Of Mist and Shadow (The Mist King, #1)

by Jenna Wolfhart

I’d been born to fulfill a promise to the fae king. It was an ancient promise, bound in powerful magic. I was sworn to serve his every need, smile and laugh at his jokes, be silent when commanded, and offer myself up as his next mortal bride.

It was the one person I’d hoped never to meet again, especially here with a pocket full of his precious stones. King Oberon had found us.

“What did he do to you?” the Mist King repeated in a soft, dangerous voice that curled across me like the mists. “No worse than whatever it is you’ll do.” “I am not like him.” His voice boomed through the empty hall.

“Make sure she has a bath and a fresh change of clothes. And for the moon’s sake, make sure she eats some fucking bread.”

The Mist King lowered his head to my leg, pressed his lips against my roiling skin, and...sucked. A shudder went through me as his hands gently gripped my thighs, his mouth working, his lips caressing.

Suddenly, he whipped off his cloak and draped it across my shoulders. The intoxicating scent of mist and snow enveloped me. My mouth popped open to argue. I didn’t want his cloak anywhere near me. For one, it had touched him. And two, well, it had touched him.

He smirked. “I’m the most dangerous thing out here right now.”

“Kalen,” I whispered as he angled his sword at the monster. “It looks like it wants to eat me.” “Don’t worry,” he said in a low growl. “It would have to kill me before I would let it take you from me.”

His eyes darkened even more. “Because I can’t stand the thought of his hands on you.”

“You’re right. I do bite sometimes. But I wouldn’t do it to you. Unless you asked.”

He gazed at me with a ferocity that curled my toes. Swallowing hard, I gazed right back. Something within him called to me. Shuddering, I felt my body lean forward. His eyes sparked. “Fuck it,” he growled.

“You failed. Your fucking dagger is useless in mortal hands. Only fae can kill fae. You’re not strong enough, you pitiful little insect.”