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“But I don’t have any magical abilities. How am I supposed to hone my skills?”

“You have magic, Michaela, or you wouldn’t be going through the Tribulation. Your Divine trial is to figure out what that magic entails—and learn to harness it instead of letting it burn like wildfire, consuming your vessel.”

“You’re an alchemist. You understand magic. Could you help me make sense of my abilities?”

Maxfield sighed. “I am but a healer. And a retired one, at that. I have no time for teaching.”

“Sounds to me like you’ve got all the time in the world,” Lucius sneered. “I can reward you handsomely. How much for the jar and your tutelage?”

“The jar?” Maxfield laughed. “No, no. All you’ll need is a small vial. A little smear will do the trick. As for my tutelage—some things aren’t for sale.”

Lucius huffed, unable to hide the irritation on his face. “Let me formally introduce myself: Lucius, Seventh Son of Artos, rightful Prince of the Second Realm.”

Maxfield gave an exaggerated bow. “Forgive my casualness, My Lord. Your father was a great leader.”

Something flickered across Lu’s face. It vanished in a blink, but not before I noticed the tightening of his jaw. A cold glint dulled the warmth in his eyes. He didn’t respond to the compliment. Didn’t even acknowledge it. Instead, he pivoted sharply, his tone clipped.

“Let me ask you again. How much?”

Maxfield, unbothered by the sudden shift, shrugged. “Life-binding, you say?”

“It’s the only reason she’s still with us.”

Maxfield sighed. “For a son of Artos, I’ll make an exception. Let’s say… five hundred laurric?”

Lucius nodded once. “Deal.”

The afternoon sun filtered through the forest canopy, casting twinkling shadows across the leaf-littered ground. We had a long walk back to the cabin ahead of us.

“Should I try the sprite ash now?” I asked Lu as we passed the outskirts of Maxfield's glade.

“Do you need it?” He raised a brow. “How are you feeling?”

“No, I’m good—I don’t need it. But I’d rather know now what I’m getting into than wait until I’m desperate for help.” I didn’t want to put all my faith into a remedy that might not work.

“Actually… now that you mention it, I like the idea of you trying it while we’re still fairly close to Maxfield’s. You know, in case something goes wrong.”

“Bloody hell, Lu! I hadn’t even thought about possible side effects. That settles it.” I glanced around for a place to sit, settling on a moss-covered rock. “Do you think it needs to go somewhere specific?” I asked, rolling the vial between my fingers.

“He said, ‘a little smear will do the trick.’ I’m guessing you use it like faerie dust.”

I popped open the vial, pressed a fingertip to the opening, and tilted it.

A sparkling silver-blue powder clung to my skin.

“It’s pretty,” I said, then hesitated before smearing it across my cheekbones like an ethereal highlighter.

Except… it wasn’t makeup. It was the remains of a small creature.

I tried to remind myself that the sprites had offered their remains in hopes of eternal life—but the idea still gave me the ick.

I decided it was best not to think about it.

Almost instantly, my head spun. Colors became more vibrant. The sounds of the forest sharpened. Energy surged through me, and a giddiness bloomed—like the warm buzz of one too many drinks. My limbs, and my…other parts were tingling. I began giggling uncontrollably.

“This is getting interesting,” Lu said, biting his lip to hide a smile.

“I wonder if it can make you fly—like faerie dust?” I focused for a moment, centering on all the things I had to be happy for.

Nothing happened. My feet remained firmly planted on the ground. I guess sprite ash wasn’t exactly like faerie dust. “Well, I’m not flying, but… I feel amazing! Lu, I haven’t felt this good—ever. I feel like I could run a marathon.”

“I’m not sure what that means, but seeing you full of life is intoxicating. There’s a light in your eyes I’ve never seen before.”

I felt childlike—simple and uncomplicated.

Most of my life had been filled with fear and trepidation.

Hospitals and doctors, needles and chemo.

