Falling For Fire

By Talia Jager

The fae had an old law—Love is forbidden between faeries of different Seasons. After a chance encounter at a secret party, the Winter princess, Aurora, and the Summer prince, Sorin, soon find their love will not be denied.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Talia Jager
• Release date: Nov 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781944389000

Talia Jager

Creator of worlds and characters.

Book preview

Chapter One

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Sorin

From my chambers high in the castle tower, I had a spectacular view of all of the Summer Court. I leaned out the window just enough to feel the sun on my face as it rose over the horizon. Dawn was my favorite time of day. It meant a brand new day had just begun, a day to fill with adventure and memories. A blank slate to write on.

After a few minutes of enjoying the sun, I crossed the room to the wardrobe and pulled out a pair of long, tan shorts and an orange shirt.

My stomach grumbled, telling me it was time for our morning ritual. We weren’t allowed to eat until we got through that. I walked up to my dresser, picked up the silver crown, and put it on my head. Looking in the mirror, I made sure it was straight, then noticed a piece of grass hanging off one of my wings. I reached up and gently pulled it off, then dropped it on the floor.

Making sure my parents weren’t around, I slid down the banister, jumped off, and waited in the foyer for them. I was hungry and ready to greet our kingdom so I could eat.

Thankfully, my parents and siblings showed up shortly after I did, and we fell in line by rank.

Horns interrupted the peaceful music that filled the air, and a loud voice announced, Good morning, Summer Fae! I present to you, the royal family!

The castle doors swung open, and my father and mother walked outside followed by me and then my brother and sister. The five of us made up the Summer Fae royal family. Two years older than my brother and ten years older than my sister, I was heir to the throne. Someday I’d be king. Therefore, I stood next to my father with my eyes forward and showed no emotion. My parents sat, the crowd cheered, and then some of them approached with gifts.

The sun was higher now and pouring its light onto our land. Morning glories were blooming, and the land came alive with the sounds of animals, birds, and insects.

A girl about my age set down two baskets: one at my parents’ feet and the second one at my feet. I could feel her admiration and nervousness as my mother lifted the colorful scarf from her basket and smiled at the girl. Mine contained a wooden plague carved with an intricate design. I nodded a thank you. She bowed and hurried away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my mother whisper to my father. Probably some comment on whether or not she approved of the girl. Didn’t matter, that girl wasn’t my type.

Afterward we ate breakfast, which consisted of delicious fruits and breads. My parents talked about the upcoming day as the rest of us ate silently. When we were finished, my father took my brother, Dune, and me to the training fields. The land was full of all types of creatures busying themselves with everyday life. A playful piskie zoomed by my head, tousling a tuft of my hair in the process. Two fauns bowed their heads as they walked by.

My father turned to us when we reached our destination. Looking over the fields, he said, Sorin, Dune, teach them well today. You never know when a battle is brewing.

We always do, Father, I responded.

As soon as my father left to check on the rest of the kingdom, my brother challenged me to a sword fight. This was a constant thing he did, to prove he could beat me, but he always lost. Today was no different. I beat him in less than ten minutes. Feeling his sense of hopelessness and humiliation made me feel like anything but a winner. Sometimes I wished I could turn off the ability to feel what others felt, but I couldn’t. It was something all faeries could do. We could block some feelings, but we could never completely turn it off.

Again. Dune blocked me from leaving.

I sighed. You don’t want to embarrass yourself.

His fist clenched by his side. I know I can beat you.

I’m sure someday you will, but that day is not here yet. Keep practicing. I tried to be encouraging. He wasn’t a bad swordsman; he just wasn’t the best.

His bright red and orange wings flapped twice and then he stepped back. Tomorrow.

I pointed to the army of faeries waiting for us to teach them. Let’s focus on bringing them to the next level.

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We spent the next several hours training kids to be warriors. After sword fighting, I taught a group of younger fae how to shoot a bow and arrow.

When the training was over, we joined in a game of hurling, my favorite sport, and played until the shadows were low, telling us it was time to go. I walked over to my canteen and gulped down some water.

You were brutal out there. Don’t take this the wrong way… I think you need to loosen up. My best friend, Keir, elbowed me. Come with me tonight.

