Deal with the Fae King

Deal with the Fae KingBride of the Fae King Silya Barakat Copyright © 2023 Silya BarakatAll rights reservedThe characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.ISBN (Paperback): 9798376547724Cover design by: Silya Barakat To all the fictional men lovers out there: I feel the need to take a moment and give a special dedication to you all. You know who you are—the readers who swoon over the heroes in our stories, who get lost in their fantasies of passionate encounters and happy endings. This book is for you. May it provide all the seductive thrills and unforgettable moments you could ever hope for.PS: Sorry mom, but I wrote this book instead of giving you grandkids. Contents Title PageCopyrightDedicationChapter 1Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Thank you so much for readingAbout The AuthorBooks By This Author Chapter 1 A Fae dealWarm blood sprayed against my cheek, and I knew I just made an irrevocable mistake. Deals with the Fae never ended well.My guide, Connor, collapsed on the ground. His eyes were wide open, and a deep crimson from the blood that spilled from his wounds stained his clothing.The sight made my stomach lurch.My hand clenched around the hilt of my dagger as I looked around.No one was here.Not to mortal senses, anyway.Muffled sobs echoed through the trees, and I turned to Isra. Her eyes were wide, her hands shaking.I placed my arm around her shoulder, drawing her close. “It’s okay,” I whispered, but the words felt hollow and meaningless. I should have listened to my gut and stayed hidden away in the palace. “Can you be strong for me?”Isra nodded as tears streamed down her cheeks.Only one person could have done this.The Winter King.I stepped into the clearing and took a deep breath. All I had to do was make this deal—and pray he didn’t take more than I will give. And I was willing to give a lot.The dark Fae King had a reputation for being cunning and ruthless in his dealings. A monster with no mercy or remorse.But I also knew his people respected him and that he could be fair, if not generous.I squared my shoulders and held my head high as I walked toward the center of the clearing.It was time to be brave.Frost spread across the ground, and a chill raced down my spine. I glanced around at the trees. Their trunks were tall and ancient. A shadow moved in the corner of my eye. It moved closer and closer with each step.The body of Connor turned to ashes. Nothing was left behind. Not even his teeth.My heart sank as the coldness of the air seeped into my bones. My grip on my dagger tightened. Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself to stay alert and be prepared for anything. Fear was coursing through my veins, but I needed to remain resilient in the face of danger.I was ready to face whatever this creature was.Power radiated around me, and I slowly looked up. My eyes met the gaze of the Winter King, his icy stare piercing my soul.His black armor glinted in the moonlight as his coat billowed around him in the breeze. The fur trimming caught my eye, blood-red and stained from his past dealings. A silver mask covered his face, and embroidered jewels lined his cape.Behind him, a wolf howled, its howl so loud and eerie that it sent shivers down my spine.My hand lingered on my dagger as I stepped toward him. “Greetings King of the Winter Court. I seek an audience.” I bowed my head in respect as I spoke in a voice clear and strong.He stepped forward, his boots sinking into the soft earth beneath him. A gloved finger touched my cheek, touching the blood that stained it.“It suits you.” His voice was like liquid ice, cold and calculating. “The blood caresses your skin like a lover.” His gaze was piercing as he stepped back. “He was going to betray you to the Selwyn Queen. He was going to sell you out for a bar of gold. But I saved you.”Strangely enough, I believed him. There’s nothing my stepmother wouldn’t do for the throne. She turned my father into a puppet, and now she wanted her son to be King. I shuddered at the thought.I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “A bar of gold? I’m worth a lot more than that.”The Winter King nodded, his eyes glittering in the moonlight. “To some, maybe.” He motioned to Isra and me. “You have my attention. What do you seek?”Isra shook her head, her voice trembling. “We need your help to protect the kingdom from the Selwyn Queen’s ambitions.”No, Isra! That’s not what we agreed to do! I wanted to yell, but bit my lip and stayed silent.The Winter King fixed his gaze on me. “Is that so?”His voice was like a whisper, but I could feel the power behind it.I took a step forward, holding my head high. “Thank you for saving me from certain death. I am in your debt.”“Debts are to be repaid.” He stepped closer, his breath warm against my skin. “But today I feel generous. What would you have of me?”From the corner of my eye, I saw Isra’s eyes on me; her fear was palpable in the air. I closed my eyes. My heart thudded in my