I couldn’t answer the question, so I shrugged. “I’m not sure. I tried to heal you after the blade struck you. I gave you everything I had, but it didn’t seem to work. Then a few minutes later, the lake began to fill up and the water gave me back my strength and you came back alive.”

  Lerissa bent down and submerged her hands in the water, gasping with delight when she stood again and faced me with tears in her eyes.

  “It was you, Lia,” she said softly with a smile on her lips and laughter shaking her shoulders. “You are the one who healed the lake with your magic; whatever you did on me was absorbed by the land.” She smiled wider. “You did it.”

  It was hard to believe that I had restored Glimmerglass Lake. But what I was most happy about was seeing Lerissa alive again. However, it wasn’t going to be long before her life was going to change. Soon, she would be confined to living mainly in the water. There was a guilt in my soul I was afraid would never go away because of that.

  Lerissa smiled as she gazed out at the water. “I never got to tell you about the cure. Do you want to know why it needs our blood and water from Glimmerglass Lake?”

  “Of course,” I replied, curious to hear the story.

  Lerissa blew out a sigh, still keeping her focus on the lake. “The original potion that turned men into Tyvar only had two ingredients: Diawen’s blood and water from the sea she was born in. That sea is all dried up now. She’d saved some of the water and used it on the men she just recently turned into Tyvar.” Her eyes shot over to mine. “She can’t make any more now. But, at least we have all we need to heal them all. She’s going to get a big dose of reality when we break the curse, and she loses a lot of her power.”

  Lerissa walked over to the grassy bank and picked up the glass decanter I had left there. She pulled out the cork stopper and lowered it to the lake, almost filling it completely.

  “You need Diawen’s blood for the cure,” she explained. “Since I’m part of her line, mine will work. It makes sense why you’d need it since it’s part of the curse. That’s why your healing blood and the magical Glimmerglass Lake water are used to counteract Diawen’s essence. It reverses the spell.”

  Aidan chuckled. “That is very interesting.”

  Lerissa smiled at him, and I was happy to see they had a genuine connection. Maybe it was a good thing she was going to live in his court. Lerissa held the decanter to her chest and nodded at the knife on my belt.

  “Are you ready? I know your guys are waiting on you.”

  Taking a deep breath, I unsheathed my knife. I was more than ready.

  Chapter 27

  Lia

  My heart raced as we made our return to Blossom Court; the glass decanter was tucked close to my chest. Inside, the liquid glowed like a thousand stars and flickered in time with each beat of my pulse. When we arrived, Aidan circled around to the pear tree grove—the perfect place for a special night ahead. Bayleon and Bastian were waiting for me there. Aidan descended gracefully and I slid down his scaly skin, clutching the decanter tightly in my arms. Lerissa was about to come down too, but I stopped her.

  “Go get your family,” I said. “There’s no time to waste.”

  She hesitated, concern creasing her forehead. “What if the cure doesn’t work?”

  I smiled. “It will. We’ll visit you once you’ve settled in your new home.” Guilt blossomed inside me at the thought of the time Lerissa had left on land, but I squashed it down and offered her a comforting grin. “If we heal the Tyvar tomorrow, you know what that means don’t you?”

  She nodded sadly. “I do, but it’s okay. I’ll have Aidan’s ocean to enjoy.”

  She patted his head affectionately and he snorted out smoke before she winked at me, and they flew off into the night. I rushed through the veil of pear trees, clutching the decanter to my chest. My heart raced with both excitement and fear as I could see Bayleon and Bastian’s eyes widen with shock at the sight of me. They immediately came running toward me, and I set the decanter down so we could embrace in a three-way hug. The warmth of their arms around me was a calming comfort, and I breathed in their scent.

  I pulled away from them slightly and lifted their masks, exposing two pairs of captivating deep blue eyes that had my heart yearning for something more.

  “Are you okay?” Bayleon asked, his voice so sweetly smooth in my ear.

  I nodded before Bastian spoke to me on the other side. “Did everything go as planned?”

  A wave of regretful sadness washed over me as I remembered everything that had just happened with Lerissa and Diawen.

