Page 74 of A Kingdom of Magic and Rain

“It might be where you’re from, but here, we’re much more open-minded when it comes to marriage and sex.” The last word was a sensual whisper on his lips, making the tips of my ears burn.

“Not only the Fae. Some humans have the same beliefs, but not I.”

“Maybe it’s time for you to reevaluate your beliefs.”

My breath snagged as he leaned in closer to me. He was magnificent, with exceptionally refined features framed by wavy chestnut hair that fell to his shoulders. He lifted his hand as if to touch me, but before I could panic, he reached around me instead. When I heard splashing coming from behind me, I glanced over my shoulder and found that the fish that had been jumping in a circle had stopped their antics and resumed their leisurely swimming. It dawned on me that Finn hadn’t been trying to kiss me; he had leaned in to free the fish.

“Were you making them jump with your magic?” I asked when I turned back to face him. Thankfully, he had leaned away from me.

“I was. I was trying to cheer you up. Did it work?” He smiled.

“It did.” I returned the smile, not seeing a reason to lie. “What else can you do?”

“All sorts of things.” He waved his hand nonchalantly. “But mostly small things. For more complex magic, we rely on spells and potions.”

“Emelin?” Adrian’s voice rang out in the garden.

“The king is here. Gotta run.” Finn winked at me before he glimmered out.

“Emelin?” Adrian walked out of the shadows. His nostrils flared as he looked around the gardens. “Riestral,” he snarled. “What did he want?”

“What?” I asked, confused.

“Finnian, what did he want?”

“Nothing. We were just talking.”

“Stay away from him!” He stepped toward me.

“Or what?” I shot up to my feet. “You can’t order me to stay away from him!”

“I’m not ordering you to do anything, but that male is conniving. No one trusts him.”

“Don’t speak to me about trust again! He hasn’t done anything yet for me not to trust him. As far as I’m concerned, I trust him more than you at the moment!” The words echoed in the warm night air, lingering after I had shouted them.

A muscle flexed along Adrian’s jaw as he stared at me, looking both outraged and disappointed. He only had himself to blame.

“I’ve been looking for you because your parents are preparing to leave,” he finally said. Tears immediately pricked my eyes at the news. “I can glimmer us back to the castle.”

“Fine, but next time you need to find me, send Thea,” I replied begrudgingly as I clasped my hands in front of me.

With a barely suppressed sigh of frustration, he placed his hand on my forearm and glimmered us out of the gardens to the throne room, which was empty save for my parents and Lady May.

“You’re leaving? Already?” I ran into my mother’s open arms.

“We are, but worry not, Adrian has promised to bring you to us whenever you please.” She hugged me tightly. “Give him a chance,” she whispered before she pulled away.

My vision blurred as I embraced my father. “Sebastian?” I asked through the tears.

“He’s staying for a little while longer. Mirielle will bring him back,” my mother replied as my father grabbed Adrian’s hand and shook it firmly.

“It seems like it was only yesterday when I was leaving my daughter in your care at Bradford Manor,” one king said to another. “Now I’m leaving her in your kingdom as your queen. The instruction is the same as it was back then—guard her with your life.”

“I will. It’s not only my duty, but also my honor,” Adrian replied, lifting his chin.

“I hope you do a better job of it this time,” my father added in a menacing tone.

Adrian swallowed but held my father’s stern gaze. “I will. I sincerely hope that we can leave what happened in the past and focus on the future.” He glanced at me then, but I only scowled.