But before the cancer, before the dreaded terminal diagnosis, I’d been filled with hope and innocence.

Aspirations for the future, dreams of becoming the fairytale princess from Gram’s stories.

It was all back. The fire, the clarity, the weight of who I was. The real Michaela—raw and unadulterated.

And not only did I have the attention of my very own prince charming—I had caught the eye of several.

I decided right here and now: I wouldn’t waste this moment.

I stood and tapped Lu on the knee. “Tag, you’re it!”

Then I ran, not a care in the world.

“Wait—what?” Lu stammered, confusion flickering across his face as he scrambled to his feet. A heartbeat later, realization hit, and a mischievous grin spread over his lips. “Oh, it’s on. You better run fast, Dove!”

I could hear his heavy footsteps gaining behind me. I ducked behind a wide tree, trying to still my breath.

“You think you’re clever?” Lu called out. He was close. I could hear the leaves crunching under his boots. “You can’t hide from me.”

I screamed as his head popped around the trunk. He was fast—but I wasn’t ready to give up the chase.

I bolted, narrowly escaping his grasp. Laughter erupted from deep in my belly as I weaved through the trees. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had so much fun.

Lu was right behind me. He reached for my shoulders, catching me off guard and spinning me around—only to trip on a root, knocking us both to the ground with a thud.

He landed on top of me, his face mere centimeters from my own. “I’m so sorry—are you okay?” he asked, nervously brushing the hair from my face, inspecting me for injuries.

“I’m fine,” I giggled, breathless. “Better, now that you’ve caught me.” Before I could second-guess it, I lifted my head and kissed him. The heady scent of his musk, mixed with the dried leaves of the forest floor, roused my carnal desires.

He kissed me back—hard. Warmth spread through me as I parted my lips, letting his tongue slide into my mouth.

It was tender yet possessive, and it ignited sparks within me.

I slid my hands into his hair, gripping his head to mine, eliciting a low growl deep within his chest. I didn’t want it to end.

His lips were soft, yet firm, his tongue gentle, yet demanding.

Lu’s hands roamed my body with a desperate need. Palming my breast through my dress, drawing a soft moan from my lips. My body was alive with nervous energy and I wanted more.

“I need to touch you,” he groaned, pulling at the edges of my clothing. His rough hands explored the delicate curve of my waist, sending a shiver down my spine.

Wetness pooled between my legs, and I shamelessly ground against him seeking friction. I could feel his own excitement pressed firmly against my thigh. As though he could read my mind, Lu began to explore further down my waist, gliding over my dress and finding that sweet spot between my legs.

I couldn’t believe this was really happening. I’d all but forgotten we were lying on the forest floor. Butterflies bloomed in my belly, and I fought my body’s urge to tremble. I spread my legs, giving him silent consent to continue.

Lu gently stroked my core, stoking the fire blazing within. “No one has ever made me feel this way,” I confessed through panted breaths.

Lu stopped abruptly, pulling in a large breath. “This can’t happen here. In the middle of Thornwyn Forest, on the ground. Michaela, I’m… I’m so sorry.” He quickly sat up, brushing the dead leaves from his clothes.

Embarrassment consumed me. Did I do something wrong?

I had never been with a man before. While my friends were out messing around with boys and going to clubs, I was either in the hospital or recovering at home.

Chemo chic wasn’t exactly a desirable look.

My dating history was non existent. Maybe I wasn’t any good at it?

“Lu… Was I?—?”

“Michaela.” He reached for my chin, gently turning my face to him. “I want nothing more than to take you right here, right now. But you deserve better than a quick rut in the dirt. I won’t defile your virtue.”

“Is it that obvious?” I asked, dreading his answer.

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean?”

“My virtue. You mean my virginity, right? My inexperience?” I rubbed my hand down my face, trying to wipe the embarrassment away.

His gaze softened. “I didn’t realize you were a virgin.

