The air is thick on the island.

I am nestled in a boat, chains wrapped around me as the seamen row us towards the island. They haven't said a word to me, not even a murmur. I wish they would at least taunt me.

The sailors on the ship didn't even spare me a glance as I was lowered into the row boat. They just carried on. They could care less considering the fact they had just become incredibly wealthy.

Also... I tried to set their ship on fire.

Not my finest moment.

I looked up to see the bow of the ship pass us, scorch marks decorated the hull and upper decks. I smirked, knowing that those men had paid the price for abating in my kidnapping. Now they could use their ill-fated knee to repair their ship.

Darien hadn't come for me. I had no chance of escape without him. If I wasn't so scared about Maria getting involved, I'd happily let her tag along but I didn't want to be responsible for her death. Enough people have died for an ungrateful person like me, I didn't want any more lives on my mind.

Maria must hate me. I didn't mean to lie to her. How exactly do you explain the fact that you're half-fae and that your temper results in a house being burnt down every once in a while? That wasn't going to be an easy conversation. I felt a little bad that Darien had to explain things to her. Poor Maria, she must've been freaking out.

I'm a terrible friend. I didn't want this for her. We were supposed to stay in the Mortal Realm, away from the bullshit of the Faefolk and just live our lives as we wished.

At least she was safe. That's all that mattered.

I turned back around.

The island came into view. The mood rose over the waves, washing them in silver light. I could see the tall peaks of the two mountains, in between them was a large castle made of white stone with a tower jutting straight towards the sky.

I tugged at the chains but it was no use. Iron shouldn't be able to affect me but with each breath I took, they were digging into my skin.

I didn't have much time.

If Darien or my father don't arrive soon, I'll be lost to the Court of Midnight forever.

—

I woke up with a start nearly tumbling out of my cot.

The dreams are getting more vivid now. The scent of rain and the feeling of ocean mist on my face felt real.

I wasn't hallucinating.

I was in Fallon's head. For one brief, screwed-up moment I was inside her head feeling and seeing everything.

She must be so afraid. There's nobody there except for herself and she can't even use her power.

Ugh. This is too complicated.

Now I have to save Darien and Fallon but how can I do that when I'm here?

The jail cell is damp and smells like moss. There's a small circular window with bars. I can hear the lapping of waves on the shore and the call of the gulls.

I'm alone here. There's just me and an iron chain wrapped firmly around my ankle.

I hate it.

I hate Goodfellow even more.

What in the world was he thinking?

Me, a scrawny little human who can barely hold 5 pounds much less a sword, up against some ghastly champion the Queen has chosen.

I know he's ancient but I didn't suspect he was suffering from whatever was the fae version of dementia.

I lay back down, counting the cracks in the ceiling.

Should I write a will?

Maybe I could carve into the wall or use my blood as ink? I consider going back to sleep. I could see Fallon again. 

I turned over, curling into a ball as I drew my knees up to my chest.

I'm such an idiot.

I can't save anyone.

All I can do is close my eyes.

—

My whole body hurts.

Everything is dialled up to the max. I can taste and smell my blood.

Those idiots poured some sort of healing potion all over my wounds. It was the routine. Come in, torture me, ask vague questions, and then heal me.

Days of torture and my tormentors haven't heard a single word out of me. I know what they want but I won't give them a single answer. My loyalty outweighed their greed.

If only these fools had a single working brain cell they would know that Fallon had no intention of committing treason. She was no threat to them—especially to the queen and her snakes she calls offspring.

If King Oris was here, then he would've amassed an entire army to rescue his daughter...even if that meant risking the stability of the Fae Realm. As much as he claimed to dislike his daughter, even after he banished her for refusing the throne, he cared enough about his spawn to do something.

They hung me by the arms, my feet dangling inches off the ground.

I can't believe I was so stupid.

The Queensguard were waiting for me the moment I stepped out of the portal. I didn't even have a chance to warn my great-great-grandfather.

Fallon...gods above, I failed her as her knight. She was my friend but above all, she's also my responsibility—my duty. I should've kept her safe.

At least Maria was safe. I fortified the wards, keeping everything after her out and her in.

Gion swore an oath to protect her. A brownie was a brownie after all but an oath was everlasting. 

It was cruel and I hated myself for it. Maria didn't deserve to be a prisoner because of us. She was a free spirit, kind and loyal to a fault. She was a good person.

Every time I closed my eyes, I remembered her face as she begged to come along with me. I wanted to stay, I wanted to hold her close and tell her everything would be okay.

I'm an idiot.

Fallon was right. She had the annoying foresight to be so wise.

I can't keep pushing what I felt aside or else I'd end up hurting the people I care about.

The door to the cell swings open. A short elder fae holds the door open, a circle of keys in his other hand.

"You're still breathing?" He croaked out. He trained his milky eyes on me. "Not bad for a Faeling. I expected you to be dead."

I grinned, the corners of my mouth protesting. "C'mon, old man. Let's get this over with."

I could bear this, I can survive one more day. All this for the entertainment of her royal pain in the ass.

—

I wake up slowly once again but this time there are tears in my eyes.