Fae: Lost (Lost Royal Book 1) Read online

  Fae:Lost

  Eva Blackwing

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 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

  Afterword

  Chapter 1

  Chapter One

  Mor stared blankly down at the magazine on the counter, idly turning pages as she leaned her head in her hand. She wasn’t really paying any attention to what was on the page. Just another day not in paradise. Waiting for something - anything - to change what was happening. Small towns sucked. Technically, she did live close to a city, but no one really stopped in her town of Castroville, Texas. The occasional person would visit, but most people didn’t venture further inside the town to find the local coffee shop. And she didn't really have time or the money to go into town.

  She was zoned out. The locals had cleared out after their morning ‘rush’ and now Mor was just doing nothing until she could close the shop at two. When she would go home and watch spotty Netflix on shitty WiFi and dream of ways to get out. Mor had done the whole college thing. She had gotten a degree in teaching from Texas Tech but then couldn’t find a job. Finally sucking up her pride, she had come home to Castroville and gotten a job from her obnoxious brother in his side business coffee shop. That he only kept around for taxes since it was always in the red. But at least she was given the apartment above the shop for free because she was family.

  With a groan, she laid her head on the counter and gently thumped her head a couple of times against the counter. “My life sucks.”

  “Does it now?” A deep voice rumbled above Mor.

  “Holy fuck!” She jumped up, stumbled backwards and tripped over her stool barely managing to catch herself before she fell over. “Shit, I'm sorry. Sh-I mean. Damn.” Pinching the bridge of her nose she said, “I am so sorry, please don’t tell my brother I cussed at work. He’ll flip out and then I may lose this job and my apartment and I really don’t have anywhere else to go.” Mor glanced up and her jaw dropped. In front of her was the hottest man she had ever seen. At least six and a half feet tall, black t-shirt straining across his chest and biceps, forearms braced against the counter with a smirk gracing his lips. His infinitely kissable lips. Ice blue eyes, lightly brown skin, and black hair flowing to his shoulders. Holy. Shit.

  He leaned toward her and whispered, “I don’t give a fuck how much you cuss. It’s cute.” He grinned at her and tapped her under the chin.

  Mor snapped her jaw shut“Th-thank you?” The words were forced out and her cheeks burned. What was wrong with her? She never had this response to guys. Not even the super hot ones. Of course, she had never met a man this hot. And now Mor was rambling in her head and just staring at him. “Fuck. I mean. What can I get you?” Her voice had gone a little squeaky.

  “What’s your name?” He reached out and tucked a piece of blonde hair behind her ear where it had fallen out of her messy bun.

  “Mor Williamson. Well, its Moreen, but who names their kid that? It’s awful. So. Mor is all I respond to….” Mor trailed off. Word vomit much? Real smooth Mor. Real smooth.

  “Mor. I like that. Why does your life suck?” He sat down on one of the stools.

  “That’s a boring story. I’m sure you don’t want to hear that.” She looked around for a menu and pushed one to him.

  He ignored the menu. “No, I definitely want to hear it. Can I get a black coffee?”

  “Any sugar or cream?” She poured him a cup and set it in front of him.

  “I'm good.” He took a sip, closing his eyes and purring? No. Definitely not. Men didn’t purr. Cats purred and never around her because cats hate her. “I’m ready for story time.”

  Mor kept her jaw firmly closed when he flashed his smile at her again. “Not much to tell. Grew up here, went away to college with dreams of becoming a teacher, couldn’t find a job and ended up back here. Working for my asshole brother in his failing coffee shop that he keeps purely for taxes. And I live in the semi-crappy apartment above it with shitty WiFi where I’m not allowed to even have a goldfish much less the puppy I want. I have no friends and no boyfriend even though Robby McFarlan keeps asking me out but I won’t go out with him because he smells like fish has a beer gut at twenty-four and its been a really long fucking time sin - ” Abruptly she shut her mouth.

  “Since what?” The man had a gleam in his eye, almost predatory as he looked Mor over.

  “Nothing. Nothing. So, um, that’s my boring story. Small town girl who tried to get out and inevitably got sucked back in. Sorry. Apparently I have a case of word vomit today.”

  “I like it. Even if you do seem to hold back the good stuff.” He grinned. “So what’s keeping you here?”

  “I barely make enough to get by, much less save enough to get out of here.” With a sigh she sat on her stool, putting her head back down on the counter.

  “Moreen! What are you doing?”

  She flinched, stood up and would have fallen if hotty hadn’t grabbed her arms and kept her upright. “Heeeeey. Tom. What are you doing here?”

  Tom rolled his eyes. “It’s my shop. I can do whatever I want. I think the better question, little sister, is why you had your head on the counter with a paying customer in front of you.” His voice dripped disdain and anger.

  She was so fucked. “I’m sor - ”

  “Shut up. Sir, I apologize for the unprofessional behavior of my sister. Please, whatever you want is on the house and I assure you she will be thoroughly reprimanded.” Hotty’s face was shocked as Tom’s eyes cut to her. “As for you, I will be docking your pay since you obviously aren’t doing much work. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, sir.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, mortification making her face burn as she held in tears.

