The Dark Fae (The World of Fae #1)(35)

“Then I must go there.”

“Ahem,” Raglan said, “you can’t be seriously thinking of escorting her there. The dragon fae would take you prisoner at once, Deveron.”

“I have to go there, don’t you think, Deveron? I mean, if my mother convinces her father…” What was Alicia saying? She didn’t really believe all of this stuff, did she? Her father had written the journal about the fae. Her father, not her mother. Or did her mother tell him the stories and he wrote them down?

“The dragon fae may go to war over this,” Ritasia said, then paused.

“I have the perfect solution.” Raglan stiffened his spine. “I will go with you. The dragon fae have nothing against the sphinx as we are neutral in all matters. And perhaps they will see fit to make an alliance with my kind.” His lips rose in a silly smirk.

Alicia’s heart pounded. Raglan would surely expire on the spot if he knew she was half human.

“I’m not certain your going to Crislis Castle is the best solution,” Deveron said to Alicia.

“But your mother couldn’t send her people for me there. If I could just see my mother—if she’s even at Crislis—she would know what to do.”

“You can’t take her there,” Ritasia finally said. “Raglan’s right. The Denkar are the dragon fae’s greatest enemy. They would imprison you at once.”

“Just like I said.” Raglan grinned. “So I will take the princess.”

“No. If you insist on going to Crislis, I’ll escort you.” Deveron took Alicia’s hand. “I trust you will get me out of the dungeon if the dragon fae incarcerate me—if it’s within your power.”

Alicia looked from Deveron’s dark expression to Raglan’s hopeful one. “You don’t think the dragon fae will harm you, Raglan?” She couldn’t have Deveron hurt over her.

“Certainly not. I’ll take you. We’ll see the king and your mother and all will be well.”

Deveron pulled Alicia from the chair. “I promised to keep you safe.” He wrapped his arm around her waist. “I always keep my promises.”

“But…,” Ritasia said.

It was the last sound Alicia heard before darkness engulfed her. She realized at once—though her mind swirled slightly in confusion—Deveron would endanger his own freedom rather than allow the sphinx fae to assist her alone.

She tilted her chin up to where she thought his face might be and leaned forward to kiss the dark fae. Immediately his warm velvet lips rose in a smile against her mouth. But only for a second. Then he tightened his hold on her and kissed her for all it was worth. She swore she saw a sprinkling of bright lights in the darkness. But she knew she had to be dreaming.

“Alicia,” he said. Her name sounded like it drifted on a ribbon of silk, caressing, gentle, and totally sensual.

“Deveron,” she said back, scolding, but his kiss deepened, silencing whatever else she meant to say.

She gave in to the swirling blackness, the warmth of his touch, and the feeling that she’d found her soul mate, whether anyone in the fae or human worlds would believe her. She believed and that’s all that mattered for now.

When the dark began to lighten, she lay beneath a forest of pine, the floor cushioned by orange pine needles, discarded fresh three seasons before. The pine fragrance scented the air, making it smell like it had just received a fresh rain cleansing.

Deveron lay beside her and touched her cheek. “We are not far from Crislis Castle. If you wish to change your mind, however, Alicia—”

“I wish we could sneak in just to see my mother and then take her with us without anyone being aware. But I’m afraid—”

“If wishes only could come true.” He sighed deeply, brushing a lock of hair from her cheek. “I will escort you to the gates. But know this. They will arrest me on the spot.”

Alicia touched his arm. “They may do the same to me. Maybe we should approach this differently. You wait for me here. I’ll attempt to find my mother and return here with her. Then we can leave.”

He shook his head.

“But Deveron, listen. If they lock me up, you would be free to come rescue me. What if they lock us both up? Then how would we manage to get free?”

“They would not imprison you.”

“No? I’m half human. My mother protected me, if she is who you think she is. Why would she not return to Crislis if she wasn’t worried about my safety?” Alicia groaned with a new thought. “You don’t think they’ve imprisoned my mother, do you?”

“Possibly, but only to keep her from leaving again.”

“Great.” Alicia glanced at a well-worn path leading through the woods nearby. “We won’t be able to find out anything if I don’t go.”

Deveron stood, then pulled her from the ground. She stumbled with dizziness. He slipped his arm around her waist. “Are you going to be all right?”

“Yes, it’s the fae travel. I haven’t done it for a while.”

“We stick together for as long as we can.”

“Wait.” Alicia touched Deveron’s gold lion medallion. “Here, you take the sphinx one I’m wearing. Since they are a neutral fae kingdom, you should be okay.”

Deveron felt his medallion. She could tell he didn’t want to wear another kingdom’s emblem.