He knew this wasn’t something Freya had asked for. He knew it deep down, but his feelings were too strong. He didn’t want to leave Summer Court. He didn’t want the responsibility of having a mate. What if something happened to her? What if she was hurt and it was his fault?
Worse yet, what if he fell for her?
He didn’t want to feel anything. He’d vowed long ago to never care for anyone again. After Amber, he’d struggled to find himself again and he refused to let it ever be a part of who he was again.
He arrived at his family’s home and let himself in. The whole house was sleeping, but he knew his ma would wake to talk him through his troubles. He crept down the hall to his parents’ bedroom door and knocked softly.
“Ma? It’s Finn. I need you.”
It was only moments before he heard shuffling and the creak of the door as it opened.
“Finny? What’s wrong?”
He pulled at his shirt, showing the mate mark on his chest and gaped at her with pleading eyes.
Her gaze widened and she nodded, scurrying out of the bedroom and down the hall to the kitchen. Finn followed closely behind, and they threw up a protective bubble so their voices wouldn’t be heard.
“What happened? Who is she?” His mother was beautiful for her age. She was well over one hundred years old but didn’t appear a day over forty. She’d aged gracefully and softly. Her dark hair lay in a bun atop her head and her soft gray eyes were tuned into his face. Her features were soft and delicate, like a doll’s, and he felt his heart swell as he stared at her. His mother had always been his rock and now he’d have to leave her.
“It’s Princess Freya of Winter Court.”
His words hung in the air between them. She gasped and held her hand over her mouth as she studied him. He was angry, but she also saw fear under the surface. Fear of leaving. Fear of loving. Fear of the unknown.
“Darling, finding your mate is a gift.”
“She already has two others.”
She nodded. “Well, that’s okay. We all have more than one mate. Usually.”
He knew it was the norm but a part of him felt jealous at the thought of sharing. “I don’t know if I can do this. Not after…”
“Not after Amber,” his mother said with understanding. “I get it. You were in love with her, and she ripped your heart open. I’ve never seen such a vile fae.” Her words were sharp and full of the hatred she felt for the girl.
He rubbed his palm over the mark, feeling it warm under his touch. “We were attacked at the festival.”
“What!” she screeched. “By whom?”
“Rulissa. She took out the whole stage. We lost a lot of fae.”
She held her hand over her heart and a tear slipped from her eye. “Mercy. Are the princesses okay?”
“They were all here. We had security everywhere, but we’d just mated, and I’d left for the castle. The anger I felt consumed me the moment it happened, and I couldn’t stay there. What if I could have prevented this?”
She reached across the table and held onto his free hand. “Finny, you’ve put so much pressure on yourself, since you were a young fae. How could you, only one fae, have stopped Rulissa? How many did it take tonight?”
“Freya and the three of us in her frollick.”
“See? You couldn’t have. And you were there.”
“Ma, this sense of urgency overcame me. I felt her fear. Her worry. It took over me and I had to be with her in that moment. The four of us took hands and the power running through us was unlike anything I’ve ever felt.”
She smiled and nodded knowingly. “The power of a frollick is unlike any other. The bond that forms when you mate runs deeply, and the power feeds off of it. You’ll only get stronger. The Princesses, they have to have four mates, correct?”
He knew the answer because Silvia had spoken about finding her frollick often and he nodded. “Yes. In order to break each respective curse, they must mate with one fae from each element. Freya has found three of us so she’s close to breaking her curse, but I also know her birthday is soon. I don’t know if it will happen. Ma, I’ll be stuck in Winter forever if she doesn’t find the fourth.”
She patted his hand again and stood. She busied herself with making hot cocoa and didn’t respond to what he’d said. She knew her boy and understood his concerns, but she also knew the pull of a mate bond. He could fight it all he wanted, but it would win.
“Then you’ll be stuck in Winter forever,” she said finally. “Her people have been since she was four. They’ve managed.”
He felt guilty then, thinking of all the fae who had been destined for the Winter Court. They’d had never-ending winters for almost as long as he’d been alive. If they could do it, he could, too.
He fought to get the words out, but quietly he said, “I’ll miss you, Ma.”
She sat the cocoa in front of him and smiled sweetly. “Of course, you will. You’ll miss your pa and sisters, too, but you have to do this. The mate mark has a hold of you now. You can’t fight this, Finny.”
He thought a few moments on her words and nodded. “I’ll visit.”
“Yes, you will. And we can visit you. We don’t have the same restrictions the princesses do.”
“I might now,” he huffed.
“You might grow weak being away from her or Court, but it doesn’t mean you can’t visit for small amounts of time. We are family, we’ll make it work.”
He nodded again and grabbed her hand. “Thank you, Ma. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said, then took a sip of her hot cocoa. “Now drink up and tell me more about this fight with Rulissa.”
He did as he was told and enlightened them about the story of the full moon party.
18
Henry and Jacob watched over Freya with intensity. They knew she’d expelled a lot of power, but they didn’t know the side effects. They both felt the fatigue washing over them in waves but wouldn’t let themselves succumb to it. She was more important.
