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She probably would’ve started working in a shop when Skye was called back to the mainland for good. And maybe she would’ve married—a nice mortal man that wouldn’t have minded that she had been given an education far above her station.She would’ve visited the manor every week and let Sarina and Ivain fuss. She would’ve grown old, and eventually, she would’ve died.

She swore as another arrow grazed her brow, and the next was already on its way.

Getting closer.

Little more than a blur, a scream on the wind.

This wasn’t supposed to be her life! Not this surreal parody with time magic and Queens and undead armies. She wanted that human life, transient as it was. She wanted the simplicity. She wanted Ivain and Sarina. She wanted Skye. She wanted…

She wanted…

Home.

She just wanted to go home.

The last part of her that had still been clinging to her old life, her old identity—the last part of her that may have actually been human—died as she finally reached inside, farther than she had ever dared to venture, and let out a guttural, feyroar.

Her magic balked, but Taly seized it, giving it a vicious shake when she felt it try to rebel. It was hers. This power belonged to her. Not the other way around.

The spell exploded out of her in a rush.

And the pain, the next nick or cut or scratch… never came.

Taly cracked open an eye. She let her upraised arms drop to her sides, taking a shaky step forward and only vaguely realizing that the Queen had released the spell holding her in place. Frowning in confusion, she circled the arrow that had stopped only a few feet away.

There was no wall of suspended time. Not even a localized shield. Her magic had covered the arrow like a veil, shimmering slightly in the early morning light.

She gave the spell a nudge, watching as the arrow reversed along its path, slow but… controlled. The pull on her aether was minimal.

“Finally—she learns.” Azura handed her bow to Leto, who floated nearby. “See, I told you, Leto. She just needed the right motivation. Maybe now she won’t be complaining about aether burnout at the end of every day.”

Leto, to her credit, shook her head, looking to Taly and giving an apologetic shrug.

“Az,” Taly said. She swayed slightly, probably from blood loss. “I really hate your teaching methods.”

“You’re not the first to say that.” Azura was already signaling to the fairies that were lining up around the perimeter of the yard. “Now then, as they say—let the games begin. And this time,” she added, patting Taly on the head as she passed by, aiming for her sitting area, “try not to let your feet flip over your head when the fairies tag you out. It’s terribly unbecoming.”

Taly frowned, pressing a finger to the tip of the arrow and rotating it slightly. She released the spell, and the arrow blinked out of existence, already halfway across the yard and heading straight for the Queen’s back.

The arrow abruptly disintegrated in a puff of dust.

“Just for that,” Azura said over her shoulder, “I’m adding five more fairies.”

Taly snorted. And then laughed. A real laugh that had her smiling as she drawled, “Make it ten.”

Chapter 22

-A letter from Lord Kato Emrys to his mother, Adriana Emrys, Duchess of Ghislain

Dearest mother,

Line dancing is a time-honored human tradition requiring coordination, grace, and complex motor skills, which is perhaps why we got three new contracts as a result of my “adolescent prank.” Not in spite of, though I’m sure that’s what Grandfather has already managed to convince himself to believe.

Also, do not ever mention Sarah’s name to me again. Do not apologize. Do not give me false sympathy. I see you for what you are, so please kindly go fuck yourself.

With none of my love,

Kato