Free The Fae Ring by C. A. Szarek

fated situations.” He gestured between them. Xander stood from the rocky ground, and went to retrieve the hide bag he’d brought.
    Janet watched as if transfixed, not able to muster a retort about fate. She studied the play of his muscles, how his iridescent wings caught the light of globes he’d positioned around the cavern. He was graceful in every movement.
    Beautiful.
    She still could say nothing as he returned to sit on the rock she’d perched on before. His biceps contracted and released as he pulled on the bag’s ties.
    Janet stopped herself from asking him to come closer. Sit on the soft bedding next to her, as she was reclined.
    “Hungry, lass?”
    She jumped. Her stomach rumbled as if to answer for her. “Aye.” She forced the word out. Had to say something , lest he think she’d gone mute…or daft.
    If Xander was aware of her perusal and what his nearly nude form was doing to her, his smile didn’t give anything away.
    Heat scorched her cheeks again. If she didn’t get herself in order, being around this Fae man was likely to make her blush permanent.
    Janet could feel their bond. His heartbeat echoed hers, like before. It was becoming as normal as breathing to have him close, either magically or physically. She chided herself for craving more.
    “I have to go to the Faery Stones.” His words were casual, and Xander leaned closer, handing her a chunk of bread with strip of dried meat. “Alone.”
    Her yearning for him scattered, her focus suddenly switching to panic. Not even his touch helped as their hands brushed in the transfer of food. “Nay…”
    Xander paused. He squatted in front of her. “I must.” His voice was low, serious, and the regret in his violet eyes was clear.
    “Don’ leave me.”
    He slid onto the mattress next to her, setting the food down on the cloth it’d been wrapped in. Xander tucked a strand of her damp hair behind her ear. “I shall wait until night falls. I’ll be quick, and be back before you can miss me.”
    Nay. I’d miss you immediately. “I’ll go with you.”
    “Nay, lass. Tis too dangerous. I must determine when the guard is weak. So we can get home.”
    She wanted to burrow into his chest.
    “You’ll know where I am. You’ll feel our bond.” He took her hand and squeezed.
    When she glanced down, she noticed her slice of bread was now in crumbs on her lap. She’d crushed it without realizing.
    “I’ll return to you. You’ve my word,” Xander added.
    A vow.
    It didn’t make her feel better. Janet swallowed.
    “Eat, I need you strong. As soon as the sun is down, I shall go. Then you can bathe, if you wish it.”
    “Bathe?”
    Xander nodded, a smile playing at his lips. “There’s a pool at the back of this cavern. It’s waist deep and naturally warm. This whole area is riddled with hot springs. The water is pure and soothing.”
    “You’ve been here before?”
    “Aye. Alana and I discovered this cave years ago. My cousin was always too curious for her own good.” He laughed and it made Janet’s stomach flutter. “Was she not, she would’ve never met your brother, but that’s a story for another time.” The fondness in his voice made her want to frown.
    She adored both her sisters-by-marriage. But…she wanted Xander to speak of her with such feeling. Or…more.
    Is that magic, too?
    Janet shivered.
    Was she jealous of the Fae princess because Xander cared for her?
    Perhaps a little, if she was honest.
    “I had a particularly bad day, and my cousin wanted to make me feel better, actually. So we went exploring. Alana wanted to know why most Fae despise this place. We found the cave and the hot springs.”
    Janet couldn’t look away. Xander had never spoken of himself in her presence, and she craved to hear something of his past. Of his childhood. “What happened?” she whispered.
    One look told her he’d understood that Janet hadn’t referred to the discovery of the cave, but what had happened to cause his horrible day.
    His