Stone frowned as he met Kaden’s gaze. Now that he’d heard the words ‘elf-lord’, he was tuned into the man. He was definitely of elf origin. He had a strongly pointed chin and with both ears exposed, the curled points were dotted with small diamond piercings. Many of the elves he knew liked to adorn their ears. His wavy brown hair was loose to his shoulders, yet styled. He had a rich, immaculate look. If he was an elf-lord, he definitely looked the part.
The elven and fae species were cousins, though with enough differences to be separate lineages. Fae had softer elf-like features and a gift for seeing the future. Elves were highly industrious and enjoyed the physical world, as opposed to exploring other more mystical aspects of life.
Whatever his suspicions, however, Stone owed Kaden a debt. “I want to thank you again for the healing. Much appreciated.”
“You’re welcome. But I only got you halfway. Aralynn took you the distance.”
“Yes, I know.”
Kaden shifted his gaze to the side of the room, his right ear twitching. He then angled his head toward Joseph. “We’ve got company and I’m liking it a lot. Go let her in.”
Stone hoped to hell it wasn’t the queen.
Joseph levitated off Kaden’s shoulder, frowning. “I didn’t invite anyone here and my wife knows not to disturb me in my place of business. But if Rosamunde has come back—” He let the words hang as he rubbed his hands together. “She’s always good for a few gold pieces or sometimes she brings me rubies. But Kaden, don’t interfere this time. Think of my cock.”
Kaden grimaced. “This may come as a shock to you, but I try not to.”
Joseph chortled. “Good joke.”
So, Rosamunde knew this odd forest gremlin as well. Of course, she did. She was the queen. But if Rosamunde was here, Stone wouldn’t be staying long. With Margetta’s latest attack in which she’d intended to kill Aralynn, Stone didn’t want to be anywhere near a woman who could have made a difference in the war a long time ago.
Then again, maybe Aralynn had returned.
Joseph whipped out of the room. For a forest gremlin, he had a lot of power and moved like lightning. Stone was impressed.
Kaden said nothing more but rose to his feet.
Stone turned to extend his hearing. He recognized the woman’s voice right away, then met Kaden’s gaze. “Vojalie’s here?”
Kaden nodded and licked his lips. “Yes, she is.”
He hadn’t seen the powerful fae in a while, not since he’d started running missions with Aralynn. She was on the Sidhe Council so Stone had a few questions for her like did she or any of the other gifted fae have an inkling that Margetta had meant to attack Aralynn at Charborne? The Council had been remarkably unhelpful over the past several months.
He realized it was likely Margetta had somehow blocked their ability to see the future, but it pissed him off that except for Aralynn, he had no real access to the future. He moved farther into the parlor, off to the right side of the room. The air felt suddenly itchy to him and that’s when he realized the elf was glowing, that white, misty light of his. He seemed revved up.
As he stared at Kaden, Stone knew that the light he emitted was what Stone had perceived when he’d started coming back to consciousness. Damn, Kaden had power. Maybe he was an elf-lord.
When Vojalie appeared in the doorway, she let out a soft slow gasp at the sight of Kaden.
Stone immediately sensed her interest in the tall elf. Sweet Goddess, where was Davido? Stone felt a profound need to warn the ugly old troll that he had competition for his woman.
“I didn’t know you’d be here,” Vojalie said, her gaze glued to Kaden.
“It was the only way to get Stone the healing he needed. It’s good to see you, Vojalie.” Kaden’s lips curved as though his words carried a hidden meaning. Had Vojalie been involved with Kaden prior to wedding Davido?
The most powerful fae in all of the Nine Realms continued to levitate. She floated across the room and extended her hand to Kaden, barely noticing Stone’s presence.
Kaden took her hand and while holding her gaze pressed his lips to her fingers.
Stone kept his amazement to himself. If Vojalie’s husband, Davido, had been here, the ugly troll would have attacked Kaden for this piece of seductive insolence.
“It’s been such a long time, Lord Kaden.”
‘Lord’ Kaden?
So, Joseph hadn’t been kidding: Kaden was definitely an elf-lord.
Stone decided to address the issue. Now that he knew what Kaden was, he had obligations to protect the Nine Realms. What he couldn’t know was exactly how much of a threat Kaden posed.