To Spark a Fae War (The Fair Isle Trilogy, #3)

by Tessonja Odette

No one dreams of starting a war. A revolution, maybe, but never a war.

“And only the most ruthless fae would deny fair compensation.” He takes a step closer. “Better late than never, though. Worry not, I can think of several things you could do to pay me and none of them would take too long.” He looks at me from under his lashes. I bark a laugh. “Wouldn’t take too long? Now that’s a ringing endorsement.” “You’ll find I’m long in the ways that matter the most.” “If you haven’t noticed, Franco, King Aspen is my mate.”

I shake my head with a chuckle. “Are we friends, then?” “Yes, Evelyn. We’re friends. I didn’t risk my wings for you at your mother’s trial because I thought I stood a chance at winning you from Aspen. Same reason why I flew to the Briar House for you without question. I did it because we’re friends. I like you and I always will.” I tilt my head. “Are you sure you don’t just like the violence that seems to trail in my wake?” “Well, there’s that too,” he says.

“Grief makes me weak.” He furrows his brow. “I don’t think anything could make you weak. If you let it, I have a feeling it could make you stronger.”

Despite his stubborn streak—and mine, for that matter—I think we make a decent pair. So long as we don’t burn anything down when we’re at our worst. Then again, I burn things down when I’m at my best.

“But I thought you fancied Franco.” He waves a dismissive hand. “Forget Franco.” “A motto to live by,” Aspen mutters with a smirk.

Amelie. Mother. How can I love one and hate the other?

How can I rule both seelie and unseelie when my seelie side is weak but my unseelie form threatens to trap me?

I clasp my hands before me. “Fehr, I give you my permission to take however many friends and lovers you desire.” His eyes go wide, then harden with suspicion. “Aren’t you afraid?” “Afraid of what? That you’ll actually enjoy your life beneath my rule and serve me out of respect rather than duty? Why, yes, what a terrifying thought.”

I can’t take my eyes off Aspen. Aspen in all his terrifying, haunting glory. This is the creature I was raised to fear. And I’ve never loved him more.

“Always and forever, Evie.” Aspen’s voice comes low and rough. “No matter how many days that is.”

I’m almost certain we’re nearing an encore of last night when a knock sounds at the door. We pull away, breathless and smiling. “We slept late,” I whisper. “I suppose we should attend to our duties.” “Must we?” I ignore him and shout toward the door, “Coming!” “She’s actually not,” Aspen adds, “thanks to you.”

we will fight to the death if we must, but first we shall fight to live.