The Fae King's Dream (Between Dawn and Dusk #2) - Jamie Schlosser Page 0,141
think it’s a boy?”
He pauses. “You’re right. With those ferocious tendencies, she’s probably just like you.”
I roll my eyes.
He always likes to joke that I’m the violent one, just because I started an academy where we turn docile ladies from all levels of society into killing machines. What he doesn’t realize is, it’s about so much more than self-defense. For many of these girls, it’s the first time they’ve left home, experienced independence, and been treated as equals among nobles.
Unbreakable friendships are made. It’s like summer camp, but with a lot of sharp objects. Most don’t choose to join the military afterward. A lot of them go back to their families, armed with the knowledge and skill to protect themselves.
And it’s working. We haven’t had an abduction in the Dream Realm for over a year.
As we walk through the Royal Sprite Community—yes, they got that title in a trade two years ago when we had them deliver the news of Kallum’s birth to the entire kingdom—my little friends take flight. They merge into a group and zip around us in a continuous circle, paying their respects. One by one, they break away from the formation and hand me a flower before kissing my cheek.
Something about sprites? They’re actually very affectionate. And loyal. Once you’ve gained their trust, you have it forever.
Luna’s the last to deliver her gift. It’s one of the nectar trumpets from the trees we planted near Maisel’s House. When she passes it to me, I know she’s thinking of our friend. If it weren’t for Maisel, we probably wouldn’t have met.
Death wasn’t the end for her. She lives on in this community and the friendships I’ve made here.
As we go by her house, I’m happy to see that all the rooms are filled in the twelve-foot cylindrical tower made from glowing stones. Every window is lit from the inside.
New sprites move here all the time, but hardly any ever leave. After learning they don’t settle anywhere for long because it’s too dangerous to stay in one place where they could be found, I did something to change that. Thanks to Astrid and me, this forest has a blanket of protection over it. The invisible barrier can detect malice in someone’s heart. If they have bad intentions, they can’t enter these woods.
Holding my flowers in one hand, I hook the other around Damon’s arm as we leave the forest. Tingles race over our skin when I rub the inside of his wrist.
Touching him now is even more exciting than it was in the beginning. The longer we’re together, the stronger the bond gets. My craving for him never wanes.
I can’t wait to get him alone, but it’s not easy finding time without people lingering. Sometimes we sneak around like horny teenagers, stealing moments in closets and hidden tunnels, because what used to be a mostly empty castle is now a bustling center of activity. The counsel has weekly meetings in the throne room. Balls and festivals are a regular occurrence. Then there’s our sweet son. Kallum is just as much of an attention hog as Damon, but at least he’s got two awesome grandparents to keep him occupied.
Just as expected, Silas and Tehya ended up moving back into their suite once they returned. While Astrid put up a bit of a fuss, she settled for claiming several rooms in the basement and four “tea parties” a week with me. When I say tea parties, I mean pure mischief. Together, we’re able to cast bigger spells in faster time, and she’s always wanting to see how far we can push it. Last week, we summoned all the frogs within a fifty-mile radius. It took Dermott and the other guards four days to clear them out of the moat.
What? Kallum wanted to see some frogs. It’s not like anyone’s going to arrest me. Perks of being queen and all.
“Aunt Whitley! Uncle Damon!”
I’m surprised when Danyetta comes running at us across the blueish-green grass. Her long light brown hair is tied back with a purple ribbon that matches her dress.
“What’s going on?” I look to Damon, and he grins.
“You didn’t see this coming?”
“No.”
His mouth stretches wider, and he tilts his head toward Kirian and Quinn in the distance. “Good. It’s hard to surprise you these days. You need family right now.”
“I hope you don’t mind,” Quinn calls, hitching her thumb toward the stables. “But we wanted to visit Talon while we waited for you.”