  “Not exactly.” I paused before continuing. “It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you all about it later—right now is about us.” I licked my lips nervously and smiled. “I want you both to take the cure, and then I want you both to officially be mine.”

  Both men looked at each other for a second before turning back to me. Bastian was filled with curiosity, while Bayleon seemed a little guarded.

  “You want to seal the marriage bond?” Bastian asked.

  I nodded. “Yes. That’s if you want to be bound to me for all eternity.”

  Bayleon sighed. “What if it doesn’t work, Lia? What if you can’t bind yourself to us both?”

  A mixture of hope and determination filled me as I reached up and touched his cheek reassuringly.

  “It’ll work,” I whispered softly. “I can feel it in my soul.”

  My hands trembled as I picked up the decanter and pulled out the cork stopper from the decanter. Bayleon and Bastian were eerily calm, yet my heart raced with anticipation. We were so close to unlocking something incredible; I still couldn’t believe it was real. Bastian cautiously took the decanter from me.

  “Who wants to go first?” I focused my magic on the cluster of pear trees around us, weaving vines and fragrant flowers around them in a protective cocoon so no one could see us.

  With a flick of my wrist, I summoned two tiny cups made of pear tree leaves and gave them to Bayleon and Bastian. “You can take it together.”

  I quickly filled their small leaf cups before carefully placing the decanter back on the ground. They glanced into the cups and then at me, lifting them in unison. Nothing was said; it was just silence as they both tipped their heads back to drink the cure. Nothing seemed to exist in the moments of anticipation, and we were left wondering what would happen next.

  Suddenly, Bayleon and Bastian collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. I rushed to their side, cupping their faces and lifting them up. I sucked in a breath when I saw what was happening—their skin, which was usually pale, was now turning golden, like mine, and their eyes were now speckled with gold. It was as if they had been transformed: no longer Tyvar, but now part of my court. The Land of the Fae had accepted them. The first task was done. Now I had to see if they’d be honored as my husbands . . . as kings of the Blossom Court.

  “Hey, talk to me,” I urged, glancing back and forth between them.

  Bastian held up his hands, looking at them like he’d never seen them. He placed them both on the ground, and a second later, a singular red rose grew before him. Mouth gaping, I watched on in utter fascination.

  “I have magic,” Bastian murmured, disbelief in his voice. He jerked his attention to Bayleon, his eyes wide. “It’s our mother’s affinity for the land. I can feel the magic coursing through my veins.”

  Bayleon gazed at me, his expression hopeful. I nodded for him to try, so he placed his hands on the grass. Flowers of various colors bloomed all around us and I squealed with joy.

  “It worked.” I grabbed their hands, examining their changed skin. “You’re free. You belong to my court.”

  Bastian cupped my face with his free hand and kissed me. “We belong to you.”

  Still on our knees and surrounded by flowers, I was ready to take them as my husbands . . . as my kings. Everything felt right. I held onto their hands, combining us.

  “You belong to me, and I belong to you,” I said to them both. “I love you and I will always love you, even after I die and we find ourselves in the Hereafter. Our love will never end. I have never been happier than I am in this moment. I’m ready to bind myself to you in all ways possible. You are my loves, my soul, and my kings.”

  Bastian was the one who spoke next. “Lia, you are the only woman I’ve ever loved and I’m thankful that you were able to see through all my flaws and love me back. I owe you my life and will do everything I can to keep you happy. My love for you is endless and I look forward to everything we will share together.”

  Tears filled my eyes as I turned to Bayleon. He looked down at our clasped hands and brought mine up to his lips, kissing my knuckles softly.

  “You saved me, my love. I was prepared to live a life of agony just to be in your presence, but you freed me from that. You have always had my loyalty and love; now you have my heart. I’m ready to have you, not only as my queen but as my wife, as well. I pray the Land of the Fae deems my brother and me worthy of that.”

  I held their hands tightly and closed my eyes, speaking the ancient elvish words of binding that would join us together. “Amin mela lle ilyamemie ar’ ten’oio.” We said it together, the words perfectly in sync. As soon as our voices faded, a gust of wind surged around us and I opened my eyes to see delicate petals floating all around us.

