The One - Four Fae for the Princess

er

quick and sharp as I head toward the gardens. Stifling air presses in on me, the weight of Permiton's words echoing in my mind.

g the flowers, where I've sought solace more times than I can count, is just ahead. I quicken my pace, eager to

nd the final b

noying enough. He's leaning casually near the coneflowers, looking every bit the arrogant fool I know him to be, hi

g a different path, somewhere else to decompress. But

aving so soon?" His tone drips with a

I spin back toward hi

ary, River. What a

your honored guests," he smirks, straightening and sauntering towar

says my name, a sly mockery in ever

refusing to ri

ns," I seethe. "I don't nee

exaggerated gesture. "You really should hang a s

shout at him, to scream, is overwhelming

leave,

e steps closer, blocking

today, if I remember correctly. Let me guess-the m

l scent of the garden. It's suffocating. I take a step back, trying to create space, but the heat betwee

my arms defensively. "You don't take anythi

nd clutches his hand to h

rincess. Truly

nce hanging by a thread. "Just go back to your

mething flickers in his eyes, but

'm just waiting for someon

nable to h

ng after every woman you lay eye

s only a breath of space between us

us, ar

s from rage or embarrassment. I step forward,

you? Don't ma

. His eyes, dark as the depths of the ocean, meet mine, and something sh

k or react, he closes the g

his lips on mine, surprisingly soft, surprisingly warm. His hands grip my arms, and for a momen

lity cra

am I

reath comes in shallow, panicked bursts, my heart racing for entirely diffe

his usual arrogance

barrier. Between us, I've erected a shimmering, impenetrable w

n

th is undeniable. This shouldn't have happened. This couldn't have happened. B

o, no. He

gic, his hand pressing against the inv

. "It's nothing," I choke out, my voice

's not what you think," I lie, my

unding of my footsteps drowned out by the pounding in my

m. Not

e, no

i

r experienced anything like it. The ground itself shifted under me for a second. My lips are

e something just woke up inside me. Something vast and unfamiliar. My magic has always been tie

ep closer, extending a hand, curious. The energy swirling inside me shifts, like it's begging to be used. I've always been able

e sky above responds. Rain falls, not in delicate drops, but in a sudden downpour, drenching the flowers and th

fingers, drawing the rain back, and as easily as it began, it stops. The storm clouds vanish,

d to it. No need to rely on the ocean or a nearby stream when I

nto me like a wave, and the

o

. This kind of power can only mean one thing. I rub my face with bot

her

Haebradia, it has to be her? I let out a humorl

e dozens of women I've flirted with over the years. No, it ha

s undeniable. But she's also infuriating. Stubborn. Always ready to challenge me at every turn. And now, if

ng up at the sky as the las

l am I suppo