A faint banging and clinking noise drew me from my sleep. I opened my eyes and immediately regretted it. The room tilted and spun around me which caused my stomach to do something similar. I quickly stood and ran to the window. I managed to throw open the casement window just in time to empty the remains of my last meal into the flowerbed below it. Once I no longer felt nausea I slowly opened my eyes again only to find a pair of leather boots covered in my vomit standing on the, not at all flowerbed-like, decking in front of me. As I trailed my eyes up the figure of the woman inside the boots, I felt my face flush with embarrassment. Our eyes met and I cringed internally. I wiped my mouth with my sleeve before standing up straight and bracing myself to be chastised for the boots.

"Why are you outside the window?" I asked stupidly.

"Well, this balcony has the best view of the sunrise. So, I normally watch it from here. Why are you in my room?" The beautiful woman standing before me spoke in a calm but flippant tone.

"Your room? Sorry, this is where Stryker led me to last night. I didn't real-" I tried to apologize but was cut short.

"Oh so Stryker just brings random women home and puts them in my bed now? Are you ment to be a gift? A terrible one if you introduce youself so poorly to me. You may leave," She said with a laugh and waved her hand in my face dismissively.

"A gift? Look lady I don't know who the fuc-" I started and got cut short again, this time by another voice.

"Banphrionsa? Are you awake, Princess?" Stryker called as he entered the room.

I turned to acknowledge him. He was carrying a plate of food on a folding lap tray. I smiled and moved to help him sit the items onto the bed. I nearly forgot the lady on the balcony, but she made her presence quickly known. The door leading to the balcony flung open with a crash, and in stomped an angry-looking woman with long dark hair and bare feet.

"PRINCESS!?" She screeched so loudly that the plate rattled on the tray.

"Izzet? Why are y-" Stryker questioned.

"Why am I what? Here listening to you call some random hussy your Princess? No FUCKING CLUE, YOU USELESS PRICK!" Izzet yelled at Stryker as she stomped her way closer to me.

"Izzy it is not like th-" Stryker tried to reason as he instinctively backed towards the hallway door.

"Not like I came home and your new toy puked on my fucking shoes? Not like the next thing I know you're bringing her food IN MY BED AND CALLING HER PRINCESS? Not like you're in a committed fucking relationship ANYMORE! Get this trash out of my room! NOW," Izzet shouted.

She sounded as if she were going to explode into a million little pieces as she reached where I was standing next to the bed. Izzet's hand was pulled back behind her head and appeared ready to strike me. I threw my arms up in a defensive position and closed my eyes as I braced for impact. I know how to take a hit, but it always causes flashbacks when it happens. Closing my eyes helps to drown them out a little bit. Thankfully, the strike I was expecting didn't come. When I peeked up from behind my arms, I found my view blocked by muscular shoulders and disheveled red hair.

I stepped to the side and moved closer to Stryker. I did not divert my gaze from the scene before me as I moved. Malakar was between Izzet and me. He was holding her in the air by only her wrist. Her body dangled limply within his grasp. Her mouth appeared to be opening and closing uselessly as she stared up at him with a wide-eyed expression of shock. She looked kind of like a gaping fish out of water. I finally made it to Stryker who stepped slightly in front of me, offering further protection from the crazy woman.

"If you ever so much as think of raising a hand to my sister again... the only parts of you they will be able to take out with the trash will be your ashes, Darling," Malakar said with a tone that was even more chilling than the cruel smile that graced his lips.

The smell of burnt flesh wafted through the room, followed by a pained scream from Izzet as Malakar tossed her onto the floor at his feet. She turned to look up at Stryker now with tears streaming down her face. He did not attempt to console her or even offer first aid for the burn marks on her wrist. Instead, he placed a protective arm in front of me and tucked me a little closer to him as he glared at the woman in front of Malakar.

"How dare you disgrace my home with such abhorrent behavior?" Stryker growled.

Izzet opened her mouth to speak only to be cut off immediately as Stryker continued, "You are hereby dismissed of your duties as A lady of this house."

Izzet looked absolutely mortified as Stryker spoke. She clearly is not used to him using this tone with her. Watching her react to his statement made me feel satisfied. Does that make me a bad person? I mean she was kind of a bitch to me.

