Page 11 of End of the Sword


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Pointed ears. Jagged teeth. Crystal eyes.

Fae were fascinating creatures. Their capacity for emotions was far greater than humans despite their reputation for being heartless. That wide range of emotions could do one of two things to them. It could give them the ability to love more fiercely than any other being or it could harden them into the monsters most humans were familiar with.

What Ambrose stared at now, the man who’d stepped so quickly into her path, was dangerous. She scowled, touching her shoulder to remind herself andhimthat she wasn’t without her magic.

“What are you doing?” Especially out in the open.

“You took the words right out of my mouth.” Full lips split into a grin that Ambrose recognized as playful but anyone else might confuse for something more wicked. His teeth were white, sharp points that glistened in the sun that managed to make its way through the canopy above them.

“I have to leave. I’m going to my sisters.”

Her heart gave a nervous flutter.

“Without a goodbye?”

Ambrose tilted her head in the predatory way she’d learned from him. She watched him with plain interest. Underneath her, the horse shuffled. Even an animal such as this could sense what sort of beast stood before them.

“I’m not supposed to associate myself with Fae.” A smile was starting to creep up her face.

“You’ve done more than associate yourself with Fae.” The rumble of his laughter stretched her lips up higher on her cheeks. Raven black hair was pushed back out of his diamond blue eyes. His clothes were dusted with dirt, a twig stuck to the back of his loose shirt. Had he slept in a tree again last night?

Queen Ambrose swung her leg over the saddle, slipping off her horse. She kept the reins tightly in her hand as she stood. “You know how risky it is to meet in the open like this.” She waved her hand toward the dirt road.

The forest around them was quiet except for the occasional chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects. A sharp curve in the road helped to shield them from any of the town’s prying eyes.

However, if someone were to come down this road…

She didn’t want to think about the disaster that would be.

He shrugged and took a step toward her. Her grip on the reins tightened.

“Ephram,” the queen said. She’d meant to stop him with his name but it ended up only calling him closer.

“I love it when you say my name. I wish you’d say it in its entirety.” One blink later the Fae moved from several yards away to within arm’s reach. His wide build was only an inch taller than hers but he still felt massive anytime he was near her.

Ambrose let her eyes drift closed, inhaling his strong pine scent. His hand slipped into hers. Still, she marveled at how he’d evaded callouses after so many years of training with swords. Something about the Fae genetics kept their skin smooth and soft.

“I wish you wouldn’t leave me.” Ephram’s breath tickled her ear. Those pillow soft lips followed the same trail as his exhale, pressing to the tendon in her neck in several little kisses.

So gentle for such a powerful Fae.

“I must,” she whispered, leaning into his firm chest. Her arms rose to drape over his shoulders as she pulled him against her. Ephram didn’t protest as he wrapped his arms around her waist. His muscles tensed as he squeezed her gently. His restraint was always evident. Evidence of his feelings for her.

This was the man she let make a mark on her body. He’d all but devoted himself to her, his thigh bearing the same tattoo as her. And he was the one thing she was supposed to detest. Especially when the royal family was on the other side of Pasia’s borders waiting to take back the country. When they’d snuck in and killed two of her sisters.

“Then I will follow you,” Ephram declared. When he pulled away Ambrose was able to see the faint scar that traveled up the side of his right cheek. Her hand lifted on its own accord to trace the line.

“No. I will not put you in harm’s way. Trust that this is only goodbye for now.” The queen pressed a kiss to the scar. “I’m happy you were spying on me and came to wish me farewell.”

“I had much more entertaining plans for this morning.” His tongue darted out to moisten his lips. Ambrose watched with rapid interest. “A shame this is how the day turned out.”

“A shame.”

Ephram exhaled dramatically. “I will follow you until you reach the limits of Marlux. A queen should not travel without a guard.”

“Hopefully most will not recognize me as their queen. I tried to make myself look common.”

“Nothing you could do would make you look common.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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