I glanced over at him. His bright red hair was matted down with sweat, and his eyes burned with excitement.

Where?

Just a group of us getting together.

I opened my mouth to decline but felt the tenseness in my body. He was right. I needed to relax. A night out sounded like the answer. Fine.

Good. He slapped my back between my wings. Two hours after sundown. Meet me near the fallen tree.

Why there? It seemed like an odd place to meet.

Just be there.

Okay.

Keir left, and I headed up the walk into the gray stone castle. The door closed with a bang, and I crossed the foyer and reached the kitchen in no time. After checking to make sure I was alone, I grabbed a piece of bread and shoved it in my mouth.

I saw that, Sorin! a lady’s voice rang out.

I spun around and found a faerie near the back door with a bushel of fruits freshly picked from the gardens. Her bright green hair hung down in two long ponytails, and she wore a yellow dress that brought the yellow out in her wings. Marin was our cook and had been with us as long as I could remember. Snacking will ruin your supper, she scolded with a gleam of humor in her eyes.

I’m a growing boy, I said and sent her my best puppy dog look.

She pursed her lips. Fine. You can have one piece of fruit to go with the bread. She tossed me an apple. Now go, before your parents have my head.

I blew her a kiss and ran up the backstairs and headed to my chambers.

Sorin! a tiny voice yelled.

I turned to find my little sister running down the hallway toward me. I caught her and spun her around in the air. Good evening, Princess.

Do you like my dress? she asked.

Oh, Skye, you are the most beautiful princess in all the land.

She beamed, then wiggled out of my arms and continued down the hall, her tiny magenta wings fluttering after her.

I continued on down the long hallway. My mother stuck her head out of her chambers. Sorin. Please do come here.

I entered her room. She stood in front of the mirror dressed in a long flowy orange dress. Yes, Mother?

She motioned for me to help her with a necklace and held up her golden hair. How was your day?

I clasped the necklace around her neck. Fine. I taught a bow and arrow class.

She reached up to fix my hair and then rested her hands on my shoulders. You should always be presentable. The kingdom looks up to you.

Yes, Mother.

Any girls catch your eye yet?

No. I still have over a year to find a bride.

What about the one who left you a gift this morning?

I shrugged. She’s okay.

There must be one girl out there you like?

I haven’t found her yet.

She smirked and by the look in her eye, I wondered if she didn’t already have my marriage all planned out. If it were up to her, it would already have been announced. Promises were made any time after the age of sixteen but had to be done by eighteen, with the wedding to come as soon as both turned eighteen. My seventeenth birthday was only a couple of months away, and Mother was getting restless.

I, however, wanted to take my time. Picking the one who would stay by my side for the rest of my life was not easy. Especially because faeries had a long life expectancy. I wanted someone with personality, unlike my mother, who was very callous for a Summer faerie.

You won’t force me to choose, right? I asked, thinking my mother was more evolved than that.

Of course not. I’ll choose for you. She spoke in a tone that assumed no possibility of disagreement.

I tried not to let her words change how I was feeling, but she felt the change in my emotions anyway. Who you marry is important, Sorin. You must think of your children.

I’m sixteen, Mother. I have plenty of time. You didn’t have me until you were a hundred.

Being the eldest child comes with great responsibility.

I didn’t ask for it.

She sighed. As you know, I was the eldest child, and when my parents died, the Summer Kingdom became mine. If I hadn’t chosen such a good man to be my husband, you children wouldn’t have turned out so fine. So you must pick someone who is strong and who will be a good mother but will stand by your side and support your decisions.

There were a few other qualities I was looking for in a bride, but I kept my mouth shut and let my mother talk for another few minutes before the dinner bell rang. I excused myself and slipped away to get ready.

Dinner was always held in the great hall, a room twice as long as it was wide, with a lot of high bay windows and a tall ceiling. We weren’t required to wear formal attire unless we had guests. Tonight it was just the family, so we were still in T-shirts and shorts. My mother was strict but not overly formal. We were to be presentable but didn’t need to be in tuxedos. We could wear shorts and tank tops, but they couldn’t be stained or wrinkled.

