Chapter 49- Fallen and Found

Triangular Diplomacy

Kate’s POV

I woke up to the sound of hushed, angry whispers. As I blinked away the fog of sleep, I realized I was sprawled across both Liam and Cyrus, my head on Liam’s chest and my legs draped over Cyrus’s lap. Both men were very much awake and engaged in what looked like a silent war of glares and mouthed insults.

“What the hell?” I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep. “Are you two seriously arguing while I’m passed out on top of you?”

Their heads snapped towards me, identical looks of guilt flashing across their faces before being replaced by forced smiles.

“Morning, love,” Liam said smoothly, running a hand through my tangled hair. “Sleep well?”

Cyrus grunted, gently moving my legs so he could sit up straighter. “You were out cold. We were… discussing the best way to wake you.”

“By having a silent bitch-fest?” I raised an eyebrow, pushing myself into a sitting position between them. “Yeah, I’m sure that was super effective. What’s next, a passive-aggressive note-passing competition?”

Liam at least had the decency to look sheepish. “We might have gotten a bit… carried away.”

“A bit?” Cyrus snorted. “You threatened to turn me into a toad, Tinkerbell.”

“Only after you suggested using me for target practice, you overgrown boy scout,” Liam shot back.

I held up my hands, feeling a headache coming on. “Okay, enough! Jesus, it’s too early for this shit.” I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. “Look, I think it’s time we had a serious talk about… whatever this is.” I gestured between the three of us, , feeling like I was about to moderate a supernatural debate club.

Liam’s eyes glinted with mischief. “Why, darling, I believe the humans call it a love triangle. Though perhaps ‘lust triangle’ would be more accurate?”

Cyrus growled, his hand instinctively moving to where his weapon usually hung. “This isn’t a joke, Fae. Kate deserves better than your games.”

“Oh? And I suppose you think you’re what she deserves?” Liam’s voice was light, but there was an edge to it.

“Enough!” I shouted, my patience snapping. “Both of you, shut up and listen.” To my surprise, they did. I took another deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts. “Look, I care about both of you. In different ways, sure, but I do. And I’m not going to choose between you like this is some twisted version of ‘The Bachelorette.’”

They both opened their mouths to speak, but I held up a hand, silencing them. “I’m not finished. You both say you care about me too, right?” They nodded. “Then prove it. Stop this pissing contest and figure out a way to coexist. Because I’m not going to choose one of you over the other, and I’m sure as hell not going to spend my time playing referee.”

They clearly wanted to protest but I cut them off before they got the chance to do so. “I’m willing to try… something with both of you. But I need you to understand that if either of you can’t handle this arrangement, you’re free to walk away. I won’t hold it against you. But I also won’t let you force me to choose. I’m not going to be controlled or manipulated. Is that clear?”

A heavy silence fell over us. Liam and Cyrus exchanged a long look, some unspoken communication passing between them. Finally, Cyrus spoke, his voice gruff. “What exactly are you proposing, Kate?”

I shrugged, feeling a bit out of my depth. “I don’t know. Some kind of… arrangement? Where we all agree to be civil and not try to murder each other?”

Liam’s lips quirked into a smirk. “My, my, Kate. I didn’t know you had such adventurous tastes. A ménage à trois, perhaps?”

Cyrus looked like he was about to explode, but I cut in before he could. “Cool it, Liam. I’m serious. If we’re going to make this work – whatever ‘this’ is – we need ground rules.”

To my surprise, both men nodded, looking thoughtful. “Alright,” Cyrus said slowly. “What kind of rules did you have in mind?”

“A compromise,” I said, my mind already working on the logistics. “Equal time with both of you, complete honesty, and no attempts to sabotage each other. We set clear boundaries and stick to them.”

“And what does ‘equal time’ mean, exactly?” Liam asked, his tone curious.

I considered this for a moment. “Let’s say… alternating days, when possible. And we all spend time together too, for important discussions or, you know, life-threatening situations. Which, let’s face it, seem to be a regular occurrence lately.”

“What about physical intimacy? Are we sticking to one-on-one, or…?” Liam asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks, my mind racing with the implications. The idea was shocking, but also… intriguing. Still, I had to consider everyone’s comfort. “For now, let’s keep it strictly to one-on-one interactions. We need to make sure everyone is comfortable before considering anything else. No pressure, no jealousy.”

