The Fae King's Dream (Between Dawn and Dusk #2) - Jamie Schlosser Page 0,30
the mountains.”
He grins. “Smarty pants. Some say that’s how we got here to begin with.”
“But if there was no Valora, how did they get into the sky?”
His smile widens. “It’s a classic case of what came first, the balkyn or the egg?”
“Don’t you mean chicken?”
“No. The balkyn is a flightless bird that’s good to eat—the equivalent of a chicken here.” Moving his eyes to the sky, it’s almost as if he’s willing his sight to work when he says, “It’s kind of beautiful, not knowing how life started. Don’t you think? The mystery adds to the magic.”
I hike a shoulder. “Everything’s a mystery to me right now.”
“Well, that just makes you extra magical.”
Suddenly, Damon’s door swings open. Every muscle in his body tenses as he takes out his weapon, spins us, and pushes me behind him.
Stunned, I peek around his arm.
“Put that away, young man.” The intruder plants her hands on her hips.
At first, I think she’s a kid. She’s about four feet tall and thin. Her pink gown isn’t too dissimilar from mine, just smaller. But then I notice other characteristics. Like her long gray hair and wrinkled skin. She’s a little old lady.
Damon sighs as he relaxes. “You’re supposed to knock.”
“I could say the same to you.”
“Touché. Whitley, this is Astrid, one of my dearest friends. She also happens to be my resident witch.”
“Nice to meet you,” I tell her politely, though I’m wondering what species she is.
She doesn’t look like the other fae I’ve met, and there’s no way she’s human. Her whiskey-colored eyes are hyper-focused on me, as if she can see something no one else can.
As if she reads my mind, she says, “I’m a troll.” Then she clasps her hands and grins. “I’m here to fetch Whitley for our girls’ day.”
Frowning, Damon moves a possessive arm around my shoulders. “But she just got here.”
“I never specified when, but you still agreed.”
“Be reasonable. Hours ago, she was on death’s door.”
“She and I have important matters to discuss.”
They’re talking about me like I’m not in the room, and it rubs me the wrong way.
I clear my throat and glance at Astrid. “Could we just… not, right now? I mean no offense, but I’m not up for socializing yet. I’m actually pretty tired.”
“Very well.” She sighs, clearly disappointed. “Tomorrow, then.”
Nodding, I agree, “Tomorrow.”
Once she’s gone, Damon sweeps an arm toward the bed. “Sleep, baby. Can I call you baby? Or would you prefer babe? Honey dew? Sweetums. Humans seem to like pet names.”
Biting my lip, I try not to smile at his rambling as I sit on the side of the mattress. It’s funny how he can go from wielding his weapon to cheerfully talking about nicknames. “I don’t know.”
“I guess I’ll have to try a few out to see if one fits.” Thoughtfully scratching his jaw, he stops in front of me, fitting himself between my knees.
With the way my legs are pushed apart, it makes me very aware of the pulsing in my center. I feel exposed, even though I’m fully covered. Licking my lips, I gaze down at the bulge in Damon’s pants. Maybe he’s turned on, too.
His fingers go to the decorative laces on my chest, and he toys with the end of the string I tied into a bow. “Would you like a shirt to sleep in?”
If I get out of these clothes, there’s a very real possibility I won’t want to put anything else on. My inner horn ball might force me to ask him to touch me instead.
I smooth the bodice of the dress. “Actually, this is really comfortable.”
“All right.” Damon starts unbuckling his belt, and I let out an involuntary squeak when I realize he’s taking his pants off. “What are you doing?”
“Getting ready for bed.”
“With me?”
“Would you rather sleep alone? It’s big enough for the both of us.” Damon tilts his head toward the bed. “You could take a guest room. However, I strongly advise against it.”
“Why?”
“Remember when I said I didn’t want to say anything to upset you?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, this one is unavoidable. For your own safety, you need to know. The coven I’ve mentioned…”
“The one that cursed you.”
He gives a curt nod. “They’re the ones who caused your accident. It’s safe to say they want you dead, and they won’t stop. Not until our mate bond is complete.”
My heart kicks into overdrive. “You said we’re safe here. You have security.”
“Yes, guards against random fae criminals, but the witches have magic I can’t fathom. They’re sneaky and dangerous.”