“This is awful,” I whispered to myself as I sat on my horse, surveying the scene in front of me.

Half of the castle in Serce was gone, the village surrounding it burning and in every section I could see soldiers and citizens alike were engaged in a ferocious battle, the noise overwhelming and harsh to my ears.

“Ez,” Leon whistled from my left and I looked over, “you stay back with the archers. Lead them. Red and I will lead the foot soldiers. It looks like the Alanin soldiers are still in green. Aim for them. Serce is in red as always. Do you understand?”

“Of course?”

“Be safe,” he nodded, kicking his horse and taking off into the city, the rest of the foot soldiers chasing or riding after him with Red.

I joined the archers and battle mages, sitting at the front and took a small breath, trying to calm myself as I had never been in this position before. Slowly, I pulled my bow from my back, the rest of my team following suit and we waited for a group to run by, not wanting to reveal our position.

“Ready?” I raised my left hand, my nerves gone as I watched another home burst into flame, “fire!”

A hail of arrows descended onto Serce, Alanin soldiers hitting the ground as soon as we did and I smiled, charging forward with my battalion in tow.

“Shit,” I changed direction as a wall of soldiers came flooding my way, hiding out to ambush the next group that came into the city, “retreat!”

We followed the flow of battle, finding Leon and Red in the village center and I hopped off my horse, my bow tight in my hands.

“Why are you here!” Leon shouted, his eyes wide and hair wild, now red with blood.

“We were ambushed. I didn't lose anyone but we can make a wall behind you.”

“Alright.”

I took the position I wanted, the rest of my group just behind me and quickly fired into the crowd being funneled toward us due to the single opening we had given them. Any soldier we failed to hit was struck down immediately by Leon or Red, their battalion the ones to force them toward us and as I slowly began to run out of arrows, there was also a limited number of soldiers coming toward us.

“One more,” I whispered to myself and fired, taking down the last Alanin soldier before I sat onto the ground, my chest heaving from exhaustion.

“We did it!” Leon yelled and the crowd around us cheered, an uproar ripping through all of Serce, “the castle is ours!”

“Yay,” I cheered quietly, trying to keep myself awake, “damn. How can you have this energy Lee?”

“Because little brother,” he held his hand out and I took it, allowing him to pull me to my feet, “there is nothing better than the flow of battle. Oh and sex.”

“I hate you. So what do we do now?” I shielded my eyes from the suns to look up at the castle.

“We go back to Nouvelle. Tell me,” Leon shouted to the crowd of Serce citizens, “who do you currently have in charge? Who started the uprising?”

“I did,” a small voice called and an adorable man slowly came from the crowd, his hair a soft blue to match the sky tone of his eyes. His skin was incredibly light, reminiscent of a cloud and I smiled at him, my heart moving strangely, “my name is… Alaric. I… I'm from here.”

“You did well, Alaric,” I called and he smiled back to me, “may I speak with you?”

“Who are you?”

“Ezra Nouvelle. Future king of Nouvelle,” I crossed my arm across my chest and slightly bowed my head, “it is nice to make your acquaintance. I just have a few questions. No need to fear me.”

“Very well.”

Alaric followed me to a secluded part of the castle grounds and as soon as everyone was out of ear shot I pulled the knife from my thigh holster, pointing it directly at his throat, his eyes wide as he held his hands up.

“You're from Alanin. Aren't you?” I whispered and he shook his head, “don't lie to me. You're fae. I can see it in your eyes. There is only one fae left on this side of the border. In that case, you have to be from Alanin.”

“I… I'm from an island! Appanolia!” He stuttered out and I nearly dropped my knife, my heart thundering in my chest, “I've been hiding in Wickersham Forest for years!”

“Appanolia… tell me. Who is the current king?”

“King Elis. But his sister was supposed to take over before the royal family fled and abandoned everyone!”

“Antoni was a child,” I whispered, shifting my eyes to the ground, “you wouldn't know him by that name.”

“Antoni? The royal steward?”

“Yes. Antoni is the princess you speak of. One of my fiance's. He's still alive. In Nouvelle. As is Prince Zarian. Though he prefers Lord now. He's renounced his claim to Serce. Given the land to Nouvelle. It'll be one large kingdom with Leon running Serce as its Duke. Come with me to Nouvelle. Antoni will want to see you, Alaric. He thinks he is alone.”

“B-but… I lead these people. I can't abandon them right now.”

“I'll bring you back personally if you wish. But Leon will take care of things. This will be his land after all. He has gained right to it due to Zarian withdrawing his status and Leon's engagement to Princess Hortencia.”