They watched over her all night and the next day. Each time she stirred, one of them was by her side to check on her and see if she would wake. Her sisters had come and gone, each of them worried in their own way. Finn still hadn’t shown up and the anger it put in Henry’s heart was more than he could manage.
“Is this normal?” Jacob asked for the fifth time. Henry felt badly for him. He was so new to this world and what a world he’d been thrown into. He was surprised he was holding up as well as he was.
“She needs to replenish her strength,” was all Henry said. He didn’t know if it was normal. He had no idea if she would wake up. He only had to hope she would.
At the end of the second day, she finally stirred and moaned. They both jumped from their chairs and stood on opposite sides of the bed. She peeked an eye open, then the other, and looked at them with curiosity.
“Hi?”
Henry fell to his knees and grabbed her hand. “I’m so glad you are awake!” Jacob sat beside her and rubbed her arm with a big grin on his face.
“What happened?” she asked. Her throat was husky from dryness and Jacob rushed to the bathroom to fill her a cup of water.
He handed her the glass and began telling her the story. “You passed out after Rulissa,” he started. “Do you remember what happened with her?”
She contemplated what was asked and racked her memory for memories. “Vaguely…”
“She attacked,” Jacob started. “And you defeated her.”
“But I didn’t end her?”
He shook his head slowly. “No, but I don’t think she’ll bother you for a bit. She seemed injured.”
She lay a hand on her head and nodded. “It’s coming back to me,” she gasped. “She killed those innocent fae!”
Henry squeezed her hand and comforted her without words. Tears fell from her eyes and she struggled to contain them.
“She will pay for this,” she promised. “Are my sisters okay?”
Henry s
poke. “Yes, they have checked on you. Lena and Vivian must go back to their courts today. They’ll be glad you are awake.”
“Will you go get them?” she asked.
“Of course,” he agreed. He squeezed her hand one last time and strode from the room to find her sisters.
Jacob sat beside her, one leg bent under the other. His face showed tiredness, with dark circles under his eyes and lines across his forehead. His hair was going in all directions and his eyes held deep, dark bags underneath them. How long had she been out?
“How long was I asleep?”
“Two days,” he said while rubbing his eyes. “We haven’t slept. We were watching over you.”
She smiled kindly at his words and her heart swelled. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know. We wanted to. We were worried, Freya,” he told her. “You didn’t move. You didn’t do anything. Didn’t even turn over once. We didn’t know if you were going to wake up.”
She gulped at those words and realized she’d been in deeper trouble than she realized. “I guess I used too much strength. The power rush was something I’ve never felt before.”
Jacob started to agree when the door opened, and her sisters spilled in.
“Freya!” Lena asked while Vivian jumped onto the bed beside her and enveloped her in a hug.
“Are you okay?” Silvia asked. She looked almost as tired as Jacob and Henry. She’d not slept much since her court had been attacked. Her people were hurting and that meant she was hurting.
“Sil,” Freya said, holding her hand out to her. “Come here.”
She trudged over and sat with tears in her eyes. “All those fae gone.”
Freya nodded her head with a frown on her face. “I know. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s my fault,” Silvia admitted. “I was the one who brought you all here. It is my fault those people died.”
“No, you couldn’t have known,” Vivian said. “There was no way you could have known what would happen. You would never put your people at risk on purpose.”
“I knew it was a possibility. Any time any of us are together, the possibilities are higher.”
“She attacked us in New York,” Freya told her. “The possibilities are always high. Rulissa has it out for us and nothing will stop her until we all have the power to. I think our power lies in our frollicks,” she started.
They all listened intently, and Jacob slipped from the room to give them time alone.
“The energy running through me the moment we all locked hands was unlike anything I’ve ever felt in my life. It was pure and raw and intense. It consumed me. And I only have three of my frollick members. I can’t imagine how much more intense it will be once I find my fourth.”
Lena paced as she thought out loud. “That must be why she’s attacking so much more now. Why she was in New York and then last night. She knows you’re close, Freya. She knows you will have more power once you finish your frollick and she wants to stop you.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the attacks become more frequent,” Vivian added.
“I wouldn’t either. We all need to be on guard. And we,” Silvia said while pointing between her and Lena and Vivian, “need to find our mates.”
“We might have a real shot at defeating her for good if we all have our frollicks,” Freya agreed. “But how can you search for them?”
“More parties in our courts. Traveling. Maybe we could get one of the seer faes to help guide us.” Lena was throwing out ideas quickly.
“I like the seer fae idea,” Vivian said. “I have a strong seer in my court. Her name is Alyssa. I will contact her as soon as I get back.”
“Speaking of, we need to separate soon,” Silvia said. “Freya, I don’t know if you’re strong enough.”
“I’ll have to be. I won’t gain full energy in your court. I need to be home.”
“Your mates will get you there,” Lena said. “They’ve all been so worried.”
Freya snorted. “I doubt Finn cares one bit I’ve been out.”
