The artwork above is not mine.

•~ ❘ ۞ ❘ ~•

    Evren watched the ale drinking contest in quiet amusement. Most of the males were being beaten by one younger female. The loss was not sitting well with them. The female grabbed another mug and downed it in just a few gulps.

    She slammed her mug down and threw her arms in the air with a cheer. The males grumbled to themselves as others began to offer their congratulations. She flipped a long red braid over her shoulder and stood.

    Evren approached her curiously. The female caught her eye and straightened at once. "Congratulations," Evren said. "Those males didn't stand a chance."

    "I know." She grinned excitedly. "My victory is even more satisfying because they were all my older brothers."

    "Five older brothers? That's quite a few," Evren said.

    "There's never a dull moment. I'm Keitha." She held out a hand.

    Evren shook it. "Evren."

    "Do you have any siblings?" They began to walk away from the drinking area and headed towards another competition.

    "No. My parents struggled having children," she replied.

    "I can't imagine growing up without my brothers. You must have been lonely quite often."

    "I was," Evren agreed. "But I'm less so now."

    Keitha's brown eyes drifted to the crown atop her head. "You are the High Lord's companion?" Evren nodded. "I don't mean to sound rude but, well, most people say you're his..."

    "Whore?" Evren finished for her. Keitha nodded and her cheeks turned pink. "They can think what they like. Whores sleep with someone to earn money. I am with Eris because I care about him."

    "I've heard the High Lord is cruel and arrogant."

    "He has his moment, but there is more to him than what he's chosen to show this court."

    "Are you going to become the Lady of the Autumn Court? Or perhaps the High Lady?"

    "Maybe someday."

    "I thought Humans hated Fae."

    "Many do, but not all. I used to. I'm still wary of most, especially males. I have...personal history that has contributed to my perception of Fae. My perception has changed a lot during the months I've lived here," Evren replied.

    Keitha grinned. "I'm happy to hear that. I have so many questions about Humans and their customs. When I was little, I used to think Humans were myths. Is it true that you can't smell like Fae?"

    "Yes," Evren chuckled. "Human senses are practically nonexistent when compared to Fae's."

    "Do Humans actually kidnap Faerie children who are disobedient and keep them as servants? My mother always told me that's what would happen to me if I didn't behave."

    "No, we don't kidnap Fae children."

    "You mentioned it was hard for your parents to have children. Is it difficult for all Humans? It's hard for Fae to conceive for some reason. In fact, Fae with Human mates are considered very lucky. Having a Human mate is rarer than having a mate at all, and it's easier for them to have children with a Fae."

    "Most people are able to have children easily, but there are those like my parents," Evren explained. "Age and health can affect fertility, as I'm sure it can with Fae. And I was under the impression that Humans are largely considered lesser by Fae."

    "It depends on the Fae," Keitha replied. "I personally think it's lucky for a Fae to have a Human mate. Are you the High Lord's mate?"

    Evren shrugged. "I know next to nothing about mates."

    "Allow me to explain it, then," Keitha said, beaming. "A Mating Bond is a rare Bond between two Fae or a Fae and a Human. It can fall into place upon the couple's first meeting, or develop over an extended period of time. It gives the couple very strong instincts and impulses. You can feel the Bond as though it were a physical thing. Some couples can communicate through it."

    "The Bond can be rejected, but rejecting a Bond will often lead the other person into madness. Losing one's mate is described as losing half of their own being, their own soul. Of course, some mates aren't always happy. The Bond falls in place between people who are equals, not always those who are in love."

    "What kind of instincts does a Mating Bond give you?" Evren asked. Her thoughts drifted to Eris' words that morning. He'd said he'd been fighting his instincts, and they were only going to grow stronger. Was there a reason why?

    "All sorts. I'm not sure how the Bond affects Humans, but with Fae, their instincts can be devastating at first. They're possessive of each other, overly protective, and often overcome by an insatiable need to fuck each other for the first few weeks after the Bond has fallen into place."

    "How possessive?"

    "To the point where everyone looking at their mate will be seen as a threat, especially those of the opposite gender. They can resist their instincts, but it's very difficult."

    "I see." Evren mulled over the information. What Keitha said almost seemed to fit what was happening with Eris. From what he'd told her about his own feelings, anyway. Was it possible that this Bond existed between them? She didn't feel a Bond like Keitha had described, but she didn't understand it either. It could very well be there.

    Was that why Eris had felt the need to warn her about his instincts? Was that why he was finding it so hard to hold himself back? Did he know something she didn't? Was he keeping it from her because he didn't want to overwhelm her?

    "My Lady?" Keitha called, breaking her away from her thoughts.

    Evren blinked and looked up. "Oh, sorry. I was thinking."

    Keitha smiled. "I asked if you'd like to join the knife throwing contest with me. You look like you have a good arm for blades."

    Evren smiled. The feeling was still unfamiliar, but she was realizing just how much she'd missed it. "I'd love to." Keitha looped an arm through hers and pulled her towards the competition. She would speak with Eris about what she had learned later. Right now, she would enjoy herself.