“So I don't have to keep them safe anymore?” He whispered and I shook my head, “oh thank God! That was exhausting. I'm a forest fae. I keep the trees alive and waters clear. I'm not meant to guide diplomacy. I just want to grow plants and take care of animals. But I was the oldest in the kingdom, they all looked to me. I had to save them.”

“That's beautiful,” I smiled, “I apologize for threatening you,” I kneeled politely, hanging my head, “please tell me how to make it up to you.”

“I-I ask for nothing, Prince Ezra. Just a home. Serce was never mine.”

“Come to Nouvelle. You can lead agriculture then. I've been meaning to appoint someone to the position,” I raised my head before I noticed the glittering blue gem hanging from the necklace on Alaric's throat, “ah. Still no spirit mate I see?”

“They're alive,” he smiled, gently touching his necklace, “but I haven't bothered to search in years.”

“Things are calm now. You could,” I slowly stood, placing my hand on Alaric's upper back and gently guided him back to the crowd, stopping at Leon's side, “Lee?”

“Hm?” Leon smiled, turning from the citizens trying to talk to him.

“I'm taking Alaric back to Nouvelle. He needs to speak with Antoni.”

“Of course. Ride safe and true.”

“Are you staying?” I whistled and my horse came to me, always obedient to the sound of my voice.

“Yes. These are our people now. They need to hear me talk, to understand the changes and what we're going to be doing.”

“Alright. I'll inform father,” nodding, I turned to Alaric and smiled, “let me assist you.”

“Thank you, Prince Ezra,” Alaric smiled back and allowed me to help him onto my horse before I jumped up behind him, wrapping my arms around him to grab the reigns, “oh. Your arms are strong.”

“They have to be if I'm going to be the best archer in the land,” laughing, I kicked gently and my horse shot off toward Nouvelle, Alaric relaxing against my chest, “you trust me already then.”

“I have no reason not to. You saved Serce. They are good people stuck in a bad situation. Alanin must fall. But that will take time.”

“We're already planning for it. I was curious. Antoni has no surname. He plans to simply be Nouvelle when we marry. Is it the same for you?”

“Yes. Fae have no need. We take our spirit mates surnames generally when we give up our immortality for them. I'm 26 in human years now.”

“I'm 27. Antoni is also 26 and Zarian is 27. I have two daughters. Celeste came with me when we returned from the Land of Reason. I'm sure you heard of me disappearing.”

“Of course I did.”

“And Sidra. She is Zarian's daughter but we're raising her as ours. Along with Antoni.”

“Ah you're courting both?”

“Oh yes. I have enough love in my heart for many.”

“That's beautiful,” Alaric turned his head to smile at me and I became very aware of a soft silver glow along his skin, “what in the world?” He whispered as I brought my horse to a sudden stop outside of the castle, the woods hiding us from view, “why do you glow?”

“I was trying to figure out the same thing… you're beautiful. Covered in starlight right now. But… I've seen this once. With Antoni. The same glow but it was gold. He was my spirit mate. Can… huh…”

“Yes. To answer your question. A person can have multiple fae spirit mates.”

“So…”

“Let me see,” Alaric slid off the horse and I copied, watching as he walked a few steps back before he waved his hand, a silver thread shooting from his chest to mine and he smiled brightly, “it is you.

“Me… another spirit mate… I keep getting lucky,” I snorted, “but… this is something that has to be discussed with Zarian and Antoni. We are already a closed triad. Even if we’re meant for each other, I can't go against what they wish for. Bringing another into our lives wouldn't be fair without their permission.”

“Agreed,” he nodded and slowly came to me, “I knew it was you. I saw the glow. But you were too busy threatening me to notice until now.”

“I have to protect my family. My home. But you can be part of Nouvelle now. I truly meant that. Be our head of agriculture. Teach the farmers better ways to grow crops and maintain the land.”

“Absolutely. I'd love nothing more.”

“Then we need to head inside the castle. You have to meet King Chevalier first. Okay?”

“Okay,” Alaric whispered, playing with his shoulder length blue waves and I gently wrapped one around my finger, humming softly, “Prince Ezra?”

“Apologies. Your hair is beautiful. Can I ask something strange?”

“Always,” he breathed out softly.

“You are aware that both Antoni and Zarian were princesses before they became the men I'm marrying. Is it the same for you?”

“No. I was born male.”

“That's all I wanted to know. Very well. Come along,” I held my hand out and Alaric immediately took it, smiling brightly as he did, “this is strange for me,” laughing softly, I guided Alaric and my horse around the outskirts of the village, not wanting to be seen yet.

“What is?”

“The lack of hesitation. Antoni and Zarian were terrified of my touch. For different reasons but still. It's nice to know you're not scared of me.”

“I have no reason to be,” Alaric shrugged as I put my horse away and guided him inside, “whoa… Castle Nouvelle is so warm! Serce was always cold even when I visited before things went bad.”

