A Fae in Fort Worth by Amy Armstrong Page A

own. Later, he covered us with a sheet and curled into my back, his arm around my waist, his nose nestled into the curls at the back of my head. I fell asleep in that position, sated and happy, and didn’t allow even a modicum of doubt or worry to take up any space in my mind.

Chapter Seven
    Just as Mitch had anticipated, Durin and Brokk were only too happy to take us to the Fairy realm when they learned we’d found a way to get Avery to leave the sanctuary. They were so eager to see the prince gone, in fact, that they wanted nothing in return for their help. What we didn’t do was tell them what business we had in the Seelie Court. We figured they wouldn’t be onboard with kidnapping someone whom the queen was essentially holding captive.
    Mitch had called Avery before we left and told him to wait for us at the sanctuary. If we could get Donella out, they would have to leave Fort Worth quickly so that Mitch’s debt to Durin would be repaid. Then we just had to get the book from Avery and give it to Malaki.
    Durin opened a portal into the sanctuary and Mitch and I followed him and Brokk inside. As soon as we were safely through, the doorway was sealed. I took a look around and realised we were in some sort of large, underground cavern. It was dark and oppressive, but I tried hard not to let any unease show on my face.
    “What happens if we’re separated?” I asked. “Is there a way we can get out of here without your help?”
    I was hopeful that we could get back through the doorway on our own, but Brokk stared at me as if I’d gone insane, killing what little optimism I’d had before he explained. “Only a Fae can help you enter and leave the Fae realm. There is no way for a human or hunter to open the portal. But you don’t have to worry. Humans are welcome in the Seelie Court and any Fae will give you safe passage home. Unless of course you committed an act of treason against our queen, then I’m afraid you’d find yourselves stuck here.”
    Both dwarves chuckled merrily. I don’t think either noticed how much that last sentence made me bristle. Could helping Donella escape be considered an act of treason? Probably, and in the Fae Realm, highly likely. It was only after the dwarves had turned their backs that I shot a worried glance at Mitch. As I was beginning to learn, there was little that could ruffle his feathers and this was no exception. He shrugged, looking completely unconcerned.
    “Besides,” Brokk continued. “It will only require one of us to show you the way to the palace. Durin will wait here for our return.”
    Well, that was something, but it did little to alleviate the nervous flutters in my stomach. Mitch nodded for me to follow Brokk as he brought up the rear.
    The cavern led into a series of tunnels and underground caves. The ceiling lowered in some places, so much so that Mitch and I had to crouch low to get through. The farther we walked, the wider the passageway became until I noticed a light at the end. I breathed a sigh of relief.
    “Nearly there,” Brokk informed us as he navigated expertly along the path.
    During our meeting, Avery had told us that the queen was holding Donella in a room on the upper floor of the Seelie Court palace. When she’d first been taken, Donella had been placed under guard to prevent Avery from getting to her. He was sure his mother wouldn’t keep her so heavily guarded after he’d been banished. Everyone in the Fairy realm was loyal to Orlaith so she’d have no fear of a Fae helping a prisoner to escape. Avery believed the very last thing the queen would expect was for a couple of hunters to try to rescue her. I hoped he was right, but the odds of us strolling into the palace then leaving with Donella without alerting the guards or the queen herself had to be pretty slim.
    That morning before we’d left for the sanctuary, Mitch had given me one of two iron daggers he’d brought with him to Fort Worth. The Fae were highly allergic to the metal