•~ ❘ ۞ ❘ ~•

    Eris returned to the festivities scowling. Something about Celosia wasn't adding up, but he didn't know what. He heard a group of raucous cheers nearby. Eris approached them and found Evren standing near another female.

    They each held several throwing knives. Two targets were set up a good distance away from them. Evren drew her arm back and loosed a knife. It embedded itself right beside the target's bullseye. The other female took her turn and landed on the second ring from the bullseye.

    They proceeded to take turns, racking up points with each hit. Evren's aim was better than the female's but neither of them seemed to care. They were exchanging quips and praise as though they were old friends.

    Eris' scowl faded. Perhaps Evren would become friends with this female. He certainly hoped so. Evren threw her last knife and it hit the bullseye dead on. The other female hit the bullseye as well. She cheered excitedly and Evren congratulated her.

    The crowd clapped as the two of them moved away from the targets. Evren caught sight of him and took the female by the hand, whispering something. Both of them joined him. "This is Keitha Drach," Evren said in introduction.

    Keitha dropped into a bow. "My Lord."

    "Are your brothers Alf, Larken, Josiah, Kai, and Evander?"

    "They are. You've heard of them?" Keitha asked with an embarrassed grimace.

    "Their reputations are well known," Eris said with a grin. "As is yours, although it appears you could use a little more practice with blades."

    "How can I practice when Josiah hogs them all day?" Keitha laughed.

    "Tell him I said to share. When you're able to hit the bullseye fifty times in a row, come talk to me. I'm always looking for competent scouts."

    Keitha's eyes widened and she broke into an excited grin. "Yes, my Lord." She squeezed Evren's hand. "I hope I'll see you again sometime?" Evren nodded and Keitha dashed away with a squeal of delight.

    "She seems nice," Eris said, crossing his arms.

    "Much nicer than Celosia," Evren agreed. He stiffened. "What is it?"

    "She was here," he sighed. "I sent her away, so don't worry about it."

    Evren knit her brows, watching him, but she said nothing. A few males walked past and cast appraising looks over Evren. Eris forced his rising instincts back down. Their stares lingered. Eris couldn't bite back a snarl. Evren moved closer to him and he slipped an arm around her waist.

    "I'm sorry," he murmured.

    "It's all right." She tipped his head down and pressed a kiss to his jaw. He breathed in her scent and heat fluttered through his stomach. "You can't help it." Evren kissed the corner of his mouth.

    Eris furrowed his brows. He hadn't kissed her yet. Or, he had, but he hadn't kissed her on the lips. Would she accept it if he tried, or should he wait? Should he let her be the one to initiate it?

    Evren tucked her face into the crook of his neck. He rested his cheek against her hair, scanning the faces of the people who walked past. "There's something I want to talk to you about when we get home," Evren said.

    "Should I be worried?"

    "I don't think so."

    "Hm." He breathed her in once more. "I should continue making my rounds."

    "I'm going to find Keitha again."

    Eris smiled as he released her. Evren walked off, dark curls bouncing against her back. Sunlight reflected off her crown. She looked every bit the High Lady he hoped she would one day agree to become. He turned on his heel and headed away.

•~ ❘ ۞ ❘ ~•

    "Evren!"

    She spotted Keitha standing near the outskirts of the village. Evren hurried over to her. "There you are. I was looking for you," she said.

    "Come with me." Keitha took her hand. "I want to speak with you about something." She pulled Evren away from the village and into the woods.

    "Where are we going?" Evren asked. Keitha didn't reply. They walked until they were just out of sight of the village. "Keitha?"

    Keitha wrinkled her nose and Evren stepped back as her face melted away. Celosia stood in her place. "You're a difficult Human to find," Celosia said. "But luckily, I'm good at pretending to be someone I'm not."

    "What do you want?" Evren growled.

    "I want to offer you a warning and some advice." Celosia's sapphire eyes portrayed no feeling. "Don't let yourself fall for Eris. I don't say this because I want him for myself. Have you thought this through? You are a Human. He is High Fae. He will remain young and you will grow old and die, making barely a dent in his life."

    "He might promise you love and power," she gestured to the crown on Evren's head, "but do you really think these people will accept a Human as their High Lady? Eris has enough problems with the Loyalists. They'll see his affection for you as a weakness. You'll become nothing but a political bargaining chip for them to wield against him."

    "And besides, we are talking about Eris. I'm not convinced he feels anything truly meaningful for you," Celosia continued. "He sees you as a fling. A broken toy for him to fix, so he can feel better about himself. An assassin who can help meet his needs in more ways than one. A Human who can provide him heirs faster than a High Fae can. And if you can't provide him with heirs for whatever reason, you're practically useless to him."

    Before Evren had a chance to reply, Celosia was walking away. "Just something to think about," she called over her shoulder. Evren watched her go, doubts and confusion weighing heavily on her mind.