When Magic Dares (Darkly Fae Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Aedan teased. “She is a pretty one. I’ll wager she has you kissing her feet before long. Come to think of it, maybe I should be the one to go. I’m sure my charms are more powerful than hers.”
    Winnie giggled, but quickly slapped her hand over her mouth.
    Everyone else in the room ignored him.
    “Then it is agreed,” the queen said. “Tearloch will accompany Princess Arianne to seek out the witch.”
    Cathair grimaced. “I do not like that you go alone.”
    “I can well protect both myself and the princess from any harm,” Tearloch assured him.
    “Of that I have no doubt,” the prince said. “Still, I would feel better if you were accompanied by a pair of royal guards.”
    Tearloch bristled. “They will only slow the journey.”
    The prince studied him for several long moments, and Tearloch knew him well enough to see the uncertainty in his golden eyes.
    He stood firm. They could not afford to delay this expedition by adding extra fae to the party. The swifter they traveled, the sooner he would return with the information needed to hunt down the traitor who had nearly killed his friend.
    “My prince,” he said, meeting his friend’s considering gaze with surety and strength, “I will return with the information we seek.”
    The room was tense with silence and Tearloch was eager to begin making preparations for the trip. He waited, his impatience growing with every heartbeat.
    When Cathair finally nodded, Tearloch wanted to cheer.
    Instead, he bowed his head and said, “I will not let you down.”

Chapter 7
    Arianne had never been to the sanctuary in fae form. Only as a Cascade red fox during her la ainmhi . Walking in at her full height gave her an entirely new perspective on the lush valley. She had only ever seen it as a protection, the safe refuge of the unseelie fae when vulnerable in ainmhi form. But today she saw that it was also beautiful. The floor of the valley a rich, vibrant green grass, dotted with clusters of oak and pine trees and surrounded by towering mountains.
    It was at once strategic and beautiful.
    “Tearloch,” a jolly male voice called out, “I didn’t think you’d be coming around here so soon after the—“
    The seer guard, Peter, froze mid-sentence when he noticed that Arianne walked by Tearloch’s side. Though she had seen him many times during her la ainmhis , he had never seen her like this. She did not wonder at the look of shock on his face.
    “Who’s your friend?” Peter asked.
    “Arianne,” Tearloch replied, gesturing to her. “Princess of the Deachair.”
    The human’s brow dropped and his jaw tightened. His hand went instinctively to the dagger she saw hanging from his belt.
    Though the seer guards were meant to be neutral, shared equally between the unseelie clans, it was clear that Peter held a special affection for the Moraine. And did not extend such feeling toward a royal of the clan purported to have betrayed his friends.
    In his shoes, she would have probably felt the same.
    “She your prisoner?” Peter asked, not looking away from Arianne.
    Tearloch shifted uncomfortably. “Not exactly.”
    Arianne could have exerted the power of her title, reminded the guard that as a royal she was, in a sense, his employer. His master. Other royals would. But she never liked to make such distinctions. She preferred to lead through respect, and she respect all peoples, all classes equally.
    “My clan has no quarrel with the Moraine,” she explained. “Nor alliance with the Morainian traitor. I wish to help however I can.”
    Peter’s eyes narrowed, but she thought she saw a spark of uncertainty within. Perhaps he believed her. Or wanted to, in any case.
    “We are undertaking a journey into the White Mountains,” Tearloch said. “We stop here for your advice on the current trail conditions.”
    Peter let out a low whistle. “The White Mountains? That’s—“
    “Dangerous,” Tearloch said. “Hence the need for guidance.”
    Peter nodded. Without