These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows, #2)(67)

“I’m fine.”

“I know you didn’t do much riding in Elora.”

I try not to cringe at the reminder of my commoner roots. In Elora, horses are for the wealthy, and I was little more than a slave in my last nine years there. “I got a lot of practice in the Wild Fae Lands.”

The sound of boots on stone has our heads turning toward the house, and a woman with long, wavy brown hair appears on the front steps. She’s wearing a dress the color of cherries, which makes her cheeks glow a healthy pink. If she were human, I’d guess her to be my age, maybe a little older, but those elven ears peeking up through her hair give her away.

“About time you came back, Finnian.” She grins widely, then takes off into a run right toward us.

Finn drops his hands from my waist and turns, catching her just as her body collides with his.

She wraps her arms around him and squeezes tight, squealing. “It’s been an age. I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever see you again.”

When she pulls back, he smiles down at her, and unwelcome jealousy claws at my chest, replacing the warmth I felt when he helped me from my horse. “How have you been?” he asks. “Still making your mother crazy?”

“If I didn’t, she’d think there was something wrong.”

Finn chuckles, flicking her nose before stepping back. “Juliana, this is Abriella.”

“This is the one who’ll be posing as your betrothed?” she asks.

My gaze shoots to Finn and I stiffen, shocked that he’s shared this information with this female I don’t even know, and a little hurt that she knew about his plan before I did.

Finn meets my eyes and gives a curt nod, as if to say it’s okay. “Yes. At least until we can meet with the High Priestess, this is the best way to keep her safe.”

She swings her attention to me, and I can’t help but notice that her smile falls a bit as she does.

“Abriella, it’s nice to meet you. I’m happy to welcome you to my village.”

Her village?

The question must be clear on my face because Finn explains, “Juliana is the Lady of Staraelia.

She presides over these lands.”

A female in charge. How refreshing.

“We might be rural lands,” Juliana says, “but we’re wise. For generations, the people of these parts have understood that leading is best left to the females.”

“And they’ve prospered for it,” Finn says, smiling, and the niggling jealousy rears its head again.

“Could we bother you to show us to our rooms? It’s been a long ride, and we could use a moment of rest.”

“Sure. I’ll call for help with your bags,” Juliana says, and as if she shouted for them, half a dozen fae emerge from the house. “I’ve put Abriella down the hall and you across from me, Finn. It’ll be just like old times.”

“Abriella will stay with me,” Finn says.

Juliana’s smile falls away. “She’s safe here.”

“I believe so, but maintaining appearances is important. I promise that you and I will catch up tonight.” He leans forward and gives her a wicked grin that sends jealousy running wild through me.

“Just like old times.”

“Better this way,” Pretha says, stepping up beside me, her voice low. “The last thing Finn needs is Juliana getting her claws in him.” She flashes me a smile. “With you in his room, he’ll forget she exists.”





Chapter Seventeen

“Oh, it’s very . . . nice,” I say, turning in a slow circle and trying not to stare at the single bed framed by two large windows.

“Don’t worry, Princess,” Finn says. “I don’t expect you to share your bed with me tonight.”

I frown and turn to him. Didn’t he just insist that we share this room? “Then where will you sleep?”

He grabs the blanket that’s draped across the foot of the bed and throws it on the floor. “That spot looks fine to me.”

I shift awkwardly. “Finn . . . you can’t—”

“Don’t insult me, Princess. I was raised camping in these foothills and sleeping on the ground every night. I can handle it.”

“But . . .” I shake my head. “Let me sleep on the floor. I don’t mind.”

He chuckles. “My mother taught me better than that. Enjoy the bed. I’ll be fine right here.” When I open my mouth to protest, he holds up a hand. “Trust me, with all the togetherness we’ll have this weekend, you’ll probably want to take advantage of the moments you don’t have to be so close to me.”

I have to bite hard on my bottom lip to keep myself from arguing about our sleeping arrangements again. “Juliana seems . . . nice.”

He snorts. “Don’t let her fool you. She’s only nice when it serves her or her people.”

Could’ve guessed that, I think, but I keep my mouth shut.

“Luckily, in this case, what we’re after happens to serve her people.” He opens the wardrobe and sorts through its contents before nodding in approval and turning to me. “You should have everything you need here, but let your handmaiden know if you need anything else. She should be here shortly to draw you a warm bath.” He turns for the door.