Page 1074 of One More Kiss

“You must promise to return once a year to see me, and to refresh your magic. Otherwise you will consume the magic from others around you. That has been happening, yes?”

“I don’t think so. How would I know?”

“Magical objects will lose their magic when you consume it. Magical people may feel weak. They may replenish naturally.” He shrugged. “They may not. Spells will collapse completely.”

“So I’m some sort of magic sucking vampire.” It explained why magic became null and void around me. Truth was, it didn’t. I was somehow consuming the magic to replenish my own. I tucked that bit of information away to consider later. Dad was still talking.

“Here in Faerie the realm will replenish you. You feel better here, do you not?”

I flexed my fingers and wriggled my toes. I did feel better here. I’d had very little sleep and was still going strong. I felt vibrant and alive. I nodded.

The Prince smiled. “You will return to refresh yourself and we will celebrate and feast. We will get to know each other. It will be good.”

This was too easy. I was going before he changed his mind. I replaced my cup on the table. “Well, it’s been nice to meet you and all.” I went to stand.

“Are you leaving without breakfast?”

“Alyssia fed me last night, a midnight feast actually, so I’m not hungry now.”

“I see.” The Prince and Alyssia exchanged glances, something passing between them that I couldn’t interpret.

He held up a hand. “There’s one more thing you should know. It will be difficult for you to leave now that you have partaken of food and drink here in Faerie. Not impossible. But it takes a lot of will power and most humans simply never leave.”

I stared at him, then Alyssia, mouth open. “You knew that?”

“I was hoping to convince you to stay!” Alyssia tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Besides, you’re only half human. Your other half is Fae. I don’t think the normal rules apply to you.”

The Prince smiled. It was warm and loving, almost proud, where I’d have expected cold and calculating. “We will see. If you are truly my daughter then anything is possible.”

I settled back in my chair. “I guess one piece of jam and toast won’t hurt. I’ve already eaten the green mud-cake.”

Alyssia giggled while the Prince looked at me with a puzzled expression. Maybe I’d be able to teach them some of my language on my yearly visits.

I took a deep breath, ready to broach the subject of Alyssia coming home with me. I didn’t want to ruin the warm and fuzzies, but I’d come here for a reason.

At that moment the doors to the office burst open. We all looked around, startled. Fin led the way into the room, followed by two guards who were dragging someone between them.

Not just anyone.

They had hold of Jett, and he didn’t look happy. He shook their hands off him with an economy of movement and took a step forward.

Before anyone had a chance to say anything the Midnight Prince had moved. One moment he was sitting and sipping tea, the next he was standing directly in front of Jett.

Jett stood his ground, fists clenched.

The Prince leaned in. For a moment I thought he was going to kiss Jett’s cheeks, like he had mine. Instead, he put one hand on each shoulder and pulled him in for a man hug.

It should have looked ridiculous, but it didn’t.

They pulled back from each other.

“Jett, my old friend,” said the Prince. “It is good to see you.”

“And you, my friend.” Jett inclined his head.

They knew each other? How could this be? I’d clearly missed some part of the big picture here.

“Unfortunately,” the Prince continued, “the fact that you’re here means you’ve betrayed my trust. You know the penalty.”

“I do.” Jett met my eyes. “And it’s worth it ensure Liandra is safe. She is worth my life.”

“What does he mean?” I turned to Alyssia. “What’s the penalty?”

“Death.” Her eyes were wide. “The penalty for betraying the Midnight Prince is death.”

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