"It’s time for you to leave."
Those were the words the bargain-bin Mufasa delivered, even though the party was still in full swing—princess absent or not. The Free Fae might be racist and all, but one thing they undeniably knew how to do was party.
Of course, Hannah had refused. The night was still young, and more importantly, she hadn’t secured a husband yet. She didn’t say that last part out loud. Taryn didn’t need to ruin her plan further.
Unfortunately, after he’d threatened to hoist her over his shoulder and carry her out himself, Hannah had conceded defeat. She wasn’t about to destroy her reputation in front of potential husbands by being hauled out like a misbehaving child.
And so here she was, trudging back toward her quarters, her steps heavy. Tonight had been a spectacular failure in Operation: Secure a Fae Husband. She hadn’t even managed to so much as enamor a single Fae thanks entirely to the irritating beast who had made his mission to chaperone and chase away potential husbands.
Hannah shot Taryn a glare. He walked ahead of her, unbothered, while she deliberately dragged her feet behind him like a spoiled child making a point.
Then an idea struck her.
Hannah stopped abruptly but Taryn didn’t.
He kept walking, his footsteps unhurried. If he’d heard her halt, he gave no sign of it, or he didn’t care enough to check.
Hope bloomed in her chest as he continued down the corridor, farther and farther away from him.
This is it.
At this rate, she might actually make it back to the party and secure herself a husband.
So the moment Taryn turned the corner, Hannah moved.
She pivoted immediately, stepping off with light steps, her shoes barely whispering against the floor as she picked up speed.
For an assassin like her, Hannah should have known this was way too easy. But
desperation had a way of blinding even the sharpest mind.
Hannah didn’t take the same route back. On the way to the party—and on the forced walk away from it—she’d memorized the paths, and the turns. She had no intention of escaping the Fae realm — she didn’t even want to — but knowing the way was essential.
She’d barely taken the next turn when she froze. The Taryn she had watched walk away was now standing directly in front of her.
Hannah had to clear her face with her hands.
"Oh shit," she breathed when it dawned on her that this was no illusion or trick of the light. It was him.
But how—? When did—?
There was no time to think, Hannah spun on her heel and bolted.
Just like that, the chase was on.
It reminded her of the first day they’d met except then he’d been in his lion form, but it didn’t make the moment any less dangerous. Right now, those eyes belonged to a predator wearing a man’s body, and they were locked on her with a singular intent.
"Fuck me..." Hannah muttered as she ran, pushing herself faster.
Fine.
If Taryn wanted to catch her, she’d make him earn it.
For someone his size, Taryn was frighteningly fast. His strides were long and sure, his movements fluid despite his bulk as if he had learned how to wear restraint only when necessary.
Hannah didn’t even know where she was running anymore. The corridors blurred past, the only thing clear in her mind
was this: don’t get caught.
She heard him gain on her, and felt the displacement of air when he reached for her. Goddess, he was too close.
So Hannah called forth her supernatural speed, power surging through her veins as she showed him exactly what she was made of. The sudden acceleration put precious distance between them, just enough for her to smirk over her shoulder.
And intentionally, she veered sharply toward a cluster of approaching faeries.
Hannah slipped through them neatly, twisting and ducking easily and totally Lord Taryn who followed a heartbeat later, and nearly plowed straight through them.
"Watch it!" one faerie hissed as another stumbled.
"Careful, beast!" someone cursed.
Taryn swore under his breath, slowing just long enough to mutter hurried apologies as he pushed past them. Hannah, on the other hand, laughed breathlessly and kept running, the sound floating back to him like a challenge.
The look Taryn shot her promised only one thing. She was as good as dead once he caught her.
Except the thought sent a thrill through her instead of fear. That was how Hannah made it outside into the garden, the cool night air hitting her lungs while the Faelight spilled over her path.
Taryn was right behind her, his pursuit unbroken. Inside the palace, he’d been forced to restrain himself, but out here, there was no such limitation.
He moved like an unbound predator now, faster, deadlier, and perfectly in his element.
Hannah tried to outmaneuver him, taking

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