  At that moment, I felt an unbreakable connection between them and me; it was like we were being sealed together. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks at the sight of Bayleon and Bastian wearing crowns made of vines decorated with colorful gemstones. They gazed into each other’s eyes knowingly—they had been accepted as my kings.

  Overcome with emotion, I hugged them tightly and planted passionate kisses onto their lips before pulling away slightly. “It worked . . .you’re both mine.”

  Bastian’s eyes darkened with unadulterated passion. “And now it’s time to show you you’re ours.”

  He kissed me fiercely, his hands working at freeing me from my clothes. Bayleon moved my hair to the side and kissed the back of my neck, sending shivers down my arms. I couldn’t wait to have them both, to feel them inside me.

  Within a few seconds our clothes had been removed, and I stared at their gloriously naked bodies. We were surrounded by our private grove of pear trees with a bed of flowers beneath us; it was magical.

  My flesh warmed as Bastian’s hands roamed down my body, holding me close. I looked up at them and breathed in the intense moment.

  Bastian’s hand roamed over my breasts and I moaned. Bayleon’s hand trailed down my body, his fingers brushing against my clit. I closed my eyes and let them work their magic on me. Bastian turned me in his arms and kissed me hungrily; he pulled back and grinned.

  “Is this how it’s always going to be?”

  I nodded. “Yes. Only it’ll be better every night.”

  Bayleon caressed my breasts, licking one of them and sending me over the edge.

  “I want to be inside of you,” Bastian said hungrily, his voice heavy with lust. I felt my skin heat up in anticipation and could barely contain my eagerness.

  “Then take me,” I said, my voice low and full of longing.

  Bastian stood over me, his muscular body looming above me as Bayleon knelt between my legs. His fingers danced around my swollen clit, sending waves of pleasure through me as Bastian slowly pushed himself into me. I gasped at the sensation and groaned as Bayleon’s tongue teased my nipples. He sucked one while Bastian licked the other, and I was overwhelmed by the dual sensations coursing through me.

  I felt Bastian swell inside me and whimpered as Bayleon bit gently on my taut nipple. The pleasure was almost too much for me to bear, and with a sharp cry, I let go and gave in to my orgasm. As it ripped out of me, Bastian shuddered deep within me before kissing me deeply, a satisfied sigh escaping from his lips.

  With one last kiss, he moved away so Bayleon could make love to me—however, this time, I wanted to be in control. I pushed Bayleon onto his back and straddled his waist, sliding down ever so gently onto him. Bastian wrapped his hands around my waist from behind, kneading my breasts and kissing my neck as I rode Bayleon.

  I rocked my hips back and forth, feeling Bayleon getting harder inside me. I couldn’t help but close my eyes and let out a sigh of pleasure. Bayleon thrust his cock harder into me, his fingers digging into my skin.

  “Is this what you want?” he asked me. “Is this what you needed?”

  Bayleon pulled me down to him, his lips crashing onto mine, tongue diving into my mouth. My body was trembling; I couldn’t hold in my pleasure any longer. I screamed out in ecstasy as I came, my core tightening around his cock. Bayleon continued thrusting into me as I came down from my orgasm.

  “I love being able to feel you like this,” he growled, breathing heavily.

  I could feel his cock throbbing inside of me as I milked him to completion. Then, once the high from our orgasm had ebbed, we laid on the bed of flowers, me in between the men I loved.

  “That was amazing,” I told them. “I love having you both.”

  Bayleon held me from behind as I laid my head on Bastian’s chest. Both men wrapped their arms around me, holding me close. I felt amazing … complete. Bayleon leaned over and kissed the back of my shoulder, pressing his growing cock against my back. A smile spread across my face. This was what I wanted, to have both my men and to love them.

  We laid there most of the night, pleasuring one another until we passed out from exhaustion. I wanted to give Bayleon and Bastian a night to remember, a night full of hope, love, and the promise of a beautiful future. I think we succeeded.

