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A second tugging in her chest thrummed to life at the mention of their deal. It was quite unlike the one she felt from the mating bond with Elias.

When she and Elias had gone to the Twilight Court for the ball celebrating the queen’s birthday, they had asked the queen for an amplifier. She had refused when Elias had declined to turn her into an erox. To their surprise, Hadeon—the fifth son of the queen—had sought them out and offered an amplifier in exchange for a favor. Unfortunately, Arabella had lost that amplifier to Magnus when she’d been captured by his ogres.

“It’s kind of a bad time,” she managed over the incessant tugging in her chest. She didn’t have time to be fulfilling a favor right now. “In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re a bit… occupied.”

Frowning, he sniffed the air, his chin lifting as a look of confusion crossed his handsome features. His eyes closed for a brief moment before saying, “That’s a scent I haven’t come across in some time. You’ve changed, Enchantress.”

“Yes, yes,” she said, waving a hand. “I’m mated now.”

“That isn’t what I meant.”

For reasons she couldn’t explain, her heartbeat picked up. “What?”

“Your human scent has faded from when I saw you in the court,” he said. “I thought I’d detected something unique about you then. But now, your scent is fae.”

She couldn’t help it. A laugh burst out of her.

For a moment, she thought she might have misplaced her sanity.

Ever since her memories returned, she’d felt different than before. Was this why she felt so filled with fury, like she was a breath away from unleashing herself on the world?

“You’re mistaken,” she said, though she sounded more confident than she felt. “Humans don’t just become fae.”

Despite her words, she couldn’t help but wonder… Was it possible?

Shadow magic was rare. Most who wielded it tapped into dark magic, corrupting both the magic and their connection to it.

Then realization struck.

There was only one fae court with power over the shadows. It was the very same court that had been wiped from existence during the fae wars hundreds of years ago.

“Shadow fae.” The words slipped out in a mere whisper, so soft as to be nearly inaudible. “You think I’m from the lost fae court.”

Something twinkled in Hadeon’s gaze, but he merely shrugged. “Perhaps.”

Shaking her head, she tried to clear the thousands of questions from the front of her mind.

“I don’t have time for this,” she said. “I need to find my friends. They’re battling an ogre. They may be hurt?—”

“Of course,” the fae said as he spread his large black wings once more. “Ogre first. Then my bargain.”

Without another word, he launched into the air.

Arabella tugged on her braid as she watched Hadeon fly toward the castle, glaring at his back.

Until the prince called in the favor she owed him, there was every chance he could ask something that could cost her everything. If he told her she couldn’t be in the same room as Elias or could never use her magic again, she would be forced to obey him.

She recalled the words she’d spoken when she’d made the bargain.

I’ll be amenable to helping you at a future date within my lifetime so long as it doesn’t harm those I love, doesn’t require killing or endangering any humans, and doesn’t violate any bargains I’ve already made.

Even though she’d chosen each word with care, the fae were clever and could find a way around anything if it benefited them.

I need to find a way to delay this bargain,she thought.

There was no way out of it, but maybe she could postpone it long enough to rescue Elias and get him to safety before dealing with Hadeon.

“His timing sucks,” she groaned.