Warrior King New Worlds (Crystal Kingdom #6) - Milly Taiden Page 0,34

asked.

The king laughed. “You do not think I would give them to you for nothing in return, do you? What kind of ruler do you think I am?”

The male grumbled to himself. “Yes, you are right, Your Highness. I will return and bring with me something you would never expect.”

Pleased, the king dismissed him to come back later. Hopefully, by then, the three girls would be back for him to hand over while his son was none the wiser.

Chapter Seventeen

Ferrus hurried from his home through the forest, following the scent of his females and mate. He was baffled by the reason for the females leaving. No one had complained before about anything. Why now?

He was afraid he knew the reason, his mate. The king would see her as a troublemaker and would not allow her back. His animal growled at the thought. Ours. What was the deal with mates that his dragon was adamant about keeping her?

His father never talked about having a mate. His mother had been gone for so long, he barely remembered what her face looked like. He recalled there was love and happiness between his parents, but he couldn’t bring any specific memory to mind.

Soon after their mother died, the king ordered that being with a mate was not allowed. If caught together, the female would face consequences as strong as death. Ferrus had not seen the reason at that time, nor did he now.

He felt the mating pull, there was no doubt about that. But he knew so little about his mate. Outwardly, she seemed perfect—gorgeous body, silky pale hair. She looked like she belonged to their fae. Even her heart was with his fae. He knew she was doing this for the good of the females.

He thought back to the time he followed his mate to the mines. She said the females had to cover themselves while the men did not. What she did not understand was that men could not control themselves when seeing the females.

A strange scent floated in the air. He heard a twang, then a wood arrow embedded itself in the ground between his feet.

“I come to speak with the female who brought the mountain fae to your village. I carry no weapon and mean no harm to you.” He lifted his arms and turned in a circle to show he was not hiding anything.

A dark-skinned male dropped right in front of him and sniffed. “You are from the mountain?”

“Yes.” He wondered if it was safe to stay with the truth. Lilah trusted these fae enough to bring the females there, so they must be worthy. “My mate is here in your home.”

The Gnoleon relaxed. “You seek the female humans. Yes, they are here. Follow me.” Ferrus hurried to keep up with the male.

“Humans?” he questioned. He hadn’t heard a fae of that calling.

The tree fae smiled. “Ask your mate. She will tell you a good story.”

Story? What kind of life had his mate lived? They had to be advanced if the females had as much dominance as she seemed to have. Their warriors were probably brave since she had no fear of consequences. He wondered how different his mate’s society must have been from his.

He saw a mound of dirt piled up taller than he was. Then he saw another one attached to the first, forming a highly defensible blockade against someone passing. Were they going to climb it, or was there an entrance elsewhere? His guide walked straight to the point where the mounds met.

As Ferrus watched, the Gnoleon put his hand on the mound, and the dirt moved. The domes separated, allowing them passage. In a way, it was how the mountain fae opened and closed entrances for privacy. They just put their hands on the rock wall and pulled to each side or pushed them together.

Maybe the red and brown fae were not that different. Then Ferrus stepped beyond the dome and knew he was in a different world than his own. He truly hoped his scouts were correct that there were no stockpiles of weapons for battle.

As he continued to follow the guard, he took in all around him. Males and females worked side by side. Several, including his own females, worked with what could have been food, washing and cutting with primitive knives. His people could make blades for them to make prep easier. Did he just think about supplying possible enemies with weapons?

Movement beside him startled him. A male stood in the opening