Fever Fae Page 5

  We’d dated for two months at college. When my parents had vanished, I’d texted him that I had to go home to deal with a family emergency.

  I’d vaguely explained a bit more to him later on when I got home and tucked in my crying siblings. He’d encouraged me to hang in there and let him know if I needed anything. He hadn’t asked for more details since then. There was nothing he could do anyway while he was thousands of miles away.

  Alive, babe? Richie texted. He thought he was funny. When r u back, sexy girl? Miss u.

  I sniffed, feeling tears coming up. He had no idea how much I wanted to return to the college life that I’d fought to have. Suddenly I wanted to hear his voice and see his face. I needed some comfort from my boyfriend.

  I hit the video call button and waited while it rang.

  Richie was a heartthrob from a rich family. He majored in landscape architecture, and I thought that was quite hot, too. I didn’t know why he liked me. He was out of my league, and we had nothing in common except that we both enjoyed wild parties.

  “Hey, babe.” Richie picked up on the third ring, his voice sounding like he’d had a bit more hard liquor than usual, and his blue eyes laughing at me. That was the thing with Richie. He forever had this careless charm that made you unable to focus on any problems.

  I grinned back, wishing I could lean on his shoulder and cry into his designer shirt.

  “Hey,” I said.

  He stood in a stylish bedroom, not in his luxury Westside apartment. His back faced a window that overlooked a lush garden. Booming music and laughing voices filtered in the background. He was enjoying the party life as usual, only without me now.

  My tears vanished before they could sting my eyelids.

  “Everything good, babe?” he asked.

  I’d have loved to get that life back, but it was out of my reach now. I might never have it again. A sense of loss and depression hit my chest, and I shrugged one shoulder. “I’ve been better.”

  The music blasting in the background got louder, and Richie’s gaze moved past me. The door must have cracked open. A girl’s sweet, sultry voice purred. “You coming or not, Richie? Tania isn’t happy you kept her waiting, jackass.”

  Tania? Who was Tania?

  I searched for a spike of jealousy, but didn’t find any. I only felt lost and sad and afraid.

  “Let her wait. Like I care.” Richie waved a hand, then laughed, returning his attention to me. “Look, Eve, I gotta—”

  “Actually, I need to go, too.” I cut in and blew him a farewell kiss. “My little sister is calling for me.”

  “Give her my best,” Richie said, a drunken smile still in his blue eyes.

  I ended the call and scrubbed my face, trying to get my emotions under control again. It took me a minute to realize someone was knocking on the door. I listened as the knocker paused for a second, then tapped on the wood again.

  I jogged to the door and peeked through the peephole, not sure why my heart started to stutter as soon as I spotted who was on the other side.

  Chapter 6

  Should I grab the AR-15 I’d stashed in the foyer?

  A second later, I shook my head. That might be overdramatic. No matter how annoying and dangerous he was, Baron didn’t have the thick skin of the African buffalo.

  And judging from the bright, sexy smile he pasted on his too-handsome face and the amused spark in his amber eyes, I bet he knew I was checking him out through the peephole.

  He thought I’d open the door for that devilish smile?

  I couldn’t ignore him though. He’d just keep knocking, or worse, go around back and trespass on my property again. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my erratic heartbeat, and opened the door a few inches.

  “What now?” I snapped, refusing to be enchanted, or worse, ensnared by his looks.

  “I like your sharp tone,” Baron said, still smiling. “It’s refreshing.”

  “Don’t tell me you came to borrow eggs or sugar,” I sneered. Manners were important to my parents, but I had no intention of wasting good manners on this prick. “I have limited resources, dude, and my siblings are my priority.”

  His tanned face scrunched with confusion. He must have spent a lot of time under the sun. He looked like he played tennis a lot, too, if Fae ever played sports like humans.

  “I do not need eggs or sugar. I don’t even like them,” he said. Then horror filled his eyes. “I’d never take food out of the mouths of the young. I’d be more than happy to put down those scumbags who do. We protect our young.”

  I snorted. “So you’re a nobleman now? When did that happen?”

