Touch (Touched by the Fae 3)

It must have something to do with the whole touch thing. After I gave him permission to touch me wherever he wanted to, to claim me fully as his soul mate while he offered himself back to me, he didn’t need a brand on my skin to find me. He’s imprinted on my heart.

My dad’s not wrong. Nine could probably find me anywhere, in Faerie or in my world. Even when all he had was the trace of a finger against my cheek, he always knew where I was. After I gave him permission to touch every inch of me, there’s no way I could escape him.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Fully bonded?” asks the leader. “I was there when you made your claim. Was the ritual completed? The final touch?”

If I wasn’t so scared out of my goddamn mind, worried about my parents and eager to save Nine’s skin since I’m probably as good as a Riley statue, I might suffer a little humiliation that the Light Fae is basically asking for confirmation that Nine and I slept together.

Jesus Christ, my mom and dad are right there.

Thankfully, Nine doesn’t go into any details. He simply nods.

The Light Fae looks surprised and a little amused. “The Shadow and the traitor. Well.” He purses his lips. “The queen will be most pleased.”

Of course she will. If I stood back and let Nine come along, the queen will definitely use him against me. That’s like both of us signing our death warrant. After what happened last time, Nine will only try to stand in front of me again.

I can’t let him do that.

I hold up my hand. “Hang on. I’m the one bargaining and I don’t agree to that deal.”

“Riley—”

“Not yet,” I amend, cutting Nine off. “Just… give me a second. Alright? I want to talk to you first.” I swivel, facing the soldier. “I want to talk to my mate.”

The word feels strange on my tongue. Mate… it’s such a simple word to explain everything Nine means to me. It’s a word that the fae seem to understand, though, and the lead soldier waves me away.

“If you must, but make it quick.”

Grabbing the edge of Nine’s jacket, I drag him back to the corner. I notice that while each and every one of the soldiers is watching us closely, no one makes a move to follow us. Why would they? The one in charge gave us permission to talk to one another and, well, it’s not like we’re about to hop in the portal again and take off.

With Callie and Ash under guard, they’ve got me exactly where they want me. I gave away any hand I had when I came rushing back for them instead of escaping while I had the chance.

Once my back is up against the wall, my friendly shadows licking at my senses, I look imploringly at Nine. I try to keep my voice down, knowing full well that the entire room—except for my mom, maybe—has hearing excellent enough to pick up on every word.

“That was too easy,” I murmur to him. “What did I miss? Did I miss anything?”

He takes my hand. Gives it a squeeze. “You don’t really understand how valuable you are to the queen. She’ll do anything to make sure you’re not a threat to her or her reign.”

Translation: Melisandre still wants me dead, so she’ll give me whatever I want so that I make it easier for her.

“So I can trust him?”

Nine’s silver eyes flash. “What’s one of the first things I taught you?”

I know it’s not the right time, but the sudden reappearance of my beloved mentor makes me feel better about this awful situation. “That I can never trust the fae.”

“That’s my Shadow.”

I tilt my head back so that I can drink in every bit of him. “But I trust you.”

“You were fated to be mine,” Nine says, the harsh edge of his voice cutting me straight to my heart. “I only just got you for myself. I won’t let anyone take you from me. You can always trust that.”

He says it like we have a choice.

And know what? Maybe we do.

I’m not a killer. I’m not. But I’m also not about to roll over and let the Fae Queen get rid of me because she thinks I’m such a threat.