The King of Frost and Shadows (Fated to Darkness, #1)

by Jen L. Grey

Unless a fae was an experienced healer, we only shared magic if we found our mate.

Gray eyes the color of storm clouds met mine, causing my heart to quicken. They were so familiar, yet I couldn’t place them. Still, they spoke to something deep inside me.

“The one I’ve been searching for almost half my life.”

“No one else will talk to her or touch her while you’re gone.”

The sound of his laugh soothed something inside me, like swimming in cool water on a hot summer’s day.

And I could never forget those eyes.”

“Sprite, there’s no doubt you’re the Seelie princess. I’ve tracked you nightly for years now.” He moved toward me quickly, the distance between us gone before I even realized it. He tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear and whispered, “I watched your dreams before turning them into nightmares. I know more about you than you could ever suspect,

Her touch was like a warm twilight on a snowy day—something

She had been determined to find her own way and never molded to expectations. I’d always admired that about her, wishing I could be more like her … until now.

Like I blasting needed to seek their approval when I’d been doing everything I could to take back what was rightfully ours … by readying myself to kill the one person who had made me feel something more than the anger I’d breathed for the past twelve years of my life.

His scent overpowered me … and made me feel like I was home.

“You won’t be with Finnian or anyone else,” he growled. “I couldn’t handle it, sprite. We have enough stacked against us—don’t make things harder than they need to be.” His face softened, and he released his hold, his hand running down my arm. “Please.”

Something was wrong, so I didn’t ask for permission. I opened the door, and my world fell apart.

“As a young boy, I always loved the sound of your laughter.”

You protected yourself so you could live another day. And I need you to do it again, even after the gauntlet … even if it’s me.”

“Stay safe. Fight. Kill. Do whatever it takes for you to come back here tonight.

The Seelie had frozen my heart solid by killing my parents. Of course, their princess would warm it back up to ache once more.

Even bloodied, beaten, and injured, she was still the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen.

“Lira, this was never meant to be our future. From the day you were born until I turned fourteen, I believed you would be my wife and we’d be leading our people together.

She belonged to me and no one else. Forever.

“Protecting what’s left of my heart.” My chest heaved, and my vision turned red. “I won’t let anyone hurt Lira again.” With that, I stabbed Moira in the chest, digging in slowly. I wanted her and everyone else to understand that I would do whatever it took to protect what belonged to me—Lira.

I’d already put Lira through enough. That ended this instant, and I would grovel for forgiveness for the rest of eternity as long as she allowed me to be part of her life.

I couldn’t lose her, not after realizing she meant more to me than anything in this realm or any other. She stood for everything I wasn’t … everything that, as a little boy, I’d dreamed we could be together.

Someone screamed in complete agony, and I realized it was me. I’d lost her.