I stepped out of my chambers and Edward fell into step behind me. The pressure of Mouriana’s presence wasn’t physical, but it felt like an ever-present shadow. Her essence thrummed faintly in my thoughts and my chest like a second pulse.

My body was still weak, and my limbs were so heavy. The contract was taking its toll, and as I continued toward the event hall, a wave of dizziness hit me, forcing me to slow my pace. Only now, with each faltering step, did certain questions begin to take shape. Would Devon be able to sense her presence too? Why hadn’t I considered these things before the contract? And Gaia help me, what would my mother say when she learned I had bonded with a dark Faerie?

So this is the Lord Irving’s island. Mouriana’s voice echoed in my mind. A bit quaint, isn’t it?

I ignored her, my pace brisk as I walked through the winding path toward the central courtyard. The preparations for the Witch’s Supper were well underway, and I needed to reach Luciana and monitor things.

Don’t sulk, little witch, she drawled. It’s unbecoming of you. Besides, I’m here now. We should discuss strategy.

“Strategy?” I muttered under my breath. The last thing I needed was for Edward to think I was losing my mind. “I’ve barely adjusted to you being in my head, and you want to start plotting?”

Of course. The faint ripple of amusement brushing against my consciousness. The Fae High Lords must be put in their place if you want them as allies. They respect power, not diplomacy. Show them what you’re capable of, and they’ll fall in line. None of those warts could ever contract a Faerie like me.

I clenched my jaw, the urge to argue bubbling up. “That’s not how this works,” I said through gritted teeth, earning a wary glance from Edward. I waved him off with a quick, “Just thinking aloud.”

Mouriana’s laughter even in my mind was still a melodic hum. You’re too cautious. It’s almost endearing. But you summoned me for a reason, didn’t you? My power is yours, Celeste. Use it.

“I don’t even know the full extent of your power yet,” I shot back sharply. “How about we start there? What can you do that’s actually useful?”

Useful? she repeated, and she sounded like she was offended. I could obliterate an army, shatter illusions, and rip the truth from even the most stubborn minds. But no, let’s focus on what’s useful.

“Good,” I said, my lips curving into a smirk. “Because I need to dismantle the Dark Veil Court, not pick fights with the Fae High Lords right now.”

Her tone lost some of its levity. The Dark Veil Court? That’s what you’re prioritizing? That band of amateurs.

“They’re the ones behind the magic eater plague,” I said. “If I can trace their movements, expose their network, I can stop them. That matters more than scoring points with some High Lords.”

Mouriana was quiet for a beat, and I felt her considering my words. Finally, she said, Your fire is irritating and impressive in equal measure. Fine. We will unravel this court.

“I’ll take what I need,” I muttered. “And you’ll follow my lead.”

Of course, little witch, she said. We’re bound. My victories are yours, and yours are mine. We’re in this together now. Whether you like it or not.

I shook my head, ignoring the way her laugh echoed long after it ended. The courtyard came into view, bustling with staff as they prepared for the evening’s event.

“Your grace,” Julia greeted me, hurrying over with a clipboard in hand. Her amber eyes flickered over my face. I could feel her concern, and knew she wasn’t exactly free enough to tell me how she felt about Mouriana. “Are you all right? You seem” distracted.”

“I’m fine,” I said briskly, brushing past her to inspect the arrangements. “How are we progressing?”

Julia launched into a detailed report, but her words faded into the background as Mouriana’s voice slithered into my thoughts once more. Careful, Celeste. If you spread yourself too thin, you’ll miss the larger game.

I inhaled sharply, my fingers curling into fists. “Not now,” I muttered under my breath.

Julia paused, her brow furrowing. “Your grace?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “Continue.”

As Julia continued her update, Mouriana’s voice returned. You need to lie down, little witch. The contract bond drains an extensive amount of your MANA. If you insist on waltzing around like nothing’s happened, you’ll collapse. And when you do, don’t expect me to catch you.

I stopped in my tracks at her warning. Julia paused mid-sentence, her brows knitting together in concern.

“Your grace?” she asked cautiously as her eyes scanned my face.

“I’m fine,” I said, even though the words felt forced even to me. My legs were heavier than they had been minutes ago, and a faint buzzing had begun at the corner of my vision. Mouriana’s presence was amplifying my exhaustion with every second.

