All Tobin could think about was the kiss as they filed toward the portal. Jayce still had him by the back of his tunic, grumbling low to himself. But that kiss. Her lips had been so soft, and her body had molded to his in a way that made him yearn for her soft curves."Get yourself together, Autumn, or I'll make sure you don't go near her again." Jayce growled in his ear.Tobin halted, turning to face the Spring prince. "What is your issue? You can't seriously be jealous over a half Spark!""Spark?" Bailey hesitated on the steps to the dais where the portal sat. "Who's a Spark.""You, Halfling." Beckett grinned salaciously. "You're Spring's Magick ordained other half. His Spark, twin flame, soulmate." He sniggered unkindly. "Imagine the horror, being fated to a Halfling! His kingdom will have an uprising if he brings you back as Queen.""So will yours." Gemma cut in, leveling him with a glare. "Don't forget you are name-bound. As good as married in the eyes of your court."Bailey paled

Tobin felt the anger in the pit of his stomach. He bristled, vibrating with the horror of having someone under his protection attacked so boldly. That a kobold, of all creatures, was able to spring past the four fae guarding the Halflings spoke to some magickal assistance that was not inherent in the creature itself.He could feel his fists clenching as he took in Bailey's disheveled appearance. She held her arm close to her body, standing there between the other Fae Princes covered in blood that was both hers and the kobold's."We need to move, now." Jayce's voice was venomous. He looked as shook and angry as Tobin felt, his body rigid. Beckett was his usual easygoing self, thought there were deep lines of anger etched around his mouth that belied his relaxed posture."I agree." Silas pulled Bailey into his side, heedless of the gore covering her. "It isn't safe to just stand here. In my experience, where there is one low fae, there are more waiting on the sidelines."The party restar

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

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

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