"I cannot stay here long, so we must meet again another time. There is a Gathering of the High Lords in two month's time. I will see you there." He took a step closer towards me, outstretching one hand towards my cheek. I couldn't think enough to pull away.

His hand was mild, neither cold nor hot. My skin prickled uncomfortably where his met mine. My muscles in my legs twitched as the urge to flee increased, but I couldn't. I could barely move my eyebrows to scowl at him.

He took another step closer to me. Nausea started to rise in my stomach and old memories flitted through my mind. I had no hope of fighting back.

"I have spent many years waiting for you, imagining what you would look like. Still, you are more beautiful than I ever dreamt." His nostrils flared as he took in my scent. The romanticism that he was clearly trying to exude was warped by the his inherent soullessness.

The spell broke.

I smacked his hand out of the way and sprang away from him.

"Go to hell." I expected him to become enraged, to attack me. He didn't.

He pursed his lips, allowed his arms to fall to his sides, and continued to stare at me.

"You may not feel the bond today, or tomorrow, or a week from now. I don't feel it yet, but I will." The sureness in his voice was unshakable. "And when I will, I will have you. Willingly or unwillingly." He turned his head away from me for the first time, cocking it to the side and listening closely. Terrin looked back at me, staring me dead in the eye. "The mother chose you as my mate. I will have you."

The Mother chose you as my mate, I will have you. The words burned in my mind.

He vanished and as soon as he disappeared, a bolt of red lightning struck the ground where he stood. The force of the strike felt like a punch to the chest and my ears rang like a town bell, but I was glad he was gone.

I took a few moments to steady myself, letting the insanity of the situation settle.

"Meeting in Dining Hall, now." Lysander's statement cut through all the thoughts in my head. No doubt that I was going to be at the center of that meeting.

What the hell was I going to do?

I was squeezed in at the head of the table beside Kendryek. He was wearing robes, ones that couldn't have screamed "I am the son of a High Lord" any louder without growing lungs and a voice box. They were primarily a dark, bloody red with a white ermine fur section near the neck. Along the edges there were gold pattern. A simple crown - a gold band with a ruby in the front - lay crooked on his head.

He looked indifferent to the situation - his mouth a thin line, his brows at rest, and his eyes blank, but I could tell it was just a mask to hide how tired he was. He had returned to the mansion no more than fifteen minutes after I left to search for the blade. He wasn't supposed to be back this early; something must have happened to send him home.

Hadrian was the only one missing from the group as he was out patrolling the border, looking for Terrin. Vivianne looked as plain as ever, Lysander had rested his head on one hand and closed his eyes, and Rosalind and Erin matched each other's worried looks.

The table I had sat at the night before had been extended to fill much more of the room. A handful of fae, both High and lesser, had taken their seats. Most of them sat beyond a line drawn on the table. This line separated those who could speak their mind freely and those who could not. All of the lesser fae, save for those that were in the inner circle, were on the other side of the line.

The contrast between the dimmed faelights and the roaring fire cast eerie shadows along the floor and walls of the room. Except for a red tablecloth, the table was bare. There was no semblance of the carefree, almost party-like atmosphere that there was yesterday. Today was all business.

A handful of fae filed in the door and found their spots at the table. One of them was the Gilan, the instructor from earlier in the day. It felt like I'd first seen him years ago. He gave me a curt and respectful nod; through battle I'd proven myself to him. I looked around at the strangers at the table, meeting their questioning stares and frowns. I would need to prove myself to them too.

But how? At the moment my throat was so tight that breathing was a struggle, let alone explaining what had happened. What would I say? Did I tell them that we were mated?

Lysander's eyes snapped open.

"I believe everyone is here," he said casually, looking directly at Kendryek.

Kendryek nodded at Vivianne who began to speak.

"At approximately seventeen and a quarter, Allyn claims to have seen the son of High Lord Gaius, Terrin." The shadows that danced across her sole eye gave her an ominous appearance. "We must first discuss the validity of this claim." Lysander rolled his eyes.

"Her claims are valid. I heard his Roar, you heard his Roar, Hadrian heard his Roar, Kendryek heard his Roar...Half of Prythian heard his roar!" He exclaimed. A Roar that rendered me completely incapable of doing anything. A few heads at the table nodded in agreement. Kendryek was silent. "Can we please move onto something more productive?" A muscle feathered in Vivanne's jaw. For a moment she was silent.