Oh, don’t be stubborn, Celeste, Mouriana chided. Rest now, or you’ll find yourself sprawled across the cobblestones, and I assure you, it won’t be a graceful sight.

I gritted my teeth, refusing to let her smugness get under my skin. “Julia,” I said, forcing a steadiness into my voice, “ensure everything is on track for the supper. I’ll” return shortly.”

Julia hesitated, clearly unconvinced. “Your grace, you don’t look’”

“I said I’m fine,” I snapped, my frustration spilling over before I could stop it. Her eyes widened slightly, and I immediately regretted my tone. “I just need a moment,” I added more gently. “Please, handle things and come get me when everything is ready.”

She nodded, but her expression remained troubled, as she stepped back. I turned toward the nearest exit and Edward fell into step behind me without a word.

You’re welcome, by the way, Mouriana said smugly.

“For what?” I muttered under my breath as I made my way to the quieter corridors leading to my chambers.

For being the only one with enough sense to remind you that you’re not invincible, she replied in an almost playful tone. And for saving you the embarrassment of passing out in front of your staff. Shall I go on?

I ignored her, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. The buzzing in my head grew louder, and by the time I reached my chambers, my vision had begun to blur.

Edward opened the door for me, his sharp brown eyes catching mine briefly. “Should I fetch the healer, your grace?”

“No,” I said quickly, leaning against the door frame for a moment before straightening. “I just need rest. Stand guard.”

He nodded, stepping back as I closed the door behind me. The silence of the room was a welcome relief, but Mouriana was quick to fill it.

Finally, some sense. Lie down before you keel over, Celeste.

“I’m not a child,” I muttered, making my way to the bed and sinking onto it with far less grace than I intended.

No, but you’re just as stubborn, she shot back. The bond is new. It’ll take time for your body to adjust to the strain of sustaining me. You’d do well to remember that.

I closed my eyes, letting the exhaustion pull me down. “I’ll keep that in mind,” I murmured.

I groaned inwardly, barely holding onto my consciousness when yet again Mouriana’s voice curled through my mind like smoke. Before you doze off, tell your servant to prepare a carriage. We need to go somewhere important once you’re rested. Your garish mate needs you.

I opened one eye, glaring at the ceiling like it could somehow convey my annoyance to her. “Devon is not garish,” I muttered under my breath, my voice rasping with exhaustion.

Oh, he’s utterly garish, she replied in a tone that was imperious. All that golden embroidery and brooding charm? Please. But he does have his uses, and right now, he needs you.

“Where are you dragging me now?” I asked. My words were slow, as if they’d been soaked in lead.

To the regional council, she said simply, and her nonchalance was irritating. If your mate is going to face the high council about the plague, he’ll need more than his precious Lycans to back him up. You, dear Celeste, are the leverage he needs. And I” well, I can be quite persuasive when the Fae and Elves are involved.

I sat up slowly, pressing a hand to my temple as another wave of dizziness hit me. “The high council?” I murmured. That was odd, he was supposed to be meeting with the regional council. Was this an ambush? “You think the Faes and Elves will listen to me now?”

No, Mouriana said bluntly. But they’ll listen to me, and you’ll be the convenient vessel for my” influence. Now, shall we tell your Stoic sentinel to prepare that carriage, or must I prod you into action?

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, forcing my body to obey despite its protests. “Fine,” I snapped. “But nothing happens to my mate or me, you got that?”

Oh, please. If you die, I’ll be right there with you. And I have far too much invested in this partnership to let that happen. Now, go. Time is of the essence.

I stumbled to the door, opening it just enough to catch Edward’s sharp gaze. “Prepare a carriage,” I said. “We’re leaving shortly after I’m done resting.”

Edward nodded without hesitation, and I could see the stoicism Mouriana mentioned. As he turned to carry out my order, I felt Mouriana’s satisfaction hum in the back of my mind.

See? That wasn’t so hard, was it? Now, rest. You’ll need your strength for what’s to come.

I slumped back onto the bed, my limbs like dead weight as Edward’s footsteps faded into the distance. Mouriana’s presence lingered in my mind, her eagerness curling around me like a familiar that refused to leave.

