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Her magic, though, had marked her even before her sexuality had. A prophecy had whispered around like the early winds of a typhoon. Elementals would rise. And they’d destroy the fairy courts—or restore them—depending on which group of fairies told the story. The Prasanna saw the prophecy as a blessing. The Seelie, however, saw it as a message of doom. Elemental Fae had been gone for hundreds of years, before Elisa or I were born, and King Carrington had brushed off the prophecy.
Then fairies were born who could connect with various elements.
Like Elisa who could manipulate metal with her powers.
She wasn’t technically elemental—those fairies could wield water, air, fire, and earth simultaneously—but she was close enough.
King Carrington executed anyone who smacked of elemental magic.
So, Elisa, burdened with magic connected to the elements, left after the death of her gentle father. She rarely looked back. This damn job was unearthing everything for both of us, though.
“I know,” I finally said.
“The Seelie are wicked. They twist everything and call things evil to control their court… and the humans more and more.”
I twisted one of her curls around my finger and rested my lips against her freckled shoulder.
“They’d even call our relationship sinful.”
My hand stilled. “Then that makes me hate them more. Maybe Sai isn’t foolish to grab for the Memoria Globe as well. I’ll rob the bastards blind.”
Elisa frowned, and the creamy skin of her forehead puckered. “And get yourself killed attempting it?”
“Hey. You know we’re careful.”
“Are you?” She pulled her arm under her head and her soft green eyes studied my features like she memorized them. “We’ve had a few close calls. Plus, this one has Sai emotionally compromised.”
“Because of Lira?” Her name was gravel on my tongue.
“No. Because this is personal for him… and for you.”
It was personal because the only place in the world I had ever belonged—or Elisa had ever belonged—was in the Prasanna court. I may not be Prasanna by birth, but loyalty to the Maharani pulsed through my blood. An offense against the Princewasfucking personal to me. “Lennox manipulated our prince and did him the highest dishonor. It’s… it’s fae code. Zevars are… sacred. Even the stone of your enemy.”
Elisa pressed her forehead to mine and kissed me, lingering so that she whispered against my lips. “That’s what I’m telling you. The Seelie don’t play by honor, they act on their own rules. We’re all wicked and fallen in their eyes. Maybe it would be best if we sit this one out.”
I gasped. “Elisa… I’m… I’m doing this forus.”
“I know, but maybe it doesn’t matter.”
Our breaths mixed for a moment and then I jumped up and perched on the edge of the bed with my back to her. “How can you say it doesn’t matter?”
We’d spent the last couple of years helping the Prasanna regain their magic. We were loyal and uniquely talented but there was a reward for us at the end as well. The Prasanna—once they restored their powers—could grant us time. The idea of losing Elisa or any minute I could have with her, fueled my actions. I’d give anything to protect that. It was sacred to me.
She sat up and draped her legs beside mine. They were pale and adorned in freckles like a star speckled sky. I’d made more than a few wishes when wrapped between them, and every one of them involved her. She curled an arm around me and rested her chin on my shoulder. “I love you, Neia.”
“And I love you. That’s what drives this, don’t you see?”
“I’m happy with what we have now.”
“Is it enough for you, though? Don’t you want forever?” The time the Prasanna could grant us with their magic wasn’t actuallyforeverbut close enough.
She tucked hair behind my ear and traced her finger along my jaw and over my lips. “This moment—being here with you—is as good as forever for me.”
“Will you feel that way if I die and leave you alone? I don’t know how you feel but the reverse would devastate me. I’m fighting for time with you, Elisa. That’s the most precious thing to me.”
Elisa sighed as she pulled away from me. I jumped up and jerked clothes on. “I’ll go find us breakfast.”
I didn’t look back at her as I closed the door behind me. I couldn’t. We rarely disagreed, but when we did, it was always about this, the future that leered over us. It made my throat stick with grief for events that hadn’t happened yet. There was a way out, but it involved continuing to help Sai finish these jobs. Elisa wanted to slip away into the Prasanna lands and never face danger again. And, damn it, I wanted that for her—us—too. The risk was worth the gain in this case, though.
