Julie Kagawa - Summers Crossing

Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberons right hand, bane of many a faery queens existenceand secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girls death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.

Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someones come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Pucks helpinto the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choicebetray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.

An ebook exclusive novella from Julie Kagawas Iron Fey series.

Names.

Whats in a name, really? I mean, besides a bunch of letters or sounds strung together to make a word. Does a rose by any other name really smell as sweet? Would the most famous love story in the world be as poignant if it was called Romeo and Gertrude ? Why is what we call ourselves so important?

Heh, sorry, I dont usually get philosophical. Ive just been wondering lately. Names are, of course, very important to my kind. Me, I have so many, I cant even remember them all. None of them are my True Name, of course. No one has ever spoken my real name out loud, not once, despite all the titles and nicknames and myths Ive collected for myself over the years. No one has ever come close to getting it right.

Curious, are you? Wanna know my True Name? Okay, listen up, Ive never told anyone before. My True Name is

Hahahaha! You really thought I would tell you? Really? Oh, I kill me. But, like I said, names are important to us. For one thing, they tie us to this world; they ground us in reality somewhat. If you know your True Namenot everyone in our world finds ityoure more real than if you dont know who you are. And for a race that has a tendency to fade away if were forgotten, thats kind of a big deal.

My name, one of many, is Robin Goodfellow.

You may have heard of me.

Once upon a time, I had two close friends. Shocking, I know, given my natural charm, but there are those who just dont appreciate my brilliance. We werent supposed to be friends, the three of us, or even friendly with each other. I was part of the Seelie Court, and theywerent. But Id never been one for following the rules, and who knew Queen Mabs youngest son could be such a rebel as well? And Ariella Id known Ash a long time before Ariella came into the picture, but I never begrudged her presence. She was the buffer between us; the one who could calm Ash when he slipped too far toward his ruthless Unseelie nature, or advised caution when one of my plans seemed a littleimpulsive. Once upon a time, we were inseparable.

Once upon a time, I did something stupid. And lost them both in the process.

Which brings us tonow. Today. Where, once more, it was me and my former best friend, getting ready to head off on another adventure. Just like old times.

Except, he still hadnt forgiven me for what had happened all those years ago. And he hadnt really invited me along, either. I sort ofinvited myself.

But if I made a habit of waiting for an invitation, Id never get to go anywhere.

So, I said brightly, falling into step behind the brooding prince. Grimalkin. Were going to find him, right?

Yes.

Any idea where he is?

No.

Any idea where to start looking?

No.

You do realize that doesnt constitute much of a plan, right ice-boy?

He turned to glare at me, which I considered a small triumph. Ash usually ignored my goading. Anytime I could poke through his icy indifference was a victory. Of course, when poking the Winter prince, one had to proceed with caution. There was a fine line between irritation and having icicles hurled at your face.

He glared at me a moment longer, then sighed, raking a hand through his haira sure sign that he was frustrated. Do you have any suggestions, Goodfellow? he muttered, sounding reluctant to even ask. And for just a moment, I saw how lost he was, how uncertain of the future and what lay ahead. Anyone else wouldnt have seen it, but I knew Ash. I could always catch those tiny flashes of emotion, no matter how well he hid them. It almost made me feel sorry for him.

Almost.

I grinned disarmingly. What? Are you actually asking for my opinion, ice-boy? I taunted, and that doubt vanished, replaced by annoyance. Well, I went on, leaning back against a tree trunk, since you asked, we might want to check if anyone around here owes him a favor.

That narrows things down, Ash said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes, but he did have a point. If we started naming everyone that might owe our feline friend a favor, the list would fill several books.

Well, then. I crossed my arms. If you have a better suggestion, Prince, Id love to hear it.

Before he could answer, a ripple of glamour shivered through the air. Glitter and streamers of light swirled around us, and a chorus of tiny voices sang out a single note. I winced, knowing there was only one person who thought a normal entrance, like walking through a door, wasnt good enough for her; she had to announce her presence with sparkle and glitter and St. Peters choir.

Darlings!

Sometimes, it sucks being right all the time.

Leanansidhe, Ash grumbled, sounding about as thrilled as I felt as the Queen of the Exiles stepped out of the glitter and light and smiled down at us. She looked like she was going to a party where the theme was Most Sparkly Evening Gown, or maybe Quickest Way to Blind Someone. She paused a moment, striking a dramatic pose for her sadly unimpressed audience, before waving her hand and dispersing with the fireworks.

Lea, I echoed, smirking at her. This is a shock. To what do we owe the pleasure of your company, away from the Between and all?

Puck, darling. Leanansidhe gave me a smile that was about as welcoming as a viper eyeing a mouse. Why am I not surprised to see you here? It seems I just got rid of you, pet, and here you are again.

Thats me. I raised my chin. The bad penny that always pops up. But you didnt answer my question. What do you want, Lea?

From you? Nothing, darling. Leanansidhe turned to Ash, and he stiffened. Ash, darling, she purred. You are a trooper, arent you, pet? I was certain, after you made your knightly oath, that you and the girl would go all Romeo and Juliet on me. But you survived the final battle after all. Bravo, pet, bravo.

I snorted. So what am I, chopped liver?

Leanansidhe shot me an annoyed glance. No, darling, she sighed. But the Winter prince and I have unfinished business, or didnt he tell you? She smiled and looked at Ash again. He owes me a favora rather large favorfor helping him out, and I have come to collect.

A bargain with the Exile Queen? For a second, I wasnt sure Id heard right. Ice-boy. I shook my head, exasperated. Really? You made a deal with her ? Are you crazy? You, of all people, should know better.

It was for Meghan. Ashs voice was low, defensive. I needed her help. He looked at Leanansidhe, quietly pleading. Can this not wait? he asked in a calm voice, and the question surprised me. Ash rarely made deals, but when he did, he was religious about upholding them. It was a point of personal honor, I guessed, to keep his bargains without fail, without complaint, even if hed managed to get the bad end of one. This was the very first time Id heard him ask for more time, the first Id heard him plead for anything.