  “I don’t blame your suspicion toward me,” he said with another bright smile intended to disarm me. “I am sorry for our misunderstanding earlier.”

  There was no misunderstanding. He’d planned to murder me if he deemed me a dark one, but I couldn’t call him out on it since I didn’t want him to know I could understand his native language.

  Worse, he’d almost compelled me to suck his cock. Rowan had seemed like less of an asshole, but even he had showed interest in watching. I clenched my jaw. If Baron’s power had worked on me and I had knelt to give him a blowjob, my siblings would have all seen that.

  “My beautiful, fierce maiden,” Baron said, not flinching from the anger rolling off me. “I said we’d meet again and I kept my promise. And I apologize once more for being rude to you. Allow me to make it up to you.”

  He offered a bundle of fresh red roses with morning dews still on the tender petals. I blinked at the unexpected gift, and his smile turned smug.

  “I’m full of surprises,” he said.

  “Not in the positive way you think,” I said, hating how he sounded pleased with himself. I suspected he’d used this stunt to charm many other women. “I’m not your type, and I don’t accept things from strangers.”

  “But I’m not a stranger anymore,” he protested. “You know my name and I know yours, Lady Evie.”

  My gaze swept over the roses again. They were double the size of ordinary roses. And I’d never seen any rose as splendid as these.

  “Where did you get them?” I frowned at him. “The nearest shop is five miles away.”

  He flashed me another striking smile, as if he would never run out of them. Yet I had to admit, though I hadn’t caved in to his supernatural charm, I wasn’t completely out of the woods. In his presence, my heart still raced and my lungs couldn’t get enough air.

  Even my lips parted involuntarily as I stared into the depth of his amber eyes where heat pooled inside. His smoldering gaze dipped to my mouth.

  I flushed at the sudden intensity and electric vibration between us. I could feel his body heat radiating to me like the warmest summer sunlight. Maybe there was a reason he’d insisted on being called the Summer King.

  But I wouldn’t allow this stupid sexual tension to keep rising or I might just die of asphyxiation. And then what would become of my siblings?

  I cleared my throat and glared at him more to remind him where he should look—not at my mouth.

  His sensual lips tugged up in amusement, not embarrassed at all that I’d caught his indecent intention, and then I found I was staring at his lips. I cleared my throat again and tore my gaze up to stare at his long brows.

  “I’m impressed that you noticed the difference between the immortal roses and the mortal counterparts, Evie,” he said.

  I squinted. “Immortal roses? Why have I never heard of them?”

  “You’ve been living in the human realm all your life, haven’t you?”

  “Why should I offer you valuable information?”

  “Then let me offer you invaluable intel for free first.” He grinned down at me. “These roses are from the royal garden of my Summer Court, the most lovely and formidable realm in fairyland.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I said in a sardonic tone. “At least your pickup line is more interesting than other dudes’, though you’ve missed the mark all the same.”
>
  It was his turn to blink. “I beg your pardon, Lady Evie. I thought bringing roses was the proper custom for courtship in the mortal realm, as one of my advisors highly recommended.” Now his tone carried a hint of irritation. “Domino must be out of touch since his last visit thirty years ago. Perhaps I should ask him to retire.”

  “Listen,” I said. “I don’t know about this beef you had with your advisor, and it’s none of my business. But this courtship you mentioned is not happening. I don’t like you, and I don’t ever want to see you again. If you keep violating my boundaries, you’ll force my hand to take you to the human court, which is much stricter than the fairy court you mentioned.”

  I wondered if a restraining order would work on someone like Baron. Not that I had much confidence in our court system, but it wouldn’t stop me from scaring him a little. He looked a little bewildered, then smiled and opened his mouth as if to try again.

  “Is Baron even your real name?” I cut him off before he could speak. I was so done with his games. “I need your legal name in case I need to file a restraining order against you in court. And finally, it’s Evelina to you. Only—”

  “—your family and friends are allowed to call you Evie,” an icy, deep voice answered for me. Rowan advanced to my front porch, and I swore I didn’t see him anywhere a second ago.

