A strange howl interrupted a deep slumber. Looking over, Sleet seemed fast asleep on his back yet. Perhaps it was the wind. Rolling over, she scooted her back against his arm.

The howling grew to a roar.

Sleet gave a deep sigh and shifted. Then he shot upright, making her jump in fright. In the blink of an eye, he stood at the window and yanked open the curtains.

An entire tree flew straight for the window.

The world whipped past and then went black as something pressed her down, the deafening howl swallowing her scream.

It pressed down harder. And then arms wrapped around. Sleet. He used his body to press her down into a corner.

Part of the wall ripped away, and wind fought to drag her.

He curled down even tighter.

A tornado. It had to be. There had never been one in Pixie Hollow in her years, but the tales of them in the Mainland were terrifying for the fairies who had seen them from afar—nothing survived.

Sleet's chest slammed against her back, as if something struck him. He pressed down harder until her nose touched the floor. His fingers wrapped around the broken floorboards by her head, like he was desperate to anchor to something. He pressed so hard that it was impossible to move. Her hair whipped, making it impossible to see. Every ounce of energy focused on his glow around her heart in a desperate attempt to keep him safe.

The wind jerked and pulled, refusing to give up.

He pulled away from her back, his fingers clawing for a stronger grip. And then his weight was gone.

Winds calmed enough to stop pulling, and she looked up. Stars. Dark walls of the tornado surrounded. This had to be the eye of it.

Vidia and other wind fairies flew around inside, shouting to each other and trying to stop it. Sleet was nowhere to be seen, but his glow was still strong around her heart. She shot up toward the sky.

"Silvermist, get out! We can't control it!" Vidia yelled. "It stopped, but we don't know why! It's completely unpredictable!"

Movement caught her eye. A blur of a fairy flying impossibly fast within the tornado. It was him—Sleet kept the tornado from moving so it wouldn't suck her up. But he wouldn't be able to keep up this speed for long.

"Pull the tornado up into the sky!" she shouted to the wind fairies. "Won't it counteract itself and stop?"

Vidia shook her head. "We can't! The winds from the outside are too strong!"

Water. Clouds and wind made tornados. And water made clouds.

Shooting up into the sky above the tornado, she looked down. Thick, dark clouds covered the skies for miles. It would be impossible, even with all the water and wind fairies, to break up the clouds in time. But if the water was called with instant, powerful seduction...if it was called by a siren...

"Silvermist! Get out of here!" The Queen appeared to the right, her belly swollen with the birth less than a month away. Her wings even struggled to hold up her weight.

Lord Milori shot up through the clouds. "Clarion! You can't! It's too much strain with the baby to stop the storm!"

"It'll hit Summer next and kill everyone!" the Queen argued.

"Sleet is keeping the tornado still."

They both stared.

"I can call the water and end it, but everyone needs to get out."

"What? No—"

"Yes! Clarion, we'll talk about it after, but Silvermist can control this storm. You can't without risking the baby and yourself. Everyone out!" he yelled. Before the Queen could protest, he scooped her up and disappeared through the clouds.

Vidia and the wind fairies shot up out of the tornado and left.

There was only one perfect note that could instantly control anything near. Closing her eyes, she let the siren's call summon like the siren mermaids had taught.

Drops of water rose into the night sky, dissipating the storm below. Moving higher so fairies wouldn't see, she flew backwards, guiding it toward the ocean.

The silhouette of a fairy rose into the sky and followed, its movements methodical. One fairy must've been close enough to be hypnotized by the call. As the fairy came closer, the size grew to that of a sparrowman. Sleet's face came into view. At least he was safe.

Flying a little faster to keep ahead of Sleet's powerful, slow flaps, she glanced ahead. The ocean came into view.

All the water droplets hovered when she stopped. The Neverland sirens had said that the moment the song ended, whatever was under control would be lost. If Sleet stopped flying, he'd plunge into the sea. So she waited for him to come.

The ocean waves grew wilder, trying to become lost to the call. It grew harder to control so much energy. Her arms shook trying to keep the water drops still while continuing to call Sleet.

He came closer, his eyes glazed over. And then he stopped before her. His eyes fluttered shut as he held her upper arms and leaned in, pressing his lips to hers.

The moment the call stopped, she jerked down in a free fall with him. The water droplets plunged toward the sea.

Sleet closed his eyes with a soft smile on his lips, oblivious to the perilous fall.

No. No, no, no. The mermaid sirens had said that any male whom they called would willingly drown himself, under the hallucination that the siren would love him forever. But they'd laughed, so she hadn't believed them.