"Allyn claims to have spoken with Terrin, or at least a Projection of him." A Projection was essentially duplicating an object using magic and being able to use it as a conduit for magic. It was a rare and extremely powerful gift, but it explained how Terrin got into the court. It was a power that had tricked Alexander once. "Allyn, what did you two speak about?"

"He…" I struggled to bring the rest of the sentence to words. Hearing it out loud would make it so much worse, I would have preferred to have just never brought it up again.

"What did you two speak about?" Vivianne repeated with a twinge of exasperation. I looked around the table, searching for help. I didn't know if I could do this alone.

I met eyes with Kendryek. He gave me an almost imperceptible nod. It was enough for me. I had to do this.

"He told me that I would see him again at the Gathering in two months."

"Does he mean the Meeting?" Vivianne interjected. Her constant interruptions were beginning to get on my nerves.

"They call it The Gathering in the Spring Court," Lysander replied. He waved in my direction. "Please continue." I swallowed.

"He said we were mates." A handful of fae gasped, but no one immediately said anything. Vivianne blinked once. Her single eye bored into mine, ripping me apart and examining every piece of me. It was unnerving.

"Are you sure heard him correctly?" She questioned.

"Yes," my voice faltered. No, I knew this to be true. I raised my chin and met eyes with everyone else at the table. "Yes. He said we were mates." I could tell that no one on either side of the line believed me. Kendryek's face didn't change from that almost vacant expression. I continued to speak. "He was adamant that-"

"Do you have any proof of this?" Vivianne demanded. Anger overtook my anxiety. I clasped my hands together and set them on the table, if only to stop them from balling into fists. I chose my next words carefully.

"I would prefer it if you were to stop interrupting me after I say more than one sentence. Am I not here to tell you what happened?" Her throat bobbed, but her mouth didn't move. I glanced at Lysander, who was struggling to contain a grin. "Whether you choose to believe me or not, it happened. I can tell you exactly what he said, word for word. 'The mother chose you as my mate. I will have you.'"

No one at the table verbally disputed what I said, but no one appeared to openly agree. That was understandable. Why would our Mother put a High Lord's son with a half-fae peasant?

"May I reply to you?" She asked in a very patronizing tone. I took it in stride, using her thinly veiled insult to assert myself over her. If she wanted to butt heads, we would. I gave her a polite smile.

"You may. Thank you for asking." Vivianne pressed her lips so tightly together they nearly disappeared. Her eyes, once stern, turned to cold malice. I realized I may have pushed her too far. Erin and Rosalind exchanged wide eyed looks.

"I am unfamiliar with Prythian fae and their 'mates' but I find it hard to believe that the son of the most powerful High Lord to ever grace this planet is mated to...you." I didn't disagree with what Vivianne was saying. I didn't know either.

"It is not unheard of. There have been accounts of High Lords mated to humans," Kendryek spoke for the first time that night. His voice was deep, calm. "I believe her." The affection I felt for him surged. Vivianne appeared miffed and looked to her left for support.

"Assuming she is telling the truth, what will we do? I am not sure about the rest of you, but I would prefer to not stand in between Allyn and Terrin. If they are mated, the Mother wills it. Who are we to keep them apart?" Many nodded their heads in support of what they said. Vivianne carried on. "How adamant was he that he would have you?" she asked. I faltered. I knew where she was going with this and I wasn't happy about it.

"He seemed very determined."

"Like he would start a war?" I didn't move. Vivianne started to say something else, Erin cut her off.

"Allyn?" Erin started. "Did you feel a bond?" she asked. I shook my head.

"That doesn't mean anything. My wife did not feel our bond until a year into our marriage," said one of the few High Fae on the right side of the line. He had a longer, pointed nose, and small ears. His eyes were as blue as a clouded sky, his hair a dark auburn and pulled into a single braid. His words didn't sit well with me. Erin gave him a disapproving look.

"Let me rephrase my question," Erin said. "Do you want to be with Terrin?" Was it even a question?

"No," I instantly replied. "I'd rather eat lead."

"Are you trying to tell me that you know better than The Mother?" Vivianne demanded.

Erin looked at Vivianne, a silent plea behind her eyes. Vivianne shifted uncomfortably and turned away, letting the question die. Erin puffed air out of her nostrils.

"It appears then, that we are at an impasse," Lysander began. "On one hand, you have the interests of the court," he gestured towards Vivianne. "And on the other you have the interests of the individual." He gestured towards me. I could tell from the body language of many of the fae what side they were on. It wasn't mine.