The table was full of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and breads. Skye chatted about her day with the teacher and playtime with a friend. Dune talked about training.

What about you, Sorin? Father asked.

Just an average day.

You should make it an extra…ordinary day, Skye said.

I laughed. Extraordinary.

Yeah, that.

The day’s not over yet. Maybe it will be.

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After the sun went down, I read a book to Skye and kissed her goodnight.

Sorin?

Yes?

You’re the best big brother ever.

I laughed and whispered, Don’t tell Dune that.

He’s fun, but you always make me feel special.

You are special. Now get some sleep. Once I had closed her door, I thought about what she said and decided to check on my brother. I found him polishing some old coins. He looked as if he was concentrating, so I left him alone.

I made sure to be at the fallen tree on time. Keir was already waiting with two winged horses. Is it so far we need to fly?

It is.

You’re anxious, I commented.

Hanging out with them takes all the pressure off, but sneaking off is always unnerving, and I want you to like my friends.

I rolled my eyes. What pressure? You’re not the eldest prince in the court.

I still have pressure! My father is the High Knight, he argued with a smile. Maybe not quite as much as you do, but it’s there.

He led me down the path, and then we mounted the horses and took off. It was too dark to see much of the beautiful land, but the stars were out, and they always amazed me.

We followed the river to a waterfall, and then suddenly my horse dashed downward. I held on and thought about squeezing my eyes shut, but we landed behind the falls before I could.

Are we at Four Corners Falls? I asked, perplexed.

Yes. The falls are relaxing, and it’s a nice space to chill out. He was already off his horse and walking away. I want you to meet my friend Rory.

Catching up to him, I said, All right.

We emerged into a clearing where four different waterfalls dropped into one pool of water. It was quite the sight to see. Faerhaven was divided into four courts, or Seasons as some like to say—Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring. Four Corners Falls was a neutral area where all four Seasons met. Leading away from the lake were four rivers that separated our Seasons and carried the water back to our lands.

Directly across from us was Winter Land, covered in snow with a waterfall that was half frozen. Someone had built a family of snowmen and a few snow forts.

To the right was Spring Land, where flowers were sprinkled all over the ground. The trees and plants were all swaying as if a gentle spring breeze was blowing.

Autumn Land, to the left, was full of bright-colored trees. The ground was mostly dirt and rocks.

We were standing in Summer Land, where the grass was bright green and a fire burned in the rock fire pit.

Do you remember learning about this place? Keir asked.

Yes. Each land is blessed with its own magick. The snow won’t melt even though it’s warm here, the fire won’t go out, and the breeze always blows. I glanced at the large pool of water. Some faeries say the water here is magical. I followed the river with my eyes as it wove between the Winter and Spring Lands.

I scanned the area for Keir’s friend. A few girls were talking under a tree. So where is he?

Who?

Your friend Rory.

Keir laughed. No! Rory isn’t a he. Rory is a she. He pointed to the most beautiful girl there.

Bro, I said, punching his arm.

What was that for?

"You could have warned me your friend Rory was a girl."

He laughed. I’m sorry. I didn’t think it was important to mention whether or not my friend was male or female.

When they’re that pretty, it is.

My heart did a flip-flop, and I took a step toward her and then paused. My brain caught up as to why I was hesitating, and my heart sank in my chest. My mind connected the dots—her hair, eyes, wings—she wasn’t one of us. She was a Winter Fae.

What the hell, Keir?

What?

You’re hanging out with Winter Fae?

Why not? We’re just having fun, letting go. Stop being so uptight and join us.

She looked up then and caught me watching her. Her pale face turned an adorable shade of light pink. Then her eyes rested on my wings, her smile faded, and she glanced away.

Come on. I’ll introduce you.

I don’t know…

Sorin, she’s fun to hang out with. What do you have to lose?

Nothing, I suppose. I followed him over to where she stood with a friend of her kind and two Autumn Fae.

Rory. Keir opened his arms, and she hugged him. Do the thing, he said, taking a step back.

Rory held her hands out, cupping them side by side. Snow flew into her hands creating a ball the size of a basketball. She placed her hands on each side of the oversized snowball and then pulled her hands away quick like she was going to make it expand, but instead it created snowflakes of all different shapes and sizes all around the clearing.

