The next few hours pass quickly as the soldiers listen with rapt attention to Farron’s instruction. Even Dom and Billy have shaped up, staring a little doe-eyed at their big brother.
Kel and Dayton are the best students of all. In fact, I think their competitive spirits have assisted them, both eager to produce a bigger and hotter flame than the other. Keldarion’s flashes a brilliant sapphire blue as he spirals fireball after fireball at the rock wall, while Dayton juggles several turquoise flames and yells for everyone to watch him.
Farron walks over to me. Once I saw he had everything under control, I went about my own training with sword and dagger.
“So, who do you think is going to need burn healing first?” He smirks toward Kel and Dayton.
“Oh, definitely Dayton. If someone doesn’t praise him for his performance, he’ll start juggling heads.”
Farron chuckles, but then his expression turns serious. “Why didn’t you join in the training?”
I hold my weapon up. After the wraith destroyed my sword, Paddy gifted me his old longsword, a gorgeous blade the color of brass. While no weapon could compare to a sword made by Spring, I have to admire the fine craftsmanship of Paddy’s. “Don’t worry about me, Fare. I’ll coat the Windscythe with oil and be twice as deadly as any magic user.”
Farron holds me in his golden gaze. “Ezryn… Are you afraid?”
I stifle a laugh. “I don’t like new magic. You know that.”
Quickly, I swing my sword hard at the dummy, embedding the blade in the wood. I need to fill my head with action, with thoughts. Otherwise, he’ll start talking.
“Ezryn,” Farron says and puts a hand on my arm.
I shudder as memories pass in my mind. The beautiful green dress, so soft compared to the harshness of her metal helm. The sound of blood rattling through lungs. Weeping willow trees drenched in red.
Farron takes my hand and smiles up at me. There’s something so strong within the softness. “You’re always telling me I don’t have to do this on my own. Neither do you.”
A tremble shudders up my body. Because I want to believe Farron. I want him to train me like he has the others.
But all I can picture is him lying on the ground beneath me, a charred and bloody corpse, as Kairyn whispers, “You’ll kill him, too.”
39
Rosalina
Do not be afraid of the fire within . My father’s words replay in my mind. Today marks one month since we’ve arrived in the Autumn Realm, and it feels like there’s been nothing but fear.
I walk behind Dayton and Farron as we investigate the Emberwood for any signs of the winter wraiths. The brilliant glade’s trees bristle with berries. Some still shine bright orange, while others glitter with frost.
Farron and I have spent the last couple of weeks riding out to villages frozen by the wraiths. My heart flutters as I think of Farron thawing the homes people thought were lost, his touch both gentle and powerful. But word keeps coming that as soon as we free one village, another falls. Kel, Ezryn, and Dayton aren't making much progress either. The frost is spreading faster than we can contain it. And the closer it gets to Coppershire, the more on edge Princess Niamh becomes.
It’s been so busy, the five of us haven’t all been in the same place at the same time, except at night. All the princes have taken turns returning to Castletree. Farron explained the relationship between the castle and the princes is symbiotic; their magic is enriched by the castle, as their own presence strengthens the castle’s magic.
Today, we returned to the first place we saw a winter wraith in hopes there’s a trail, some clue of their origin that we missed before. Ezryn and Keldarion took the northside of the forest, but I’ve decided to stick with Farron and Dayton for now.
The ground below my feet is soft and squishy, wet earth and rotting leaves. The sun has set, and our path is lit only by the light of the full and brilliant moon.
A full moon.
Not only that, a Harvest Moon. There will be a party at the keep tonight in celebration. At least Farron will have a semblance of normalcy.
Dayton throws an arm over my shoulders, tearing me from my thoughts. “So, how come you decided to stick with us? Mommy and Daddy too serious for you?”
I roll my eyes but laugh. “Maybe I thought they were more capable than you two.”
Dayton waggles his eyebrows at Farron. “We did get distracted last time we were here.”
Farron’s cheeks redden. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Something electric shoots between them. “What are you two hiding?”
“Nothing,” Farron says. “Dayton’s just being an idiot, like usual.”
“Oh, come on.” Dayton spreads his arms out. “You didn’t call me an idiot in the ruins.”
Yes, I can see it in the hungry glint in Dayton’s gaze, the quirk of a smile on Farron’s lips. “Oh my god. You two totally did it last time.”
Farron blows out a breath, but Dayton laughs. “Don’t rat us out to the bosses. I’m sure you three had a great time.”
“Kel and Ez spent an hour debating a slimy pattern of ice on a rock until we realized it was snail goo,” I say. “Sounds like being with your crew would have been a lot more fun.”
Something feral flashes in Dayton’s gaze, his pupils darkening. Dayton moves so quick that I barely have time to register what he’s doing. He shoves Farron against a tree and pushes me toward him, caging us both with his arms.
“Dayton!” I cry out, but it comes out more of a breathy moan as he presses his hips into me, squeezing me between them.
“Day.” Farron tries to squirm away, but it just makes his body rub against mine.
“Neither of you are moving,” Dayton says, the muscles in his arms straining. “Not until Fare tells you who he was thinking about.”
“Come on.” Farron twists a hand free and grips Dayton’s arm.
“It wasn’t that long ago, Fare,” Dayton says. “Who were you thinking about as I swallowed your cum?”
I feel the reaction of their bodies on either side of me.
“Kel and Ez are close,” Farron says, but he’s stopped trying to get out of the hold. Instead, there’s now a desperate whine to his voice.
“Then you better get talking.” Dayton follows his words with a quick thrust, pressing his cock against my thin leggings. The movement pushes me into Farron, and my head tilts to his shoulder.
It feels so right to be caged in by these two tall fae males. A mixture of pure safety and unhinged desire floods through me.
Farron’s breath is warm against my cheeks, and my eyes flutter closed. “Tell me.”
“You, naturally,” he says.
Dayton lets out a purely male groan. “How did you like it, pup, being so exposed out in the open, fucked with the wind on your skin?”
“You know I fucking loved it, Day.”
“Rosie, how’d you like to feel it?”
My eyes shoot open. The fae Prince of Summer is gazing down at me with a predatory grin. “Feel what?”
“The open air on your skin.” Dayton drops one of his hands, but neither Farron nor I move. The top laces of my leather corset dangle between Dayton’s fingers.
“Kel and Ez are going to come back any minute,” I stutter. “They’re going to—”
“Then stop me.” He leans down to kiss me.
His lips are fire, the pressure pushing me against Farron. Dayton draws the string completely out of the front of the corset in a fluid movement. The front falls open, leaving me covered only by the loose cream blouse. A cold wind whips over the newly exposed skin, and my breasts feel heavy and loose without the support of the corset.
“Fucking perfect,” Dayton gleams. “Touch her, Fare.”
Farron lets out a pained sound, but then Dayton grips the Autumn Prince’s hand, moving it over me. Lightly, Farron’s fingers touch the soft skin of my breast.
He lets out a shuddering gasp, and even the briefest contact with him has me clenching my legs shut.
“I know that look,” Dayton says. “Tell me, Blossom, is he hard?”
I gasp as he pushes me against Farron, and yes, his hard cock presses against my ass. Farron groans, his hand slowly moving down my breast.