"A Lady," Stryker emphasized, "Not The Lady. Not My Lady. A Lady of this house and you would have done yourself a favor to remember that when adressing my guest. Your rights are hereby revoked, and you are no longer welcome under de'Braon protections. Had you landed that strike, the penalty would have been death. However, Malakar did you the kindness of saving your pathetic excuse of a life. Get out, Izzy."

Stryker's words struck exactly where he meant for them too. Izzet stood with tears streaming down her face and glared right at me. She looked like she intended to attack me again, and I stepped further behind Stryker. My head hurts way too bad for this kind of crazy first thing in the morning. I got the impression that Izzet thought she was more important to Stryker than she actually is based on her reaction. That isn't my fault, though.

"Who the fuck is she to you? Why would you do this to me?" Izzet's voice broke into a mournful cry as she ran out of the balcony door and lept right over the railing.

I gasped and made to run and check on her, but Stryker stopped me with a gentle hand on my arm. Just as I was about to protest, I spotted a flutter of black wings outside. I watched in amazement as those wings carried Izzet away from the cabin. I rubbed my eyes and then sat down on the bed, trying to wrap my head around what had just happened. Malakar closed and locked the balcony window and door before throwing himself onto the chaise with a huff.

"Anybody going to explain what the fuck just happened?" Malakar asked looking from me to Stryker and back again.

"I puked on her boots," I said and held up my hands to express my confusion.

"Izzy wasn't supposed to be back for three more weeks. I didn't know she would be here, or I never would have left Kasia in this room unattended. She won't be back today, don't worry," Stryker said.

"Who even is she?" I chimed in, stopping Malakar from responding.

"My... well I guess today she's my ex," Stryker said sounding slightly conflicted.

"His bloody girlfriend and a dark fae. He's put you in danger exposing you to that ilk," Malakar growled.

"I dont get the sense that Stryker would intentionally endanger me," I said to Malakar.

"How are you going to handle this shit show, Stryker?" Malaker asked, ignoring my statement

I examined the food Stryker had brought up and grabbed a croissant from the plate. It smelled of honey and brown butter, and one bite had me blissful. I stopped paying attention to the conversation and began eating vigorously. Whatever the heck Ladorium is, I never want to experience that again. First, it made me sleep like the dead, then it left me puking and hungover-feeling, and now I'm starving. I think humans would call that a lot more than a date rape drug. I had just shoveled the last scraps of food from the plate into my mouth when the volume of conversation increased dramatically.

"She will not be staying under your roof, or your protection. That is clearly too much responsibility for you. I should have expected as much," Malakar's voice vibrated with power as it boomed across the room like a roaring flame.

"She is my responsibility as the Knight of her court. I am bound by oath and duty to protect and serve her in whatever way she pleases. She will remain with me so that I can properly do that," Stryker said in a much more bitten tone but loud enough to rival Malakar's.

"What are you guys talking about?" I cut in.

"You, lil sis. Were you not listening at all? This man has put you in grave danger. You'd have been safer with that mangey wolf pup Lorién than you are under Stryker's protection," Malakar scoffed.

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"This man? Malakar, we're best friends. You know I would never put her in danger. The princess is my top priority. She is safest under my watch," Stryker said more calmly now.

"I don't need protection," I said flatly, which garnered the attention of both men simultaneously.

"Like hell!" The men said in unison, causing me to blink.

"I don't. I've been alone, on my own, fighting for myself for most of my life. I can handle it. Thanks for the food. Tell your girlfriend sorry about her shoes," I said as I stood and walked from the room.

"Who do these guys think they are? Ass hats. What gives them the right to debate my safety with one another without even consulting me? They were acting like I wasn't even there!" I growled aloud to myself.

Anger rumbled in my chest as I stormed through the front door of the cabin. I could almost feel my blood beginning to boil as I stomped off into the woods. I vaguely recognize parts of this dense wood from my journey here via kidnapping with Lorién. My bag must be nearby somewhere. I began scanning the forest floor. It does not seem as dark here as it did when I arrived. I wonder if that's due to my Fae Shift? I'll have to ask Selia about this later. Right now I've got to find that bag and get away from all these crazy people. I walked another hundred yards into the dense forest, continuing to scan the ground. There! Footprints! I excitedly follow the path back the way it had come.

Slowing to a walk I begin to recognize the area more clearly. This is where I started to get fuzzy-headed. My bag has to be right around here. I began searching the underbrush and bushes. Finally, my hand brushed against the cool metal of a zipper. I almost shrieked with excitement but instead held it in. I pulled my bag up and tossed it over my shoulder. I finally feel a bit more secure in my own ability to provide for myself again, this whole experience had me doubting it.