She smiled as her hands dropped to her waist. Wiggling her fingers, she made the snowflakes twist and turn all around us. Then she cupped her hands back together, and all of the snowflakes went back to being one giant snowball.

Looking at me, she closed the space between us and said, Hold out your hand. Her voice was like that of an angel.

My arm obeyed before I could stop it. She placed the snowball in my hand and put one of her hands on top of it. Then she pushed down once hard. The snowball disappeared, and her hand was clasping mine. My heart beat furiously.

I shifted my gaze from my hand to her face. She was staring at our hands as if she were concentrating. When she pulled her hand from mine, there sat a beautiful snowflake made of ice about six inches around.

Rory looked at me. For you. Then she lightly blew on the ice snowflake, making it shimmer for a moment. Now it won’t melt. I’ve graced it with winter magick. She smiled, turned, and walked back to her friend.

Keir laughed and then said, Rory, this is my best friend, Sorin.

Her eyes met mine again, and she smiled. Nice to meet you, Sorin. She didn’t offer me her hand again or reach out to hug me. She just nodded, which was the acceptable greeting from opposite fae.

You too. I nodded back. She was exquisite up close. Her hair was a mix of blue and white-blonde, her eyes an icy blue, and her skin pale. She had sparkles brushed all over her eyes and hair. The sleeveless light blue dress brought out the blue in her lips. On her shoulders were the markings of a Winter faerie—snowflakes.

Her friend whispered something into her ear, and she looked from me to her and nodded. Together they went off to the other side of the clearing. I turned and watched her.

Keir stood next to me. She’s captivating, isn’t she? He started walking toward them.

I matched his steps to keep up with him. How long have you two been friends? I’ve known you my whole life, and you never once mentioned hanging out with the other courts.

A couple years. He shrugged like it was no big deal. He seemed to fit right in here.

Looking around, I examined the Summer Fae and two Autumn faeries. Faeries looked like the Season they belonged to. Being a Summer faerie, my skin was tan, my wings a combination of bright colors. Other Summer Fae had bright hair and wings as well. The Autumn Fae had hair and wings the colors of leaves when they changed colors. The Winter Fae had hair and wings the colors of white and blue, sometimes a light purple. And the Spring Fae had pastel wings and hair. Unfortunately, just because we had wings didn’t mean we could fly. It seemed to be the only thing our wings were good for was showing what Season we were from.

Who are the others?

He gestured to the Winter faerie with bright blue and purple hair. Raina is Rory’s best friend. Sometimes another Winter Fae comes, Ivy. You know the Summer Fae. The two Autumn Fae are Cedar and Jora. Linden comes occasionally. The Spring Fae, Navin and Iris, are usually late, but they’ll be here for the Merry Berry.

Merry Berry? You have that here?

Keir raised his eyebrows. Of course. We’re all here to let loose. Live a little. Don’t be a straight arrow. He whacked my back and closed the space between him and the girls.

I walked over to the Summer Fae. Sorin, they acknowledged.

Hey. Since I’ve never heard of you guys meeting up before, am I right in assuming that nobody will mention that I was here?

Everything that is seen or said here, stays here, Blaise confirmed.

Good. I don’t think my parents would approve.

Coral laughed. Your mother certainly wouldn’t.

I grinned. I’d probably be punished. Observing the area again, I asked, You guys never have any problems here?

Nope. Many of us actually think the courts should interact more, but that probably won’t ever happen. Coral played with her pink hair.

Why? I mean, why should we interact more?

Lots of reasons, the biggest one being safety. Did you know Iron Fae were seen in the Autumn Court a few weeks ago?

No.

Cedar just told us that. They were able to run them off, but nobody relays information. And even if you were to go home and tell your father that, he’d want to know how you know, and you can’t tell him without outing all of us.

He had a point. Iron Fae were our enemies. They were a group of faeries banished long ago, but they’d been attacking for generations. They wanted revenge. They wanted the land back. They were one of the reasons we trained for hours every day…just in case they ever attacked.

