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“How did you know where to go?” Magnus pressed. “And why bring the enchantress?”

Hadeon hesitated before saying, “Before the war, Prince Arden created a map of the Abyss, which only shadow fae can use. The enchantress was able to read the map, and we located the shadow fae.”

“What aren't you saying?” the queen demanded, her eyes narrowing. “The child’s magic didn’t feel like this before. Something has changed.”

Again, Hadeon seemed to consider. “While in the Abyss, she trained with them and unlocked some of her shadow fae abilities, which is likely why you can sense her powers now and couldn’t before.”

Arabella was careful to school her features into neutrality.

It didn’t miss her notice that Hadeon specified unlocking her shadow fae abilities and not her demon magic. Yet again, why did he protect her from the queen?

I’d probably never be allowed to leave this court if Genoveva knew of my demon magic,she thought.I’d be held hostage just like my mother or executed.

Even now, she may not be allowed to leave since the queen knew she was part shadow fae.

For a moment, she wondered if she should have tried to flee the Twilight Court. Even with the guards, she and Jessaminecould have made a run for the gateway in the forest. They might have stood a chance of succeeding.

And leave Elias behind?

No, she couldn’t have left without him.

If she was to be trapped in the Twilight Court alongside her mate, so be it. But maybe she could avoid having Jessamine trapped alongside her.

“What I wish to discuss with you has to do with the shadow fae,” Hadeon said. “Specifically, what they intend to do if they ever return to the fae realm.”

The queen raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow.

“They made a deal with a greater demon called the Everdark,” he said. “It will help them in their quest for revenge on our court. In exchange, the shadow fae will help the demons gain entry into the fae realm.”

The words seemed to hover in the air, and the room remained utterly quiet as though no one dared to breathe.

Then the queen spoke.

“And?”

Lines formed between Hadeon’s brows as he said, “And?Demons could run rampant in our realm, feeding off the land’s magic, killing those with weaker magic?—”

“You sealed the gateway, did you not? They are trapped in the underrealm with no way out. As such, there’s no reason to concern ourselves with the shadow fae any further,” the queen said with a wave of her hand. Her gaze flicked to Magnus. “I presume the reason for your presence here today is because you have good news.”

Hadeon’s eyes widened. “What have you done?”

Countless emotions swirled through Arabella, but all she could do was look between Elias and the others.

Magnus didn’t speak right away. Instead, he looked at the queen, who nodded—granting him permission to speak further.Then he turned to Arabella, Jessamine, and Hadeon. “Her Majesty has requested my assistance on a specific matter. She knew I’d found a way to grant immortality to my erox, and she asked if it was possible to grant immortality to an existing race. I’m happy to report, I found a way, but there will be a price.”

“Did you not hear me, Mother?” Hadeon said, interrupting Magnus. “The shadow fae want to return. They could find another way and attack the Twilight Court. Surely, this matter with immortality and the sorcerer can wait.”

“All the more reason to forge new alliances,” the queen said, not meeting her son’s gaze. “Did you discover other exits from the Abyss?”

“There are none that we know of—” Hadeon began.

“That’s good enough for now,” Genoveva said.

Hadeon spoke again, but Arabella didn’t hear the words. Even as he tried to get through to his mother, she knew it was no use.

“What’s the cost?” Arabella said, her voice low.

The queen leaned back in her throne, her hands draped over the armrests. “Something that doesn’t concern you. That is between the sorcerer and I.”