Cyrus visibly relaxed, letting out a breath he seemed to have been holding. “I can live with that. As long as we’re all on the same page.”

“One more thing,” I added, my tone serious. “My safety comes first. No matter what’s going on between us, that’s my priority. Agreed?”

Both men nodded solemnly.

Cyrus cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “There’s something else we should address. Kate, do you… plan on adding more people to this arrangement?”

I blinked, surprised by the question. “I hadn’t even considered it. Why do you ask?”

Liam’s eyes narrowed slightly. “We’re already sharing you between us. The thought of adding more to this equation is… unsettling.”

“I agree,” Cyrus said, nodding. “I’m barely wrapping my head around this as it is.”

I held up my hands. “Whoa, slow down. I have no plans to add anyone else. You two are more than enough to handle.” I paused, considering. “But what about you guys? Are you expecting to be exclusive to me, or…?”

Liam shook his head. “I have no desire to seek out others. You’re quite enough for me, darling.”

“Same here,” Cyrus affirmed. “But I appreciate you asking.”

I nodded. “Alright, so we’re agreed on exclusivity for now. But let’s also agree that if anything changes – for any of us – we discuss it openly. No sneaking around, no secrets. We can always revisit this conversation if needed.”

Both men nodded in agreement.

“Good,” I said, sensing some progress. “Any other suggestions or concerns?”

Liam spoke up, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant. “What if… what if one of us develops stronger feelings? Or if your feelings change?”

I hadn’t considered that. “Then… we be honest about it. Reevaluate if needed. But no ultimatums, no forcing anyone’s hand. Deal?”

They both agreed, though I could see the uncertainty in their eyes. This arrangement was new territory for all of us, and the road ahead was likely to be rocky. Still, it was a start.

“Alright,” I said, feeling like we’d made some progress. “Let’s get up and join the others. I’m starving, and we need to discuss our next steps.”

We made our way to the larger cavern, where the Iele were lounging on plush pillows scattered across the floor. The air was thick with the scent of ripe fruit and roasted meat, making my stomach growl audibly.

As we settled onto some cushions, the Iele brought over platters laden with an assortment of fruits, grilled meats, and crystal decanters filled with various juices and nectar. Liam and Cyrus fell upon the food with an enthusiasm that surprised me, given that we’d eaten last night too.

“Easy there, boys,” I chuckled, watching them devour everything in sight. “You act like you haven’t eaten in days.”

Liam paused, a piece of fruit halfway to his mouth. “We were on the brink of starvation and dehydration by the time you found us. This,” he gestured to the spread before us, “is like ambrosia after that ordeal.”

I felt a pang of guilt, realizing once again just how close I’d come to losing them both. “I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I had no idea.”

Liam waved off my concern with a lazy grin. “Water under the bridge, love. Or should I say, nectar under the bridge?”

As we ate, the conversation turned to our next steps. “We need to go to the Seelie Court,” Liam said, his tone serious for once. “To get this blasted thing off my arm and prove I completed the task in time.”

Cyrus frowned. “Should we… tell them about Kate’s true nature?”

Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair. “We don’t have much choice. The Fae can see the glow of her power around her. It’s not something we can hide.”

I nearly choked on my juice. “Wait, what? I glow?”

Liam gave me a sheepish look. “Ah, yes. I might have forgotten to mention that. To Fae eyes, you’re surrounded by a sort of… saintly aura. It’s quite beautiful, actually.”

I sat there, stunned. How many other things about myself didn’t I know? “Anything else you’ve ‘forgotten’ to tell me?”

Liam hesitated, then sighed. “Well, there is one thing. Considering we’re about to go to the Seelie Court where I’ll face the consequences for breaking my banishment, there’s one little detail that might be… relevant to know beforehand. I’m… well, I suppose you’d call me something like a prince. My family is one of the highest-ranking in the Seelie Court. This will bring even more attention and possibly complications to our arrival.”

I stared at Liam, trying to reconcile this new information with what I knew of him. “A prince? Seriously?” I couldn’t help but think, Great, not only am I in a love triangle, but it’s with a demon hunter and a fairy prince. My life has officially become a fantasy novel.

Cyrus snorted. “I knew it. The way you carry yourself, the arrogance… it all screamed ‘entitled nobility’.”

