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“From where I’m standing, that was excellent timing,” Breckett said.

She leveled a flat look on Breckett before running toward where she’d last seen her friends.

“Says the male who doesn’t have a bargain hanging over his head,” she called over her shoulder.

Covered in ogre blood like a goddess of war, Jessamine strode across the clearing before the main entrance to the castle. Arabella ran over, wrapping her arms around her friend and feeling the press of Jessamine’s blonde hair against her chest.

A few feet away, Cora and Brynne spoke in low tones.

Arabella didn’t miss the worry in Brynne’s eyes as she reached out and inspected a gash on Cora’s arm. Brynne’s touch was painfully gentle.

Like Arabella, Brynne wasn’t gifted in healing magic. Most enchantresses could perform the basic healing weaves they’d all been taught during their training. But for those lacking in the skill, the weaves were often a sloppy patch job at best that could barely knit the skin back together. Still, Brynne formed the golden healing weaves, which she placed atop the wound. It scabbed over instantly, but she didn’t let go of Cora’s hand.

Arabella smiled, relief flooding through her.

“There are more ogres in the forest,” Hadeon said as he landed in the grass near them. “If they found this place once, it won’t be long until they find it again. My guess is we have an hour at best.”

How had the ogres found the castle to begin with? Was Elias’ ward already weakening? Or did Magnus have some spell that could penetrate the ward and its cloaking abilities? Unfortunately, there wasn’t time to learn more now.

Sighing, Arabella nodded to Hadeon before turning to her friends. “Allow me to introduce Prince Hadeon of the Twilight Court.”

Cora’s brows shot up so high that Arabella thought they’d leap clear off her face.

“You’d told us about the ball you’d attended with Elias,” Cora said carefully. “But I didn’t realize you’d made… friends.”

The way she spoke was almost musical. Each word was infused with a quiet gentleness. Everyone who met Cora liked her instantly, often spilling their life stories. She was the opposite of Brynne—who was as friendly as a hungry sailor with a hangover. And equally as prone to violence.

With a snort, Jessamine wiped her bloodied sword in the grass before sheathing it. “And just what do you want, Princeling? I doubt you’re here for charity.”

Hadeon’s gaze shifted to Jessamine, his sharp eyes taking her in.

“He’s here for the favor I promised him,” Arabella said.

Jessamine waved a hand in the air like a magical bargain was a trivial matter. “He’sfae.Fae lack for nothing.” Then her gaze swiveled to Hadeon, her eyes locking with his. “Forcing favors out of humans is beneath you. Don’t you think?”

Magical bargains were binding. As far as Arabella knew, those bound to a bargain had no choice but to comply once the terms were set. In some ways, it was like the syphen’s control over erox. While she loved Jessamine for trying to get her out of this mess, this was one she’d have to wade through. There was no way Arabella could refuse, and if she tried to kill Hadeon toprevent having to fulfill the bargain, the magic would rebound and kill her.

Turning to Hadeon, Arabella said, “What is it you want?”

Rather than answering, the prince tapped his chin with a forefinger as though deep in thought. This male’s mind was sharper than the blades he wore at his sides. Whatever he was about to say wasn’t something he’d just come up with.

“Given that I’ve assisted you with your little… ogre problem, I daresay another favor is in order,” he began.

“I didn’t make a second bargain with you,” she said, her voice dangerously low.

“Perhaps not,” he allowed with a shrug of his shoulders. “But you’re indebted to me all the same.”

Jessamine’s lips thinned beside her, and Arabella resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose in frustration.

To make one magical bargain had been foolhardy at best. To bargain with the fae twice would be downright foolish. But she knew not all bargains with fae were bound by magic. Would it be possible to form an… informal agreement with this male? Did she even want to? She couldn’t think of an upside to interlocking their fates more than they already were.

Unless he helped her rescue Elias.

Fae weren’t known for their helpful nature or doing things out of thegoodnessof their heart. For now, she needed to find a way to fulfill her bargainlater.

As she considered her options, she focused on three things. First, she needed to get her friends to safety. Then she needed to rescue Elias. Last, she needed to gain control over her unwieldy shadows, which seemed to feed on her darker emotions.

Arabella crossed her arms. “I didn’t ask you to kill the ogres or repair the ward. You chose to do that of your own volition. So, there’s no debt between us, and you can’t force me into anothermagical bargain. That said, give me a reason to consider helping you.”