You really should take better care of yourself, little witch, she chided. Burning the candle at both ends is a fast track to disaster. Not that I mind the chaos, of course.

I exhaled sharply, not bothering to hide my irritation. “You’re exhausting,” I muttered, closing my eyes.

No, darling, that would be the contract bond you insisted on forming without proper preparation, she countered smoothly. But I digress. We’re about to face a room full of posturing fools, and I suggest you let me handle the more” delicate matters. You’ll thank me later.

“Delicate?” I shot back, forcing my eyes open again. “Your idea of delicate probably involves setting half the council on fire.” Not that I minded that.

Only if necessary, she replied with feigned innocence. But you underestimate the power of intimidation. Sometimes, all it takes is a well-placed word, a reminder of the consequences. And if that fails” well, then we get creative.

I sat up fully, rubbing my temples as if that might somehow dislodge her voice from my head. “Just shut up and let me rest.”

Mouriana’s laughter filled my mind. Rest is for those who can afford it. Last I checked, you weren’t exactly in that category.

I groaned, pressing the heels of my palms against my eyes. “If you don’t stop talking, I swear I’ll find a way to evict you from my consciousness.”

Oh, little witch, she purred. Save your threats for your servants. Now, go ahead and close your eyes. I’ll be here when reality catches up.

I flopped back onto the bed, throwing an arm over my face to block out the light pouring in from my window.

“Just shut up and let me rest,” I muttered.

As you wish, she said. I will wake you up when we have to go. We are pressed for time, you know.

I didn’t reply. I couldn’t. The pull of sleep was too strong, dragging me down even as Mouriana’s laughter lingered faintly in the back of my mind.

Darkness wrapped around me, but it wasn’t the soothing void of rest I’d hoped for. It felt alive, moving and breathing as if the shadows themselves had a heartbeat.

I blinked, and suddenly I wasn’t in my chambers any more. I stood on a big, empty plain with shattered glass for a ground. With every step I took, soft cracks rippled outward, echoing unnaturally loud in the silence.

There were fractures of pale light in the sky, like veins running through stone, swirling in black and silver.

“Where is this place?” I asked, but my voice sounded small, like it was swallowed up by the void.

Home, little witch.

Mouriana’s voice came from everywhere. I spun around looking for her, but couldn’t find her. All I could see was an endless stretch of glass and fractured light.

“Is this your doing?” I asked.

Not entirely. This is your mind, Celeste. Or rather” what’s left of it.

The ground shifted under me, the glass groaning as cracks spider-webbed out from where I stood. I froze, and my breath caught as the fractures widened, glowing with an odd, dark blue light.

“You’re lying,” I said.

Am I? Her laugh was soft. Look around you. This is your reality now. Every choice you make, every bond you form, breaks something else.

I stepped back, but the cracks followed, chasing me like a predator. “If this is supposed to scare me, it’s not working.”

It’s not fear I’m after, little witch. It’s understanding.

Ahead of me, the shattered ground rippled, the shards twisting and rearranging themselves into a shape. A figure started to form. The tall, shadowy silhouette looked like it was stitched together from broken glass and light. There was no discernible form to it. It was just shifting and pulsating, but its eyes, if it could be called that, were orbs of piercing blue light.

“What is that?” I whispered to Mouriana.

A reflection, she said simply. Of what you could become. Of what you will become if you’re not careful. The downside of too much power is that sometimes it can be a terrible thing if you don’t use it right.

The figure raised an arm, and the shards that made up its body trembled, some falling away like leaves in a storm. They landed with sharp, crystalline sounds, cutting into the ground and sending sparks of light into the air.

“I don’t understand,” I said, taking another step back.

You will.

The shadowy figure rushed forward at a speed that left me gasping. I stumbled and fell on my knees on the jagged glass as it hovered over me. Its voice was a distorted replica of mine when it spoke.

“You can’t outrun what you’re meant to be.”

I woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for air. I’ve never dreamed anything so vivid and ludicrous. Whatever it was, the contract with Mouriana probably had something to do with it. Again, Mouriana’s laughter filled my mind.

Bad dream? she asked.

Pressing my hand to my chest, I could feel my heart pounding. “I guess you can call it that.”