My eyes swept the area until they found Rory again. She popped a few deep purple berries in her mouth and passed the bowl to her friend, who did the same. The berries were known for making you feel good. Often used in food to make others happy, when eaten straight they caused more of a high.

Three Spring Fae emerged from the right. The boys had pastel yellow hair and wings, and the girl had light pink hair and wings and wore floral arm cuffs and had vines running up her legs as well. They took the bowl from Keir and each had a few berries.

When they noticed me, they nodded and then moved on to talk to the others.

Merry Berry works quickly, and within minutes, Rory and her friend were dancing in the moonlight with big grins on their faces. Keir joined them and danced between the girls. He’d twirl one and then the other, and they’d giggle. I leaned against a tree and watched as members of all four courts forgot who they were and had fun together. Everyone was comfortable with each other, which seemed awkward to me, but I found myself feeling a little jealous.

Rory and Raina waved their hands at the sky and light snow started to fall. The snowflakes that reached their hair stayed perfectly shaped. I held out my hand, but when the snowflake landed, it immediately melted on my warm skin.

Rory twirled over to where I was and held out a hand full of Merry Berries. Want one? Or two?

Not breaking her gaze, I reached out and took one from her. I tossed it in my mouth, and the juice exploded from it as I bit into it. It was sweet and warm as it ran down my throat.

She traipsed away, making sure everyone got enough before returning to Raina.

Within a few minutes, I felt my shoulders slump and my muscles relax. The warm tingly feeling spread from the inside of my body to the tips of my fingers. For once I stopped thinking about being the eldest son of the Summer king and queen. The pressure of being perfect faded away. I was just here in the now and it felt good.

Sorin. Keir strolled up next to me. Feeling better? You look better.

I laughed. Bro, yeah. Much better.

Then mingle.

All right. All right. I followed him around as he introduced me to everyone else. I chatted with Cedar and Navin, but found myself looking at Rory again.

Talk to her, Keir encouraged.

I shuffled my feet over to where she was talking with Raina. The corners of her mouth quirked up. Hey again.

Hey.

Raina said, I’m going to grab another berry. She wandered away, leaving us alone.

I haven’t seen you here before, Rory said.

Keir decided I was too tense.

You don’t look it anymore.

I’m doing okay now. I glanced around. How often do you all do this?

Once a month. It lets us all relax a little, leave our troubles behind, all that. Sometimes more show up, sometimes just a few of us. Depends on what’s going on.

What about you? Are you always here?

Her cheeks deepened in color again. I’ve only ever missed one.

Everyone gets along? I asked, still not believing it. I had never heard of the courts getting along. Tolerating each other, sure. But not hanging out like this. Occasionally we had reason to associate, but it was always for business. We had traders whose job it was to trade with the other Seasons or to relay messages if the High Knight needed to talk with someone, but dancing, eating together, was unheard of.

Sure. What’s there to fight about?

We’re complete opposites. I can’t fathom that there’s no animosity between anybody.

Maybe we’re here because we’re sick of treating each other horribly. Or maybe we just understand each other. Or maybe we’re escaping the problems we have at home. It really doesn’t matter. There’s no reason for any of us to fight over the nonsense the old royals wrote. The fact is we will go back to our Seasons and carry on with our families and obey the laws. But once every month we come together and forget. I could hear the passion in Rory’s voice.

So what do you like to do? I asked.

She smiled. You could ask me anything, and that’s what you want to ask?

What should I ask instead?

You could ask if I have a beating heart. Or if I’m as cold inside as I am outside.

I snorted a little and then realized she was serious. Do you? Have a beating heart?

I do. She took my hand and placed my fingers on her neck. I felt the rhythmic beating. See?

My fingers lingered on her neck. Then I licked my lips and asked, Do others think you are heartless?

I was asked a few times when I first started coming here.

Well, now that I know you have a heart, what do you like to do?

Ice-skating.

Of course. Anything not so cold?

Dance. I like music.

All faeries do.

She pursed her lips to the side like she was deep in thought. I like to do my sisters’ hair.

You have a sister?

Two.

Not wanting to spend any more time just talking, I asked, Dance with me?

Her eyes twinkled. Okay.