Silvia smiled softly. “He is worried. He won’t talk to anyone and he won’t admit anything, but I see the skin around his eyes pulled tight with concern. I notice him pacing the halls. He feels the bond as much as you do.”
“Will he ever come around?”
“He came to your aid the night Rulissa attacked,” Vivian interjected. “I think that’s a sign he will.”
Freya had forgotten he’d come to them during the attack. The power surging through her body had intensified the moment he’d taken Henry’s hand. She was certain their power laid within their frollicks.
“Will someone help me up? I want to get ready to go.”
Lena came to her assistance and helped her shower and ready herself for the day. The other two sat on the bed chatting while they got her showered. Lena was a firecracker, but she was one of the most caring people Freya had ever met.
“Thank you for helping me,” she said.
“Of course. You’re my big sister!”
“I hope you find your frollick soon so you’re safe.”
“I will,” she said with uncertainty. “I hope.”
Freya reached out and grabbed her hand as she was brushing her hair. “I have faith. You have years until your twenty-fifth birthday too. So, there isn’t a huge rush. I just want you safe.”
Lena nodded. “I know.”
They rejoined their sisters and began saying their goodbyes. Vivian was the first to leave, taking the one guard she’d brought with her. Lena was slow to leave, lingering around because she’d missed them so much. As the youngest, she’d never known their parents. She hadn’t had as much time with her sisters, and she felt the void it left. They were still close, but she had a feeling deep within her she was missing out on so much.
She finally said goodbye and Silvia called for Freya’s mates to join them. Henry, Jacob, and Finn walked into the room like three gods. Each of them held their own kind of handsome and each of them held a presence no one could deny. Henry was hard on the outside, but soft inside. Jacob wasn’t as muscular or fit as Henry, but he brought about a calmness that made Freya feel secure. And Finn…well, Freya was aware that Finn knew he was a badass and didn’t care to let anyone else know. His knightly duties had him fit and strong, his shirt tight across his shoulders and chest. He knew he was dangerous, and it showed in his dark gray eyes.
“Gentlemen,” Freya said with a nod. “It’s time to go home. I need to be in Winter Court in order to get my full energy back, but I am unable to lead us this time. I need one of you to transport me home.”
“I’ll do it,” Finn said gruffly. “I am a knight. It is my duty.”
“You are not my knight,” Freya countered.
“I am now. Summer Court has relieved me of all duties, and I am to go back with you to Winter Court. Being a knight is all I know.” His voice was deep and stirred something within her. She fought the urges and feelings and agreed to let him transport her home.
“Henry, I trust you can bring Jacob?”
“Of course.”
Freya stood and walked to Finn’s side. She placed her hand on his forearm and nodded to indicate she was ready. He pulled from her touch and wrapped his arm around her. “I don’t want to lose you on the way,” he explained.
His touch was hot and sent tingles to her spine. She shivered and he asked if she was ok. “I’m fine,” she lied. She was not fine. This man was causing a storm within her body and she didn’t know what to do about it.
He held on tightly and used his magic to send them to Winter Court. They arrived without any hitches and he released her as soon as their feet touched the ground. “Can you have someone show me to my quarters?”
Jacob and Henry arrived moments later, and she asked Henry to show him to a room. She called for Nathan and instructed him to ready the room chosen and have the chef send her a meal to her room. She was exhausted and knew only time would recharge her.
As she started
up the stairs, she felt Finn staring at her. She refused to glance back though. Not after he’d released her like he was on fire. Not after he’d been so rude about the mark mate. She didn’t care if he felt something for her. So, maybe she did care, but she wasn’t going to let him know she cared.
Jacob sprinted up the stairs and caught up with her. “Can I join you?”
She nodded with a grin. “Nathan! Have chef send meals for everyone!” she called. Turning to Jacob, she said, “I would love it. You will soon feel more energized too. Winter Court is your home now. You will replenish your energy here.”
He flexed his hands and blinked a few times. “Now that you mention it, I do kind of feel better already.”
She giggled at his antics and hurried to her room. The bed was so inviting, and she wanted to curl up and sleep. Which was ironic since all she’d done for two days straight was sleep. She fought back a yawn and sat, waiting on the meal to arrive.
Henry joined them but Finn did not. “He chose the room furthest down the hall,” Henry told her. He rolled his eyes after he said the words and Freya knew he was annoyed with Finn.
“That’s fine. He can choose any free one he’d like.” She didn’t let it hurt her he chose to be so far away. If that’s what he wanted, then so be it.
The meals arrived and Nathan took a tray down to Finn. The three of them sat and ate in silence. Freya ate with a vengeance, not realizing how starved she was, and Henry laughed as he watched her. She stuffed food in her face and pushed more in before she was even done chewing. She moaned with pleasure as her taste buds exploded and Henry’s dick jumped at the sound.
She was incredibly sexy in everything she did.
Jacob watched her intensely and picked at his food. He was hungry, but not so much for the meal on his plate. And he kicked himself for the thoughts he was having. She had almost died, and he was wanting to get his dick wet? What was wrong with him?
“What?” she asked as she glanced between them. “Do I have something on my face?”
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