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Before I can so much as cover myself, the drawer of the nearby armoire opens, and out floats an entire outfit. It drifts through the air, then settles on me, the fabric parting like butter as it touches my skin, molding to my body before stitching itself back together. More of Des’s magic.

Then come the battle leathers. Then my boots. Each one slipped on with a little help from Des’s magic. He watches me the entire time, his eyes fierce with resolve.

I will destroy the world before I lose you again, they seem to say.

I’m sliding out of bed when the final piece of my outfit floats over to me. The belt that holds my holstered daggers wraps itself around my waist, the labradorite hilts of my blades gleaming.

Dressed and armed within seconds.

The Bargainer isn’t fucking around.

It’s only once I’m ready to kick ass and take names that his own gear rushes through the air at breakneck speed, fastening onto his body faster than I can follow. His leathers, a sword, a pair of throwing knives, a dagger strapped to his ankle and another that circles his bicep.

Dressed as he is, I’m pretty sure he could make women spontaneously orgasm with just a look.

God, now isnotthe time for my filthy thoughts.

The screams are getting louder.

“In case you missed it,” Des says, “those soldiers who slept beneath my castle are now awake, and they mean to overthrow my rule.”

I don’t ask him how he knows this. My heart pounds a little faster as Des essentially confirms what I feared: the female soldiers Karnon imprisoned and abused are now our enemies.

“These women aren’t civilians,” the Night King continues. “They’ve defended this kingdom for decades—centuries even. They will not hesitate to hurt you, and they will not show you or anyone else mercy. When you come across one, go for a kill shot, and do not waste your remorse on them; I assure you they won’t waste theirs on you.”

My wings are itching to reveal themselves as adrenaline spikes my blood.

The Bargainer turns from me, his eyes closing. He bows his head, as if in prayer, but I can feel the thrum of his restless energy as it builds within him. It sings across our bond and vibrates along my skin.

The shadows billow about the room. I barely have time to register what’s about to happen when Des’s magic explodes out of him.

Darkness sweeps across the room, blanketing the world around us in an instant, shaking the very foundations of the castle. It overwhelms my senses until I’m no one and nothing more than a pin prick of thought in the vast expanse of darkness. And then I’m not even that.

I’ve been here once before. The last time Des’s magic blasted out of him, Karnon—the Fauna King—and hundreds of other fae died.

I steel myself for that same outcome.

But when the darkness slams back into Des, the screams haven’t quieted.

The Bargainer staggers back, his face incredulous.

“I can’t … kill them.”

The sleeping soldiers, he means.

I don’t know what’s more shocking—that Des was ready to single-handedly end the attack, despite the soldiers being Night Kingdom fae, or that it didn’t work. I’ve seen the power he wields. If he wanted to, he could destroy entire cities with his will alone.

What could possibly be strong enough to withstand that sort of magical attack?

My eyes move to the weaponry strapped to his body. Better yet—how are we supposed to defeat what Des’s power alone couldn’t?

The screams are filling the night, stealing my breath from me.

“They’re moving fast,” he says, “and they’re headed our way.”

And we’re to meet them in combat.

I take a deep breath. The last time I fought an enemy was only days ago, and that hadn’t ended too well.