Liam shrugged, looking uncomfortable. “It’s not as glamorous as it sounds. Especially now, with my banishment.”

“Why didn’t you mention this before?” I asked, still processing the revelation.

Liam ran a hand through his hair. “It… didn’t seem relevant. And honestly, I’ve been trying to distance myself from that life. Being a prince doesn’t mean much when you’re exiled.”

Cyrus cleared his throat. “Back to the matter at hand. I’m coming with you to the Seelie Court.”

Liam’s head snapped up. “Absolutely not. The Fae are hostile towards demon hunters. It’s too dangerous.”

“I’m not letting Kate walk into a potential lion’s den without backup,” Cyrus growled.

I held up my hands, forestalling the argument I could see brewing. “Enough. Cyrus is coming. We’ll just… not mention the demon hunter thing.”

Liam looked thoughtful. “We could present him as part of your… entourage. With Cyrus and I as co-consorts in your polyamorous arrangement.”

I stared at him in disbelieve. “Are you serious?” The idea of presenting our complicated relationship so openly when I myself had barely wrapped my head around it made me feel mortified.

Liam grinned. “Quite. The Fae aren’t typically monogamous, and they’d be intrigued by the dynamic between a human saintess turning Iele, a high-ranking Fae, and a human.”

“And how exactly do you propose we explain this… arrangement?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Liam’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Oh, it’s quite simple, really. We’ll tell them the truth. That you, my dear Kate, have captured the hearts of both a dashing Fae prince and a ruggedly handsome human warrior. Unable to choose between us, you’ve decided to keep us both.”

I rolled my eyes. “And you think they’ll just accept that?”

“Trust me,” Liam winked, “they’ll eat it up. The Fae love a good scandal, and a saintess with two lovers? That’s prime gossip material.”

Cyrus looked like he’d swallowed a lemon, but he nodded. “If it keeps me by Kate’s side, I’ll play along. But how do we explain my presence without mentioning the demon hunter thing?”

Liam tapped his chin thoughtfully. “We could say you’re a skilled human warrior who caught Kate’s eye during her adventures. Perhaps a mercenary or a bodyguard she hired who ended up stealing her heart?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. “This sounds like the plot of a really bad romance novel.”

“The best stories often do, love,” Liam quipped.

As the plan took shape, I found myself both amused and slightly overwhelmed. This was what I’d asked for, wasn’t it? An arrangement where I could be with both of them? But hearing Liam describe it so casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, made it all suddenly very real.

Liam must have sensed my unease because his expression softened. “Kate, there’s something else you should know. Your saintly magic… it’s somewhat addictive to most magical beings. The Fae will be very interested in you, and not just because of our unconventional relationship.”

Great, I thought. Not only am I walking into a den of impossibly beautiful, potentially hostile magical beings, but I’m also basically a living, breathing drug to them. What could possibly go wrong?

“So, I’m like catnip for Fae?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood. “Should I be worried about being mobbed by a bunch of glittery addicts?”

Liam chuckled, but his eyes remained serious. “It’s not quite that dramatic, but you should be prepared for a lot of attention. Stick close to us, and don’t let anyone touch you without permission.”

“Speaking of sticking close,” Liam said, eyeing my nearly transparent Iele dress, “we should probably find you something else to wear. Unless you want to add more lovers to your harem.”

I rolled my eyes. “My clothes are in my backpack, which is…”

“Still hidden near my bike,” Cyrus finished. “Outside the cave where we started our quest.”

“Why did you hide my things?” I asked, curious.

Cyrus shrugged. “We didn’t know how long we’d be in there or what we’d face. It seemed safer to leave them hidden outside.”

Liam nodded. “We’ll retrieve them later. I did promise to bring your things, after all.” His eyes then lit up with mischief. “But for now, I have just the thing.”

With a graceful wave of his hand, a shimmering, green light enveloped all three of us. I felt a tingling sensation as my Iele dress dissolved, replaced by something new and unexpectedly comfortable.

As the light faded, I gasped at our transformations. Liam now wore a deep emerald green tunic with intricate gold embroidery, paired with sleek black trousers and boots. The color made his blonde hair seem to glow and brought out the green in his eyes.

