Page 58 of A Dance with the Fae (Mistress of Magic #1)

‘So you see, Faye Morgan, you have nothing else left to bargain with, and I will not allow you to leave. Unless…’ Levantiana looked appraisingly at Faye and held out her hand. ‘There might be something. But you will not like it.’

Faye could hear the distant pounding of feet. Someone was coming.

‘If this is the only way, then I’ll do what has to be done,’ Faye answered grimly. ‘Will you help us get home? If I agree to your bargain?’

‘Of course.’ Levantiana’s smile twinkled brightly.

‘What is it? What do you want in return?’ Faye took Levantiana’s hand, and the queen waved her other hand at the approaching soldiers; they slowed as if they were running in syrup.

‘Something you can make, but I cannot. A child.’

Faye frowned in disbelief.

‘A child?’ she repeated. ‘What? No! That’s…inhuman.’

Levantiana laughed.

‘I am not human,’ she agreed.

‘Why…a child?’ Faye stammered.

‘I have my reasons.’ Levantiana regarded Faye impassively.

‘Or, I can wave my hand and they will take you. And they will put you and your lover in the darkest place in this castle and leave you to rot there. It is your choice.’ She smiled icily.

‘And believe me, sidhe-leth , the dungeons here are filled with horrors you cannot comprehend.’

‘It’s no choice!’ Faye cried. ‘Please don’t ask this of me.’

‘Another plea. You humans are full of wants, and yet when your pleas are answered, you do not like the solutions,’ Levantiana snapped.

‘You are human. You can have other babies – as many as you wish. You will not miss one. And I assure you that it will be well taken care of. It will live as a prince or princess of Murias.’ There was no compassion in Levantiana’s eyes; no understanding that a baby was anything other than a possession or a pet. ‘Choose. Quickly.’

I managed to get Rav away from Finn , Faye reasoned. So I can make this right, too. For now, I can agree to the pact. I don’t have to do it.

‘All right. I agree to your pact,’ she said. ‘Now. Get us out of here.’