Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 83

The words echoed like a curse in her mind.

Unseelie Court.

That’s what Garrick had called it. That’s what he’d said her mother was—a dark fae of the Unseelie Court.

Kaelani’s heart pounded, but the rhythm was hollow, stunned, as her legs moved of their own accord, flanked by six spear-wielding warriors. The world around her was strange, yet undeniably beautiful.

A realm of shadow and reverie stretched wide before her.

The streets they walked shimmered under the glow of the twin moons, stone paths inlaid with silver striations that pulsed like magic. Music throbbed from every direction—haunting, melodic, wild—and bodies danced in its grip. Fae in masks and velvet and glittering armor spun in circles, laughed too loudly, touched too freely.

It was intoxicating.

Kaelani’s breath caught as they passed a cluster of revelers playing some kind of table game—cards perhaps, but every movement was laced with something more. A flick of fingers made dice roll a second longer than they should. A subtle tilt of a brow made another’s hand falter. Power, used not for domination, but for delight. There was no cruelty here—at least not yet. Only beauty and danger walking hand in hand.

They noticed her.

One by one, heads turned. The laughter quieted. Words shifted into whispers—fluid, melodic, and foreign. The Fae tongue.

She understood a few words—at least, she thought she did. Or perhaps it was just the weight of their attention pressing down on her skin.

Her mouth was dry. Her instincts screamed to run. But her power was dormant, and her wolf… still bristling beneath her skin. At least, she didn’t feel alone.

Then the warriors halted.

Ahead, a crowd had gathered—cheering, watching someone at the center. The mood was electric. Whoever it was held their complete attention.

One of the guards stepped forward, voice deep and formal.

“My Lord Draevyn.”

The crowd fell instantly silent.

A beat of stillness—then the warriors bowed, their weapons lowered in respect. Kaelani stood frozen.

Until a rough hand pressed down on the back of her neck.

She gritted her teeth, resisting.

The pressure increased.

Her knees didn’t hit the ground, but her head was forced low enough to make her feel every inch of submission. The fury that burned in her blood was silent—but present. Her breath shook, her fists clenched at her sides. Her wolf snarled—pacing, teeth bared—not in fear, but in protest.

Kaelani’s gaze lifted, peering through strands of her hair.

“And what do we have here?”

The voice was velvet and smoke—curious, cool, edged with something that made Kaelani’s spine tighten. It wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be.

The guards immediately straightened.

The hand pressing down on the back of her neck vanished.

Kaelani rose just as quickly, her chin lifting in defiance as she turned to glare at the warrior who had dared to touch her. Her eyes, a stormy silver, locked on him with quiet fury.

Another guard stepped forward, eyes low, posture rigid.

“We found this trespasser outside the border—just past the edge of the dark forest. She breached our realm, my lord.”

The guard cast a quick glance toward Kaelani, his gaze dragging pointedly over her gray jumpsuit, the unmistakable mortal fabric clinging to her curves. His expression shifted—subtle, but not subtle enough to escape her.

“Clearly not from here.” He added.

Draevyn didn’t react.

He hadn’t taken his eyes off her since she stood before him.