Page 111 of Chosen By the Fae King

Wife. It wasn't a word he'd thrown around yet. I knew what the end goal of the trials were, but a part of me lamented he hadn't actually proposed.

Though, it hardly mattered. We were already mated.

Brigid's eyes were suspiciously bright as she gazed at me, her lips trembling with the effort not to cry. She had always been quick to tears, though her strength and wisdom were not to be underestimated.

“Congratulations, sweetheart!” Brigid exclaimed, hugging me close. I returned her embrace, breathing in her familiar floral scent. “I've missed you terribly, Aeryn.”

“I missed you, too,” I said, squeezing her once more before releasing her.

“Mother, I think you have to call her Lady Aeryn,” Sofiya whispered loudly.

“Oh!” Brigid's big eyes blinked. “Apologies!”

“No, no apologies. I'm not used to it either and I certainly would never ask it of you. His Majesty understands.”

And he did. We fought over it just this morning. He'd gotten even more irked when I told him to stop referring to my beast as an it. It was a she, just as his was a he.

That one I hadn't won yet.

Alistair bowed low before Nox, gratitude etched into the lines of his suntanned face. “Your Majesty, we cannot thank you enough for sending aid to Greenhollow. The harvest is nearly complete, and our stores will be full this winter because of your generosity. Though Aer—er, Lady Aeryn is not our own child, we feel like she is and are overjoyed she has found someone so benevolent.”

I blinked at Nox, surprise flickering through me. He had sent help to Greenhollow? I had only been gone from there a short time. How had he known they needed help?

Nox inclined his head. “I only wish I'd known sooner of the troubles over the past year and how shorthanded the village had become. I'll trust you to keep me abreast moving forward, yes?”

“Absolutely, Your Majesty.”

Nox's mouth quirked into a lopsided smile. “Good male. Besides, I could not have my chosen mate worrying over the state of her land or her chosen family's land.” His gaze slid to mine, dark and fathomless. “Her focus needed to be on me.”

“Your arrogance knows no bounds,” I stated flatly, ignoring the heat staining my cheeks. Trust Nox to issue such a command purely for his own benefit.

“You like my arrogance,” he countered smugly.

I sniffed. “Only when it is warranted.”

Nox chuckled and curled an arm around my waist, tugging me against his side. I went willingly, settling into the warmth and strength of him. Whatever the reason behind his actions, I was grateful for the help he provided to Greenhollow.

“It's good to see you, Lady Aeryn,” Brigid said, dabbing at her eyes with a kerchief.

A watery smile curved her lips as she gazed between me and Nox. “And happier than I could have imagined. You've made a good match. And to a king no less!”

“Mother,” Sofiya chided gently, slipping an arm through Brigid's. But there was no hiding her own joy or the approval in her eyes as she looked upon us.

I breathed deep of the peace and contentment unfurling inside me and leaned further into Nox's embrace. Difficult as our task may be, he was worth it.

The next group of fae to ascend the stairs were a trio of males, dressed in fine silks and velvets in shades of emerald, sapphire and aubergine. Gold embroidery lined their jerkins and a few gaudy rings adorned their long, pale fingers.

Nox tensed beside me, his gaze sharpening on the three. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye but said nothing, waiting to see how he would react. If he sensed something amiss, I trusted his judgment.

Then I noticed they did not have a contestant escorting them.

“King Nox,” the tallest of the three greeted with a shallow bow. He had white-blond hair and pale blue eyes that held a mocking glint as they slid my way.

I offered my hand which he took, skin cold and clammy. Dori's face flashed brightly in his mind. Oh no.

“And the Greenhollow wench. What an interesting pairing you make.”

I stiffened at the insult but bit my tongue. Now was not the time to engage, no matter the provocation. He had nothing to do with the conspiracy. He was merely a disturbed father with an already unpleasant personality.