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Daeanna unleashed twin snake-like ropes of sizzling magic that snagged both guards in a silver binding. She gave a short tug. The men’s feet ripped from the floor right before she slammed their bodies to the marble.

They disappeared through the floor.

Katherine stumbled behind her. “What the hell? What happened to them?”

“Oh, out for a stroll,” Daeanna answered casually as she stepped up to the double doors. “Here we are.”

Stretching her arms over her head, fingers splayed to the open ceiling, she drew upon the heated power of her world. Old power and old magic she desperately missed during her exile. The source of her power resided in Faery, in this palace, and it answered her call in the form of two swelling gold orbs in her palms.

When that power thrummed, full and energized, she thrusted her arms forward, unleashing devastation.

The double doors tore off the hinges, flipping over and over into the room, plowing through anything and everything in their path, until they crashed against the far wall.

To her utter disappointment, he appeared unharmed, dressed in Court robes of white silk and gold threads. His intricate circlet rested low over his crown, gold hair rippling in an unseen breeze. He stood, chin lifted, sun-blazing eyes unhindered by fear. Dignity permeated the airaround him, his power restrained, contained, but undoubtable.

His eyes narrowed as he gazed down the tip of his nose at her with utter disgust. His expression matched the iciness that filled her chest. His fingers flexed at his sides, the decorative jewels on each appendage glittering beneath the candle chandelier and firelight.

Daeanna aimed for the element of surprise. She should have known. Naught surprised her father.

Naught.

Crossing the threshold into Dagda’s quarters, the air vibrated under the careful restraint of energy and power, ready to attack at Dagda’s command.

Oh, if he only knew she wasn’t completely done with delivering her surprises.

“’Twas a matter of time before you returned. My sentencing is naught to be taken lightly, Daeanna. You broke the laws of Faery and committed murder. You deceived and betrayed not only the Court and the High Fae, but your king.” Dagda folded his hands behind his back, a submissive motion that made her wary. “You may have possession of Fae potion, but you shall never have full possession of what you had before your actions brought about your exile.”

“Well, good eve to you, too, Father. ’Tis nice to see you again.” Daeanna laughed, magic dancing between her fingers. Hatred near blinded her. Oh, vengeance would be beautiful. “I had hoped you’d be excited to see me again. Must be too much to expect from you.” She flipped her hand over, motioning to her human toy. “May I introduce you to Katherine? I’ve decided to bring my friend into our world and show her where I live.”

“You have no place within these walls. ’Tis not your home any longer. Your presence is a disgrace and I’ll makesure to rectify the mistakes I made when sentencing you to exile. I do hope you’re prepared to watch another’s demise on behalf of your own selfishness.”

“Come now, Father. You know I feel no remorse. The gift of Fae potion bestowed upon me was completely voluntary on behalf of the presenter. You stripped me of my powers, Father. Have you forgotten? I possessed no power to sway another being while in that wretched mortal state.” Daeanna folded her hand beneath her chin, continuing to siphon energy from the room to manipulate for her own use. “You believe me to be a disgrace. Have you not looked at yourself?” She sniggered. “Taking a half-breed Talaenian who is no kin of yours under your wing? His woman threatened to further dilute the Tuatha dé Danann bloodline. Is that what you wish for your people? A weakened, pathetic race?”

“Your intention to discard those of lesser standing than you goes against all Fae laws. Meaningless murder is unacceptable and punishable by death.”

“But you made sure my sentence was lenient. Your weakness allowed me to return, stronger, more powerful, and this time, I will not let you or anyone else stand in the way of getting what I want and making the pureblooded Fae the supreme race.”

Dagda’s shoulders relaxed, but the fire in his eyes belied his posture. She’d learned over the centuries never to accept one gesture at face value.

“You still believe he belongs to you. He is a taken man, gifted hisanam caraby the Goddess, and the Goddess alone. ’Tis not a power you wish to challenge, Daeanna. You shall never hold a place in his life. Not by force or by fear.” A cruel smile lifted his mouth. “You foolish girl.” His eyes flashed, reflecting her growing anger. “Fool still for believing I do notfeel you trying to manipulate the wards and barriers I’ve set about these quarters.”

“Mayhap I’m a fool.” Daeanna thrusted her arms forward, streams of bright orange drawing into her hands. Dagda countered. Stark white energy sliced through the streams of orange, leaving gaps in space and disrupting the flow of her power. She laughed, wild and mad, distracting him from the shadow of movement creeping up behind him. “But not as foolish as you, Father.”

Dagda’s back bowed, his eyes widening. From his chest, the blood-stained tip of a dagger poked out an inch, cutting through the pristine robes. The silken fabric absorbed a narrow stream of blood as it trickled from the glinting blade. Katherine shrieked beside her. Daeanna snapped her fingers, silencing the wench as she basked in the glory of finally, finally outwitting her all-powerful father.

Thaddeus gave the dagger a final shove, embedding the blade as deep as it would go while the threads of magic Daeanna used in her initial attack kept her father from falling to the floor. She expelled a blast of energy into the floor. Smokeless fire erupted, spreading to the perimeter of the chamber, blocking every entrance and exit, every window, and countering all the protective energy Dagda had reinforced.

Stepping up to her father, she touched his cheek. Oh, how she had loved and admired him. Once upon a time. Before she’d learned how weak he truly was. Unable to move, paralyzed by the dagger created to render him powerless, he stared at her, pure disgust burning in his eyes.

“You may be truly immortal, but you once shared a secret with me. The secret that every immortal can be neutralized.” She flicked a finger at his face. “And so, I’ve decided to make your power obsolete.”

She grinned, smoothing her hand up to his circlet and slowly removing his crown.

“I’ll be sure to keep this safe.” She winked, placing the circlet upon her own head. “Ah, a perfect fit. After all, ’twas meant to be mine.”

She stepped back, wove her fingers in an intricated pattern, and beamed as bars of searing blue and white flames silently erupted around Dagda.

“You know, Father, I may have been mortal, but to many, I remained alive and well. I have my loyal followers, just as you have yours. To think we may share a few of the same. Watch, dear Father. Watch and see how loyal your people are when you are found to be missing. When it comes to instinct, every being follows the path of survival. Especially Fae.”