  Somehow, both Fae could do just that—coming into existence out of nowhere, the same way the Nightling that had appeared in my kitchen.

  “I’m your friend, Lady Evie,” Rowan said.

  “What are you doing here, Rowan?” Baron grated. “You aren’t welcome here, and you’re stepping into my territory.”

  At least they didn’t call each other kings this time. What a relief.

  “This is Lady Evie’s land,” Rowan said coldly. “I’ll be protecting her from you and any others who might come to harass her.”

  More might come?

  My heart skipped a beat, and worry dropped like a stone in my stomach.

  Both Fae turned to me as if they sensed the dread filling me. “Do not fear, Lady Evie,” they said at the same time.

  They returned to glaring at each other, their possessive attitudes offended that the other had tried to comfort me. The glare match escalated, cold and hot winds whipping in the porch, until their elemental ice and fire crashed into each other.

  My golden hair flew up wildly, responding to the electric particles in the air. My eyes widened as both magics buzzed on my skin, yet they did not harm me. The thrill of danger charged inside me, riding in my bloodstream.

  Then their intoxicating male scent and potent powers hit my senses like hard waves, bruising me while pulling me under their influence.

  Liquid fire licked the tender flesh between my thighs, and the heat grew hotter, making my sex ache. As I tried not to squeeze my thighs to relieve the pressure, I made myself stand straighter, my chin held high.

  There was no good news when these two were involved.

  Before I could shout at them, they suddenly ceased their pissing contest and turned to me, inhaling deeply as if the sweetest perfume floated in the air. The heat in their gazes increased a few notches, which only made my pussy clench in burning need.

  I gritted my teeth and put a scowl on my face.

  “Fight somewhere else,” I said and shoved them back. It was like pushing boulders. “You aren’t going to blow my house down!”

  Baron grinned at me, sexy and predatory, and I tried not to lean toward him as my body urged.

  “I’ll never hurt you, Lady Evie,” he said. “If Rowan ever lifts a finger to try, he’ll regret it with his every counting breath.”

  “Didn’t you try to compel me but failed just this morning?” I asked. “You must think I’m really dumb to believe you’re harmless.”

  “You’re not dumb, Lady Evie,” Rowan chimed in. “You’re right about the Summer Fae’s conniving and untrustworthy nature. He did try to use his glamour on you, but you fended him off like he was a buzzing insect. You held your ground, and I admire you for that.”

  Baron growled at Rowan threateningly. “Do not interfere with my affairs, Rowan. This is between Lady Evie and me.” When he turned to me again, the charming smile was back. “As I said, Lady Evie, it was all a misunderstanding.” He moved the bunch of roses toward me, intentionally holding them to block my view of Rowan. “It would please me greatly if you accept my apologies.”

  Rowan brushed aside the roses. “If Lady Evie wants roses, she can pluck plenty of them from her own yard.” He flapped his trench coat and pulled out an exquisitely packed box of chocolates.

  I glanced at the chocolates and licked my lips. Chocolate was one of my weaknesses, and my siblings, especially Fawn, loved it. We couldn’t afford fine chocolates while we were on a budget, and the one in Rowan’s hand looked like one of the best kinds.

  “My compliments, my lady,” Rowan said, pleased with how I eyed the chocolates. Then he turned to sneer at Baron, apparently satisfied to see the veins jump on his half-brother’s temple. “This is the correct courtship custom, Summer King,” he taunted. “Your advisors, your court, and you all need to keep up with the current fashion in the human world.”

  They certainly had a strange way of talking. However, I wasn’t the kind of girl who would just accept anyone’s gift, no matter how much I wanted it. Mom had taught me better.

  Before I could turn Rowan down, movement on the front lawn caught my eye. Six men wearing armor and longswords prowled across the grass. The new arrivals all looked like eye candy, and they all had pointed ears.

  They were all Fae, then, and they marched toward the house like a pack of soldiers with kill orders.

