Freed (Imprisoned by the Fae 3)

Well, what did he expect was going to happen after the shit he purposely started? Serves him right.

“Hey.” I keep my tone light. Friendly. “What’s up?”

“I just wanted to let you know that I’ve finally heard from the Shadow.”

Look at that. “Perfect timing.”

Rys nods. “She’s just arrived in Faerie with her mate. They’re meeting with Oberon tonight, and they should be ready to leave tomorrow. We’ll head out as soon as they arrive here.” He pauses for a moment, then says brusquely, “Make sure your human is prepared. If he needs anything, let Lolly know.”

Well, that answers that. He listened long enough to know that I couldn’t bring myself to tell Jim he couldn’t go.

That’s the end of that.

I tell Jim to come up with anything he thinks he’ll need for an extended camping trip before quickly making my escape. I hurry toward the stairs, hoping that I’ll catch up with Rys, but nope. I don’t know if he’s gone out, if he went to his room, or if he’s just avoiding me, but I can’t find him.

Going to his room is a bad idea. A tempting one, but a bad one. If I walk inside of it, I know that I won’t be able to leave again, and wouldn’t that be something to explain to Jim if he figures that out?

Especially after I wussed out. Instead of finally breaking things off with Jim, I gave into his demands and refused to tell him he had to stay behind. Which is probably what Rys was trying to force me into doing—and why he’s angry that I screwed it all up.

I’m such a moron. And Rys… he’s so confusing.

Why does it matter if Jim tags along? He’s the one who gave his blessing when he told Jim to be ready.

Unless… unless he doesn’t want him there? And, Jesus, Elle, why would he? If it wasn’t for his sacrifice to Siúcra, he would’ve claimed me by now. That much I’m sure of. Instead, he arranged for Jim to come to Faerie and now Rys is playing host to his former lover and her boyfriend.

And now the three of us—plus the Shadow and her mate—are going into the Shadow Realm where danger lurks in the darkness.

Oh, boy.

So, yeah. I go to bed alone. The next morning, I wake up early, hoping to get some time alone with Rys before Jim finds us together. I’m brave enough to knock on Rys’s door after I get dressed, but there’s no answer.

Where is he?

It doesn’t take long for

me to figure it out. At the bottom of the stairs, I step into the hall, peeking into the front room. It’s habit, and if it was empty, I would’ve searched some of the other rooms before making my way to the kitchen.

Only it isn’t empty.

Rys is seated in a high-backed gilded chair, slouching lazily, perched almost sideways on the padded white cushion. He’s positioned the chair on an angle so that he’s facing the pair making themselves comfortable on the settee while, at the same time, perfectly able to see anyone passing the room.

Like me.

He waves me over. Grateful I already took a spin through my shower box, I enter the room and wave at his guests.

“Leannán. You remember the Shadow and her mate.”

The Unseelie turns his head sharply, his cheeks hollowed as he whistles in a short breath. “Leannán?”

“Elle,” I correct. For good or for bad, that nickname belongs to Rys. “Elle Andrews.”

“Riley Thorne,” offers the pretty blonde woman sitting next to the Unseelie. “This is my mate, Nine.”

“I know. We met at Oberon’s palace. How are you doing?”

Riley shrugs, her petite shoulders almost swallowed up by the oversized hoodie she has on. From the bottom of her sleeves, I can see the tips of her leather gloves peeking out. Just like the last time we met, she’s dressed for winter.

That’s still kind of weird.