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T he Queen sent for me at sunrise. When the maids arrived, they fussed, making sure I looked presentable for Her Majesty.

Did Galen know she’d summoned me? Had she learned the truth?

I’d been counting on him being a buffer between us.

My empty stomach roiled, making me regret not eating more last night.

Lusha dressed me in a navy gown with a high collar that covered most of my neck—a symbolic, if useless, layer of protection against the Queen. If she decided to drink my blood, there wouldn’t be much I could do about it. Would I fight back or just let her have me?

I straightened my spine and decided I’d fight if it came down to it—maybe I’d get one good swing in before she killed me.

By the time I’d been escorted to her private library, I’d thoroughly terrified myself with thoughts of what she might do.

Despite the dread she elicited in me, the library ambiance was bright and elegant.

I had a hunch she hadn’t designed this room.

There was a warmth present, that so far I didn’t find her capable of.

It seemed like she’d be more at home in a dark cavern… or a spider’s web.

Walnut bookcases lined the library on two sides. A floor-to-ceiling panoramic view of Merivale lake was the focal point of the room. Glittering aquamarine waters stretched beyond the horizon, farther than my eyes could see.

I took a seat in a worn leather chair that faced out towards the water.

Turquoise waves sparkled in the distance.

I watched boats sail by and wondered what it would be like to live the simple life of a fisherman.

Were they staring at the castle from their boats, wondering what it would be like to live such a grand life?

“ No matter where you go, there you’ll be,” my mother used to say to me.

She’d always believed in destiny. We could try and divert course, but we’d eventually end up right where we were meant to be.

With that logic, there was no point in wishing to be somebody else.

We couldn’t outrun destiny—we couldn’t outrun ourselves.

Still, it would’ve been nice to be anyone but me, at this particular moment.

I chewed on the thought, letting the view pull me into a state of temporary tranquility. My gaze fell to the black cat that had followed me here, like a tiny shadow. It lounged lazily on a cushioned seat by the bay windows, stretching before falling asleep in a ray of sunshine.

“Hello, Marigold,” Sylvia said tartly, making me swivel my head in surprise.

She came in unannounced, flanked by several guards and servants.

The Queen wore a voluminous black dress that snaked along the polished wood floors as she made her way towards me.

A severe crown sat on her head—its pointed palisades sharp as daggers.

The servants scurried in circles as they set trays of tea and biscuits on a small table. Two of them pulled a rust-colored velvet settee near the table and assisted the Queen in sitting down. She excused them once they’d poured tea, which I would not be touching, thank you very much .

And then we were alone.

“My son says that you’re a world walker,” the Queen said, not mincing her words. “From Erador.”

I nodded in confirmation. I very much doubted that I’d brought myself here, but if it bought me time and kept her teeth out of me, I’d go along with it. I’d gotten here somehow, that much was true.

“And you expect me to believe that you traveled here while sleeping?”

Her cold, calculating eyes were so terrifying, it was difficult to form words. “Yes, Your Grace. I fell asleep in Aurelius, in a garden. And woke up here.”

She let out a short laugh. “My sons might’ve fallen for your pitiful damsel act, but they’re not the ones you have to convince—I am. And I think you’re hiding something. Maybe you’re a virgin sacrifice, pushed through the portal to appease our wrath. Or could you be a spy, sent by your realm? ”

“What motive would Aurelius have to spy, Your Grace? We’ve lived without you for hundreds of years. The general public doesn’t even know you exist.” I smiled, steeling my spine.

Her eyes narrowed into slits. “You dare speak of the Ancient Kingdom to me? I am the rightful Queen of Aurelius and any human that resides there is an enemy to the Crown,” she hissed, showing her fangs.

“As for motives… perhaps the greedy little humans have bred too quickly and are seeking new land. Erador is probably overrun with rats by now. I know a few felines who’d happily fix your pest problem.

All we need is a world walker to open a door for us. Know of anyone?”

She stared at me as she took a sip of tea, curving her long fingers around the teacup. Her red nails had been sharpened into points.

“If you think you can intimidate me into doing your bidding, you’re wrong,” I said with a glare and a death wish.

