“Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome back to another semester at Otherworld Academy,” Alwyn Adair said from her perch behind the podium at the front of the stage. After lunch, our instructors had rounded up the entire school for what appeared to be a last-minute gathering in the gymnasium.

Sophia, who had taken a seat by my side, leaned close and whispered, “What do you think this is all about?”

I shrugged, though the solemn expression on Alwyn’s face suggested it wasn’t anything good.

“First, we must sadly address what happened a few days ago at the Feast of the Fae. The Summer Court has lost the entirety of their Royals to poisoned blueberries, and several of the realm’s Hunters fell in the subsequent attack.”

Whispers of shock went through the gathered changelings. The Hunters were the strongest fighters in all of Otherworld. They protected the Courts and the Academy from the dangerous creatures spread throughout this land. To hear there were fewer of them left now...well, it was a little bit frightening, especially after the attacks we’d already endured.

Alwyn held up her hand and twisted her lips into a tight smile. “No need to panic. The Hunters are still many, and we have a dozen guards patrolling the perimeter of the Academy grounds at all times.”

Indeed, these past few months had seen a sudden reduction in Watch Duty for us. It was far too risky and far too dangerous in Otherworld for the changelings to continue training that way.

The room quietened, and Alwyn plowed forward. “However, despite our enhanced security, I thought it was important to bring you all together after the events of the Feast. As I’m sure you’ve all realized, the realm is no longer the safe haven it has been in years past. There is turmoil. War is brewing. The Courts will retaliate, and the Autumn fae are likely to respond in kind. We are continuing with our courses as planned because your safety depends on your ability to harness your gifts. However, not a single one of you is to leave these grounds under any circumstance. No matter what. Do you understand?”

There were no murmured voices this time. Only open mouths and wide eyes. Fear churned through the room like a thick, invisible fog, one we all felt deep within our bones.

The full reality of the attack on the Summer Court finally sunk in. The realm was no longer at peace. The Courts no longer worked together in harmony. They were at war.

* * *

At the end of the assembly, Head Instructor Alwyn had the Academy chefs pass out freshly-baked cupcakes. I assumed it was some kind of futile effort to make us all feel at least a little bit more comfortable with the bag of rocks she’d just dumped onto our heads.

But I wasn’t about to complain about eating cupcakes.

The doors of the Hall flew open, and several redheaded male and female fae strode inside. They were quickly followed by Liam and the Summer third-year instructor, a female fae named Shea. They were a procession of fiery fury, their gazes locked on Alwyn’s pale face, whose white-knuckled hands gripped the podium on the stage.

“Alwyn, we need to speak with you,” barked the male fae in front. It was Alastar from the night of the Feast. A scabbard was slung across his back, and two daggers were strapped to each muscular thigh. He’d come prepared for battle, though against who and what? Surely the Summers weren’t turning their vicious anger against the changelings now.

“Alastar, this is highly inappropriate,” Alwyn said, bristling. “You absolutely cannot storm into the Academy like this and make a scene in front of our students.”

“Looks like I can. And did.” He crossed his arms over his chest and levelled his eyes at our Head Instructor. “You can try to throw me out, though it looks like your guards and your instructors are on my side. Or you can come and speak with us. Now.”

Alwyn narrowed her eyes, her steely demeanor a perfect contrast to the stormy anger of the Summers. “I daresay I will not be commanded in my own home.”

“This is not your home, Autumn fae. You belong in the dead leaves with all the rest of them.”

A murmur went through the crowd, and I found my spine going stiff and straight.

“Liam,” Alwyn snapped, her eyes flicking to my instructor. “What’s the meaning of this? Why did you allow this Hunter onto our grounds when he clearly means me nothing but harm?”

Liam’s eyes flashed. “I think you need to hear him out.”

“How dare you,” she hissed.

Slowly, Kael whispered into the center of the room, a perfect mask of calm. “I think we can all agree that emotions are running high at the moment. Perhaps this discussion would best take place behind closed doors, rather than in front of the entire school?”

The fury on Alwyn’s face faltered as she scanned the crowd of changelings. Every single one of us was on the edge of our seats, watching the exchange as if it were some kind of once-in-a-lifetime sporting event.

“Fine.” She sniffed. “Changelings, go back to your rooms.”

* * *

A knock sounded on my door less than an hour later. Deep within my gut, I knew it was one of my instructors, though which one I couldn’t be certain. I gave Sophia a silent nod, and as if reading my mind, she scurried into her room. She probably thought it was Kael and that she was giving us a much-needed moment alone.

But when I opened the door, it was Liam.

“What the hell was that all about?” The words were out of my mouth before he’d even said hello. “Those Summer Hunters looked like they were out for blood. Alwyn’s blood.”

Liam sighed and dragged a hand down his face. “They want something, alright, but it’s probably not what you think.”

Frowning, I waved him inside and shut the door behind him, blocking out the curious glances of the other changelings in my wing. No doubt Sophia was also in her bedroom, keeping out an ear for any tidbit of information she could get.

“Let’s go into my room,” I said, words that sounds far more suggestive out loud than they had in my head. A heated blush filled my cheeks. “I mean, for some privacy. Not that kind of privacy though. Just so we know that we’re alone. For the conversation. Not for anything else.”

God, I was an idiot.

Liam smirked but shook his head. “As tempting as your little invitation is, we don’t have time for any distractions. I’ve come here to tell you that we’re going on a little trip.”

I arched an eyebrow. “A little trip? To where?”

“Your presence has been requested in the Summer lands,” Liam said. “They have some questions they believe only you can answer.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not following.”