I started to feel my life slip away from me.

Kendryek had not stirred since his last comment. He rested his chin on one hand and stared at the middle of the table, appearing to be deep in thought. Lyander carried on.

"I advise against giving in to Terrin's demands. Allyn, whether you like it or not," he gave Vivianne a bit of side eye. "Is part of the court now. She's been seen with Kendryek, she's sitting at the head of this table, she succeeded in two of Vivianne's trials, and she's seen too much of the mansion and our court to simply be thrown away. We have made it clear that she is something of value to us. To immediately bend to Terrin's request and give her away to pacify him would set a precedent. At the slightest show of force, we will throw our own away. It would tell the The Courts that we are spineless."

Vivianne took a slow, controlled breath. I braced myself for what she was about to say.

"I understand what you are saying Lysander, but I maintain that it is in the best interests of the court to not provoke Lord Terrin." They stared at each other, Vivianne's emotionless stare was mirrored by Lysander. "I am unsure of if a war against him would be wise. If he is anything like his father was…" Lysander's mouth curled into his signature smirk.

"Maybe Lord Terrin would accept a different fae from our court as a pacifier, seeing as they appear to be in awe of them." I gasped. I wasn't the only one. Kendryek lifted his chin from his palm and sat up straighter.

The hair on my arms started to stand on end as electricity gathered in the air around Vivianne. Her brows sharpened, her lips forming a frown. The muscle in her jaw pulsed like a heartbeat. Her fingers contracted, slowly taking the shape of a claw.

"I am not afraid of Lord Terrin. I am worried that he would, as Allyn said, go to any lengths to have her. That could potentially mean a costly war. We do not have enough knowledge of the Spring Court to meaningfully predict the outcome of such a conflict. It is a risk I do not want to take," Vivianne replied, anger beginning to seep into her voice.

"So you're saying that Allyn isn't worth it?" Erin asked.

"I'm saying that Allyn isn't worth risking the lives of our soldiers, civilians, and leaders!" Vivianne snapped. She took a deep breath. "Her combat training and magical ability is minimal. She is young, inexperienced."

My face did not change, I kept it even and balanced. I didn't feel anger; I only felt a cold desire to tear her down and rip her apart. I leaned forward in my chair and brought my nose closer to hers.

"But I beat you, didn't I?"

"That was a trick! Lysander gave you a knife!" A few fae gave Lysander a questioning look. He replied with a mischievous smile and a shrug.

The room dimmed as a dark crimson object rose from the floor and surged into its chair. It was Hadrian, in all of his horrifying glory. The sleeves of his black robes and his hands were drenched in blood. He stretched out his wings, displaying their full length and size, before curling them up behind his back.

"The border is safe. I would have come sooner, but I was busy giving a defector a headectomy." He picked what appeared to be a piece of a fae's flesh from beneath his nail and flicked it onto the floor. I intentionally breathed through my nose and avoided looking at him, instead choosing to compare how nauseous the different fae looked. "But I was listening and from what I've heard," he pointed a blood soaked finger at Vivianne. "It sounds like you have something against her." He jerked his thumb at me.

This proved to be far too much for Vivianne.

"I do not have something against her! I do not see the point in trading away the lives of countless capable soldiers in a fight against the son of the most powerful High Lord to ever grace Prythian for the sole protection of one peasant half-fae girl who cannot cast even the simplest of spells!" She cried.

As soon as she had finished talking, Kendryek formed a fist with one hand and flung it in the direction of the hearth. Power crackled in the air as chains of hot fire bound Vivianne's neck, legs, and arms to her chair and sent her flying across the floor towards the roaring fire. She stopped just before the flames, the chair tipping backwards so that it was balanced on its two back legs. The fire grew in size until the tendrils of heat touched the wards surrounding Vivianne's skin.

It was the first time that I had seen her truly scared.

"Allyn is a fae just like any of us. I will not pawn her off to Terrin out of fear of retribution. I will not cower and bend to his will," his voice boomed, filling the room with sound. "I will not give up anyone in my court because of a potential conflict." He let the words hang in the air. "We will meet him at The Meeting and make our stance clear. We will not give him what he wants and he will die trying to get it." He scoured the fae at the table for any sign of disagreement of mutiny. "Until then, we will begin to prepare for the worst. You are all dismissed."

