Queen of the Fae (Book 1)

Eleven

"lucere non uri"

I SHINE, NOT BURN.

"Ignite"

By: UNSECRET & NEONI

k a i s a

I watched in the tree line behind the house, my jaw flexing as four male fae worked the land. They couldn't see or hear me when I was walking through the shadows, and while I contemplated walking through the side of their house, I decided that it would be best to reveal myself. These were light fae, good people of prosperity, and from the looks of it they were a family of metal workers and woodcutters. I steeled myself, knowing none of it would matter if they had harmed her, for bearing the name light does not simply deliver you from evil as so many believe. My mouth curved into a sharp toothed snarl merely thinking of it, and I decided then and there that I would abandon my previous plan to wait until nightfall. I stalked out of hiding, bearing the crest of my people proudly, my short swords and curved blade strapped across my back, snug to breastplate. I wore my power like a cape, dark shadows rolling in behind me like smoke, rippling and pulsing around me. The male fae caught wind of me immediately, the youngest one pointing from the porch. They retreated at the sight of me, and my jaw ticked as neighbors exited their homes, curious as to why the Unseelie huntress would risk the Light Queen's wrath to do so. I halted a mere step from the house, having forced each male back up the steps.

Despite the crushing desire to blow the house apart in search of my mate, I bowed cordially, in greeting. They watched me warily, the eldest sporting a mighty fine beard, not to mention he was almost two heads taller than I.

"Forgive me for intruding, it is not my intention to cause strife, but I am in dire need of your help."

The eldest stepped forward, bowing formally. "I admit, it is unusual, but had we not rescued a rather peculiar woman three days past, I would find it even more so if I did not assume someone was looking for her. Might I ask what your plans for her are? She is not fit for travel in her current.....condition."

I clenched my jaw at the implication his tone, reading it clearly. He had seen her body, and assumed I or my men caused such horrific damage. My vision flickered red, memories flashing behind my eyes; Eva's shrill screams had come to haunt me, and behind me the darkness grew.

I ground my teeth, responding to his insinuation with one of my own. "I assure you, she has been well treated with me. Being that she is mine. And as you well know, harming one's mate is death." My darkness whispered in excitement, eager to be fed. The words left my mouth in our native tongue, rippling through the very air.

It was the first time I claimed Eva as my mate, and for that she has endured, I would make sure it was clear as day. The man watched me, a hard look in his eyes as he decided whether or not to risk my wrath. The boy-fae behind him shifted nervously, aware that I had just raised the stakes. They could not keep her from me, to do so would give me the right to kill them, and neither queen would stop me from doing so. I breathed a sigh of relief when he stepped aside, opening the door. I paused as I passed him by, hesitating, for the first time after realizing I was acting like a hormonal male fae, I considered she may not want to see me.

To my surprise, he smiled, a heavy accent layering his words that had not been so noticeable before. "Ah, dinna fash young one, she is a spitfire, your mate. My sister Maxie is wi' her now. My name is Rufus, and this lot is my family. We dinna wish to keep her from you, is just, she had been-," he paused, emotion clogging his throat.