Fae mated, p.1
Fae Mated, page 1
Fae Mated
A Celestial Souls, Inc. Novel
Shifted Hearts
Book One
Godiva Glenn
Lunar Mischief Press, L.L.C.
Fae Mated
Copyright © 2023 Godiva Glenn
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Cover by Euphoric Designs
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All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Follow Godiva Glenn at GodivaGlenn.com
Created with Vellum
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
Epilogue
Royally Mated
About the Author
Also by Godiva Glenn
Chapter 1
Brooke
Brooke crossed her legs and sipped a sweet, iced tea while scanning the walkway outside the cafe. Each time a young man stopped and entered, she held her breath, wondering if her date had finally arrived. This was why she hated blind dates. The last thing she needed was to appear desperate, yet here she was, eagle eyes narrowing on every man not already attached to someone else.
She brushed at her peach dress, a fitted, sleeveless affair that clung to her curves in all the right ways. The soft color was one of her favorites, playing up her barely sun-kissed skin and new vibrant hair color. Just because she didn’t want the date didn’t mean she wasn’t going to dress her best.
Looking up, she noticed a man in a sky-blue polo and khakis heading her way, attention focused on the red sweater she’d hung on the chair opposite her own. It was the flag, so to speak, in case he didn’t recognize her from the photo.
He walked over, a smile on his face.
“Brooke?”
“That’s me,” she responded.
He sat, glancing around. She leaned forward to shake his hand, and he took it reluctantly. Up close she noticed that his smile seemed stressed.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No. Just wanted to make sure I had the right person,” he said.
She sat back and slid a menu his way. “If there’s another Brooke here with my face and sweater, I’d be running.”
He nodded and frowned down at the menu. She studied him. The breeze blew over his stiffly pomaded blonde hair, not moving a single strand. His face was handsome but forgettable, as if there were such a thing as a perfect generic.
An expensive watch decorated his wrist and an onyx ring stood out like a mountain on his hand. His shoes looked like the sort billionaires wore on yachts.
Yet another reason she didn’t like blind dates. Perhaps she didn’t have a type, but she certainly had a ‘not my type,’ and this guy was it. Be nice. Maybe he’s really sweet. Begrudgingly, she recalled the adage that opposites attract.
“So… Ethan, right?”
He blinked up at her. “Oh, sorry. Yeah. Ethan. Guess I’m a little out of sorts.”
“Anna didn’t mention what you do.”
Holding his menu and leaning back in his seat he shrugged. “I like to think of myself as a renaissance man.”
Oh, dear gods. She tried not to cringe outwardly. “Okay… go on?”
“I’ve tried my hand at a few things. I did accounting for years, great at it but I wanted something with more passion. I think my place is in business management.”
“What sort of business?”
“Any. My dad’s working on pulling some strings, listening around. Meanwhile, I’ve been moonlighting—I guess you could say—as a model.”
Brooke’s eyebrows threatened to lift high enough to leave her face entirely. She cleared her throat and took a sip of her tea before responding, “I’m sorry—how do you know Anna?”
“She did my taxes last year and we kept in touch. I thought maybe we had something… you know, chemistry, but I guess then I wouldn’t be here.”
Brooke smiled and glanced down at her menu, even though she already knew what she wanted.
“Are you getting a salad?” he asked.
She pursed her lips and met his eyes. Careful. “I don’t eat salad when I’m at a restaurant. I can rip apart lettuce and sprinkle dressing on it at home and save ten dollars.”
“Yeah… I get it, I guess.” Ethan tossed his menu on the table and leaned forward. “Look, your face is really pretty for a large woman, but you’re not what I expected.”
Brooke arched a brow. “Anna said you saw my picture. Though, I guess my hair was blonde then.” She twirled a long, dark ruby tendril around her finger. “This is new. I think it’s called ‘Red Velvet.’ Something delicious.”
“It was just your face, and the angle…I guess there was cleavage, and don’t get me wrong, I’m a boob guy, but that’s a lot of—”
Her smile faded, and she released the lock of hair from her grasp. “You can go now.”
“You don’t have to take it personally. I support body positivity; I just can’t see us doing things together. I’m a really active guy,” he reasoned.
“Don’t take it personally that I’m ‘pretty for a large woman,’ is that really what you think is body positive?” she asked calmly. She narrowed her blue eyes on him and allowed her usual resting bitch face to shine through. “You didn’t even need to sit down and waste my time. You aren’t doing me a favor by telling me to eat salad and revealing that you’d rather be banging Anna.”
“Why are you being a bitch about it, I’m the one who was deceived.”
“Are you still here? You need to walk away before you kill my appetite,” she said coldly. “And you know I take food seriously.”