  “What did you say?” Tom’s voice cracked across the room.

  A rumble sounded from hotty as he stood casually turned toward Tom, towering over him. “Are your ears broken?”

  “What?” Tom redirected his attention to the man, his smarmy business face immediately taking over.

  “I said. Are. Your. Ears. Broken?” He enunciated each word. “After you so rudely talked to your sister and are docking her pay for having a momentary break, I want to know if you couldn’t hear her? She spoke plain as day. And was way more polite than you deserve.” He stood to his full height, towering over Tom. “I suggest you apologize to the lady before I decide to intervene.”

  Definitely growling. Wait, growling? How is that happening? And why did that make a shiver run down her spine? Not a fear shiver. Nope. Not if the pulse between her legs was any indication. Shit.

  “Moreen. I apologize for yelling. I think it would be best if you found another job. And somewhere else to live. You have one week.” Tom gave the man a nasty glare before turning and marching out.

  “Oh fuck.” Hotty turned to Mor. “I am so sorry. I didn’t think he would do that.”

  “I’m not sure if I’m happy or about to spiral into a bout of hysteria. Maybe both?” She paused and took a deep breath, suppressing the sob that threatened to bubble out. “Definitely both. Oh fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. What am I going to do? That asshole is kicking me out! His sister!” A sob broke through. “What am I going to do?” Tears were definitely flowing now.

  “Shit.” She
heard a thump and then was wrapped up in a pair of strong arms. “Shhh. We’ll figure this out. It’s ok. Shhh.”

  Mor’s sobs slowed as a hand slowly stroked her hair. “What am I going to do?” She went from hysteria to hopelessness. “I really have no where to go. My parents are assholes just like Tome, and I’m sure he’s already on the phone with them telling them what a fuck up I still am.” Tears started falling faster again and she started to sob. “I c-can’t s-s-stop c-crying.”

  “Where are your keys?” When she pointed, he reached under the counter and snagged them. “Do you have to go outside to get to your apartment?” When Mor shook her head no, he swept her up in his arms and walked over to the front door. He flipped the sign to closed and then locked the door before marching into the back room and heading up the stairs.

  He pushed Mor’s door open and then sat down on the couch with her in his lap. Mor cried a little harder. She had never had anyone take care of her like this. Or at all. Her family wasn’t exactly the nurturing type. Or the nice type. Slowly, her sobs slowed and her eyes closed as she nestled into the arms holding onto her.

  “It’s ok, Mor. Sleep. I’ve got you.”

  ***

  Mor slowly woke up, feeling worn out. Why did sh- oh. Tom. One week. And hotty? Bolting up right, Mor looked around her small living room. She was laying on the couch, a blanket covering her legs. A movie was playing on silent with captions but no one was in the room with her.

  “You’re awake.” She jumped as hotty came out of her bathroom. “How are you feeling?”

  “Um. Better? I guess?” She fidgeted with the fringe on the blanket. “Not that I’m not grateful to you for getting me up here, but what’s your name?”

  Hotty burst out with a laugh and her heart thumped a little harder. “Damn, I didn’t realize I hadn’t told you! My name is Atreyu.”

  “Seriously? Like the Neverending Story?” She gaped.

  Atreyu rolled his eyes as he came to sit next to her on the couch. “Like the book. My mom loved that book and hated the movie.”

  “I love that movie.” Her voice was breathy and she fought the urge to lean into him.

  “Me too.” He grinned. “So. Do you have any idea what you want to do?”

  Mor took a deep breath. “Nope. My parents are assholes like my brother. I didn’t go to a fancy private university so I could meet someone with a suitable stock portfolio and I refused to marry the son of one of my father’s investors because he is a misogynistic womanizer who wanted me to stay home and pop out at least two children for him.” She lifted a shoulder. “So basically I’m disowned. If I go back, they’ll want me to marry John and then my soul will slowly die.”

  “Well, we can’t have that. I think I like your soul.” Atreyu brushed her cheek with a finger. “How is it you and your brother look nothing alike?”

  Now she did smile. “I’m adopted. They wanted a daughter to show off and my mother refused to have another baby because it would ‘destroy her figure’.”

  “Seriously? That’s fucked up.”

  “Yeah. But I take comfort in it since I’m not genetically related to that asshole. But…” She slumped back into the couch. “It is also why it’s likely they will totally disown me now.” They were silent for a few minutes. “Well, I don’t have a lot in my fridge but I can go down to the shop and get us something. Because fuck - ” She cut off when her phone buzzed.

  “Speak of the devil.” Mor pulled her phone out. “Hey Mo - ”

  “Don’t you ‘hey mom’ me, young lady. You are a disgrace. Who was that trash who was so rude to your brother? You better not be sleeping with him. We expect you to be a - ”

  “A virgin. I know.” She put her head in her hands, leaning forward. Mortification made her cheeks flush, knowing Atreyu was hearing half of this conversation.

  “Good. Now that this ridiculous farce of you working at that awful shop is over, you can move back home. I will inform John you are ready to accept his proposal and then we can get started on planning your wedding.”

