The Fae King's Dream (Between Dawn and Dusk #2) - Jamie Schlosser Page 0,93

smiles like I just offered her a moon. “Thank you.”

Kai reaches out. “I’ll take her back to the carriage and get her some water.”

Nodding, I transfer Maisel to his waiting palms, astonished by his ability to be so gentle. Being mindful of her wounded back, he holds her close to his chest as he walks away. Dermott and Torius remain with us, weapons at the ready as they search the branches above.

We should get out of here.

Suddenly, there’s movement above Whitley’s head. My eyes widen. A spider the size of my fist drops just behind her right shoulder. With its purple stripes, some might say it’s kind of beautiful, but I know how deadly they can be to non-fae beings.

Its fangs drip with venom as it claws for Whitley with its two front legs.

I’m about to push her out of the way when she spins, dagger up. Before I can even blink, she spears it between the eyes, driving it to the ground as it screeches. Legs wiggling, it puts up a fight for about two seconds before going still.

“Ewww.” Whitley yanks her blade from the insect, goopy yellow slime dripping from it. “Giant spiders are so not my jam.” After daintily wiping the dagger off on some leaves, she lifts her dress and puts it back on the garter around her thigh. “That was disgusting. We should go.”

Her fingers skim down my forearm in a loving gesture as she brushes past me.

And I’m too stunned to speak.

My girl is such a badass.

Whitley

When we get back to the road, Quinn’s making a sling out of a blue scarf, and everyone is huddled around Kai. Maisel seems to be soaking up the attention like a sponge. She’s primly sitting on one of his palms, allowing him to bring a waterskin up to her mouth while compliments are thrown her way.

“So brave,” Astrid says.

“I love your outfit,” Isla coos.

“What an honor it is to have such a warrior with us.” Kai smiles at her.

Kai. Smiles. I’ve never seen so many of his teeth all at once.

“I’m ready to give the message.” Maisel wipes the water from her mouth as she looks to King Zander. “Do I have your permission to speak in front of everyone?”

“You do,” he responds kindly, and even he seems charmed by the little creature.

A collective silence falls over the group as we wait.

Isla seems to be holding her breath, and I don’t understand the suspense. We already know what the message is.

However, when Maisel opens her mouth and it’s Tibbs’ voice coming out, I get it.

“King Zander, greetings from the Dream Realm,” Maisel says in an exact replica of Tibbs’ deep timbre. “Firstly, we were attacked by some of your citizens on the road. They’re being detained in Cassia, awaiting execution. Let us know if you object to their sentence being carried out in King Damon’s court. Also, King Damon has found his mate. We’re traveling to Dawn and Dusk for their wedding, but there’s trouble ahead. It’s our wish to do away with the coven… permanently. Meet us if you’d like to lend your assistance.”

Holding a hand to her stomach, Maisel heaves out a sigh, like she feels lighter.

“Excuse me.” Isla barely bites back a sob as she retreats to the carriage.

Guilt assaults me all over again, and when Quinn starts to offer Maisel a place in the sling, I cut her off.

“I’d like to carry her.” I look to Maisel. “That is, if it’s okay with you.”

“Could the two of you argue about it a little? I’d love it if the queens fought over me.”

Humoring her, Quinn bites her lip to keep from smiling as she faces me. “I’ve never hung out with a sprite before.”

“I just met one for the first time today,” I counter.

“I think she’d be safer with us.”

I shake my head. “I just killed a big ass spider back there. A spider that might’ve eaten poor Maisel. I think the honor is mine.”

Satisfied, Maisel claps. “Whitley wins.”

“All right.” Feigning disappointment, Quinn removes the scarf, winking as she loops it over my head.

While everyone returns to their riding positions, Damon takes Maisel from Kai and places her in the sling. It’s like a little hammock, and she sighs with contentment as she closes her eyes.

I’m assuming she needs a nap, so I’m not surprised that she sleeps all the way to Zander’s camp. When we get close, a horn blows in the distance, alerting the men of people approaching. Several soldiers line up,