Charmed By The Fox's Heart: Superhero Reverse Harem Romance (Cosmic Guardians Book 1), стр. 19

I can’t tell if he’s actually this cocky or if he’s feigning confidence for my sake. Either way, I’m still worried. I take his hand in mine and meet his gaze evenly. “All right, Mr. Sly Fox. Just be careful okay?”

He grins and then gives me a mock bow. “Of course, my queen.”

I roll my eyes again, trying but failing to suppress a grin at his teasing.

He smiles in return, but his expression quickly sobers. “No matter what happens, I want you to stay hidden, all right? Promise me.”

“Then promise you won’t get caught,” I counter.

“I won’t.” Despite his statement, I can see the worry behind his eyes. He’s trying to be brave for me. “Any chance your guard could get a good luck kiss from his queen to send him on his way?” He teases.

I playfully slap at his arm as I shake my head. “Just be careful.”

He nods and then turns his attention back toward his goal. With a quick glance to make sure no one is watching, he steps out from the forest and cautiously makes his way to the house.

Cael approaches the low garden wall, braces one hand on the stone, and then jumps over into the yard.

I hold my breath as he moves along the wall behind a row of bushes, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. When he reaches the clothesline, he’s about to remove the first tunic from the line when an old woman comes out the backdoor.

My heart stops, then begins hammering because I realize he hasn’t noticed her since she hasn’t turned the corner toward him yet. I gasp as she starts in his direction.

“Caw! Caw! Caw!” I cry out, sounding like anything but an actual bird.

Cael whips his head toward me as I gesture animatedly toward the woman. He rushes back to the line of bushes and ducks behind them, barely missing the woman as she turns the corner of the house and makes her way to the clothesline.

His teal eyes meet mine full of worry, but we both remain silent and still.

The old woman stops. Her gaze darts toward the bushes as she places her hands on her hips. “You can come out,” she says. “I’ve been waiting for you, you know.”

My mouth drifts open, and so does Cael’s.

“I know you’re there, Cael,” she says. “And I know Kyra is as well.”

I inhale sharply.

“Oh.” She smiles, looking directly toward my hiding spot. “There you are.”

Still in shock, I step out of the woods.

Cael moves in front of me, placing himself directly between me and the old woman. “Run, Kyra! Go back to the forest! I’ll find you.”

Panic tightens my chest. I can’t leave him. Even if it means we’re both caught.

The old woman smiles as she looks to him. “You are just as I knew you’d be. Protective of your queen.”

I blink at her in confusion. “What are you—”

“I know who you are.” She meets my eyes evenly before darting a glance at Cael. “And I know who he is. I have been waiting for you both. Come.” She turns back toward the house.

When we don’t follow immediately, she looks over her shoulder. “Or you can stay out here if you’re not worried about being caught by people who would mean you both harm.”

Cael turns to me, and I give him a subtle nod.

He narrows his eyes at the old woman. “If you try to harm her, I’ll end you.”

I stare at him, astonished at his words and his threat.

She nods and then continues on toward the house. “I do not doubt that.”

As soon as I reach him, he holds out his arm motioning for me to stay behind him. “I’ll go first,” he whispers. “You run at the first sign of trouble.”

I agree even though I have no intention of leaving him behind. No matter what.

Together, we follow the old woman back to her home.

As soon as we step through the door, the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven fills my nostrils. The space is small but cozy. Dried herbs hang on a rack over the counter, and a wood-fired stove is burning nearby. The wooden floors, walls, and ceiling are faded with age, the floor creaking with every other step as she leads us to the living area and a small fireplace in the corner.

The fire crackles as she stokes the flame. She throws another log on the hearth, turning it into a roaring fire as she gestures for us to take a seat on the sofa directly across the small table from her.

Everything in here appears to be worn with age, yet neatly kept. The entire place immaculately clean and organized. The cushions are a faded green but they are soft. I hadn’t realized how tired and aching my legs and feet were until we’re seated. But then again, we have been walking for a good part of the day through the woods.

The old woman is about to sit down when she stops herself and gives us an apologetic look.

“Forgive me,” she says. “I’m a terrible host. Are you hungry?”

My first inclination is to say yes, but this woman is a stranger, and I’m still not entirely sure we should trust her. I look at Cael, and I can read the same hesitation in his expression.

“I mean you no harm,” she murmurs. “I have been waiting for you both for such a long time.” Her lavender eyes meet mine. “Your coming was foretold many years ago.”

“I… don’t understand. You knew we were coming?”

“How do you know our names?” Cael asks, his voice hard and wary.

She gives us a warm smile, the fine lines of her face creasing at the edges of her eyes and mouth. If she’s a bad person, her looks are deceptive. Her friendly appearance and the way she speaks in such a soft, lilting voice makes me inclined to trust her.

“I am Mage Willow,” she introduces herself. “You have had a long journey, and it has