Page 10

“What kind of map?” Breckett interjected, which surprised Arabella. He’d been unusually quiet since their altercation with the ogres.

“An ancient one said to be created by the shadow fae,” Hadeon said.

“What do you need it for?” she asked.

Where did the map lead? The fae had gateways they could use to travel between the fae lands and the mortal realm. Where else could he want to go?

“I’m in search of someone who can’t be reached by the usual means of travel,” the prince said slowly, his eyes assessing her, almost feline. “However, this map is special. It was made by and for shadow fae. Only one of them can read it.”

Brows drawing together, she said, “You’re not shadow fae.”

“No, indeed,” he agreed. “It was a problem I’d planned to address once the map was in my possession. But now… I daresay we have a common goal.”

Eyes narrowing, she began putting pieces together.

Hadeon was searching for someone who wasn’t in the fae or mortal realms. To find them, he needed a map that only the shadow fae could read.

Then she made a guess.

“You’re looking for the shadow fae. Aren’t you?

” When Hadeon didn’t deny it, she continued, “Your court nearly single-handedly wiped them out of existence during the fae wars. Even mortals know the stories.” Turning to her friends, she scratched the back of her head before saying, “The prince thinks I’m shadow fae. ”

Brynne tilted her head back and laughed. It was a deep, booming sound—and one Arabella had heard countless times in the House of Obscurities over tankards of ale.

Jessamine, on the other hand, stood with pursed lips, her eyes narrowing as though deep in thought. Then she shrugged and said, “That would explain the shadow magic.”

Cora opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again. “It would be rare for a mortal to possess fae lineage. But in case you need to hear it, we love you no matter what, Arabella.”

Hadeon snorted and raised an eyebrow in Cora’s direction. “Are you implying fae lineage is undesirable, Enchantress?”

“Association with your kind isn’t a good thing where we come from,” Jessamine cut in before Cora could reply. “Lucky for you, if Arabella is part fae, she will make your kind somewhat redeemable.”

“Just who do you think Arabella’s parents are?” Brynne asked.

Hadeon shrugged noncommittally. “I have theories about Enchantress Arabella’s parentage. And I’ll gladly provide more insight—in exchange for the map.”

Jessamine rolled her eyes. “I’ve heard better starting offers from toddlers on market day.”

Thinking quickly, Arabella said, “I’ll help you find the map if you assist us in rescuing Elias. He’s been taken by a sorcerer named Magnus.”

“No,” Hadeon said, his tone grave. “I cannot be seen in open conflict with a sorcerer, especially not one as powerful as Magnus. There are too many… political ramifications for my court that I simply cannot risk.”

Even having expected this answer, anger filled her.

“You killed some of his ogres,” she said. “How is stealing one of his prisoners any different?”

A sad smile played on Hadeon’s lips. “Killing a few ogres can be overlooked in the name of self-defense. But stealing his prized erox? Even I’ve heard about Magnus’ infatuation with Elias.”

She swallowed back the lump forming in her throat.

Getting Hadeon to help them had been a stretch. She hadn’t actually expected him to say yes. But hearing that he wouldn’t help her rescue her mate cut deeply all the same.

Stay strong, Elias, she thought. I’m coming for you soon.

“This is why we hate fae,” Jessamine spat, sharp eyes fixed on Hadeon. “You only do things that benefit you. ”

Arabella placed a hand on Jessamine’s arm.

I’ve got this, she didn’t have to say.

Jessamine nodded, understanding. Her lips drew into a thin line with the effort to not speak.

“I thought the fae prided themselves in having the strongest magic in realms,” Arabella began, her words as sharp as her blades.

“You’re right that fae are often the strongest magic wielders among the living, especially the nobility with magic they’ve passed down for generations,” Hadeon said.

“But mortals have the ability to tap into dark magic—something the fae cannot do. Our abilities are limited to the magic of our bloodlines, land, and bargains. So, while most fae are more powerful than sorcerers, it’s possible that some sorcerers can become stronger than the fae—and do things that no one ever thought possible even in their darkest of ruminations.

And as you well know… Magnus has already tapped into dark magic. Or else, Elias wouldn’t exist.”

The erox were made using dark magic. It was something she’d suspected but hadn’t ever confirmed.

“You’re afraid that Magnus will attack your court?” she pressed.

“I fear nothing until it’s a reality I cannot overcome,” Hadeon said.