  Was Baron trying to stall me while he called for his backup thugs to subdue me? No wonder he called himself a king, like some mafia boss. Baron was the ringleader of a Fae gang!

  “What the fuck?” I cried as I jumped back into the house to slam the door shut, planning to grab the AR-15.

  We’d see if these Fae thugs’ skin was thicker than a Russian bear or not. And I’d bet my shotgun had more power than those swords.

  Faster than sin, Rowan wedged a booted foot into the doorway to prevent the door from closing.

  “Calm, Lady Evie,” he said. “No one dares to harm you as long as I’m with you. I can take out all the Summer knights easily.”

  Icy wind twirled around the front of the house and formed a shield before me.

  Baron’s amber eyes flashed. “You thought I was sending my knights to harm you, Lady Evelina?”

  “They carry swords,” I said. “But I’m not afraid of any of you. I’m perfectly capable of defending myself. I have two full loads of silver and iron bullets!”

  Google had said the silver bullets could kill werewolves, and iron bullets were reserved for Fae. If you were zealous enough to take down a vampire, the best weapon was an ash wood stake. I made a mental note to acquire a few wooden stakes, just in case.

  Baron hissed at Rowan. “You know as much as I that I’ll never hurt Lady Evie after I’ve learned what she is to me, yet you still encouraged her to distrust me. You’re playing dirty, like always, and I’ll remember that, Winter King.”

  What she is to me?

  Now he decided I wasn’t the dark one, but something else?

  Rowan shrugged, his gaze icy.

  Baron turned to me with a wounded expression. “You hurt my feelings, my lady.”

  My heart fluttered at that hot, puppy look. I furiously ignored it.

  “Sue me,” I told him.

  Baron sighed, and Rowan grinned, his smile with icy fire caressing my every line. I had to hold myself still to not shiver.

  “Put a smile on your face, knights of the Summer Court,” Baron snapped at the six dangerous men. “Soften your expression whenever you’re in Lady Evelina’s presence. Your images are important as you’ll represent me when I’m not around the great lady.”

  His knights darted puzzled looks at me, as if they didn’t th
ink I had the looks of a great lady. Then they grimaced, their version of a friendly smile.

  “Drop it,” I said, waving a hand at them. You couldn’t force people to smile. “But don’t come any closer, or you’ll be sorry.”

  Baron nodded at his men. “Lady Evelina is jumpy today, but I don’t blame her. Instead, we’ll respect her every wish. The Winter King has issued a challenge, and as your king, I’ve responded. King Rowan thought his chocolate pleased Lady Evelina more than the immortal roses of the Summer Court, so I want you to go to the human stores and collect hundreds of the best chocolates for Lady Evelina. Empty the shelves if you must.”

  The six men bowed at Baron, each murmuring, “Yes, my King,” and turned on their heels.

  Was he for real?

  “Stop!” I barked. I didn’t want them to come back with hundreds of chocolates heaping outside my door. It’d be another disaster.

  Baron raised an eyebrow at me. “But I thought you preferred chocolate over roses.”

  Was he trying to punish me for favoring Rowan’s gift? I hadn’t accepted either bribe.

  “Candies are bad for teeth,” I said. “I can’t afford a dental plan for my siblings!”

  Rowan whistled, and seven new men filed into my front yard.

  While these men also wore menacing armor, they were different than Baron’s tribe. Baron’s knights seemed to appear from the warmest area on Earth, with tanned skin and short hair. Rowan’s group looked like they were all carved from ice with pale skin and long hair of different shades of silver. The new group also carried longswords behind their backs, the hilt sticking out above their shoulders.

  So, this bunch was called Winter Fae.

  Seven against six was a statement of power and arrogance. Rowan had outmaneuvered Baron again in numbers.

  “They must halt, too,” I shouted. “It’s already bad enough the two of you are standing right outside my door.”

  Rowan raised a hand, and the Winter Fae stopped advancing. The Summer and the Winter knights glared at each other. When someone in the Summer camp snarled, a few knights in the Winter group growled back. When the snarling escalated, both sides drew their swords. With a battle cry, they charged each other.