I escaped my Sidhe Lord’s service after years of being used to capture young men and women for him. It took every ounce of courage I had, and desperation such that I cared not if I died in my attempt to escape, but I managed to flee through the very Shadow Gate I had used to lure the unsuspecting mortals to their doom.

For months after, I lurked in a pond at a park in Mythic City, scraping by on food provided by shelters and pantries and spending my nights in the soothing waters of my pond. Even better, I had discovered a Shadow Gate at the bottom of my pond, accessible only when certain stones were placed in the correct positions. I had my escape from to Faerie there, my own personal corner of Faerie.

But I was not fated to remain alone. Other fae found me. Rose Thorn was her name. We became friends and allies and soon she told me I must join others of my kind so that I could be safe from those who might try to take what little I called my own. I was naive to think I was told all I should have known. I swore my fealty to my Duke, lord of the Desert Duchy, and my fate was forever mated to the Winter Court.

Other powerful fae took me under their wing and taught me things, for I have always had potential. Veridia, Lady of the Fear Gate, was powerful and influential. She was also close by. She held a court of her own. But she used me and betrayed me. She never approved of those I called friend.

When she died, I danced and sang to celebrate my freedom from the witch.

I have other fae friends. Good friends that thought to save me when mortal thugs thought to hurt me and what friends I had managed to make. They are not Unseelie. They are not like me. But I love them anyway. Perhaps I love them because they are not like the fae of my own Court — and not like me.

Is it strange that despite disliking and even hating some members of my own court, that I still would never betray it? The Duke might be a son of a bitch, but he’s my son of a bitch. I feel the same way toward many of the others. One does not betray one’s own kind. Maybe that’s why I grew to hate Veridia so much.

There are others that I care for as well. Some that are not mortal or fae. I met this sensual creature, this being that satisfied a craving in my soul like no other. He is a vampire and he understands hunger, loneliness, lust, and desire. He understands me and I think I understand him. When I met his friends, his… coterie, I loved them too. Perhaps I am a romantic, but their tragedy fills my heart with sorrow for them. My heart soars when they have victory. My heart beats hard and heavy when they at last feel something real. I am not the living dead; I truly live and feel, yet I know that our hearts are kin. I have and would in the future, lay my life on the line for them and I know they would sacrifice for me. I would give them  what they most desire, just to see what they would do and then revel in the chaos!

And I have.

I have the gift of foresight. With it, sometime I can foresee when and where a Shadow Gate might open. I gave them something invaluable. Something priceless. I gave them a Shadow Gate, and with it, the power to move through the secret ways! One day my Remy and his coterie will be the most powerful vampires in the city! And then he will give me what I want, too.

And then there is Drake. He is noble, fair, adoring — he is Seelie. And he has set his eyes and heart upon me. But why would such a handsome and fair fae choose someone like me? I have caused innocents to be murder when I was in service to my Sidhe Lord. I keep company with vampires, and the Unseelie. It dangerous for us to even be together.

My passion burns for him, too. I cannot deny it. I am a nymph, a creature of passion, so how could I? If we are discovered, I shiver to think what might happen. Will they think we betray our Courts? What horrid punishment would my Duke inflict if he thought my heart was swayed by some courtier from the Golden Mesa? What would his people do if they thought their great Hunter held relations with one of the enemy? It is one thing to have friends and allies that are Seelie. It is another altogether to share a bed.

With the Breaches gone and the end of the world as we know it averted, I will indulge my heart and see if Drake will indulge his, despite who and what I am.