Finn was by my side within an instant, sliding his arms around me before I went splat onto the floor. Because Liam was right. I was still nauseous and dizzy, and I felt as though I could barelystand.
Finn huffed as I leaned heavily against him. “Look, Kael. I know she’s probably your mate and all, but you can’t do stuff likethis.”
“She’s not my mate,” Kael saidsoftly.
“What?” Rourke asked in a snap. “Are you finally conceding that shifting doesn’t belong to you and you alone? I keep telling you she’s an Autumn fae, and not Winter,but—”
“She’s not yours either.” Kael lifted a finger, pointing it straight at Liam. “She’shis.”
Every head in the room turned toward Liam, whose frown had morphed into an arrogant grin. He crossed his arms over his chest and shot me a wink. Even though I hated the direction this conversation was headed, my cheeks flamed anyway. It was annoying how easily the fae could make me blush, especially since it did nothing but feed his massiveego.
“I knew she wasn’t a cold season,” he said. “You’ve been so stuck on the fact she shifted when she was terrified, but I always thought her fear had more to do with it than anythingelse.”
“Now, wait a minute,” Finn said, directing his attention toward Kael. “Why do you suddenly think she’s a Summerfae?”
“I had a little run-in with a Breking in the mountains,” Kael said, lips pressed tight together. “She wasn’t able to shift us back, but she did heal me. That’s why she’s soweak.”
Liam clapped his hands and gave me a wide grin. “Good going,darling.”
“Spring fae are sometimes able to heal as well,” Finn argued. “It isn’t a gift that is solely the realm ofSummers.”
Rourke frowned. “Again, she was mostly likely afraid in that scenario. I don’t think we can accurately call her a Summer fae until she’s been at the Academylonger.”
“I agree. She’s clearlySpring.”
“Guys,” I said, holding up my hands and twisting my way out of Finn’s warm embrace. “Please stop. You’re all giving me a headache in addition to the headache I already had from the healing thing Idid.”
The four of them fell silent and stared at me. I shifted on my feet. It was a little unnerving to have their undivided attention like this, but a part of me kind of liked it, as much as I hated to admit it. They were arguing over which Court I belonged to...which meant every single one of them must have felt the same connections Idid.
Why did it have to be just one of them in theend?
“I’m tired,” I finally said. “I’m going to go get somerest.”
They all started talking over each other, arguing about who would escort me back to my apartment. With a roll of my eyes, I held up my hand again. “I can make it to my room bymyself.”
They didn’t argue, but they did follow me out into the hallway to watch me walk away. And now that I had my back turned to them, I could let the massive smile widen across my face. Now this...this I could get usedto.
* * *
As soon asthe sun broke through the morning clouds, I slid out of my bedroom window and whispered across the lawn. I’d donned an Autumn golden cloak, and I managed to clamber onto the horse Liam and I had taken when we’d visited Esari. I needed to find Bree, give her the flower, and return to the Academy before anyone noticed I wasgone.
It was strange going alone. While I’d spent most of my life in the presence of my own company, Otherworld Academy had been different. There was always someone around, except during the long stretches on Watch Duty. At first, I found it unnerving, but I’d grown used to the bustle of activity and the changelings who were beginning to feel likefriends.
When I reached the edge of the Autumn woods, I slowed the horse and dropped to the ground. I’d told Bree to hide out somewhere nearby, but it was impossible to know exactly where she’d gone. I’d just have to explore every inch of the edge of the woods until I foundher.
After at least two hours of walking, the crack of a branch sounded from behind me. I whirled on my feet, expecting to see Bree’s relieved face under her mess of dark hair. Instead, several Autumn fae stood before me, aiming arrows at mythroat.
“Who are you and why are you here?” A silver-haired fae strode forward from the group, his golden eyes glittering likestars.
I held up my hands. “I’m one of the recruits at Otherworld Academy. I’m just here looking for myfriend.”
His eyes narrowed. “The Academy is hoursaway.”
“I rode a horse,” I said, hands still raised. “I left it back there at the edge of the woods while I searched for myfriend.”
“And why is your friend lost in our woods?” he asked in a steely voice. “As I said before, the Academy is hours away. It seems unlikely she would have wandered that far fromhome.”
I didn’t really have a good excuse for this, so I had to use the first thought that popped into mybrain.
