“She is human, her wounds were grave. She risked much to save you,” Morgan reminds him.
“Tell me what you know, Angel. I need to be amongst my people.” Together they walk, and Morgan tells him of the Queen’s betrayal. He tells him of the conspiracy of the Angels and shadows working with her.
The hummingbird zips back through the Vale outraged that they would leave her unprotected. “Teuuuu, Teuuuu,” he calls and zips in front of Drake, poking at his shoulder with his beak.
Morgan snatches the little bird out of the air, and laughs, “Don’t worry Reese, you have not been forgotten.”
He holds the little bird tight, and steps through the Vale followed by Drake. They walk to his body, and the guard’s part to let him through. Morgan says, “You are free at last. Time to come home,” he throws the bird straight at the body. A white light explodes as his soul adjusts to his old form.
Drake struggles with his desire to kill the one he thought betrayed them all. He glares at Reese, reminding himself that this Fae was innocent.
When Reese opens his eyes, he looks into the silver eyes of death, and he readies to fight. Drake is ready to strike, but stops when Reese asks, “Caderyn? Did she survive?” he demands and struggles to a standing position. He looks past them through the Vale, searching for a sign of his Queen.
“You may not speak her name, Betrayer!” Drake yells stepping forward. Morgan’s hand on his chest stops him.
“Betrayer! How many lifetimes will you call me that? I betrayed no one, I am the reason you are alive, Drake!” he spits. “I have spent an eternity living with the lies and betrayal!”
“He is the reason Caderyn found you. Reese is innocent and has lost more than any of you! You owe him a debt of gratitude,” Morgan explains.
“I’m sorry.” Drake struggles to understand all that has happened. “If this is true Reese, I’m sorry for all you’ve lost. Thank you for protecting our Queen.”
Reese smiles as his eyes dart past him and Morgan smiles too.
“Drake!” Caderyn calls out struggling to stand on her own. His answering roar of joy rips through the Vale. He flashes to her, sweeping her up into his arms. Drake’s laughter rings out, as he lifts her up above him and spins. Caderyn laughs and cries at the same time, unable to stop touching him. When silver eyes, meet brown, the laughter fades, replaced by need.
“Caderyn?” he asks and finds the answer reflected in her eyes. In a moment, they are gone, shielded from view by all. He needs to touch, and she needs to feel. Drake takes her to the healer’s hut.
Drake is larger than she imagined, with overlong blonde hair. He towers over Caderyn, at least six and a half feet tall with long legs and strong hands. The Fae King is huge, yet gentle with her. He cannot seem to stop touching her as if he’s afraid that she will disappear.
Caderyn looks into his silver eyes and finds a deep intelligence and strong character. He smells like the forest, and she trembles with her need to taste him. “Drake, if you don’t kiss me soon, I will fade!” She pleads desperate for his mouth.
“As my Queen demands,” he says lowering his mouth to hers, kissing her with a fierceness that heats his blood to boiling. Caderyn opens her mouth and accepts his assault, praying that it will not end. She wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him close, and cries tears of joy as he lifts her body from the floor.
Drake tries to stop kissing her, but she tastes like sunshine and feels like heaven. When he feels the first tear, he forces himself to pull away, but he still does not leave her. He rains kisses over her eyes, her wet, salty cheeks, her nose, chin, and throat, then back to her mouth.
“Caderyn,” he says pushing her away gently, “Why do you weep?” he asks looks down at her. She is more beautiful than he could have imagined. Her need is reflected in a flash of silver deep within her chocolate eyes.
“I am a coward, Drake. I almost gave up…,” she says afraid to look at him.
“Never say you are a coward again, Caderyn.” He sets her on her feet. “Never say it again!” He drops to his knees in front of her and smiles, “You are a warrior, albeit a tiny one! You fought for me, saved my people and gave your humanity to protect a race you know nothing about! I am indebted to you my Queen.”
“Drake, when this is over, will I wake up and find this was all a fairy tale?” She asks terrified of his answer.
“No, my nightmare has been five hundred years long. You freed me, but we are not yet safe from the danger. I will have retribution against the ones who killed my sister and tried to kill my mate.” A flame appears in the silver of his eyes as he stands.
In a blink, he is dressed in armor fit for the King of the Fae. His crown is silver and gold, and he wears armor with a Celtic cross in the center. Caderyn finds he has fitted her in a long empire style golden gown, fit for a Queen. Her hair is up, and she wears no jewelry, but she has been fitted with a sword worthy of the Queen of the Fae. It is a small golden sword, with an emerald in the hilt. She smiles up at him, and his heart stops for a moment as worry clouds his mind.
In his hand he holds, a matching crown, “Caderyn