  Chapter 28

  Bayleon

  ONE WEEK LATER

  Living with the same affliction for nearly two hundred years, it was hard to believe everything had changed so quickly. The moment I drank the cure, I felt the pressure of being cursed drift away as if it had never been there. I didn’t have to hide my eyes from anyone anymore. When I saw my skin had taken on the golden shimmer of the Spring fae and that my eyes were no longer what they used to be, I felt immense pride swell within me. I wasn’t an outcast with the fae anymore; I was one of them—a king.

  Our army has blossomed ever since Bastian and I traveled to the Tyvar to deliver the cure. We’d arrived at the encampment to find only those loyal to us remained alive; everyone else had been killed because of their betrayal. After we shared the elixir, each of our men underwent a transformation similar to ours and their true magical powers began to awaken within them. The Tyvar curse had overpowered the part of us which prevented access to our true nature.

  It was still mind-boggling that a single siren could’ve placed such a powerful curse on us. However, Diawen was still alive and, hopefully, weakened now that the Tyvar was no more. While Bastian and I were busy giving our men the cure, Lia watched over Lerissa’s family in Aidan’s court. Unfortunately, once our men drank the potion, Lerissa felt her magic change. Her newfound ability to remain on land wasn’t as strong, only allowing her a couple hours on the ground each day. I couldn’t even begin to understand how much debt I owed this girl for giving us a second chance at a real life, at being able to love without boundaries.

  Shaylyn bowed her head to me as she passed by in the garden. “Good afternoon, Your Highness.”

  As if this blessing wasn’t enough, my brother and I had been honored by the Land of the Fae itself—an honor I prayed every day to live up to.

  The jovial sound of horse-drawn carriages and muffled voices echoed from the depths of the palace as I rushed down the path toward the entrance. Bastian stood stoically at the door, nodding courteously to those who arrived for Lia’s special evening. His face lit up when he saw me approach, his blond hair combed neatly and the cape around his shoulders trimmed with gold embroidery. Lia had gone all out with our outfits, ensuring everyone knew we were the kings of the Blossom Court. I stood beside Bastian as fae from all corners of the realm bowed humbly in reverence as they passed us by.

  “It’s about time you got here, brother,” Bastian teased with a smirk. “Did you happen to see all the lemon trees lining the north side of the garden?”

  Before I could reply, my attention was immediately drawn to Lia as she walked out of the palace; her red curls piled high atop her head were adorned with delicate flowers and her crown shone brightly in the sun. The emerald dress she was wearing clung to her curves perfectly as she appeared before us and kissed Bastian lightly on the cheek.

  “I saw the lemon trees,” Lia said. “They’re lovely.”

  Then she turned to me and pressed her lips against mine, tasting like sweet honeysuckles. “But I also saw the cherry blossom trees on the south side of the grounds,” she whispered in my ear before pulling away.

  “I did that for you,” I murmured back reassuringly.

  Her amethyst eyes twinkled knowingly before she interlocked our hands together, linking herself with Bastian and me.

  “Thank you, both of you,” she said, smiling sweetly.

  “Are you ready for tonight?” Bastian asked, bringing her hand up to his lips and kissing it gently.

  Lia smiled and winked at us. “More than ready. I want the whole realm to see how amazing you are.”

  My gaze raked down her body. “I don’t think anyone will be looking at us, my love. They will be captivated by you.”

  Bastian chuckled. “At least we don’t have to worry about other men trying to take what’s ours now.”

  I lifted Lia’s hand and kissed it. “And what a relief that is.”

  Lia smiled. “You never had to worry about that to begin with. Even when you didn’t know it, I was always yours.”

  I looked deep into her eyes. “And you always will be.”

  Chapter 29

  Lia

  Not long ago, we had our Equinox Ball. But I wanted to throw this one to introduce Bayleon and Bastian as Kings of Blossom Court and to help more former Tyvar blend in with normal society. They would not have to hide their eyes or dread the prospect of inadvertently killing any women they mesmerized. Some had been cursed for centuries. Seeing them adapt so quickly was truly heartening. The Blossom Court guard had become much stronger with their presence.