Page 1 of Wings of Snow
CHAPTER 1 - ILARA
My sister, Cailis, and I stood on the black sand shores of the Glassen Barrier Islands. Jutting fjords rose steeply on each side of the northern-most island as millions of stars twinkled in the galaxy above. Tall trees and thick vegetation covered in frost obscured most of the land, and a cool breeze billowed over my cheeks.
The Lochen fae king, Drachu, stood before us, his eyes glittering in the night as the Tala Sea rolled in waves behind him. The moonlight illuminated his thick muscles and minimal clothing. He was toned everywhere, his muscles thick and defined. He only wore a strip of green fabric that covered his groin and upper legs while his dark hair fell in tangles to his shoulders. Like Prince Norivun, Drachu had a build that was seasoned to fighting.
“Will you keep us safe?” I asked.
Drachu’s lips curved. “The Lochen will guard you with our lives.”
Cailis squeezed my hand once.Truth. The fae king wasn’t lying.
“And you won’t keep us as prisoners or use us for your personal gain?” I pushed.
His eyebrows drew together. “Don’t insult me. You are a queen, and you will be treated as such.”
Cailis’s lips tightened, and her forehead furrowed. Her hand still held mine, but it took a moment before she squeezed once. Under her breath, she said, “I think.”
Confusion filled me. I wasn’t a queen. I was a farm girl from Mervalee, but Drachu had always looked at me as if I was so much more.
I studied the necklace he wore again, wondering what it did.
“Thank you,” I finally replied. “For giving us safe haven.”
Drachu grinned, the smile transforming his face into one of savage beauty. “Of course,Krelahala. I’ve been waiting for you to join my clan and for you to learn who you really are.”
Krelahala? Join his clan?
I started as he prowled softly toward me. The sea lapped at his ankles until he stood only inches away. His sheer size dwarfed my frame, forcing me to tilt my head back as nerves fluttered through me.
I swallowed the knot in my throat as the green light in Drachu’s necklace flared. Shells, gems, and teeth from predators in the Tala Sea hung from the intricate jewelry, but the center pendant—a large stone—throbbed with an emerald light, illuminating his brown skin.
“I’ve been waiting for you.” Drachu’s lips peeled back. Rows of straight teeth and two pointy incisors appeared in the moonlight.
“You have?” I cocked my head as Cailis’s breath hitched.
My sister squeezed my hand again.Truth.
I frowned. “How did you know we were coming?”
Drachu’s grin broadened. “I know many things.”
My sister squeezed again.Truth.
Frowning more, I asked, “Why did you call me Krelahala? My name’s Ilara Seary.”
“Krelahala is my clan’s name for your kind.”
“My kind? As in Solis fae?”
He threaded his fingers through my ebony hair. “No,yourkind.”
I cocked my head. “Do you mean my black hair?” Other than me and the queen, no Solis fae had black hair.
His expression turned knowing.
“Do you know why I have black hair?” I pressed.
“Like I said, I know many things.”