He stood, face and composure annoyed. “Whatever.”
She didn’t bother watching him leave. Glancing over her shoulder, she flagged the waitress and ordered the chicken alfredo with a cup of the house tomato basil soup. She passed on the complimentary side salad.
Pulling out her phone, she composed a text in her head, something that would say ‘what the fuck were you thinking?’ as politely as possible. Anna was her supervisor, after all. She couldn’t burn that bridge, no matter how tenuous the support.
“It’s a shame you had to waste even a minute of your time with that poor specimen of a man,” a woman said from nearby. She’d stopped at Brooke’s shoulder and peered down with twinkling gray eyes and a gentle smile. The sunlight glowed through her wild salt and pepper curls, giving her an almost ethereal appearance.
“I didn’t realize I’d made a scene,” Brooke admitted.
“You didn’t. My hearing is just a little more sensitive than most.” The woman extended a hand covered in gemstone rings and tinkling with large bangles around her wrist. “Euphrasie.”
Brooke took the woman’s hand and gave it a quick shake. “Brooke Donovan.”
“May I sit?” Euphrasie asked. “The weather is gorgeous, and the patio is full. I’m just having some tea.”
Brooke gestured to the empty seat. The stranger had an instant calming effect that she couldn’t turn down. She’d barely spoken, but her voice was breezy and light, as if she’d never had a stressful moment in her life. Brooke could use that sort of energy. “Of course. I don’t mind eating alone but I won’t say no to the company.”
The elder woman shook out the flowing green caftan she wore and sat. “Thank you.” She fingered the menu and peered at Brooke. “Not to focus on something I’m sure you’re eager to forget, but I’m in the dating business, and I absolutely hate to see a bad match.”
“Which is why I wasn’t looking for it.”
“Oh?”
“It was a foolish set-up. My boss thought it would work, which is about par. Anna’s a genius at her job, but her social skills are severely lacking.”
“A shame. You handled it well enough. That’s impressive.” Euphrasie’s head tilted. “Perhaps a professional matchmaker would do better?”
Brooke chuckled lightly. “Ah, thanks. But no. Between my job and the volunteer work I do for the historical society, I don’t have time for dates.”
“Except bad ones?” Euphrasie asked. “I’m kidding. There’s nothing wrong with focusing on your career. And you said… historical society?”
“I handle tours, mostly. Occasionally pitch in at a fundraiser or two.”
“Fascinating.” Euphrasie smile grew, and her eyes sparkled as if she were plotting something. “But just between us, if you were ever to be in the market for a man, what interests you?”
The waitress returned, placing a hot aromatic tea before Euphrasie and arranging Brooke’s pasta and soup on the table.
Brooke stirred the soup, a bit impressed by the woman’s determination. “To be honest, I think I want too much. Luckily, if I’m meant to be alone, I’ll cope.”
“Nonsense. Granted, perhaps some
“Love is nice. But the path to get there is the trick,” Brooke replied. “I won’t lie. I’ve met great men before—don’t for a minute think that losers like Ethan make up the majority of my experience. I’m a curvy woman, but I usually attract the men who fawn over that.”
Euphrasie nodded and took a delicate sip of her tea before motioning Brooke to continue. “But?”
“But,” Brooke drew out the word, arranging her thoughts, “I may be expecting too much. I want to settle down, but I don’t want to settle, if you know what I mean. I don’t want to have a partner that makes me wonder ‘what if,’ I want someone who I know is the best for me, no doubts at all.”
“That’s how love should be. What are your expectations?”
“I want someone serious but fun. The kind of guy who will join me at fancy parties and not complain about wearing a tie but will do shots with me later when we’re done schmoozing with co-workers. Classy when it’s necessary but never arrogant. On top of that, he can’t be afraid to step out of this city or this state, or this country for that matter, because I love exploring unfamiliar places and I’ve always wanted to share that.”
“Go on,” Euphrasie urged.
Brooke looked to the sky, imagining her dream catch. There was a guilty pleasure that came from sharing this with a stranger. Euphrasie didn’t seem as judgmental as her friends, who regularly insisted that her perfect man wouldn’t exist unless she dropped a few requirements.
Besides, there was something disarming about Euphrasie. Maybe the spiritual boho chic appearance combined with her age and the way she sounded relaxed and wise all at once. She was more apparition than human somehow. Brooke sensed she could confide anything with her.
“Sometimes men are sweet and doting, but in the wrong spirit. I’m not a delicate flower, and I hate being underestimated. The guy for me would care for me but not patronize me.”
“None of these things sound like too much to me,” Euphrasie said. She wafted her fingers over her tea and inhaled the steam for a moment before pinning Brooke with a mischievous grin. “But you’re skipping the meat of the matter.”