I took her hand and the shock of how cold she was gave me pause, but then I twirled her around and pulled her back to me. I put one hand on her back, just below her wings, and took her other hand in mine. We danced to music that was only in our minds.

At the end of the dance, Keir whistled, but I ignored him. Snow was falling harder, but still didn’t stick to the ground.

Our eyes stayed locked. I felt as if I couldn’t look away. My heart pounded as she parted her lips a little, just enough for me to know she wanted me to kiss her. My lips grazed hers ever so softly, and a shock ran through my body. I kept the kiss tender and gentle. Her hand slipped around to the back of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine, and the kiss grew deeper and more passionate. Pulling back, she left me breathless and wanting more.

Before I could say anything, Raina called, Rory, c’mon, let’s go.

In a minute, she said, dismissing her friend with a wave.

Aurora! We’ve got to get home before the sunrise.

Her face fell, and she sighed. Fine. She stood on her tiptoes, placed a soft kiss on my lips, and then turned and rushed away.

I stood unmoving for a long moment, and then it hit me. Aurora? She’s the Winter faerie princess?

You didn’t know? Keir asked.

You called her Rory!

Everyone calls her Rory.

I can’t believe I…

Can’t believe you what? Made out with the Winter princess? Enjoy it, Sorin. Own it. You let yourself have some fun, now don’t let the lesson go to waste. Loosen up a bit.

I smiled, trying not to show that I was freaking out. I had just kissed the Winter princess!

Chapter Two

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Aurora

D id I just see you kiss the Summer faerie prince? Raina’s eyes were bright with interest.

I don’t know. Did you? I flashed her a smile.

Well?

Well what?

What did it feel like?

His lips are warm. I swooned.

Oh! You have a thing for him.

I don’t have a thing for him. I just met him.

Fine, but you think he’s cute.

"He is cute." I fiddled with the three snowflake rings on the fingers of my right hand and sighed. I wouldn’t win this with her. She could feel my emotions. I did like him, but it was just a crush. It could never be more.

As my winged horse, Mistale, took us home, I closed my eyes and thought about how his lips felt on mine. I hadn’t felt that spark with anybody else. Was it just because he was a Summer Fae? Some sort of fire and ice reaction?

The horse landed, and we quietly snuck back to the village, leaving fresh tracks in the snow. A quick wave at the sky sent snow falling. Our footprints would be covered in minutes. The white castle with blue trim and cascading towers stood before us in all its wintry glory. Ice surrounded the castle, and wide bridges arched over the ice to the doors. Fountains surrounded the castle, giving us a constant supply of running water.

I turned to Raina. You can’t ever tell about tonight.

Rory, you know me better than that. When have I ever spilled a secret?

Guilt washed over me. Raina and I had grown up together. She had been my best friend since we were babies. "I know, but I’ve never done that before."

First time for everything.

I laughed and hugged my best friend. See you in a few minutes.

Of course.

I walked away from her as the eastern sky was just starting to lighten. I had to hurry. All the royal families greeted their subjects just after sunrise, and if I wasn’t ready, there’d be hell to pay.

I slipped into my chambers and out of my clothes. Picking out a white, beaded, long-sleeved dress from the wardrobe, I quickly stepped into it. I stood in front of the mirror and brushed my hair. Then I took a snowflake clip and pulled my hair into it. My makeup needed to be reapplied, but I didn’t have time to do it all, so I put on blue eye shadow and lip gloss. Then I dipped a brush in the sparkles and swept it around my eyes. I picked up the crystal snowflake crown and put it on my head just as the morning song started playing.

I opened my door and made my way downstairs. In the hallway, one of the servants was playing the celesta, a piano-type instrument that made a beautiful twinkling sound.

Hurry up, Rory. You’re late! My youngest sister, Lumi, waved to me.

I took my spot in the line between my mother and my sister Eira. My father turned back and shot me a look. His blue wings stood tall and proud. Rory. The tone of his voice said enough.

Sorry, Father. I cast my eyes down.

Eyes up, Rory, my mother said.

Being the eldest child—the one who would inherit the kingdom—was stressful. It’s not that I didn’t want to be queen, it was the attention and responsibility that came with it. No need to stress now though. I had hundreds of years before I had to worry about that.

