Warrior Fae Princess (Warrior Fae 2)

A proud glimmer lit Halvor’s eyes. “Those in the seeking party are not strong enough to guide her. Only with the power of the Alpha Shifter were they able to subdue her. He calls it balancing, but Kairi called it competing. He is overpowering her magic with his and the pack’s magic to keep it from spiraling out of control.”

“An Alpha Shifter?” Romulus frowned. “I remember stories of shifters. I would not think one of them could handle this charge.”

“Some are stronger than others, as with anything. This young man, I have heard, is exceptional. I have also heard their magic complements ours, like the elders have always said. Those in the seeking party are all enamored by these shifters, especially the women.”

Romulus waved the comment away. “The young women in this village are enamored by anything unique. How close is the party?”

“They will be here within the hour. Where shall I direct them?”

Romulus looked over his shed, filled with sunlight and flowers. It was the place he liked best in the world, the ideal spot to spend a tranquil afternoon. If there was one place he wanted to show his blood, it was this shed.

“Here,” he said without another thought. “Take the tables and desk out and bring in a bed. Assemble the healers. Bring my mother—” He cut himself off. Maybe that wasn’t the best idea. She was less than open-minded. Still, if this young woman was his blood, and she was as strong as these early reports indicated, they’d need another powerful anchor.

He finished with a nod. Halvor matched it and disappeared from the room.

Romulus’s possible daughter was coming. He could scarcely contain his hope and fear.* * *An hour and a half and a lot of pacing later, Halvor turned up at Romulus’s door again, his face strangely pale.

“What is it?” Romulus barked, impatience getting the better of him. He schooled his expression.

“We are nearly ready, Second. The runner has just returned. The party is nearly upon us. One thing…they are being followed by three elves.”

Romulus frowned at his assistant. “They’re being followed by three elves? Are they accompanying her in a protective capacity to ensure she is delivered?”

“We will know the particulars soon enough, but these elves stood by while the shifters fought a group of demons that had infiltrated the area. The shifters lost one of theirs and have another struggling to heal. The elves have repeatedly offered to take the girl since then, and are only kept at bay by a fiery mage.” Halvor’s jaw clenched, his disapproval practically screaming through the shed.

Hope flourished even as anger simmered. The elves were clearly reacting to the woman’s power, which meant great things for her, but their eagerness to abduct her from her own people worried Romulus. In the past, they would’ve helped get her home at all costs. What had changed, and what did it mean for Romulus’s people?

“Alert the First of this troubling news. Have the elves attended to when they arrive, and then turn them away.”

“Yes, Second.” Halvor excused himself.

Romulus looked down at the fluffy bed in the center of his remade work shed. Colorful light streamed in from the stained-glass windows, showering the white sheets. The fragrance of flowers was soothing. A fresh breeze wafted in.

He hoped this young woman found the space as rejuvenating as he did.

Not long afterward, he heard shouts. Footsteps tramped in his direction. He saw a group of people through the window, hastening his way.

His heart jumped up into his throat, and he scarcely knew if he should step outside to wait, or stay within the shed so as to appear calm and collected.

“She comes, Second,” Halvor said, popping his head in. His eyes were tight, his reaction to pain.

And then Romulus felt it, like hot, stinging needles along his skin and in the backs of his eyes. The healers surged into the room with their patient. Known to be the calmest of his people, they seemed unusually flustered.

“Bring in the Alpha Shifter,” one of them shouted, supporting the girl’s head.

“Spin her toward the bed! Spin her!” Alvine coached in a brash tone Romulus had never heard from her.

The group of four turned, and as they did so, Romulus got his first good glimpse of her. His breath dried up and his composure fled. He had to grab the edge of the bed to keep from going to his knees.

He didn’t need to see her photograph. He didn’t need to hear her story.

He saw it all in her face.

The set of her eyes and jaw matched that of his beloved, but every other feature spoke of Arcana blood. She had an uncanny resemblance to his mother, in particular, with the same dainty features and button nose, although her auburn hair, which crested to a widow’s peak, had been inherited from his grandmother. He wondered if her eyes were a similar color, and if, when she was healed, the ethereal glow of her magic would bring every man in the village forward begging and pleading for her hand in marriage.