"Sleet!"

Nothing. The sea flew closer.

So she sang again, soaring back into the sky.

His eyes flew open, and he swooped and followed.

The only way was to outfly the water and get him to land. Then the song could end and he'd be on land when the water drops fell. So she took off and glanced back.

He shot after her. The water drops trembled for a moment at the sudden change in inertia and then followed, gradually picking up speed.

She landed in the sand, sliding across the granules at the rapid stop.

He slammed to the ground and kissed her. The water fell into the ocean where it belonged. Suddenly, he broke away and walked toward the sea.

"No!" The shriek of fear didn't faze him. Running in front of him, she pushed on his chest. "Sleet, stop!"

He trudged forward, now ankle deep in water, with a blank stare.

"Please," she begged as the water lapped at her thighs. "It's a trick! Don't go in the water!"

But he kept pushing forward, now waist deep.

Tears burned. "You'll drown." When he kept going until the waves covered her chest and the current tugged, as if beckoning him, she jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist. "I love you. Stop."

His feet halted and he shook his head. Recognition flickered through his eyes before they glazed over again and he took another two steps so he was shoulder deep.

"I love you," she wept and pressed her lips to his.

He drew a deep breath through his nose and his arms wrapped around as his tongue dipped into her mouth. A hunger burned in his kiss.

And then his arms flung out as he stumbled back, his eyes huge with panic. "Wha...? Where are we?" He pulled her tight against him and trudged back toward land, his heart pounding against her chest. He set her in the sand, and his head whipped right and then left, the wet ends of his hair slapping his jaw. "The ocean? What happened? Where's the tornado?"

But all she could do was jump up and wrap her arms around his neck to hold tight until the shaking stopped.

"And why was I not privy to this?" the Queen demanded in the castle where she stood before her throne. Even distended with the baby, she looked fierce. Her eyes shifted from him to Silvermist and then landed on Lord Milori.

Lord Milori stood tall and calm in his soldier posture with his hands behind his back. "Her heritage posed no threat to the kingdom, so I ordered this information to be kept quiet until after the birth."

"That was not your decision to make, Lord of Winter," she seethed. "Particularly when it involved a warm fairy."

"Your Highness, I suggest that we speak in private for a moment." Lord Milori remained cool.

Her eyebrow rose and she held up her hands. "Apparently it was unnecessary to involve me before when the three of you decided this. So we'll continue making group decisions. Am I incapable of running the kingdom?"

"No, Your Highness." Lord Milori's jaw clenched.

"Then enlighten me."

He glanced over, his only sign of being uncomfortable with an audience. "You're in a delicate condition. I exercised my right as this baby's father and as the second in command as the Lord of Winter to temporarily handle a situation because it was in the best interest of the Queen, my mate, and my baby."

Oh Neverland, battle with a female mate, much less the Queen, was not one that would leave survivors. Lord Milori was on his own with this one.

Her glow reddened slightly and both eyebrows rose this time. Her monarch wings gave a very slow flap, portraying her anger. "We will certainly discuss this in a moment. No other information is to be kept from me, regardless of my physical state, am I clear, Lord of Winter?"

Neverland, it was awkward just hearing them trying not to argue. That would be a heated fight later.

"Yes, my Queen," he said, his teeth just about grinding. Then he threw a hard, sideways glance that said to keep quiet about the creatures. For now.

She looked at Silvermist, who was the last one to deserve any wrath in this.

"Your Majesty—" he said.

But she held up a hand. "Captain, do not speak until spoken to, if you value your pardon to have a mate."

This was not good.

She took a step closer to Silvermist. "Explain what it is exactly that you can do, and what this siren's call is."

Poor Silvermist's voice quivered slightly as she explained and then relayed the incident at the ocean.

"So you almost drowned your mate because you didn't understand how to stop the trance?"

Silvermist swallowed hard and her wings tucked down tight in shame. "I thought the mermaid sirens were spinning a tale to make fun of me. I didn't think it was true."

His heart broke. Those mermaids would pay for humiliating his Silvermist.

Something in the Queen's eyes softened. "Why would they make fun of you?"

Her head hung and she blinked hard, looking so humiliated that he took a step closer until the Queen held out a hand and immobilized him in place.

"Because I don't always understand English, so fairies make fun of me for being dumb," she whispered in shame.

Unable to move, all he could do was blink back tears and hope she could feel his glow around her heart burning warmer.

"Of course you don't always understand when it's not your native language," the Queen said gently. "Do these fairies know it hurts you?"

