Estefania de Sahar's entire body ached. Once she regained the ability to move, she wasn't sure how many hours had passed. She was no longer in the grand ballroom since someone had moved her frozen form into a small bed chamber and laid her across the bed.

When she rose from the mattress, the first thing she spotted was the wolf curled up at her feet. She vaguely remembered Nathaniel becoming a massive beast and being blasted by the fairy. He'd mentioned he was cursed, but she hadn't imagined anything like this.

"Nathaniel?" She asked.

The wolf opened his eyes and whined. She realized that she could still see Nathaniel's eyes in the wolf. He nuzzled her hand and whimpered.

"I'm sorry," she said. "You shouldn't have put yourself in danger."

"It was stupid," came a voice from the corner of the room.

Estefania startled. She looked up and saw Fletcher de Cyra sitting on a chaise longue in the corner of the room. She was so enthralled with the wolf that she hadn't even seen him sitting there.

It was odd to see a crown prince just sitting there. Had he been so worried about his future bride that he decided to wait in her room until she woke up?

"The ball started a quarter of an hour ago," he said. "I sent Lorenzo and Avangelique to watch for the fairy."

A shiver went down Estefania's spine. Her sister was looking for the evil fairy who'd destroyed both their families.

"So you were waiting for me to wake up?" Estefania asked.

"I thought it would be easier if Nathaniel weren't the only one here," Fletcher said. "After all, he's a wolf since he was so worried about you."

"Worried about me?" Estefania frowned.

"Nathaniel only transforms when an emotion completely overcomes him," Fletcher said. "He's gotten pretty good at controlling the shifts, too, but he lost it at the ball. He lost it because he cares about his sister and you."

Wryn was gone, and Estefania felt guilty about that. The fairy had taken the girl and her brother. She said she'd give them back if Estefania won their challenge. Unfortunately, she wasn't sure the fairy would honor their deal.

"How long will it take for him to transform back?" She asked.

"Not sure," Fletcher said. "He's pretty emotional right now. He cares a lot about you and wouldn't leave your side after the witch froze you."

"He's a good friend," Estefania said.

"It's not that," Fletcher said. "He's never acted this way. Nathaniel runs with his rangers, and he never lets anyone in. It only took a few looks between the two of you before I understood. My brother loves you, Estefania."

The wolf whimpered louder. She dug his fingers deeper into his fur. He whined, and his nose brushed against her side.

"He loves me?" Estefania looked at Nathaniel. "He shouldn't. You know I'm equally cursed."

"You know I studied your curse," Fletcher said. "The girl who only loves what is monstrous. If you love my brother, are you sure that makes you cursed?"

"Nathaniel isn't a monster," Estefania said.

"And your little sister has yet to face a curse worse than death," Fletcher said. "Maybe that fairy was just trying to scare you. Either way, I need to go to the ball."

He rose to his feet. Estefania noticed that he was still using his cane. Had he deliberated over killing his father?

"You didn't want to be there last night," she said. "Why the change of heart tonight?"

"The fairy is Elowen's stepmother," he said. "And I don't want her to get hurt. She ran off after the ball last night and hasn't returned."

"Avangelique's friend?" Estefania sighed. "What does she have to do with this?"

"If she can help us..." Fletcher paused. "A crown princess should understand the value of someone like Elowen."

"She's just a girl," Estefania said. "And we have bigger problems."

"Your fairy trial," he said sarcastically. "I forgot. You have everything you want and want to take her on, too?"

Nathaniel snarled. Estefania could feel all of the fur on his back standing up. She wondered if he was in control of his senses or if this was the predator in his body.

"Enough, Than," Fletcher said. "If you're taking her side, I can leave. There's a new robe for you in the adjoining washroom. I'm going to take care of my kingdom."

She was surprised he didn't slam the door on his way out. Nathaniel jumped off the bed and pawed the floor.

"You can transform back," she said. "I mean, if you can, Nathaniel. I can give you privacy while I change for the ball."

Nathaniel nuzzled her arm and pushed her towards the washroom. She walked into the room and sank on an ottoman. She saw a dark blue robe embroidered with silver apples and golden beads. There was a beaded headdress, and she guessed Avangelique picked it out since it matched a pair of silk ribbon Saharite sandals.

It didn't take her long to change. She brushed the snags out of her hair and braided it back. Then she let the headdress's beads hang over her head and around her face like a crown.

When she returned to the bedroom, Nathaniel de Ryne sat on her bed shirtless with a blanket across his lap. His breathing was labored, and he wouldn't meet her eyes.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

His arms quivered. "I think... I can control myself... at least... for now."

"Your brother seemed worried about you," she said.

"I remember everything that happens when I transform," he said. "I'm still me, just in the body of that monster. It makes the pain my brothers endure look easy."

"I'm sorry if I implied that your curse wasn't bad," she said. "I didn't realize..."

