House of Lies and Sorrow (Fae of Rewyth #1)(43)

I jumped forward, easily grabbing her wrist and securing her to the branch. I waited a few seconds before hauling her up to her feet, keeping a hand on her back until she steadied herself.

“Thanks,” she breathed, inches from my face.

I smiled. “I think it’s about time for you to face your fear of heights, princess.”

“Now?” she asked. “I can’t even see the wall yet.”

“That’s because you’re human,” Serefin answered from behind me. “You can’t see it. It’s glamoured.”

She lifted her chin. The hands she placed on my shoulders to get her balance remained there. “Fine,” she said. “But if you drop me, I’ll be pissed.”

A small growl escaped me. I couldn’t resist. I scooped her in my arms as she secured an arm around my neck. Jade was stiff with nerves, but I couldn’t tell if it was from me holding her or from us about to launch into the air.

I hoped it was the latter one.

Serefin jumped first, his wings spreading tightly around him as he navigated his way through the maze of small branches above us.

“Hold on tight, princess,” I breathed into her ear. And then I jumped.

Jade squealed as my wings surrounded us, hauling us higher and higher into the night sky. It was a good thing Jade couldn’t see in the dark. Because the wall was tall, and we rarely flew this high.

But she didn’t say a word, just buried her head into my neck as Ser and I made the silent ascension into the sky.

The wall was difficult for most people to see, even the fae. The humans of course would never be able to find it on their own, and they sure as Saints would never be able to cross it. This wasn’t the only way through the wall, but it was the best way to not get caught.

Getting caught wasn’t an option. Especially for the Prince of Shadows and his new human wife.

I lost track of how long Serefin and I had been flying. It wasn’t long until Ser and I peaked the wall, shimmering in glamour, and began our descent into the human lands.





CHAPTER 22





Malachi





I never understood humans. I didn’t hate them, but I didn’t understand them. I remembered that as we entered Jade’s old residence. The smell alone was enough to keep any fae away.

But I didn’t tell her that.

She walked in front of Ser and I, just enough that I could watch the bounce in each step as she trotted up the main path to her house.

It was dark. Everything was dark, but she didn’t need our help to see anymore. Something told me she had likely walked this path at night hundreds of times.

My chest tightened thinking about her walking all alone at night, scavenging for something to feed her sister with.

I shook my head. What was I thinking? Jade was perfectly capable of taking care of herself in the human lands.

Saints, she had survived long enough in the fae lands, I was starting to think she could take care of herself there too.

Jade turned on the path, walking up to the front door of probably the smallest house on the entire path. Not a single light remained on, but I knew it was Jade’s house.

One, because her scent still lingered here,

And two, because I hadn’t taken my eyes off her that night in the forest until I had watched her get inside.

Something inside me wouldn’t let me look away.

“Wait here,” she demanded as she grabbed the doorknob and pushed it open.

Serefin glanced at me, as if he was wondering if I would listen to Jade or not.

“I’m staying out here because I want to,” I clarified. “Not because she told me to.”

“Sure you are,” he stifled a laugh, but we both remained at the front door as Jade closed it behind her.





JADE





“Tessa?” I whispered into the darkness. The house was just as I remembered it, only with the chill of winter just around the corner, it was much colder.

And messier. As if that were possible.

“Tessa?” I asked again, a little louder.

A thump from her bedroom, followed by thudding footsteps on the floor answered me.

“Jade, is that you?” she asked.

I could have dropped to my knees in happiness right then and there. Tessa was still here.

I didn’t have time to answer her question before she jumped into my arms, almost tackling me backwards. I hadn’t been gone for more than a week, but saints. Was she getting taller already?”

“How are you alive?” she whispered in my embrace. “What happened? Did you get married? How are you here?”

Her questions rambled on in a continuous flow, and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.

“It’s not funny!” she replied, finally pulling away. Although I could hear the laughter forming in her words, too. “You better start explaining yourself!”

“Okay, okay,” I said. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Where’s father?”

Tessa rolled her eyes. “I haven’t seen him in a couple of days. He’ll be back though. You know how it is.”

My heart warmed and tightened at the same time. Tessa was never the one to worry about our father’s whereabouts. It was always me. But with me gone, she had to step up.