He let out a low chuckle. “Trust me, I’m as surprised as you are. What’s even more surprising is that Alwyn has agreed that you can go. On one condition, of course. I’m to go with you and make sure you return—safely—within a week’s time.”

“Wait,” I blinked at him. “The Summer fae want me to go to their Court? For a week?”

“A timeline wasn’t attached to it, but it shouldn’t take longer than that.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I still don’t understand, Liam. Why do the Summer faeries want me to go to their Court? It’s not like I can do anything to help them.”

“Try telling them that.”

* * *

We were on the road less than an hour later. The sky was shot through with the hazy light of an Autumn sun that was obscured behind swollen clouds. The Academy’s brilliant green lawn had changed, almost within hours. No longer did it glisten and glow. The red and golden carpet of leaves hid every sign of life from view. The chilly air whistled through the rattling trees, tugging at the hair I’d braided down my back. Thankfully, the Summer Hunters had lent me one of their red cloaks for the journey, though the thin material did little to block out the chill.

“You alright over there by yourself, darling?” Liam called out over the sound of a dozen hooves. I frowned and looked back at Shea. Alwyn, it turned out, had not only insisted that Liam accompany on this strange mission but Shea as well. I had a sneaking suspicion it was to keep an eye on me and my instructor to make sure no “funny business” happened.

If only we could somehow lose her along the way.

And because of Shea’s presence, Liam and I had been forced to take different horses instead of sharing one as we had before. Luckily, I was a lot better on a horse these days than when I’d first arrived in Otherworld. Without that pesky necklace to mask my powers, I could at least cling on without falling flat on my face.

“I’m fine, but I’d be a lot better if I had an idea about what the hell we’re doing.” I made a face at the Hunters ahead. They’d barely spoken a word the entire way, not even a, thanks for dropping everything to come with us for reasons we refuse to explain.

“Relax, darling. You’re with me.” His drawling accent sent shivers along my skin. “And you’re going into the Summer lands, which are objectively the very best part of Otherworld.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Objectively?”

“Of course.” He grinned. “Anyone worth knowing would agree. Sure, the other Courts have their positives, but you can enjoy all that just visiting them now and again. The Summer lands are where you’d want to end up permanently.”

“Liam,” came Shea’s exasperated voice from behind us. “Come on, mate. Don’t make me ride between you two.”

Irritation flickered in Liam’s orange eyes. “We’re merely discussing our Summer lands, Shea. No need to get testy.”

“You’re flirting and suggesting that she should move here with you.” Shea let out a sigh. “Obviously, I don’t care what the hell you do, but Alwyn was clear. You’re not to encourage her feelings toward you. Keep it up, and I’ll have to report it. And that means no more Academy for you.”

I twisted toward Shea, my thighs slipping on the smooth’s horse back, so quickly that I had to flail to get myself from tumbling onto the ground. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Shea pursed her lips. “Oh. I didn’t realize you weren’t aware.”

“Aware of what?” I demanded before twisting toward Liam. His jaw was flickering like a hummingbird’s wings, and the grip on his reins was so tight that the veins in his hands began to bulge. “Liam? What does Shea mean, about you having to leave the Academy?”

“You weren’t supposed to know about this,” he said, his voice rough. “We thought it would only upset you.”

I narrowed my eyes and lowered my voice. “Liam. Tell me what’s going on.”

Liam cut a sharp look at Shea, who had slowed her horse enough to put some distance between hers and mine, almost as though she expected me to fly off the handle at any moment. “Alwyn forbade Rourke, Finn, Kael, and I from getting close to you. She does not want to upset the balance of the realm. After Sam was killed, it became clear that one of us would end up without a mate. There are three of you now and four of us. So, she gave us an ultimatum. We’re to stay away from you. If any of us go against her orders, she’ll send the offender home.”

Realization dawned like a sudden light in a sea of gray. This explained everything. All this time, I’d wondered at why my instructors had ceased their interest in me. I’d wondered if they still felt anything at all. I’d even questioned whether or not I’d imagined the bonds between us. It turned out, I needn’t have questioned it at all. Alwyn had been keeping them away from me.

I narrowed my eyes. She had been keeping them from me.

“Why would she do that? I thought the whole point of the Academy was to join the changelings up with their mates. How are we supposed to do that if she won’t let us all near each other?”

Shea raised her voice from behind us. “There has always been the rule in place, Norah. No physical relationships between instructors and changelings, and that includes something as innocent as a kiss. It seems that hasn’t stopped you though. First Liam. Then Kael.”

My cheeks flamed. “Okay, sure. Maybe there was a little of that, but it was no reason to threaten to send anyone away from the Academy.”

“This realm depends on balance.” Shea gave me a measured look, seemed to decide that I wasn’t about to pummel her, and trotted closer on her ebony horse. “Everything is about the ebb and flow. Four seasons, perfectly formed to represent all aspects of the realm, divided up equally. Cause confusion and chaos in that balance, and the entire realm suffers.”

“Okay, but—”

“Alwyn is very good at recognizing a changeling’s Court. She sees Winter in you, which means Kael is your mate. Messing about with Liam is only going to lead to heartache later. For one or all of you, not to mention Sophia and Lila who need their mates as well.” Her sparkling orange eyes bore deep into my soul. “I would advise you to focus your attention on what you can have instead of what you cannot, though I can see now that you are very stubborn and furiously independent. No wonder Liam’s confused.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but she cut me off.

“Enough about that.” She waved me aside. “We’re here.”