Annalora sneered. “All good things come to those who are patient. And I am very patient. You don’t belong here, Mina. You never did. If you hadn’t’ve shown up, none of this would have happened.” Annalora gestured to the palace.

“You’re the one who killed Dinah and tried to kill Ever and me.” Mina stepped forward.

Annalora stiffened but continued. “Well, I blame you for stealing the throne from me.”

“That’s all you ever cared about. The throne. You never cared about the prince, just his title and position.

“That’s how it should be.” Annalora’s voice rose in anger. “The job comes first. You don’t need love to rule. I know that. Teague knows that. All of the Fates before married for power, not love. Her voice calmed, and she took a deep breath. “But I also thank you for returning my throne to me. Giving me a second chance.” She rubbed her hands along the dark ebony wood.

Mina wanted to march up there and yank her out of the chair by her hair. “The throne will never be yours.”

“Teague will have to choose someone eventually,” Annalora answered slyly. “Why not me? Besides, you’re the one who betrayed him and made him this way. Not that I’m complaining. I kind of like him ruthless. And I can see by the iron cuffs that you’ve not redeemed yourself. You’re nothing more than a slave.”

The whole time they argued, the Fae lights had darted in and out of the room, clearly alarmed by Annalora’s sudden appearance.

Mina felt the build-up of power and sensed Teague’s approach moments before the Fae lights disappeared. Teague marched down the room and stood in front of Annalora, who quickly jumped up and out of the throne.

“My King.” She spoke softly and curtsied.

Teague’s eyebrow rose in question, and he turned to give Mina a look as if to ask why she didn’t show him the same respect.

“Annalora, what a surprise to see you here.” Teague kept his voice neutral.

“It shouldn’t be, considering the signs. I knew when the river dried up that you would need to choose. I’m only sorry I didn’t come sooner.” She stood and gently placed her hand on her chest, trying to show how saddened she really was.

Mina’s mind was flooded with questions, but she didn’t want to interrupt.

“So you’ve come expecting what exactly?”

“Nothing more than a second chance.”

“That’s an interesting proposition.”

“One only a fool would turn down in this predicament,” Annalora answered. “And you and I know that neither of us are fools.”

“No. That we are not,” Teague answered respectfully. “I didn’t think ruling would drain me this fast.”

“It’s because you’ve brought your armies across the planes and back again. That takes a lot of power, and the balance is off. But if you accept me, we will be unstoppable. I’ll help you destroy the human plane.”

Mina tried to hide her shock. If taking his whole army across the planes and coming back weakened him and drained him, that must be why he’d kept them away from the palace. He couldn’t risk being further drained, and he would never risk losing control.

If there was even the slightest chance that he would take Annalora up on that offer, then Mina needed to get back and warn the others. Maybe she could escape and get away if she caught him at a weak moment.

“You give me much to think about Annalora.” Teague stepped up onto the dais and turned to sit on the throne with Annalora standing near the other chair.

Mina couldn’t handle the rush of emotions she felt at seeing them next to each other, when she’d done all this work to make Teague smile, so she spun and left the room.

Once again, Annalora wasn’t going to stop until she ruined everything. Mina had no choice but to stop her.

Chapter 23

When Mina entered the hall, the yeti and the Fae lights waited just outside the doors as if they’d been there the whole time.

“Thank you for all of your hard work. I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m tired, and I think we should all take a break for a while.”

She wasn’t sure, but she thought they looked a little sad at their dismissal. Mina looked down the hall at the tall double doors that led outside and found herself moving toward them. She pushed open the right hand door, stepped into the sun, and let its rays shine on her. The warmth felt wonderful, but a shadow fell across her face, and she looked up to see a griffin glide overhead to land in a large tower above.

It was the one reminder that she needed to keep her on track.

She looked down and realized she had walked within feet of the bridge that led across the lake and to freedom. She stared at the bridge and then down at her enchanted cuffs. If she crossed, her promise would be broken. She quickly moved back away from the bridge and turned to walk beneath a covered alcove which led around the side of the palace but still overlooked the lake.

Mina leaned on the stone banister and looked out across the water. In the distance, she could make out the waterfall she and Nix had come down. Both the falls and the lake had receded in size. She could tell from the water lines along the rocks.

“That can’t be a good sign.” Mina’s skin tingled, and she turned to see Teague watching her.

“I’m surprised you didn’t try to run away.”

“You would have gone after my brother if I did.”

“You’re absolutely correct.”

“It wouldn’t have mattered. I won’t run away.”

“You did before,” he said softly, reminding her of the time she tried to run away during the choosing ceremony.

“I was scared. I wasn’t supposed to be here, in this world in the past. I was on a mission to save my family, and the shoes didn’t give me a choice on when I went back.”

“But you didn’t save them. You failed.”

“No, I did. I saved them. But you took them away from me one by one. And I won’t fail the only family I have left.”

“Why is family so important to you?”

“Why isn’t it to you? I know that your parents cared about you in their own demented way. When I lost the Grimoire, your mother demanded that I do everything in my power to save you.”

“You lie. They tried to destroy me.”

“Yes, but they didn’t intend to. They were terrified, and what they did was wrong. But how is what you’re doing now to me any different?”

“You did even worse. You betrayed me, played me for a fool.” He leveled his gaze at the water, refusing to make eye contact.

“I was willing to give up everything for you. I chose you.”

“No, you chose Jared,” he snapped.

“He’s you! I wish I’d never said his name. It was—he was—always just a part of you that I love. You are one and the same, Teague. I’ve gotten past his name, can you?”

“You tried to kill me.”

“Actually, despite everything you’ve done to me over the years, I tried to save you.” Mina reached out to touch the area above his heart. “I’m still trying, and maybe one day you’ll realize that.”

Teague’s eyes were cloudy, and she wasn’t sure if it was because of his anger or the setting sun. Either way, Mina was emotionally exhausted. She hadn’t seen Annalora leave, which meant she was still somewhere within earshot.