I own none of the original.

Puck's POV

Kierran came in almost as soon as he woke up. "Is she…?" He sighed when he saw his sister.

"Celeste couldn't do much more for her," I muttered, not bothering to disguise my grief anymore. Whereas ice-boy had learned to hide his emotions completely, I used pranks and my classic "dancing around the truth" to shield everything. My run-in with Nightshade had changed all that. Even Ash had begun to thaw when he was around Meghan. I guessed love really had a powerful effect after all.

The prince raked a hand through his hair. "I can't imagine the fact she might die. She can't."

"That's what she said when Covah died. She didn't want to believe it." I looked at Harmony, remembering everything she'd tried so hard to forget. If she knew what she had now, would that make a difference? "You're a lot like he was. I'm not surprised to find that Covah managed to get a soul before he died. It's like he knew he'd come back."

"He made a promise, right before he left." Kierran sighed again. "He told Harmony that he'd always come back to her."

An unfamiliar presence appeared in the doorway. I stiffened, reaching for the dagger in my boot. "Relax, Robin Goodfellow. I'm here to help our girl." The newcomer walked over to the other side of Harmony. My eyes tracked her every move; I sensed Kierran doing the same but paid him little attention.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Crystal. I'm like Prince Kierran" – she bowed slightly to him – "in the fact that I have a soul and was once a Nightshade."

"The first, to be exact," Celeste informed. Needless to say I didn't feel any better with her here. "She called in a favor with Grimalkin. We'll be able to get Harmony back before the day's over."

I smirked. "Why don't I trust you?" I sneered.

"Enough, Goodfellow. Do you want to help her or not?"

Glaring at Crystal, I squeezed Harmony's lifeless hand before letting go. I'd do anything for you, not-so-Harmony. Even if it means listening to people I don't trust whatsoever. "Why'd you call Grim?"

"Because," the feline's voice answered, and suddenly he was at the foot of the bed, "I was looking for two important people. Prince, I think you'll regret the third who decided to tag along just to see you." He sniffed when the Wolf's growl echoed from outside. "Now, that beast should trust them enough to let them through!"

Ash, Glitch, and Meghan entered a minute later. Kierran stiffened beside me. I cast daggers at Celeste and Crystal, wishing I could impale them with real ones. Why would they bring three of the most powerful figures in Faery to a criminal's manor? When she was unconscious, at that!

"Kierran." Meghan had regained her composure since the last time I saw her. Her voice was laced with indifference. "Puck. What a surprise to see you here."

"Um, yeah," I began, "about that…"

"It's not important." Crystal, to my shock, glared at the Iron Queen. "While you're in Nightshade territory, you'll listen to your son. Understood?" Meghan's eyes narrowed, but she nodded. "Kierran, would you please leave? I'll call you back in once we're finished, I assure you."

Celeste and Grimalkin followed them out. Left with sockethead, ice-boy, and someone I barely knew, I felt a rush of protection toward Harmony. "What are you planning on doing?"

"Other than healing her?" Crystal snapped. "Just listen to me, Goodfellow, and you'll have her back soon." She launched into her plan before I could say anything else. Inwardly, I had to admit it was a good idea, one that crossed my mind but I knew I couldn't do much about. This girl, claiming she was once a Nightshade herself, had done something I couldn't. I hated her for it.

Glitch wrapped his Iron glamour around Harmony first. To heal a Nightshade in this position, three faeries from separate Courts had to flood their magic to the injured Nightshade. Ash nodded to me before adding his Winter power. I took a deep breath and called on Summer, binding the spell. Crystal muttered a few words under her breath, her eyes narrowed in concentration. My head was spinning the longer we held it, forcing Summer to join with Winter and Iron. How could the Nightshades have survived like this?

"You can stop," Crystal said at last. "Lieutenant, former prince, thank you on behalf of the Lost Legacy. You each have a favor in return." She flashed her palm when sockethead opened his mouth. "I know very well about faery bargains, Lieutenant. I might not have been a faery for long in mortal years, but you must remember that Ash isn't the only one of the fey to obtain a soul. I have been around longer than you think."

"What about me?" I smirked at her as they left to report to the others. "No favor to give to the prankster?"

Crystal gazed disdainfully at me. "You would've done it on Harmony's behalf anyway. I was helping her, so if you truly want a favor to be called for later on, I suggest you take it up with her." She exited, leaving me and not-so-Harmony alone.

Kierran rushed in. "Did it work?"

"I'm not s–" Harmony coughed, interrupting me.

"Okay, ow." She smiled weakly at us, and I felt my resolve to hide emotions crumble once more. "Yeah, it worked. I'm not happy about alerting the Iron Court to our position, though."

The prince's eyes gleamed. "Leave that to me." He bent to hug his sister briefly and then left.

Harmony shook her head. "Hopefully he doesn't erase their memories too much. They still have that favor to call in."

"You heard about that?"

"Of course." She smirked. "Why? Do you want something?"

"Nah. I was just messing with Crystal." I reached down and kissed her. She was smiling broadly when I pulled away. "Miss me after all, not-so-Harmony?" I teased.

She shifted on the bed, making room for me to lie beside her. She rested her head on my chest with a sigh. "Unfortunately, yes," she answered. "Celeste made it so that you won't all die on me, though… so I guess I'm okay with it." She grinned mischievously up at me. I hadn't seen her so… carefree… in a while – since before her family disappeared, actually. The unusual brightness in her eyes told me she was thinking the same thing, too.

"Get better soon, not-so-Harmony. I'll be with the others if you need me."

She held me fast. "Where do you think you're going, raven-boy? I don't remember saying you could leave."

"I'll stay," I murmured to her ear, shifting so that both of us were more comfortable. "Rest up, though. You need it." Even though I knew she would try to kill me later for doing it, I used a bit of compulsion to get her to obey. She yawned and closed her eyes, snuggling close to me. Maybe she wouldn't try to kill me, after all.