  “What? No! I’m not marrying that jackass.” Atreyu wrapped his arm around her and pulled her head into his side.

  “You will marry him or you will be disowned! It’s time you do your duty to your family. Enough of this playing around.”

  “Mom - ” She tried to cut in.

  “No! And when you get here, I will have Dr. Robertson check to see if you are intact.”

  Mor sat up. “Excuse me?” Her voice was quiet.

  “You heard me, young lady. Dr. Robertson will ensure you are still a virgin. John wants a wife that is not a whore.”

  “A whore? That piece of shit fucks anything that walks!”

  “Do not speak of your future husband that way! It is his right as the man to do as he pleases. You are there to provide heirs that will join our families.”

  “Do you even hear yourself? It’s the year twenty-nineteen! I am not a piece of property to be sold to the highest bidder for a life of popping out babies and staying home while my husband fucks everything that walks!”

  “Language!”

  “I’ll talk however I want, mother.” She spat the words out. “You only care for what I can bring you. Well FUCK YOU! I will not be moving home. I will not be marrying that piece of shit John. And guess what, mom? I’m not a virgin!” Mor was shouting by the end. She went to throw her phone across the room, but was stopped by a hand closing gently around hers and then plucking the phone from her hand.

  She could hear her mother shouting on the other end. Mor went to take it from Atreyu but he just grinned and lifted it this ear. “Ma’am? This is the trash that spoke back to your worthless son.” Mor gaped at him. “Just wanted to let you know, in case you care, that Mor will be taken care of. In every way possible.” His voice deepened into a sexy rumble, wicked grin on his face as he winked at her. “It’s a shame she was stuck with you for her family, because Mor is one amazing woman who deserves better than you. Enjoy your miserable life.” He hit the end button and handed the phone back to her.

  “What just happened?” Eyes wide, Mor stared at him.

  “You just told your mother off for being a selfish prick. And I couldn’t help but tweak her a little further. I won’t say sorry because I’m not.” He grinned. “You did good!”

  A grin stretched her face. “Thank you!” Then it fell again. “Oh shit. She is really going to cut me off. Where am I going to go? Oh shit.” Panic started creeping back into her.

  “Hey. It’s ok.” Atreyu rubbed her back in slow circles and that deep purr came from him again. “I know we just met, but you could come with me until you figure things out. I live with my brothers - well, they aren’t blood brothers, but close enough. I got you into this mess, the least I can do is help you out of it.”

  “I don’t know. I just met you. And everyone would say this is a bad idea. Going with a strange man to his house? Horror movie in the making.”

  “What does your gut say?” His hand stilled but the purr continued.

  “That I can trust you.” She looked up at him. “Are you purring?”

  The sound cut off, “What? Of course not.” He flushed.

  “Uh-huh.” She smirked at him. “Well, I literally have no other options and frankly, even being ax murdered at this point would be better than crawling back to my parents and marrying John.” Mor shuddered.

  “Why don’t we order some takeout and then I can help you pack in the morning?”

  “Um, I can’t afford to do that.” Mor felt a flush creeping up her face and was so glad he couldn’t see her.

  “My treat. Since I got you disowned by your family.”

  She laughed. “Okay, if you put it that way. There are two places that deliver. Pizza and Mexican. Which would you prefer?”

  “Uhhh whatever you want is fine.”

  “Pizza it is! I’m feeling the need for some comfort food. Put on a movie while I order.” Mor pulled up the number for the pizza place and called it in. Atre
yu requested three pizzas so he would have at least two to himself.

  She went into the kitchen and pulled out her emergency bottle of whiskey and two tumblers. Grabbing two whiskey stones from the freezer and plunking one into each glass she poured two glasses and started to bring them out to the couch before thinking better of it and taking the bottle too.

  “I may get drunk. Fair warning.” Mor set the bottle on the coffee table, handed him his drink and clinked his glass before tossing back half of her drink. “Something else mother and father dearest never approved of, but I'm pretty sure I’m part Irish because I do love whiskey.”

  “I promise to hold your hair back when you puke.” Atreyu grinned and took a sip. “Damn, girl! This is some good shit.”

  “My one splurge. I was saving it for when I made it. But, since I seem to have hit rock bottom…” She shrugged and downed the rest, reaching for the bottle and pouring herself another drink. “Did you pick a movie?”

  “I wasn’t totally sure what you would like, so I picked one of my favorites.” He pushed play and sat back, arm across the back of the sofa.

  Mor grinned when Thor: Ragnorak started playing. “Yes! I love Marvel!” She leaned her head back on the couch, turning her head to look at Atreyu. She started to say something but was distracted by the tendrils of ink peeking out from his shirt. Without thinking she reached up and traced one with her finger. “Oh my gosh. I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”

  Grinning, Atreyu nudged her. “Don’t worry about it. Maybe one day I will show you the rest of it.” His eyes darkened and he leaned down towards her.

  Mor held her breath, hoping he would kiss her. Aaaand then the doorbell rang. Atreyu shook his head ruefully and pulled away, walking to get the door.