Rather than getting fairies in trouble, she simply pressed her lips together and endured the embarrassment.

"Silvermist, no one has a right to make you ashamed—your friends, your mate..." Then she reached out and gently lifted Silvermist's chin up. "Even your Queen. What has your mate said of this?"

"Sleet told them that it's not my first language and I'm not stupid. Most of them have been nicer."

"I would imagine Vidia is the one holding out. I shall speak with her. As for the mermaid sirens, they're not to be trusted—they like to play tricks, so I can well imagine you thought they were spinning tales. I do not want you using more than your basic water talents for now. After the princess is born, you and I will go to Neverland to learn more from siren fairies, if the Keeper or I don't gain more knowledge in the meantime." She held her back that looked like it pained her and then turned to him, releasing the freeze.

"And you. I'm growing weary of seeing you so often, Captain. I was happier when I was ignorant of your existence."

"Mutual, Your Highness," he sighed.

Lord Milori walked over and smacked the back of his head before standing at attention on the right.

Throwing a dark glare, he returned his attention to the Queen.

"Your monthly sugar tests are coming back normal. And then I see an interesting note in there from a few months ago that you had fertility testing. Now, why would an Alamur be interested in that?"

Silvermist's head whipped around to him, as did Lord Milori's.

His jaw flexed. "I request private council, Your Highness," he growled.

Her brow furrowed and she glanced at Silvermist. "Fine."

Lord Milori caught Silvermist's arm to lead her out, but not before sad confusion crossed her face.

Once the door closed, he leaned back against the benches lining the room.

"Where are you hurt?"

Blinking in surprise that she noticed, he shook his head and straightened.

"Captain, I won't repeat myself."

Hesitation lasted another moment. "Something hit my back during the tornado. It's just sore. Healer Spruce ran some tests on Silvermist a few months ago..."

The words slowed as she approached and stepped behind.

He turned to face her. "To see if she has Bright Fairy anatomy..."

She looked up, searching his eyes.

"What?"

"What happened during the tornado?"

A frown of dwindling patience tugged. Cool and aloof. "Our cabin was destroyed, but I don't believe anyone was hurt. Healer Spruce found that she has—"

When she took a step closer so her belly brushed up against him, she set a hand on his chest and her eyes squinted. Then she looked up. "Where was Silvermist during this?"

"We were asleep in bed when the tornado hit." This was awkward.

Her eyes narrowed. "You could have a fractured vertebrae."

It certainly hurt like it. How she knew was a mystery. Taking a step back, he cleared his throat. "He found that she has reproductive organs, unlike a Bright Fairy. However, she's not fertile. Dammit, why do you keep staring?" he snapped.

"You have to be in quite a bit of pain, yet your focus is on ensuring Silvermist isn't ostracized. Your cabin is obliterated and you might have a broken bone, probably bruises under your clothes, and a gash that really should have stitches," she stated and reached up to touch his temple.

The previously silent injury protested, and he jerked his head back.

"But Silvermist doesn't have a scratch. Tell me, Captain, how exactly is that possible?"

He shrugged. "She was in the corner of the bedroom. The walls protected her."

"There are no walls left standing."

Silence reigned as he held her eyes but didn't elaborate.

"You shielded her with your body, didn't you?"

A slow, disinterested blink helped to keep the stress under control. Cool and aloof. "An Alamur wouldn't do such a stupid thing."

The smallest hint of a smirk touched her lips. "No, I suppose not." She walked over to the throne and eased her bulk down with a sigh of relief. "So you were telling me that your siren is capable of procreating?"

He suddenly hissed in her face, "She isn't a siren, and she's not to be referred as such again."

Her eyebrows rose, but fear didn't seep from her. "She readily admitted to this minutes ago, and you just said she doesn't have Bright Fairy anatomy. Or it is you who has a problem with her being a siren?"

His fingers bit into the arm of the gold throne so hard that it groaned. "She doesn't have an evil bone in her to be a siren."

Instead of being afraid, she rested her elbow on the throne arm and propped her chin in hand. "And an Alamur is too evil to possibly throw himself over his mate to keep her safe. Don't try to intimidate me, Captain—I'm far too moody and uncomfortable to care." She shifted in the throne to lean back slightly and rested a hand on her belly, as if trying to breathe more easily. "So you're trying to have a baby?"

"No, Spruce said she's infertile for now—as in perhaps she won't be at some point. I have no idea if Alamur males are fertile or not to know if precautions are needed. You're sitting wrong to do it like that," he added.