“Which is?”
“The sex, of course.”
Brooke chuckled. “I knew I liked you. Yes, I want all the fabulous, passionate sex. So, you see, I want a sexy, smart, funny, talented lover. With his suitcases packed.” She sighed. “A girl can dream.”
Euphrasie sipped her tea and stared off thoughtfully. After a moment she nodded. “I guess you need someone out of this world.”
Chapter 2
Kerren
“Did you even read the primer I gave you? You’ll be in a portion of Earth designated as America. They’re a relatively young civilization—”
“Vevina, relax. And of course, I didn’t read your ‘primer’ because I can barely lift it. I’ve been to plenty of planets. I’ll be fine,” Kerren insisted, patting Vevina’s shoulder and walking past her.
The loud clacking of determined heeled feet followed him down the corridor. Vevina stepped in his way with a huff. Her pale blue eyes narrowed, and she poked a single finger into his chest.
“Earth is not like other planets and this isn’t like other trips. You want to live there, so you need to know the customs. I won’t be there to help you adapt. This isn’t a short trip,” she said glaring. “I need to know that after I leave you with the representative, you won’t somehow stumble into a war or get yourself jailed or similar.”
He sighed loudly and rolled his shoulders. “Look. I understand your concern, but the wonderful thing is that I’ll have my entire life to learn how things work. Besides, humans are humans, aren’t they?”
He side-stepped her and strolled through his living room, into the kitchen where he grabbed an apple. “They have these, and the brochure is colorful. You should be excited for me. A new adventure.”
Vevina snatched the apple from his hand, giving him a hard look. “Tell me you didn’t choose your future home based on fruit.”
He took the apple back from her and bit into it. Chewing the sweet fruit, he turned and leaned against the counter-top. He still needed to decide how to handle his home. Sidera Luminis didn’t have too many fae that could afford it, but he didn’t have any family to hand it over to.
“Kerren!”
He eyed his determined assistant, her mood so jolted that her hair had started to flicker colors to match—a feature of her genetics. It made it entertaining to toy with her. Truthfully, he’d done plenty of research regarding possible suitable homes on and off over the last few decades. He wasn’t completely ignorant of the choice he’d made.
“I chose Earth because humans are unpredictable yet varied. The atmosphere is gentle on our systems, so I’ll age slower but won’t eventually die of some wild health disorder. It’ll be easy for me to slide into a lifestyle and I get my pick of jobs, really. Being a duke has that perk, at least. All the string-pulling needed, in a world where a decent man could certainly be of use.”
She settled down, hair returning to its usual soft peach tone. Crossing her arms, she looked around. “I can’t believe you want to leave us.”
“I’m not leaving you, personally. I’m leaving monotony. Sidera Luminis isn’t enough for me. I’m bored. Earth is supposed to be full of life and surprises. It’s not like I’m truly needed here. Which is exactly why I have this opportunity. Nobility with no ties to the crown of fae are free to leave.”
“You’re leaving family and friends to pursue a life of debauchery with humans,” she accused.
“Is that so wrong?” He munched on the apple and waved his hand dismissively. “I’m kidding. Don’t be like that. We both know that you’ve wanted a new job forever. Why not celebrate? You will no longer be bound to me until death. Your debt will dissolve, and you can do whatever you’d like.”
She stared at him with her most unimpressed expression.
“I suggest dancer,” he teased. “I love to watch you bounce around when you’ve had one too many glasses of wine.”
She rolled her eyes and pulled out her electronic planner. “Your guide is situated in your desired city as we speak, native to the area and well-versed in the local customs. If we want to make a good impression, I suppose we should get going.”
He nodded and tossed the apple core into the trash. After wiping the juice from his hand, he led the way towards the front door.
“I didn’t think Earth had official representatives,” he commented.
“They don’t. However, I was able to track down a professional in the area, a Euphrasie Hudson.”
“Never heard of her.” He glanced over to Vevina, who stared down at her planner as she walked. “What’s the nature of her profession?”
“Ah, she’s a headhunter of sorts. Puts people in touch,” Vevina replied. “She comes highly recommended.”
“That’s excellent work there. I’d give you a raise if it would go through before you were done working for me.”
“There’s such a thing as a bonus,” she muttered under her breath.
Kerren grinned to himself. She would definitely get a bonus, and he was eager to get his dream-come-true: A life outside the formal confines of Sidera Luminis.
The portal that connected Sidera Luminis to the rest of existence was an engraved wooden arch in the center of an open field, a device which upon cursory glance was nothing impressive given its capabilities. As Kerren and Vevina approached, vines climbed from the ground to encase the arch.
Reaching out, he fingered the strange flowers and leaves. “What are they?”