She was a hair-raising monster, worthy of a starring role in my nightmares, but I couldn’t let her kowtow me. The wylks had taught me something; predators used fear to their advantage. They wanted their prey scared and on the run. But what if instead, the rabbit stood up to the fox?

In a heartbeat, Sylvia was at my side. One of her hands gripped me by my hair, savagely pulling my head back, while the other rested on my chest like a necklace.

Her mouth hovered over my throat, taunting me.

She was close enough that I could feel her breath through the thin webbing of lace that wrapped around my neck.

My blood went ice cold, while my pulse thumped violently. She slowly stood up, letting me go, then sauntered back to her seat. “Intimidation, sweet girl, is only the beginning,” she crooned.

My hands went to my throat as I stared at her in shocked outrage. I was unscathed, but I’d received her message loud and clear; she was an apex predator, not to be trifled with.

“What I’m trying to understand is why your Kingdom sent you. Surely, there were more qualified candidates,” she continued. “Can you even wield a weapon?”

My fists were balled so tight, fingernails were beginning to cut through skin. “I assure you, I wasn’t sent here, Your Grace. And you’re correct; I’m no warrior. I pose no threat.”

She curved a brow. “Now that is simply not true. A woman’s most dangerous weapon isn’t made of steel .

You managed to sink your claws into my son in one afternoon.

He’s weak—I didn’t know how weak until I witnessed him panting after a human.

You are a distraction. If you become a problem, I will find a solution. Do you understand?”

I nodded my head, avoiding her gaze, wanting to roar at her, wanting to scratch out her eyes.

“Consider yourself lucky; you’re currently too important to dispose of. The power radiating from you is significant. Galen was right about that, at least.” She took another sip of tea. Her lipstick looked like blood on the rim of her white teacup.

I nearly jumped out of my seat when a glowing cloud appeared above her, floating around her crowned head.

I’d never seen anything like it, but it reminded me of the small flash of gold I’d seen above Galen after he’d tasted my blood.

It was jungle green with a red, pulsing center—slithering around the Queen before vanishing.

My hands gripped the cold, cracking leather of my seat.

“I’ve already sent soldiers to check the ruins where you were found—where our people originally entered Nymera.

There’s no open portal, and I’ve gathered that you can’t wield magic.

You’ll need training if you are to take us back.

You’re useless to me until then. However, I intend to find out exactly what secrets are hidden in your blood. One way or another.”

“Training, Your Grace?”

“You’ll live in the castle with the rights of a guest. You’ll master your magic and learn the customs of our people.

Then, you’ll open a door for us—back to our home world.

And if you can’t, if you won’t… we’ll kill you.

” With that, she clapped and a slew of servants ran over, removing dishes.

I sat in stunned silence as they moved around me.

The tightness in my chest unfurled and I took a deep breath. I would live to see another day—only to die when I couldn’t world walk. But after having her canines so close to my jugular, it felt like a win.

And I wasn’t going to the dungeons. Had Galen convinced her that I’d be more amiable if I wasn’t bitten, chained, and starved?

Heat bloomed in my belly. He was the only one looking out for me.

“Guards, take her back to her room. She’ll dine with us tonight.

Let Lusha know that the girl will need to look presentable by this evening.

We have guests arriving today.” She snapped her fingers and they hurried over, grabbing me roughly .

As I was dragged back to my room, home felt impossibly far. She’d called me a distraction. It had been meant as a warning, but she’d revealed a chink in her armor. She didn’t want Galen growing attached to me, as if my influence might loosen the control she had on him.

He was my best chance at getting home. I just had to convince him to see things from my perspective. I bit my lip as I thought about the implications of getting closer to him. The idea was appealing, I’d admit.

I was a mere mortal moth, it would be easy enough to let the fire-wielding Prince draw me in. But was I really foolish enough to fly towards the flame?

I flitted around like a caged canary once I was back in my room.

By the time Lusha arrived, I’d decided that I needed to find a library—one that wasn’t in the Queen’s private wing.

Reading was the best way to focus my chaotic mind, and learning about this world would help me feel like I had a semblance of control.