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.

Now, the urge to flee damn near overpowered me. Everywhere I looked, I saw dark-slate eyes watching me.

And what I found shattered me. 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.

“I hate to inform you, but blondie here is with me.” Sexy Man’s dark hair fell into his eyes as he reached out and took my hand then pulled me away from Tall Guy and toward him.

Between the way my body reacted to him and his unique scent—a mixture of wet earth, jasmine, musk, and amber—I had to fight to keep myself from burying my nose in his shirt.

Sexy Man chuckled darkly. “The one I’ve been searching for almost half my life.”

“My name’s Lira.” I motioned to my sister. “This is Eiric.” “Lovely names. They sound as if they’re from another world.” He bowed faintly. “I’m Tavish.”

He placed a hand over my head, trapping me. I licked my lips, eager for his kiss. Instead, he chuckled. “Oh, sprite, I’m the one you should fear the most.” His eyes darkened to a deep slate … the very eyes that haunted my nightmares. The tree behind me disappeared, and I fell.

“Don’t worry, sprite. You’ll remember soon.”

Something exploded from his back, and before I could comprehend what I saw, he’d closed the distance between us, wrapping his arms around my waist and holding me against his chest. My body jerked with his as our descent slowed, and understanding crashed into me. He had wings.

Placing a hand on either side of me so that I was trapped between his arms, he lowered his face to mine, our foreheads touching. He then whispered, “There would be no forcing about it.”

“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.