“Blame the snow I suppose. No idea. Anyway. Follow me.”

We reached the throne room without being stopped and I knocked softly, waiting for an answer.

“You may enter,” Chevalier called a few moments later and I opened the door, hiding Alaric behind me temporarily, “ah. Hello my son. I gather based on your return that things went well.”

“Yes. Leon is currently meeting with the citizens along with Red. I wanted to introduce someone,” I pulled Alaric around and he bowed immediately, keeping his gaze on the floor, “father. This is Alaric. The leader of the uprising in Serce. Alaric, this is my father King Chevalier Nouvelle.”

“Raise your head,” Chevalier called and Alaric looked him directly in the eye, “ah. I know you. I've seen you in the forest. I assumed you were one of Robin's orphans. I was incorrect though. Wasn't I?”

“Yes. I'm from Appanolia. I found a way here 50 years ago now. I've just been keeping the water clean and the plants healthy this entire time. I don't mind living outside. But I couldn't stand by and watch the real citizens of Serce suffer anymore. So I guided them into an uprising. They're going to find a few Alanin soldiers filled with water. I'm not skilled with weapons. But I can fill someone's lungs with water if I touch them. So they drowned where they stood.”

“How many?” Chevalier laughed, his face full of excitement.

“Oh about fifty. Until I saw Prince Ezra riding with the archers and rushed into a tree to stay out of the way.”

“Impressive,” Chevalier clapped his hands together, making Alaric blush at the sudden praise, “Ezra. Why have you brought him?”

“Alaric wishes to join Nouvelle,” I shrugged, fluffing my hair, “I want to place him in charge of agriculture and water management. We've had issues with our wells. I think he can fix it.”

“I love that idea. Very well. That makes you a lord then. Anyone who is in charge of some form of Nouvellean government is a lord. So Lord Alaric… uh… surname?”

“None,” Alaric shook his head, “I'm fae. I have no last name.”

“Ah. Another fae. I forgot momentarily I was excited. Forgive me. Then yes. Welcome to Nouvelle, Lord Alaric. I will have someone prepare a chamber for you. We have an extra on the same floor as Ezra and his fiances.”

“Wonderful,” Alaric giggled and I watched him fondly, my heart moving strangely as it had when I was first around Antoni, “oh that makes me so happy.”

“My goodness you're easily excited. It's nice. A breath of fresh air. Ezra, you may want to introduce him to Zarian and Antoni before jealousy brews.”

“We're heading there now. Thank you, Father,” I bowed politely and guided Alaric from the throne room, “how was that?”

“Your father is intimidating. Reminds me of Sir Leon. He's scary too.”

“Chevalier is a teddy bear. He's just got a bit of the same blood lust that Leon has.”

“Ezra!” Antoni called from the bottom of the stairs, Zarian next to him and I smiled, rushing down and kissing them both immediately, “oh we're so happy you're safe!”

“I'm fine my loves. Don't worry. Where are our girls?”

“Sidra is napping and Celeste is helping to heal in the infirmary,” Zarian laughed before looking over my shoulder, “huh? Who is that?”

“A-Alaric?” Antoni whispered, his eyes wide when Alaric nodded, “you're alive?”

“I'm alive,” Alaric smiled, wiping a tear away, “and you look phenomenal, Antoni.”

Antoni rushed around me and nearly threw himself into Alaric's arms, burying his face into the side of his neck. Alaric laughed and gently ran a hand down Antoni's braid, whispering softly in a language that was foreign to me.

“You know each other then?” I called and Antoni nodded, cradling Alaric's face.

“Oh yes. For many years but I left him as a child. I'm so glad you're okay. Please understand why I had to go. I had no choice.”

“It's okay,” Alaric whispered, “I realize that now.”

“He's fae?” Zarian smiled and Antoni nodded.

“Yes. Appanolia is different than here. You're engaged as soon as you're two. Your family decides who you will marry and that's it. You have no choice. Alaric and I were supposed to be married when I turned 18. But we left. And I lost him. Where have you been! I wrote so many letters asking Elis.”

“Wickersham Forest. I didn't want to approach you. You seemed so happy with Zarian after Ezra disappeared. It would have been wrong of me. But I'm staying in Nouvelle. I'm in charge of agriculture now. Oh and… well…” he waved a hand at me and the silver glow flooded my skin, “I'm so sorry, Antoni. You know I can't pick it.”

“Really?” Antoni gasped, “oh wow. That… changes things.”

“What in the world is going on?” Zarian grumbled and I kissed him softly, taking a shaky breath.

“You know how Antoni is my spirit mate?”

“Of course.”

“So is Alaric. I have two.”