look more wolf than fae. “Iam.You just won’t accept?—”
“No, you’renot,” I nearly shouted.
The stranger’s attention drifted back to me, and perhaps it was the chaos of the morning or the worry that I would never find the Stone due to Abel’s behavior, but I did the first thing I could think of to deter my irrational and potentially dangerous neighbor. Especially since this stranger looked like someone nobody would want to mess with.
“In fact, Abel, this male is my betrothed. Isn’t that right?” I asked the stranger.
Before I could decipher the stranger’s widening eyes or contemplate the wisdom of my decision, I pressed both of my palms to his cheeks and slammed my lips to his.
The stranger stiffened.