Please, forgive my forwardness. I never would have—You did nothing wrong.

In fact, you did everything right.” He glanced down to his obvious erection, adjusting himself.

“I’m glad I stopped. Michaela, your first time should be special.

Not a lust-fueled quickie. You are everything I could ever desire in a woman.

When that time comes, it’ll be perfect, simply because it’s with you. ”

“You really want that… with me?”

“There’s nothing I want more.”

I couldn’t help the smile spreading across my face with his confession.

“I’ve wanted you since the first moment I saw you—through your window. The night I brought your sister back from Neverland.”

“But I was on my deathbed?” My face scrunched up. I was literally on hospice when Gwen came home. “Lu, that’s weird.”

“It only seems weird because you don’t understand how being fated works.”

“You’re right. I don’t.”

He took a deep breath. “Do you feel an unexplainable pull… no that’s not the right way to describe it.” He reached for my hand. “When we life-bind, do you feel a connection?”

“I feel the transfer of power, yes.”

“It goes deeper than that. I don’t know exactly how to explain it other than just saying it. Michaela, life-binding is only possible with… fated mates.”

There was that word again. I had asked Luca to explain it to me once and that only led to more confusion and a lusty encounter. “Fated mates?”

“Yes. You and I are?—”

“Fated mates,” I said the words out loud again, not sure I grasped exactly what he was saying.

“Nico, Luca, Finn, Jase, Hunter… all of us are inexplicably connected to you.”

“…Gunner?”

“Yes. Gunner, too.” Lu’s head dropped at the mention of his lost brother. “We’re all fated… to you.”

The idea of fated mates was a common theme in the fairytales Gram told us as children.

I always assumed it was a romanticized notion.

A way for us to hold on to hope that there was one true love destined for you somewhere out in the world.

But if what Lucius was telling me was true, I was fated to not one, but seven.

Suddenly, it all made sense. The little flirtations, their need to protect me. My overwhelming attraction to all of them. “So… what exactly does that mean here in Hiraeth? Are we all together? Like, in some strange prearranged relationship?”

“That’s not quite how it works. Though, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want you as mine.” He looked down at our joined hands, then took a breath. “Even if it means I have to share you with my brothers.”

“Share me?” It sounded weird saying it out loud. The idea of being shared by the six of them had me overwhelmed. Gwen had married five—and it didn’t seem strange at all when I saw them together. They made it work.

“If my brothers feel for you the way I do…” He took another deep breath, rubbing the back of his neck. “It wouldn’t be right to deny them that truth. Please know Michaela, you are in control here. I cannot speak for my brothers. But if you want me, I am yours. I belong to no other.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I tried, Dove. So many times, I tried. What we are experiencing—it’s complicated. I still have a lot of questions myself.”

“Thank you for being honest.”

“I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner.” He reached for an errand strand of hair, tucking it behind my ear. “You deserve nothing but the truth.”

There was a tenderness in his eyes I hadn’t noticed before. A longing for understanding and forgiveness. A vulnerability that softened something deep inside me. I wanted him in ways I couldn’t comprehend and he was offering himself to me here, now.

Time had never been promised to me. Was I wasting it hung up on the variables?

What if this was it? My only chance for a happily ever after?

So what if my ever after wasn’t long. It wouldn’t change the undeniable pull I felt to each and every one of them.

What was I waiting for? I’d be a fool to deny myself a chance at happiness simply because my time might be cut short.

This was it! I simply had to accept him.

“If you are mine,” I said softly, “then I am yours.”

Lu’s smile lit up his whole face. “Nothing makes me happier than to hear those words.” He gently gripped my chin and pulled me in for a gentle kiss. “Let’s get back to Whisperhold. I have something I want to share with you.” A cunning smirk spread across his face.

“I’ve never had a boyfriend before,” I admitted as he helped me up.

“Well,” he said, brushing the leaves from my dress, “now you’ve got something better. You have a mate.”