Nathaniel shook his head. "It was better if you didn't know. Our curses are our loads to bear. Fletcher's is manageable. Assuming his problem doesn't accelerate, he might even be able to live an ordinary life. Not me, though. After all, what woman would want a man who couldn't hold them?"

"Nathaniel," but the words died on her tongue.

There was nothing that she could say. Nathaniel couldn't feel without losing himself. That was worse than the threats that she might love a monster. At least she could love.

"I know what my brother said," Nathaniel said. "And I don't think you're cursed, Nia. You just deserve better than a bewitched man who can't control himself."

Her heart beat faster in her chest. She was Sahar's heir. Her decisions shaped her people, but every time she looked at the Marquis de Ryne, she wanted to throw away her kingdom and disappoint her grandmother.

If it weren't for her people, she'd march straight into the ballroom and declare her betrothal to Fletcher null and void. Neither of them wanted it. She couldn't be happy with the prince if her heart belonged to the marquis.

It made her a monster. Her decision would have allowed her people to starve. She was a ruler, and she had to provide for her people. She couldn't abandon them in their hour of need.

Her chest tightened as she gazed into his green eyes. "I wish..."

"Don't wish," he said. "The fairies can't save us, Nia."

It was a sobering thought. Here she was, challenging the very fairy who'd ruined their world. She didn't know how she could win, but she didn't have a choice. That cruel witch had her brother, and she wasn't about to let her take anything else from her.

"I have to get Bash back," she said. "And your sister, too. Someone has to beat this fairy at her own game."

Nathaniel jerked like someone had knocked the wind out of his stomach. His entire body convulsed. Estefania realized what had happened too late.

He transformed into the wolf again before she could blink. He hopped down from the bed and pulled his paws back over his ears. His whimper rolled through her body, and she reached out to put a comforting hand on his back.

"I trust you," she said.

The door to her room flew open. She threw herself in front of Nathaniel and found herself face-to-face with Solomon. Her mentor looked at the wolf disapprovingly before he moved aside so Estefania could see two guests behind him.

Elowen de Nene was dressed in a tight gown patterned like a living flame. The young woman seemed to glow like a candle, but her nervous smile felt fake. Her hair was unbound and blown about her face, and she looked like she hadn't slept all night.

She was accompanied by a young man in an ill-fitting tunic over his waxen skin. He looked far from dressed like a royal guest, and Estefania almost gagged when he was close enough to smell.

"I apologize for our rude arrival, and I would have helped Rillian clean up if we had more time," Elowen said. "I know you have no reason to trust me, princess, but he can help you win the trial."

"Solomon," Estefania turned to her mentor. "Why have you brought them to me?"

"The Lady Elowen was concerned your trial would be unfair," Solomon said. And she seems to have found an expert in fairy traditions and magic."

Estefania looked over the stranger again, careful to only breathe through her mouth. "What kind of expert?"

"My mother was the late fairy empress," Rillian said solemnly. "And Elowen saved me from the dark fairy who'd trapped me in a death sleep because I didn't agree to marry her."

Her jaw dropped. Estefania assumed nothing else could surprise her as much as Nathaniel's ability to turn into a wolf. Having the actual prince of the dead fairies show up at her room in the Cyran castle was quickly taking first place.

"What is a death sleep?" She asked.

Rillian hung his head. "Have you ever had a lucid dream where you cannot move? Imagine feeling every fiber of your body at full attention to your hunger and pain but never being able to wake. It is a fate worse than death."

The words echoed in her head. A fate worse than death. That was Avangelique's curse. She wondered if that was what the dark fairy had planned for her baby sister.

"He's explained to me that any use of magic will ruin the land where it is pulled," Elowen said. "And something like a drawn-out trial will draw enough magic to ruin Cyra."

Estefania let that sink in. Her trial would actually help the mad fairy kill more of their land. Even if she won, she'd lose.

"Then what do I do?" She asked.

"Get her to call off the trial," Rillian said. "You're allowed to tell a story in your presentation. Rattle Mona. Call her by her name and announce her crimes. Only truths can be spoken in the trial and think beyond her."

Estefania.

The voice rumbled through her mind. It crept around her rib cage. Her heart hammered faster than a drum calling for war. It was beginning.

Suddenly, Estefania felt a pulling in her stomach. Her feet started to move towards the door, and Nathaniel whimpered and circled her ankles.

"She's in the building," Rillian said. "You'll need to think fast and be smart, Estefania. Her downfall has always been pride. She's vain. Remember that, and good luck."

Estefania.

The voice rattled her skull. She wanted to bolt out the door and face the fairy, but she needed to stay calm. She needed a plan.

"I'm coming with you," Elowen said to her. "In case you need support. Somehow, I woke up the prince. Maybe I can help you, too."

"Good luck, princess," Rillian said. "You're going to need it."

Solomon gave her a wary look, but she knew he trusted her. Estefania gathered her courage and allowed the magic to bring her face to face with her doom.