The Masked Fae (Royal Fae of Rose Briar Woods 1)

“Be cautious while you are here. This time, listen to my warning when I tell you not to make bargains or agreements.”

She follows me to the door like a puppy. “Why does it sound like you don’t plan to return?”

I step into the night, refusing to indulge in the desire to look at her once more. “I don’t.”

“I won’t see you again?” she demands, sounding aghast.

“I’m not any safer than Lord Ambrose,” I tell her. “You would be wise to stay away from me as well.”

I swing over the railing, catching the lattice that’s attached to the wall between Alice’s balcony and mine. Knowing she will watch me until I’m out of sight, I resist the urge to leap to my side and be done with it.

Visiting her like this is inconvenient, but I cannot reveal my secret to her. Knowledge is dangerous—especially this kind of knowledge.

So I drop to the ground and slip into the cover of the forest, using my magic to blend in with the shadows. Once I’m concealed, I turn back, watching Alice in the night.

Sure enough, she stands by the balcony like a ghost maiden in a tale, staring into the woods as the light breeze tugs her long, silken hair. After several minutes, she hugs herself as if cold and then returns to her room, closing the door behind her.

I reach out with the magic that connects me to the natural world and turn the lock she forgot to set, keeping her as safe as she can be in the borderlands of Faerie.

It’s only when I’m back in my bedchamber that I realize I forgot to warn her about tomorrow’s full moon.

* * *

“Areyou telling me you refuse to explain tonight’s dangers to Alice?” I demand, knowing that arguing with Regina will do me no good. Once she’s made up her mind, it’s as good as set.

“I didn’t say that,” my cousin responds calmly. “I merely suggested you tell her yourself.”

I lower my voice even though we’re alone in my quarters. “You know I cannot. I’ve had too many conversations with her while masked.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that. Out of all the humans you’ve found in the woods, why did you bring her here? You’ve never been prone to returning with strays.”

Uncomfortable with the question, I look down. “She was determined to speak with me.”

“That may be, but you didn’t have to take her in,” she says.

“Do not act like you didn’t have a part in her staying.”

Regina laughs under her breath. “We both know how often you listen to me. It must have been something else.”

I pause, not eager to voice my thoughts aloud. “Does Alice seem…familiar to you?”

Regina’s face softens. “I knew that was why you gave in to her pleas.”

I look up sharply. “Then why did you make me admit it?”

“It’s good for you to be honest with yourself occasionally. After all, you are the only person you can truly lie to.”

I roll my eyes, sitting back in my chair. After a moment, I ask, “Is it her? Is it possible?”

She sighs. “I very much doubt it.”

“But her name…”

“Is common,” Regina points out. Her eyes soften. “I think, perhaps, we would like it to be her, and therefore we’re seeing connections that do not exist.”

“Drake would know.”

“He was so young,” she argues. “If he does remember, looking upon this Alice might be painful. He might resent her.”