"So now you're versed in breeding? Enlighten me."

Holding out a hand, there was no expectation that she'd actually accept the help. But she did. "Kneel and lean your hands on the ground. You need to drop the baby away from your lungs, not toward them." He held both of her hands as she knelt.

She leaned her hands down to be on all fours. "Oh, Neverland," she breathed in a curse and her head fell back. "I haven't been able to breathe for weeks. How did you know this?"

He stepped back and eased down onto a bench to relieve the aching in his back. "There was a question of Silvermist being pregnant, so I read some books."

"Are you able to breed?"

"You put it so eloquently," he drawled. "I would think you know the answer to that since you looked through my medical records."

She lifted her head to look at him. "Despite the dictator that you think I am, I didn't think it right to dig into something that private."

"So you ask me, and in front of everyone, instead."

"Trust comes in small steps."

He stretched his legs out. "I'd rather think that being on all fours while so far pregnant would count as more than a small step. I could easily kill you and the heir in a dozen ways without anyone being the wiser until I was gone."

She gave a soft roll of her back. "But you won't."

"Why not?"

"Because you're just like Silvermist—you're designed to be evil, but you have a heart. I know for a fact that if I sent you back into the Alamur army that you wouldn't last a day; but if I sent you back and you had to protect Silvermist, you'd slay them all within minutes."

He snorted. "And that proves...?"

"That you will go to any lengths to protect what you hold dear. I couldn't stop you if you wanted to overthrow the kingdom, and you've had ample opportunity. It's that kind of loyalty that makes you a perfect captain. And a perfect mate who will be there when times get tough. I see more than you realize, Captain," she said when he gawked. "You do realize that if you do get her pregnant, the kingdom will know you're not Bright Fairies—or at least that she isn't."

"Yes, which is why I was tested to see how careful we need to be."

"Your Highness..." Lord Milori entered and stopped in his tracks upon seeing her on the floor. "What did you do?!" he roared and charged, tackling him on the bench.

"General, enough," she ordered.

With a heaving chest and eyes filled with rage, Lord Milori climbed off.

"He showed me how to move the baby so I can breathe." She held out a hand to him.

Lord Milori took it and helped her stand.

"Good, Milori, you probably broke his back worse." She walked over.

"Your back is broken?" Silvermist gasped from the doorway and dashed over.

The Queen set a hand on her back and pushed her forward. "You can heal him."

She blinked and glanced from the Queen to him, a look of self-consciousness flashing across her face.

"I'm fine right now," he said quietly and then looked at the Queen. "If we're done, I need to go figure out where we're going to stay until I can rebuild our home."

"Your home was one of four hit. You can stay in one of the extra rooms in the castle, like the others." The Queen rested her hands on her belly.

He shook his head. The castle wasn't a place for one like him, who made other fairies nervous. It was as if fairies could sense he was made to assassinate them. "If Silvermist would like to have a room—"

But a delicate arm looped through his. "I want to stay with you."

The Queen studied him for a moment. "Very well. But you never answered my question, Captain."

The tests. They'd indeed indicated fertility—and heightened fertility compared to Bright Fairies. It made no sense for an Alamur to procreate, though, and increase competition for survival. The females didn't even survive long enough to get pregnant, either. Holding the Queen's eyes, he replied, "The risk will be obsolete in a few weeks time." Spruce was studying a male sterilization surgery. Silvermist didn't need to know that she was at risk of carrying his spawn in the meantime because the pregnancy scare made it easy to not touch her anymore. She'd never need to be scared like that again.

The Queen frowned in confusion but didn't press.

Silvermist held his arm on the way out of the castle doors like he was some damn hero. "Do you need to go to the hospital—"

"No," he growled. Now that it was all over, his hands shook at the thought of how close he'd come to losing her tonight. "Are you hurt?" he snapped.

She blinked at his abrasive manner. "No." Then she stepped in front and set a hand over his heart and tilted her head back for a kiss to heal his back.

Except right now every instinct wanted to make love to her, to hold her close and cherish what had almost been lost. But there was too much risk of pregnancy, of not knowing if her body would become fertile, too. So he held her shoulders and took a step back. "Let's get some sleep. It must be three in the morning."

Those big brown eyes stared for a moment, and then she dropped her hands and stepped back from his wings drooped and she looked so unsure of herself. "Thank you for protecting me," she said and looked at the ground. Then she turned and started walking toward Autumn.

It hurt to see her hurt by the rejection, but it was the safest route for her. Drawing a deep breath for strength, he followed.