A second or two passed before fae started getting up and leaving the table. Lysander was the first one up, followed by Rosalind. She stopped in the doorway and looked back at me, meeting my eye. She blinked, turned, and winnowed away.

Erin took one last look at Vivianne before filing out of the room along with all of the other fae that were seated at the table. Eventually, only Kendryek, Hadrian, Vivianne, and I were left. The tired, vacant look had returned to Kendryek's gaze. This time he didn't bother trying to mask it as something else.

Hadrian cleared his throat.

"Ken, I like my meat rare, not well-done," he stated.

"Oh, right." Kendryek waved his hand and Vivianne was sent away from the fireplace and sprawling out onto the floor. I caught a faint whiff of burnt hair. She furiously stood up, dusted herself off, straightened her scorched hair, and strode out of the room with as much dignity as she could muster after everything that had happened. It turned out my assumption was correct, she could walk perfectly fine with her prosthetic.

Hadrian simply sunk down into the carpet and vanished, hopefully heading off to a bath.

Kendryek didn't move, neither did I. I was watching him intently, studying his face. I started to wonder if he'd fallen asleep with his eyes open. A minute or two passed and he still had not moved. I stood up and gently placed my hand on his, squeezing it gently.

"The meeting is over," I murmured. He blinked slowly and mumbled something incoherent. I lightly tugged on his hand.

He rubbed his forehead with one hand before getting up from his chair. I pulled on his hand again, leading him towards the hallway. It was clear to me that he was exhausted and needed rest.

He moved slowly at first, but once we crossed the doorway and down the hall he picked up speed. He intertwined my fingers with his, drawing my body closer to his. The heat that radiated off of him turned my skin to gooseflesh. I wanted to be closer to him, to let our hearts and bodies be one, but I felt it was not the time nor the place.

"I am living a lie. I am not my father," he said in a low voice. "I do not have his power. I do not know if I have what it takes to run this court." I did not reply.

We stopped at his room, mine was not far down the hall from it. There he put his hand on the doorknob and let go of mine. We embraced. I pressed my ear to his chest and listened to the beat of his heart, enjoying every strong thump.

"You're one of us now," he murmured to me. "I'm not going to give you away." He squeezed me tightly enough that for a second I couldn't breathe before pushing me away. "I need to rest now...today has exhausted me." He spoke quietly. "Goodnight Allyn."

"Goodnight Ken," I replied before he disappeared into his room, leaving me alone in the hallway.

I trudged back to my room, each step was a struggle. After today I could have curled up into a ball on the floor and slept until this same time tomorrow. I didn't, as I got the feeling that that wouldn't reflect well on me.

I'd shown Vivianne up for the second time today, but that didn't make what she said untrue. I had cheated. If we were to fight one on one without Lysander's help, there was no question who would win. My grandfather had been a good teacher, but he was no fae. Neither was I. I had been nearly killed by a simple Puca and frozen by Terrin's Roar.

She was right. I wasn't worth much to this court. I didn't deserve to be with the son of one of The Seven, mated or not.

That last struck me hard. I did not deserve Kendryek, not like this, but I didn't want to give him up.

That only gave me one choice; I had to prove myself worthy of my place here.

With newfound resolve I flung my door open and marched into my room, to find a dark-haired, green eyed fae sitting on my bed. I leapt backwards and let out a small eep, then checked behind me to ensure no one else had seen before slamming the door shut.

"Whyareyouinmyroom!" I demanded. Lysander grinned at me.

"I wanted to congratulate you." He pushed himself off the bed and stood tall. "You did very well today. Though I have a deep respect for Vivianne, I enjoy watching her lose her temper." He walked towards me, each step as silent as an owl in the night. This was an impressive feat given that his shoes had soles that were at least an inch tall.

"Thank you, but I'd like you to not enter my room without my permission."

"I think I'm a higher rank than you, so I will do as I please. But, I will keep that in mind," he joked. He nodded and turned away, looking off at something in the distance. "If I knew you had a tongue that sharp I would have proposed to you the instant we got out of the Spring Court," he joked. At least I thought it was joking. He walked to the door. "Goodnight Allyn," he said as he put his hand on the doorknob.

"Wait," I said. He turned around and cocked his head inquisitively.

"What is it?"

"Do you think Terrin is lying? Do you think I really am mated to him?" Lysander was silent for a few moments.

"I am not sure."

That night I did not sleep well. Every time I started to drift off, the slightest noise would wake me. Every creak of the mansion, every distant word, every faint footstep was Terrin coming to take me away.