Bailey was distracted by her thoughts, so the final hour trudging through the forest seemed to pass by quickly. All she could really think about was Tobin and the two fantastic kisses.She lifted her fingers to her shoulder, the ache almost completely gone. Just his kiss was enough to fill her personal Magick to the brim, and the wound on her shoulder was closed over, beginning to heal."Pay attention, little Halfling, you're entering my Court and we all have roles to play." Bailey jerked at Jayce's voice in her ear. He leaned in to her, but still maintained a distance that made her wish he were closer."I've noticed you aren't as tactile as most of the fae I've met. Is there a reason?" She looked up at him curiously."It isn't the most important detail, not when you've a murderer to catch." He replied, face going stony."I suppose." She tilted her head at him, "But what's the harm, when I'm apparently a supposed Spark?"His sharp intake of breath made her smile. And then the guilt cra
Jayce felt his body go rigid as his Court persona slipped over him like a glove. There would be no time to relax, not as long as he was here, the face of his Court. Especially with two Halflings in tow, one of which was his Spark.He longed to be at the sithen already, so he could consult his father. Sparking with a Halfling was nearly as bad as sparking with a lower fae. He wasn't sure what his father would make of that or their name binding. Danu gifted or not, his father might smite her out of sheer audacity.He nodded at the crowd imperiously, ambling through the outlying villages to the local stables. It would be faster to travel by carriage to the sithen. Getting the Halflings out of the public eye would be for the best, because fae were curious and mischievous by nature. There were too many variables to account for if he didn't get them to the sithen as quickly as possible.The stable master was a dark skinned wood elf with a shock of bright green hair. She smiled salaciously at
Bailey settled herself on the rich upholstery of the carriage seat. It was larger on the inside than she expected. Magick. Of course.She leaned her head back against the cushion, sighing. Her body ached, her skin itched from the dry blood covering her. But her insides buzzed, full from the kisses she had gotten over the past few hours.She was confused by this aching need for both Jayce and Tobin. She was no stranger to feeling drawn to multiple men, but that was human men. They could never satisfy her hunger fully, so that had made sense to her. She was flirting with danger, but she couldn't stop herself, not where these Princes were concerned.Silas followed her, draping himself across the seat opposite. He groaned, scrubbing his face with a hand. "Only you can go from being attacked to ravaged in the span of less than a day. I'm almost afraid to leave you to your own devices with these Princes."Gemma snorted as she joined Silas. "You're here for a purpose, B. You can't keep dallyi
Covered in dried blood, blanketed in rose petals, wild and wide-eyed, Bailey was the most beautiful woman Beckett had ever laid eyes on. His knee hit the flagstones, her hand in his warm and soft. "Long live the Queen." His soft murmur was underscored by the whisper of the petals raining around them.It was almost painful, his longing for this Halfling. He had tried so hard to bury it over the last day and a half. Jayce hadn't been the only one to spark for her. If Beckett was correct, then all three Princes had sparked, but Jayce was the only one that had acknowledged the situation. The use of the name-binding had further cemented their connection. Beckett felt the desolation wash over him in waves, the past repeating itself.Beckett had barely hit adulthood the first time he had sparked for another. She had been perfect for him in every way. A beautiful water sprite, as steady as the tide and as wild as a stormy sea. He was smitten from the first meeting, his spark helping him forge
Tobin made his way to Bailey, hauling her to her feet. Her face was full of wonder, and he had to bite down on the burn of jealousy. He twined his fingers through hers, reassuring himself she was fine, and let out a sigh of relief.When Beckett's Magick had exploded out of him, she had thrown herself right into the corona. He had been yelling at her over Beckett's screams, but she had ignored him. She wrapped herself resolutely around the Summer Prince and held him during the transformation. Beckett's Magick had flared hotter than the sun and Tobin had feared that she would be consumed by it. But here she was, unscathed.He was confused. The raining petals on Bailey, the sudden transformation of Beckett from Summer Prince to Horned God. It felt like there was more at work in Faerie than just a plot against the Halflings. Faerie was rearranging itself, shaking up the complacent fae and it unnerved him.Maybe Danu would have answers. The Mother was notoriously fickle, and prone to freque
Bailey was hauled through the courtyard gates into the sithen proper, Eostre dragging her by her elbow. The hall that she entered was large, flagstones underfoot making up the floor. There were murals lining the walls, brightly colored and alien."Jayce gave us a quick rundown of the last day or so. How are you holding up child?" Eostre's voice was soft, concerned.Bailey took a moment to consider. "I'm not entirely sure how to answer that. I'm exhausted already, and we've barely begun. So many things are happening at once, my grandfather's murder, my attack in the forest, the sithen acting odd when I entered. It's overwhelming."Eostre nodded at her side, "The sithen hasn't recognized a rising royal in a long time. It certainly has taken a shine to you, the bells tolling your arrival were loud enough to be heard throughout the whole sithen. All of the Court would know that Jayce's Queen has been found."They stopped at an ornate wooden door, runes carved deep into the wood, scroll wor
Jayce gave an answering chuckle, sliding into the water. Her eyes found his, and darted over to his crumpled breeches resting on the lip of the pool. Her eyes widened as she realized she was very naked, he was obviously very naked, and both Tobin and Beckett were only half-dressed. She would have the grace to be embarrassed if Tobin's fingers weren't massaging soap into her hair, his fingers scraping and tugging at her scalp.Jayce gripped the cloth she had flung at him in his hand, knuckles white. "You need a good scrub, Halfling." He took his time, testing the small bottles of oils and soaps, selecting the ripe strawberry one she had discarded in her haste to cover her body. He made his way toward her, achingly slow. Beckett merely watched them with half-hooded eyes, and she felt exposed under his gaze.Jayce dipped the cloth into the water, dumping the soap onto it and working it into a lather. Tobin's lips attached to the side of her throat and she groaned. Jayce pressed into her f
Bailey felt her heart rate kick up, meeting Beckett's gaze in the mirror. She knew she should be satisfied. She knew she shouldn't feel the clench of need low in her belly. She knew.But her traitorous body leaned into his touch, seeking just the right amount of pressure. She rolled her hips forward against his hand, groaning as his fingers curled into her. She lifted her hand, pressing into his and grinding. She watched his eyes darken in the mirror."Are you sure you want this right now, little Halfling?" She had never been more sure of anything in her life, as her lower body flooded with molten heat. She nodded, not trusting her voice. He shook his head, "I need to hear you say it.""I want this." She whispered back softly. His fingers spread her open, teasing against her flesh. She gasped, her head dropping back against his chest.He smirked at her in the mirror, before wrapping his other arm around her waist and lifting her. He turned them both, tossing her onto the bed as if she