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A dark-clad figure appeared in her kitchen, mere feet away, but the voice alone sent her anxiety from fright to excitement. The familiar scent of spring warmth with a hint of sultry spice surrounded her, infused her lungs, and brought the first true smile to her mouth since her exile. The corkscrew clattered against the counter and she relinquished the wine bottle, closing the gap between her and the Fae hidden beneath a deep hood and dark cloak.

“Thaddeus,” she whispered, gathering the hem of the hood and lifting it from his head.

Goddess, the very sight of him stole her breath, as it often had. He was a Fae of exquisite beauty, with eyes so clear and blue they reminded her of ice over water. A face so sharp and perfect. Skin smooth and firm. The stubborn line of his curved lips. Hair the color of white-washed gold, fairer than that of most Seelie, but utter perfection on him. She pressed her fingertips to his strong jaw, ensuring he was real. Only one other could outshine this Fae.

“You’ve come?” she asked.

Thaddeus caught her hand, curling her fingers around his and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “Aye. I mustn’t stay. Your father continues to monitor you in this world. I risk being discovered the longer I remain.”

“He is no father of mine.” Bitterness welled within her chest. She dropped her hand from his and sneered. “He cast his own daughter to the pits of a mortal Hell and he continues to monitor me? Has he naught better to do with his time upon his golden throne with his half-breed cohort lending aid to his Court?” She snorted. “Despicable.”

“You have admirers that agree with your views, Princess. You are not alone in the suffering.”

Frustration quickly suffocated her short-lived joy. She gathered up the corkscrew and opened her bottle of wine.

“My nemesis caused this. ’Twas his fault. I fell into his trap of words.” She took a deep swig from the bottle. As the familiar heat washed over her, she turned back to Thaddeus. His icy eyes pierced the darkness like twin lights. Even his hair appeared to glow in the shadows. “One day, I shall reap sweet revenge for this punishment.”

Thaddeus stepped up to her, lifting her chin with a single finger before she could get her lips to the bottle for another desperately needed swig. Gazing upon her old lover stabbed a dagger through her heart. When she was immortal, sheappreciated Thaddeus and his beauty, his strength, his smooth demeanor.

But now, as she stood inches from him in a weak, fragile mortal shell, her hatred toward those who betrayed her boiled. She once could command this very creature to his knees, to do her bidding with naught more than a look, a flick of her wrist, a smile. She feared she held no power over him any longer.

In fact, she felt…small in front of him.

“Never shall he be your nemesis, Daeanna. We both know that well,” he said quietly, but truth steeled his voice. After staring at her for a few seconds, he lowered his hand and stepped back. “Mayhap your sweet revenge shall be delivered sooner than expected.”

One of the candles on the counter ledge levitated to the surface beside her. The wick glowed red, then burst alive with an orange flame. Thaddeus placed a small black velvet bag on the counter beside the candle, his fingers lingering until she looked up at him.

Confusion warred with hope.

Could this be…?

“Faery lacks the beauty you bestowed upon the land. The life. Much is changing, and there is concern regarding the direction of those changes.Hehas yet to accept a permanent position within the Court, but his father’s seat upon the dais has been restored, and he sits upon that seat as if he belongs among the Seelie.”

Daeanna took another drink from the bottle, surprised by how her hand shook. The candle flickered as if in sympathy with her discord, bringing her attention back to the bag. Cautiously, she reached for the soft material, molding it around the object within.

“How is it you know what occurs in Court?”

Her heart sped up as she realized what Thaddeus brought her.

“As I said, you have followers who do not agree with the turn of events.”

The corner of her mouth quirked up. Her thoughts began calculating her next moves as she traded the wine bottle for the forbidden elixir within the bag.

“Do these followers of mine realize you remain in contact with me?”

Thaddeus’s stubborn mouth lifted slightly, his grin both satisfying and dangerous. Goddess, he truly was magnificent.

“Nay. I’m certain they may suspect, especially after they discovered a missing treasure.” He chuckled, a deep, edgy sound. “Not a one will speak up, though. Not when I accomplished what they could not.”

Daeanna opened the cinched top and carefully retrieved the small, gold-encased vial. The candlelight caused the delicate gold scrollwork to glow.

“A treasure,” she murmured, unable to refrain from grinning. “The Goddess shall allow me to undo the dishonor my father has caused the pureblood Seelie. Tell me of his woman.”

“I understand she’s with child. My sources expressed discontent with Dagda’s apparent excitement over the situation. Liam has reported she is fairing remarkably well.”

“Disgusting,” she hissed. “What has become of our home? Our people? Where are those who wish to preserve the pureblood heritage?”

“Thereisa way to rectify these issues, Princess. At last.” Thaddeus nodded toward the vial in her hand. “Dagda shared the secret of Fae immortality with the human child-bearer and her mortal son, while stripping you of your immortality and power. Now, I deliver you a chance to seek your revenge. Theonly delay shall be the time it takes for you to make your decision to move forward.”