Touch (Touched by the Fae 3)

No matter what, it’s time to face Melisandre. Nine’s right. We only just began this life together. I finally have someone who wants me for me—who isn’t going to get tired of me and walk away. He can’t. Nine’s stuck with me.

I’m not about to let my chance at my own happily ever after slip away

It’ll work out. I tell myself that because, well, it’s about fucking time something went right for me for once.

“Do you trust me?” I ask him.

If Nine were human, his brow would furrow at the heaviness of my question. It’s a loaded one all right; we both know it. He’s a Dark Fae, a creature of Faerie. He doesn’t trust anyone.

Except, it seems, for me.

“Yes,” he says.

It’s the same exact exchange we had while the two of us were in the Faerie jail, waiting to be brought to see Melisandre again only, last time, Nine needed to know that I trusted him.

Okay, then.

I pat him on his chest, putting all of my love and affection into the touch, before turning to face the soldier again. I take a few steps away from Nine because, if I don’t, there’s a good chance that I’ll run away with him after all.

“Promise me.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll feel better if you promise.” I shrug, going for casual, desperately trying to hide how important this is to me. If it’s just me and Nine, we could figure out another plan. Somehow. Maybe. But with my parents tagging along, heading back to Faerie where they were imprisoned for so, so long… I struggle to keep my expression neutral. “I know that the fae can’t lie. So if you promise, if you swear to Oberon that you’ll leave my parents alone, I’ll go with you.”

At the mention of the former ruler of Faerie, the heavy hush in the apartment is broken up by a gasp or two, followed by muted mutters from the soldiers.

“The Summer King is dead,” says the leader. The mumbles quickly turn to echoes of his cold pronouncement. “I’ll make no vow on his name, but swear on Faerie instead. If you come willingly to her castle, we’ll leave the human and the fallen fae in peace. Do we have a bargain?”

He can’t lie, so he obviously believes that Oberon is truly dead. Of course, I know better. Too bad Oberon didn’t decide to side with me because wouldn’t that be one hell of a surprise for these asshole soldiers?

I nod. “Yes.”

“It’s done. Des, call up a portal.”

One of the soldiers immediately sheathes his sword; four more are still pointed at my parents. The Light Fae backs away from the circle of soldiers, lifting his bronze-colored arm high as he draws a rectangle in the air, a doorway with quick slashes of his hand.

Once he’s done, he presses the flat of his palm against the space. Suddenly, a portal appears, a mixture of oranges, yellows, and white streaming in through the new rectangular shape.

The lead soldier gestures for me to step forward. “After you, Shadow.”

I’m rooted to the wooden floor, blinded by the light at the same time as I’m terrified to move toward it.

I… I’ve never taken a Seelie portal before.

Nine leans into me, reminding me that he’s here. He’s with me.

I’m not doing this alone.

“I’ll be with you, Riley.” He takes my hand, rubbing his thumb against the leather stretched across my palm. “Every step of the way.”

“Is it safe?” I whisper, unable to tear my gaze away from the searing light. I’ve lowered my lids, just a slit in my face, and it still burns something awful.

“As safe as iron,” Nine says, sounding totally unconcerned. Yeah, right. I know better now. He’s concealing how he truly feels because of the enemies in our audience, but he still reassures me with another gentle touch. “I’ll be fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”

“I’m not.”

Yeah... that’s a straight up lie. If it was just a portal, I wouldn’t care. It’s just… it’s a Seelie portal. It’s so bright, so hot, my heart keeps thudding at the mere thought of getting any closer to the fiery wall.