Chapter Two

Jayce stared at the expanse of forest in front of him. Without the columns marking the area, one would never know there was a portal to a whole other dimension. Nearly invisible to the naked eye, the portals had to be marked accordingly. The only tell-tale sign was a slight waver to the air, like the sun baking off the hot sands in the Summer Court.

A faint shimmer here in the verdant forest, the barest reflection and refraction of light. More than one unsuspecting Fae had stumbled through the portal before some unnamed Sidhe had suggested marking the areas.

Now, one required a permit to move freely through these portals. Jayce had never understood the draw to Earth. But his father had made a very long and complicated contract with the governments of the world on the other side of this portal.

By nature, Fae were a curious people. Long lives and even longer memories settled a sense of ennui into the people as a whole, and humanity brought some pleasant reprieve for the most bored among them.

Which had led to the wars. Humans had a tendency to not appreciate some of the more unsavory characteristics among the Unseelie.

Goblins, incubi, and redcaps being among the worst of the ones that crossed the barrier. Iron weapons had all but sealed the Fae back in their realm, until the birthing of the Inherents.

Halflings that were both human and Fae, able to wield the most ancient of magick, but were ostracized from their own society as…how did the humans term it? Other.

Neither fully human or fully Fae, these people had sought others of their own kind. And has humans were wont to do, happened to reproduce at an alarming rate, forming clans that offered their services as protectors. This brokered a peace that allowed the Fae to freely visit the human realm, with a price.

Any untoward actions on humanity was quickly and succinctly dealt with by these protectors. Inherents were judge, jury, and executioner on any visiting Fae. Jayce had always felt this afforded the Halflings too much autonomy, but it was his father’s legacy so who was he to complain?

“Goddess take it!” The muttered curse brought Jayce back to himself and he half-turned to the voice. “Are we not all present and accounted for? Can we not just proceed and get this mess over with?” Beckett leaned against the tree behind Jayce, the exasperation in his voice fully at odds with the perfectly practiced appearance of unaffected boredom in his bearing. The Prince of the Summer Court had never been the most patient of individuals.

“We’re still waiting on her Ladyship to grace us with her presence.” A lilting voice to Jayce’s left answered. Tobin, the musically gifted Prince of Autumn, had always loved to hear his own voice. Jayce rolled his eyes.

“Ah, it fully slipped my mind that we would be escorting the child as well.” Beckett gestured toward the portal. “I’m ready to return to my Court. There are preparations for the Solstice celebration.”

“It’s barely mid-winter!” Jayce protested. “There’s still the equinox coming in a few month’s time. Why would you need so much time to prepare for your paltry celebration?!”

“Paltry?” Beckett scoffed. “It’s only the year’s largest celebration.” He tipped his head in Jayce’s direction. “And we’re planning a wild hunt to end the event. Hoping to score a Spark for our ever lonely Prince of the Spring Court.” He curled his lip, distaste breaking through his boredom. “It wouldn’t do for a Prince to Spark with some Unseelie. Could you imagine the gossip?!” He shuddered for effect.

“I don’t need a Hunt, Beckett. And I certainly won’t be Sparking with any brownies or winged creatures either. It’ll happen when the Goddess wills it.”

“Maybe, but if you don’t plant your seed in some fertile belly soon, Spring will start to wither. Wouldn’t want to be responsible for the annihilation of your entire Kingdom, would you Jayce?” Beckett hissed back. He threw his head back in mocking laughter, shaking out his golden hair.

“Boys, how about we have a bit of decorum about us.” A voice breezily chirped from just beyond the clearing before the small, pixie-ish Princess of Winter glided into view. All three princes straightened themselves from their slouched positions.

Gemma had that effect on everyone. Infectious laughter and a general good nature had nearly every Fae around her trying to be just a little better.

Jayce had been utterly disappointed when Gemma had ascended and there was no immediate Spark. It would’ve been so neatly packaged, to unite the Spring and Winter court with a marriage.

Gemma was the first female Sidhe to ascend a throne in three generations, and all three princes had been sorely disillusioned by the fact that none of them had Sparked for her.

“Ever fashionably late, my Lady.” Tobin held his arms out, beckoning her closer.

Jayce shuddered. He was not fond of overtly physical contact, his own brand of magick allowing him too much insight into an individual’s essence to ever make it comfortable. Gemma stepped into Tobin, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him to her.

“It’s been too long!” Gemma exclaimed, the ever present laughter bubbling from her lips.

“It’s only been a few months.” Beckett rolled his eyes, even as he lined up to greet Gemma.

Once she released Tobin, Beckett grabbed her hand and pressed a chaste kiss to it. “But it has seemed forever.” He murmured against her skin.

Gemma turned to Jayce, and grinned up at him. “I’m going to hug you.” It was the only warning he received before she physically launched herself at him. She grasped him and pressed herself to him for the barest hint of a heartbeat before releasing him. “Not too overwhelming, I hope.” She grinned up at him unrepentantly.

The Fae tended to be a tactile people. Those whose magick would allow it, anyway. No sense of personal space or privacy.

“It was quite acceptable, as far as physical contact goes.” Jayce nodded to the portal. “Let’s do our duty as representatives of our People, witness this transition, and then get back here. Beckett has his precious party preparations to think of, after all.”

Gemma tried to hide her wide grin behind her hand, before turning her sparkling eyes to the columns marking the portal. “The Summer Solstice is the soiree of the entire year, after all Jayce.” She admonished over her shoulder and she bound up the steps to the portal.

Jayce just realized that she was dressed oddly as a representative of her court. Some sort of thick dark trouser and an entirely immodestly cut top that was both too low on top and too high on bottom. It barely covered her breasts, and left her stomach bare to the eyes of everyone. She stopped right in front of the portal and gathered her raven hair into a thick tail at the back of her head, twisting it into a knot and using some form of band to secure it.

“Whatever are you wearing, Gemma?!” Apparently Jayce wasn’t the only one to finally register her appearance. “It’s not appropriate!”

“One, Beckett, to be the Prince of the Summer Court, you can hardly tell me my outfit is not appropriate. Clothing has always been very much optional in every corner of your kingdom. Two, these are clothes that B and I picked out together when I stayed with the Fees. Three, they’re certainly more comfortable that any corseted official dress that I would have invariably been forced into by current ’fashionable’ convention. And, finally, four…what I may or may not wear is none of your concern. I might have to witness in an official capacity, but these Halflings are just as much my family as my Uncle was. I would suggest that you all be on your best behavior here. I will not tolerate any form of misconduct.” She cocked her head, hand on her hip as she stared expectantly at the three princes. “To be anything less than the polite and well-bred individuals I know you to be would be flirting with war. Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal.” Beckett murmured. Jayce nodded once, irritated with the spritely girl. She hardly needed to lecture three full grown Fae Lords on propriety when dealing with humans. They had been alive much longer than she had ever been a blip on the map of creation.

“Shall we?” Tobin gestured toward the portal.

“I suppose we shall.“ Gemma gave them all a wicked smile before stepping backward through the portal.