Page 46 of Storm

“The Willow?”

“What?” I question.

“Fairies are this tall.” He demonstrates by holding his hands about six inches apart. “And have wings, tufted, pointy ears, and tails. The people you speak of, that the Haloians are draining of solence, are fae, and we live in the Willow.”

Seriously? I don’t care about semantics. Fairy, fae, willow…It doesn’t matter, as long as I can get my children to safety. I walked the tightrope of death for nearly nineteen years, always wondering if the next climb would be my last. The urgency I have to leave Halo is more dire than any other feeling I’ve had before.

“Okay, fine. Take us to the Willow.”

“Well, since you asked so nicely, let me just magic you there right now.” Sarcasm drips from every syllable.

Becoming frustrated, I hit my head against the wall behind me. His eyes glimmer, basking in my annoyance.

“Quid pro quo, A-looor-a.” He sounds out my Halo name. I wince.

“What do you want, then, fae?”

“Argh, good. You learn quickly. That will make this easier.”

“What easier?”

“The information I’m about to impart.” I roll my eyes—a bad habit. He chuckles, his hazel eyes a soothing balm to my soul. “I see what Melek means when he calls you a little challenging.”

“He WHAT?!” I don’t know why it aggravates me so much to know that Melek talks about me to others. It really shouldn’t surprise me.

“Don’t worry, human.” He bops my nose. “He says mostly good things about you, surprisingly.”

That knowledge fills me with an unexpected thrill. “What do you want from me, then?”

“I’ll help you and Sunny escape to the Willow if you get me some information.”

Information? What information could I possibly get for this fae? I’m barely allowed to leave this compound, and Melek keeps all his private documents behind passwords and keypads.

I may have tried my hand at code-breaking, especially in the early days. It has never amounted to anything. His computer has a password. His safe requires thumbpad identification. And the lock on the door to his office is also coded. He takes his secrets seriously. No matter how close I think we’re getting, you cannot take the commander out of our relationship. Halo above all.

However, Adam doesn’t need to know all that. “What sort of information do you need?” I ask, trying to act coy. For all he knows, Melek gives me free rein.

Thin lines crinkle the corners of his eyes. Unblemished skin drenched in shadows meanders over his straight nose and high cheekbones, drawing me in like a moth to a flame. “I need to know when his next attack is going to be. I’ve heard it’s big. Big enough to wipe my lands out, but only the Airiel lords are privy to that sort of information.”

When he finishes, a swift kick comes from inside my stomach. I grip my side tight, breathing deep on an exhale. That’s a first.

“What’s wrong?” His words are clipped, lined with concern.

“It’s the baby… kicking.” Standing up straight, back against the wall, I notice the fae has moved closer. He’s an inch off touching my swollen midsection with his toned, flat form. Looking up, I see enchanting eyes that swim with… Worry? No, he cannot be worried for me. That’s crazy. My pregnancy hormones are definitely, 100 percent playing tricks on me.

“I’ll see what I can find. When do you need the information?”

Tilting his head to the side, a golden-lined brunette tendril falls over his prominent cheekbones. Stepping back, he places some distance between us. “I’ll be back soon,” the fae replies as he abruptly glides out of the room.

Placing both hands on my face, I rub at my eyes. “Fuck.” How am I going to get any information out of Melek or his impenetrable office? And how long is soon?

Adam is overestimating my abilities, but… Perhaps with Melek’s newfound affection towards me, I can somehow trick him into leaving me alone in his office. He never has before. I’ve never had hope to really try before either.

CHAPTER 13

STORM!

“Harder, Melek. Pleeeassse…” I’m going to punch this motherfucker in the face if he doesn’t increase the speed of his thrusts. My body is currently wreaking havoc on my mind. All I have to do is smell him, and my panties are a torrential downpour. This is so beyond what my last pregnancy ever was. And past our garden variety hate fucking.