Cyrus was clad in a midnight blue doublet with silver accents, emphasizing his broad shoulders and muscular frame. The dark color contrasted beautifully with his striking blue eyes.

As for me, I found myself in a flowing gown of shimmering azure that seemed to shift between blue and green as I moved. The bodice hugged my curves before flaring out into a full skirt. Delicate silver and gold threads wove patterns reminiscent of both Liam’s and Cyrus’s outfits, subtly tying our looks together.

“Well,” Liam said, admiring his handiwork, “I think we’re ready to make quite the entrance.”

As we finished adjusting to our new attire, Liam began outlining the rules we needed to follow at the Seelie Court. “First and foremost, be careful what you say. Words have power there, and promises are binding. Don’t eat or drink anything unless I’ve cleared it first. And try not to stare too much at the Court itself. It can be… overwhelming for mortals.”

He went on to explain the deal the Iele and Fae had made regarding me and the Tether. “If your transformation isn’t complete within 10 eons, you’ll have to finish it in the Fae realm.”

“Eons?” Cyrus asked, frowning.

“Ah, yes,” Liam said. “An eon for us is roughly equivalent to 15 of your years. So, 150 years, give or take.”

I felt my head spin. “So if I’m not fully transformed by then, I’ll be pretty much a prisoner in the realm of the Fae? That’s… that’s insane.”

Liam reached out, taking my hand. “You wouldn’t be a prisoner. Think of yourself as a… guest of honor. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure to find a way to be there with you if that time comes.”

As we prepared to leave, I found my thoughts drifting to what awaited us at the Seelie Court. Liam had painted a picture of a place of breathtaking beauty and cutthroat politics. I was both excited and terrified to see it for myself.

The thought of healing the Fae that had been injured due to Liam’s actions weighed heavily on me. On one hand, I wanted to help. On the other, the circumstances of Liam’s banishment troubled me. He’d been reckless, yes, but the punishment seemed extreme.

And then there was Liam’s family. What would they be like? Would they accept me, this strange human-turned-Iele-saintess who had somehow entangled herself with their exiled son? I imagined trying to explain our situation to Liam’s parents. “Hi, I’m Kate. I’m sort of dating your son, but also this other guy. Oh, and I’m turning into a magical being. Pass the fairy wine?”

“We need to contact my dad as soon as we transfer the Tether,” I said suddenly, remembering our promise. “He must be worried sick.”

Cyrus nodded. “Don’t worry, we’ll make it a priority. We actually talked to him on the phone before we left Hunedoara and informed him that he’ll get an update on your status within three weeks. Though that time is nearly over if Liam was saying the truth that a day in this world is roughly a week in our world. And… isn’t your birthday coming up soon?”

I blinked, surprised he knew and how time had passed. “Is it end of August already? I’ve lost track of exactly how much time has passed since I’ve been here…” The thought of celebrating my birthday in a magical realm with two supernatural boyfriends sounded quite intriguing. Maybe we could have a cake made of fairy dust and demon tears?

As the Iele prepared to open the vortex to the Fae realm, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. This was it. We were about to step into a world I’d only dreamed of.

The vortex swirled open before us, a shimmering portal of light and magic. Liam took my hand, Cyrus placed his on my shoulder, and together, we stepped through.

The world twisted and blurred around us, and then suddenly, we were there. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight before me.

We stood at the base of a crystal spire that seemed to touch the sky, its facets reflecting a rainbow of colors I’d never seen before. All around us, impossibly beautiful beings moved with ethereal grace, their eyes turning to us with curiosity and, in some cases, open hostility.

The Fae looked mostly like exceptionally beautiful humans, but there was something undeniably otherworldly about them. Their movements were too fluid, their features too perfect. I noticed their slightly pointed ears and the hint of sharpness to their teeth when they smiled. Details, that I somehow hadn’t noticed on Liam before, but could not unsee now. It was like looking at living, breathing works of art – beautiful, but with an edge of danger.

“Welcome,” Liam said, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and sadness, “to the Seelie Court.”

As I stood there, overwhelmed by the beauty and alien nature of it all, I couldn’t help but wonder: what had I gotten myself into?

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever came next. After all, I’d already survived demon attacks, magical transformations, and a budding polyamorous relationship. How much weirder could things get in a court full of beautiful, potentially hostile fairy nobility?

As it turned out, I was about to find out.