War of Hearts (True Immortality 1)

As did I.

“It has come to my attention that humans have discovered the healing use of our blood.”

A gasp rippled around the room.

Eirik had brought the rumors with him and had told me a few days ago of this discovery. Apparently, fae blood could heal a human or supernatural from any wound or disease, even from the brink of death. There were murmurings that war bands of humans were gathering to steal fae back into the human world as their own constant source of immortality.

I had thought it mere ridiculous human posturing.

But the queen’s seer had declared it was beyond that.

“We are on the brink of war. Again. And I will not let beings we have so benevolently graced our gifts upon ruin our world. I am afraid the gate must close.”

Good. I wished to stay here.

“I am sending all non-fae back to their own world. Human, vampire, and werewolf alike. I am afraid you are no longer welcome on Faerie.”

Horror rooted me in place. I felt Andraste clasp at my hand as she whimpered.

No.

“Do you think”—Aine’s gaze drifted around the room and stopped upon certain individuals for a few deliberate seconds, before turning to Andraste and me—“I am not aware of the inappropriate bonds that have been forged between fae and non-fae?”

I stiffened.

She knew Andraste was my mate.

“There are matings in this room that should never have come to pass. The stars, however, choose as they see fit and I have let it stand so long as it has not caused injury to our world. First, there was Abellio and her wolf. The grief they caused Earrach when they killed one of their princes …” Aine’s eyes glistened with tears. “Now, a royal subject of Fómhar has given her blood to her human mate to save his life after he was injured in a human war. This is a grave threat to our home. So I am sorry … but for the sake of peace, you are all expelled from Faerie.”

Outrage swelled out of the fae as I turned to stare at my love. “Andraste,” I whispered, terrified of never seeing her face again.

She burrowed into me, silver tears falling down her pale cheeks. “I cannot lose you.”

I shook my head in denial. This could not be happening.

“However, I am not so cruel …”

We whipped around to stare in hope at the queen. My heart thudded at the devious smirk on her face.

“I am not so cruel as to deny our children a chance to live here forever. As I close the gates, I will cast a spell out into the human world. In time, that spell will come to fruition in the form of seven children, born to human parents, but fae-borne.”

Everyone gasped at the idea.

Aine smiled. Smug. “Yes. Seven children and with them the ability to open the gate. They and their companions will enter Faerie. If they succeed, I grant them leave to remain here with us forever.”

Then the world shimmered, my head spun, and before I could kiss her one last time, Andraste was ripped from me.

I stumbled into the darkness of a familiar forest, the smell of pine and earth filling my nostrils.

No. I whirled to find my bearings and instead found Eirik standing with … Fionn.

But … I sniffed the surrounding air.

He was no longer human.

“Did we …” I looked around, frantic.

“We are home,” Eirik said flatly. “The bitch sent everyone back to Earth and closed the gate. Good riddance.” His gaze drew up Fionn. “What the hell happened to you?”

Fionn glared at my brother. “Aine made me fae.”

Eirik raised an eyebrow. “Immortal?”

“Yes.” He sneered. “She intended to keep me on Faerie with her. But a princess of Samhradh owed me a favor. She cast an illusion spell over me so I could find my way to you in the crowds. The queen’s seer, she told me if I held onto someone who would be glad to return to this world, I would be transported back with them. You are the only bastard I know who hates the fae almost as much as I do.”

“Then it is true,” I whispered, feeling like my heart might crumble within my chest. “The gate has really closed.”

“Yes.” Fionn nodded.

No, no, no.

“What now?” my brother said to the queen’s consort.

“Now, I return to my home, to my family. Where are we?”

“Germania. You are some ways from Éireann. How do you know the queen will not open the gate to return you to her?”

“She will not risk it. Her seer saw much bloodshed between the fae and human world if the gate remained open.”

My brother grinned. “She fears us?”

“No, you fool.” Fionn glowered. “She is trying to protect us. A war with the fae would wipe out this world. Aine might be a selfish, self-indulgent bitch, but she would not see to the destruction of an entire world. Especially not one that bears fae children. And whether you like it or not, vampires and werewolves are fae children.”