I took a deep breath and raised my head just as the doors opened. Winter Fae! Presenting your royal family. We walked outside onto the front steps and waved. My parents sat on their thrones, and we stood in a half circle behind them.

I spotted Raina in the crowd. Her expression was composed, but there was a hint of playfulness in her eyes. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from thinking back to a couple of hours ago when I was kissing a sexy faerie.

Of the opposite court, I reminded myself.

As soon as breakfast was over, I changed into a shorter dress to allow for easier movements and then went outside to the crisp air. My wolf, Zev, perked his head up and then got to his feet. C’mon, boy, I called and ran down to the training grounds. Looking between the different groups, I decided to work on my sword-fighting skills first. While Zev got comfortable under a tree, I picked up one of the training swords and waited for a partner.

As soon as one was available, I took my position, and the duel began. Stepping around an imaginary circle, we traded thrusts and parries.

After losing one fight, I won the next and then excused myself to practice with my bow and arrow. All faeries were trained to fight from a young age. We were required to go through all of the training, which usually ended around the age of sixteen for girls and eighteen for boys. Then we could continue on if we wanted. I wanted to. I wanted to be the best I could be, which had surprised my parents but made them proud.

I only had about an hour in the mornings to train before my first class started. Raina was leaning against a tree waiting for me as I put down the bow and arrow. She hadn’t continued on with the trainings as I had. You’re good, she said, standing up. She had pulled her wavy hair back, but left a strand of light purple hanging down on one side of her face and a strand of light blue on the other side.

But not the best.

You don’t have to be the best. You just have to kill the enemy.

We walked down the dirt road and grabbed a treat from one of the merchants. Zev waited outside as we walked into our two-room schoolhouse. We went into the room on the right and sat down. There were ten of us in the class, which was about herbs and plants and making elixirs.

I took my seat next to Raina in the middle of the class. Everyone’s wings were mixtures of white, blue, and purple, but the number of colors and the designs on each of the wings were different. Most Winter Fae had blue eyes, and hair color varied between white, blonde, blue, and purple. My mother set the dress code, and she liked girls to be in dresses. We didn’t get cold, so it wasn’t a problem, although every once in a while I would have liked to wear a pair of pants.

This week, our teacher, Geneva, was teaching us what to mix together to make a healing elixir. We had made simple ones, but today’s was more complex. It was supposed to heal severe injuries.

Ivy and I were paired up to find the ingredients, make the elixir, and bottle it up. Ivy was my next closest friend after Raina. Her short hair was thick and light purple, streaked with lines of pure white.

We headed toward the woods and began our hunt. Ivy picked some berries off a bush. How was last night? she asked in a whisper.

Good. Why weren’t you there?

My mother was still awake. By the time she fell asleep, you guys would have been long gone. She rolled her eyes and dropped the berries in the bucket. We started walking to find the next item. Anything fun happen?

I reached up and snagged a few leaves off a tree. Actually, one of the Summer princes showed up.

Her jaw dropped. No!

Keir brought him.

Shut up! she laughed. Was he cool?

Yeah. He was a little shocked but ended up enjoying it. I filled her in on everything except the kiss at the end.

Do you think he’ll show up next time?

Before I could answer her, galloping interrupted us. We looked up just as a centaur emerged from the thick trees. His long white hair matched the hair of the horse part of his body. He looked from Ivy to me and then relaxed. What are you two doing out here?

Good day, Jopul. We’re collecting ingredients for an elixir, I answered.

You’re far from school.

I looked around. We had wandered farther than I realized. Sorry.

It’s okay, Your Highness. Would you like me to escort you back?

No, thank you. We’ll go now.

Once we were far enough away, I leaned close to Ivy. Wonder what that was about.

I don’t know. Seems like he thought we were a threat until he saw who we were.

Yeah, he was tense.

In the clearing, I whistled five short tones, and a few seconds later, a piskie with black hair flew down. Your Highness.

Would you get us a feather from the nest of a white owl? I asked.

My pleasure. She took off into the trees.

So what do you think? Ivy asked. Will he show up again?

Jopul? Not unless we go back—

No. The prince.

Oh. Keir said they were friends, so maybe.

She shot me