It had been two days since the fierig incident and my argument with Lorcan. I stretched out my legs and watched Niamh rifle through jewelry. Outside, the sky was silver ribboned lavender. Only the rim of the sun remained above the horizon. It would sink no lower this evening, but tomorrow would mark the first and only time of the year that Summer went completely dark at night. A perfect night for a Samhain ball.

"What do you think of these?"

Niamh held up two tear drop earrings. In the human world, the closest thing we had to resemble them were diamonds, but a diamond's beauty was a pale thing compared to the glittering gemstones rimmed in fine silver and gold wire. Every shift set of sparkles in new colors, blinding me if I looked directly at them, and I felt nothing. Not even the slightest joy.

"They're quite possibly the prettiest rocks I've ever seen."

The princess sighed and held them up to her pointed ears. "Lunasta. It's the rarest stone in Faerie, and can only be found in and around the Starfall Pool."

"Oh." She arched a brow at my tone, so I injected a bit of enthusiasm into my next words. "What is the Starfall Pool?"

"The pool is at the highest peak of Aventus Mountain. They say it was created when the Ancient Ones arrived in our world. An asteroid struck the earth, and when the smoke cleared, eight powerful beings emerged. Lunasta was created in the places of impact where the fires burned brightest. "

Calix had mentioned them and how they were the ancestors of the Fae, but he hadn't said how they came here. I glanced at the earrings with a new sense of awe. She set them aside and pulled out necklaces.

"Most of the larger pieces are owned by the Kings and Queens of the Courts, but some claim to still find pieces. Those that sunk deep and have been uncovered over the millennia." Niamh frowned and fiddled with a bead at the end of one of her braids. "Well, they did. No one dares travel there now."

My brain spun, her words sparking a memory. I'd seen a mountain from the treetops that first evening with Lorcan, and he told me no Fae dared to go there. Was that Aventus?

"Niamh—"

"This is perfect," she said, grabbing a necklace that was surprisingly simple. She held it aloft. "Just diamonds. A necklace like this made of Lunasta could buy a palace."

"It's a close enough match."

Her lips turned down. "I suppose it would be to a human. Your eyes are so weak."

"My apologies."

Her words burned. Weak. Human. Those were the same words Lorcan had thrown at me during our argument. He had held up his end of the bargain, allowing me to explore the palace and grounds, but I had seen him only in passing since then. He did not invite me to council meetings, and we shared no more dinners.

"Please do not take offense," she said in a rush, catching the sarcasm in my tone.

Over the last few days, she had been at the palace more than usual, the lure of gowns and gemstones temporarily stronger than the lure of the open skies.

"Here, let me show you how the necklace will work. Stand up."

Because I knew she would not stop until I listened, I obeyed. She clipped my hair back from my face with an ill-concealed wince. I touched a strand. Lank and greasy from two days of training and falling into bed without washing, too exhausted emotionally and physically to do anything but pull the covers over my trembling, weak human frame. Only to remain awake for hours, staring into the dimly lit sky and searching for black mist on the wind.

Niamh tilted her head and studied me. I glanced down. My current dress was a simple pale green sundress with spaghetti straps. I'd had several made for lounging in the evening. While cute, it wasn't the right look for the long, delicate necklace.

"Slip your straps off and pull the top of the dress down to your waist."

"What? Why?" Playing dress up with the princess for the last three weeks had stripped me of most of my modesty, but not entirely. If I did as she requested, I would be naked before her.

"It's fine. It's just the two of us, and I really need to make sure the necklace fits or if it needs adjustments."

"Fits?" I cupped my hand around my neck, her words wounding my vanity. Fae, I might not be, but I'd always thought I had a pretty neck. Slender and graceful without being too long.

A fit of the giggles overtook Niamh. She wiped the corners of her eyes. "Just do as I ask, please. I'll show you."

Reluctantly, I lowered the gown, covering my breasts with one arm. Niamh moved behind me and tapped her slim fingers on my arm in a gentle nudge to lower it. She hung it around my neck. The metal was cold against my skin, and the strand of diamonds went all the way to my navel, leaving several odd lengths dangling below my hips. The middle portion that laid flat against my clavicles and dipped between my breast was made of larger stones with three emeralds evenly spaced between the diamonds.

"Now, see this." The odd lengths pulled tight against my ribcage as she pulled them to the back and fastened them. She spun me to face her. I cupped my breasts, but she had eyes only for the necklace. "My brother will be fighting off every Fae male when they see you in that. I'll have to pick a different gown, of course, but that's why I had multiple made. Just in case, you see."

Niamh continued to mutter about halter tops and plunging necklines. I walked to the mirror, eyes tracing the beautiful piece and wondering if Lorcan would truly find me irresistible in it. And wondering if I cared if he didn't.

Behind me, black flecks of light swirled and came together. When they disappeared, Calix stood there, his eyes finding mine in the reflection. It was the first time I'd seen him since he brought me home from fighting the fierigs. Beneath my palms, my nipples hardened, and his nostrils flared, scenting my body's arousal.

"Gracious brother," Niamh fussed, snapping her cases closed. She stacked them neatly on the floor against the wall before taking the necklace off me. "You should give some warning. You know we are preparing for a ball."

He sat on the edge of the bed, his legs wide as he leaned back on his palms and raked his eyes over me.

"Is this a new trend? Going dressed only in jewelry? Because I assure you, sister, whatever gold we might save will be lost in the wars it will cause. Surely, no Fae could be in her presence like this and not try to sample her."

The princess sniffed. "Do not mind what he says. Though he would like you to believe that all Fae are lustful beasts, most are capable of controlling themselves."

They were doing better than me, then. I should have pulled my dress up long ago; instead, I kept my hands in place and imagined they were his. If Niamh was not here... I don't know what I might do.

"Where have you been?"

Niamh looked between us, tension tightening her shoulders. She closed her hands around the necklace. "I think this could do with a little adjustment. I'll tend to that at once."

She backed out of the room, leaving me alone with Calix, and all the suspicions that had formed over the last two days clicked into place. Both brothers had been absent, but I found myself missing only one. The one who had not claimed me. The one who never said he wanted me. The one who wasn't a choice.

"Calix?"

"Are you going to wear that for my brother?"

He left his spot and came to me. I could do nothing but watch him as he removed my hands and lowered them to my side. My breasts hung free and heavy between us, the nipples hard and darkened to a deep blush and aching to be sucked.

My attraction to him had been present since the first day; I couldn't deny that. But this longing began yesterday morning when he didn't show up for our training session. I threw myself into the exercises he taught me, but the ache only grew worse. If I had known that spending so many days alone with him—his hands on me and scent surrounding me while we fought—would leave me craving him like an addict, I might have chosen differently.

But it wasn't just that. Lorcan ignited a physical want within me. Maybe not as fierce, but it was still pleasurable. If he could see me the way Calix did, I could choose him and accept the slow burn. It was the safer fire anyhow—less likely to consume us.

"Little moon... I asked you a question." Calix inched closer. Another inch and my breasts would press into his chest. "Will you wear that necklace for my brother?"

Closing my eyes, I whispered, "Yes."

I would wear it because Calix wasn't a choice, but neither was Lorcan. Tomorrow, before the ball, I would tell him I had made my choice. I had to go back home.

A breeze caressed my flushed skin, and I opened my eyes. Calix's eyes burned brighter than the stars. They were the last thing to disappear as he left me, and when I finally found sleep that night, they were in every dream. Haunted and hungry.