“But I plan for all eventualities. And an enraged sorcerer is not one I’m willing to risk—not when there are many fae in the Twilight Court who are far less powerful than the nobility.

They’d be unable to defend themselves against a sorcerer and his army. ”

There was so much she wanted to say on the tip of her tongue, but there simply wasn’t time. Not now. They needed to get away from the castle, and fast. Once they were safe, they could decide the next course of action.

“I won’t make another bargain with you, but I’m willing to help you if you help us,” she said. “I’ll help you find this map if you get us out of here.”

She couldn’t let herself get tied down in more fae magic.

But if she was honest with herself, they needed help escaping Magnus’ army.

If they had any hope of rescuing Elias, they needed to get out of this forest and find allies powerful enough to oppose a sorcerer.

Maybe she could convince Hadeon to change his mind.

When Hadeon didn’t reply, seeming to hesitate, she continued, “The ogres will return soon enough, and they may bring more of Magnus’ army with them.” She thought of the erox under his command. “If I’m taken by him again, you won’t have a shadow fae to read your map.”

She had to hope that Hadeon needed her enough to defy Magnus’ wishes in helping her get away. The prince wouldn’t be stealing Magnus’ prized erox, but he would still be getting in his way.

“I can agree to this not-bargain,” Hadeon said at last. “But know that I will be calling in your favor. Soon.”

Great.

Turning to Breckett, she said, “I don’t suppose you have any idea where Elias might have kept his maps?”

Once again, they found themselves in the library, digging through the tomes.

A dozen bookshelves that were three stories tall filled the space.

Sunlight streamed in through colorful stained-glass windows that filled up the back wall, lighting the space in countless colors.

Arabella thought the windows might depict one of her favorite fairy tales about a beast who’d fallen in love with a human woman.

In this depiction, he offered her a single red rose.

Her thoughts strayed to the last time she’d been here with Elias. He’d brought her when she didn’t have her memories and needed essence. Offering herself to him, she’d told him to feed on her. And he’d resisted—eventually taking just enough to assuage his hunger and keep his inner demon at bay.

What she’d give to hold him again…

Shaking her head, she forced herself to focus on the present.

Somehow, she needed to find a magical map. And a library seemed as good a place as any to begin their search.

Unlike their prior search when they’d been seeking a way to regain her memories, they didn’t bother putting books and scrolls in neat piles. Instead, they moved quickly, allowing books to fall to the floor in their haste.

All too soon, they’d scoured the entirety of the library.

She tugged her braid. “It’s not here.”

“Use your magic,” Hadeon said. “Can you sense anything? You may be drawn to it since it was made with shadow fae magic.”

Taking a breath, she closed her eyes.

She had no idea what she was doing, but she envisioned her thoughts like a net and cast it out around her. At first, all she could sense was the wind outside the castle, the rustle of papers as ancient tomes of leather-bound books were opened and closed, and the ward’s distant hum.

Then, for the first time, she noticed what she could only describe as a faint vibration in the air as though a storm were about to sweep through. It was the lightest pinpricks in the corners of the room.

Magic , she realized. Those must be magical objects .

She wondered how Elias had managed to acquire them. Or had the previous owner of the castle acquired them? There was so much she wanted to ask him.

Focus, she chastised herself. Or you won’t make it out of here alive before the ogres come back.

She allowed her mind to roam over the room and felt her feet moving.

Reaching out, she touched the places where she felt the vibration.

But as she came across each—a quill hidden in a desk, a leather-bound tome in a language she didn’t recognize, a small statue of a pregnant female—none possessed a magic that mirrored her own. None appealed to the shadows.

The map wasn’t there. So, where was it?

Again, she cast her mind out like a net but focused it on the castle. Room by room, she felt along the energies, searching, searching…

“That’s it,” came Hadeon’s voice, though it sounded strangely far away. “Just like that.”

When she came across the room she’d dreaded returning to—the place where she’d stabbed Elias and taken the amplifier—she felt what she sought.

Unlike the purr of the energies of other magical objects throughout the castle, this one was different.

A deep hiss emanated from it the moment her thoughts touched it.

At first, the energy recoiled from her. Then it changed to something akin to a caress.

The energy nuzzled into her consciousness, making her thoughts swirl.

“I think I found it,” she said. “It’s in Elias’ room.”