Phantom Fae Read Online Free Page B

for mentioning Brett's situation, but he didn't. She'd heard the hushed conversations between members of her staff—how much they wanted to sneak off and rescue him from the phantom fae. If the travel hadn't been so dangerous through No Man's Land, they might have done it. Although, they would never have managed to sneak him out either, she didn't believe. The phantom fae could be dangerous and she and her people had enough fighting just to make it safely here. Her staff, who were not trained warriors, could not manage against a hoard of phantom fae also.
    "I just believe he should be with you," Ryker said.
    "He is…is with the phantom fae. Which means he very well may fight on their side, if they take him along with them."
    Ryker's countenance brightened. "Then you can rescue him."
    Ena shook her head. "He may be one of them. What if I had to fight him?"
    The women on her staff all gasped. Addie and Kerry were her cleaning maids, and while Brett had been gone, they had kept a chamber cleaned and ready for him just in case they rescued him and brought him home. Ena had never seen them clean so much in her life. At least, in Brett's chamber. If she gave the rest of the keep a white-glove treatment, she was certain she would find a ton of dust. Not that keeping a castle clean was easy, especially for as small as her staff was.
    "It's possible. We don't know where his loyalties will lie," Ena said.
    "He wouldn't take up arms against you," Lila, the cook said. Middle-aged, she acted as though she were Brett's mother. She didn't dare act like she was Ena's. "Not when you spared his life. He's loyal to you."
    "If he's one of the phantom fae, that can change things in a heartbeat. He'll learn their ways and…well, we can't rely on the notion that he will be on our side."
    "I can't believe that none of the dragon shifters would go with you," Jacob, the wheelsmith said, though he had joined her staff to help her move to the hawk fae lands so that he could earn enough money to set aside and start a family. But he hadn't seemed to want to leave anytime soon. "I would go with you, if you would allow me."
    She shook her head. "You've been a great help to us. I'd be happy to keep you on my staff for as long as you wish, but like the others, your avocation isn't fighting. And I don't want to see you get yourself killed over this."
    "Do you think the other shifters will change their mind about going when they see you leave?" Muriel, her lady's maid, asked, looking worried. Muriel was just as much a misfit as her housekeepers who had been fired as gardeners at their last place of employment. Muriel would say just what was on her mind with her employer—and that got her into major trouble and out of a job. Cook loved to try out new things in the kitchen. Some were a total disaster, and frugal employers didn't want to spend that much money on food that she could ruin on the chance that something might turn out.
    Ena didn't care. She had enough money to allow Lila to experiment and sometimes the "new" dishes were extraordinary.
    "It doesn't matter." Ena' own mind was made up. She didn't care if no one else would back her in this. "I must pack." She didn't think her staff would be foolish enough to follow her. But she gave them one last look to emphasize they'd better mind her. "If any of you follow me to the dragon fae kingdom to fight this war, I'll release you from my employ. So don't try me on this."
    They all looked grim-faced, like they wanted to object, but didn't dare.
    Good. She was a fierce dragon shifter after all, and she expected them to obey her and not question her authority in any matter. Just the way it should be.
    ***
    The next morning, Ena's staff hurried to give her breakfast and pack her bags. Cook even prepared sweet treats for Ena for her flight. They looked just as grim-faced today.
    "I have spoken with Queen Ritasia. She has assured me that you will be kept on at the castle here no matter what happens to me," Ena said,