"Now, back toward the docks sounds like the best plan. Can't get any worse than the lunatics I've encountered so far. Seems like these people all live in their own little bubble outside the real world. I can't believe that I almost wanted to stay with the guy who kidnapped me. Then there was Stryker, geeze, I did not have him pinned as a cheater but he kissed me while he had a lady at home... Why do I always attract the weirdest and worst versions of people?" I said to the forest as I followed the footprints back towards what I assume will be the docks.

The wind shifted and I immediately smelled smoke. I looked over my shoulder to see if there was someone following me with a lit torch through the dark forest but to my horror, it was something else entirely. The forest behind me was ablaze. Panic seeped into my chest as I stared at the wall of building flames. Stryker's words echoed in my head from when he was informing me that I had set the mansion alight. Did I do this too? Did I just burn down a forest because I got angry? I covered my mouth with my hand and took a step toward the flames. What can I do to fix this?

I took another step forward, prepared to run into the flames to try and put out as much as possible by foot. Just as I came within five feet of the first patch of spreading flame I became suddenly drenched in a cold liquid. Water? I was covered in ice-cold water. I looked around trying to find the source but could only see more and more water falling through the trees. At least it was dousing the flames. Finding no source to be seen I traveled further back towards the cottage. The water just kept falling from nowhere into the flames as I went. How could this be possible? My feet suddenly found themselves to be very driven to find out and began propelling me further into the now smoldering forest until I came upon a nearly dry stream bed. I stared at the sight before me in awe.

Next to the stream bed stood Stryker in full Faire form. He was nearly glowing with power. His hair danced about him on an invisible wind as water flowed above him and out into the forest. My mouth fell agape. He made manipulation of an element look so effortless. I watched as his hair flitted about his antlers and his eyes lit up in the most beautiful seafoam green I'd ever seen. After what felt like only seconds had passed he looked up and our eyes met for a brief moment. Stryker smirked in a way that said 'Do you like what you see?' and then promptly staggered sideways into the stream and collapsed.

Stryker's sudden collapse drew me from my awe-struck state and I ran to his side. I flipped him onto his back so that he would not inhale any water and shook his shoulders gently. He did not respond. I listened to his chest for signs of life. He was breathing and his heartbeat was there but faint. I attempted to lift him but found myself too weak to do so alone. Maybe Malakar is still at the house. He can help. I don't want to leave Stryker alone and defenseless though.

"Ugh what do I do?" I demanded to the piles of cinder and ash around us.

"Malakar is on the way," came my father's voice.

"Oh, you... do not even get me started on YOU! None of this would have even happened if you had been enough of a fucking parent to warn your own child she had been drugged! You! Just go away already! You're as usless now as you have been my entire life! I don't need you," I shouted at the voice letting out a very small piece of years' worth of pent-up daddy issues all in one breath.

"Kasia? Are you okay? Who are you shout- Oh fuck Stryker?" Malakar said as he rounded a tree and took in the scene.

"I'm fine. Help me with him," I said, motioning to Stryker's limp body.

Malakar approached us and easily tossed Stryker across his back in a fireman's carry. I led the way back towards the cabin in silence. I have nothing left to say at this moment that would be helpful. I made quick work of navigating back to Stryker's home. Malakar carried him inside and laid Stryker's limp body onto the sofa in the living room. I closed the door behind us before turning towards him. I was met with a questioning gaze.

"What the fuck happened out there, Lil K?" Malakar questioned.

"I think I may have caused a forest fire? I don't really know. Stryker put out the flames with that little stream that we were beside and then he collapsed," I said, holding my hands up as if to say that is all I know.

"Kasia that was a fucking river before the two of you stormed out of here! Forrest fire? More like you were going to burn down all of Sunlite! It had to have been bad if he had to nearly drain the river to stop it. What were you thinking?" Malakar scolded.

"It is not like I have control over it. It just happens," I said defensively.

"What do you mean?" Malakar's voice sounded concerned but stern.

"I do not know anthing about this magic fire crap. It just happens when I get angry," I explained.

"Oh no, no, no. That is not acceptable of a Faire Lady and certainly not of the crown princess of the Adoh," Malakar said with a finality that made me weary.

"Look I'm not even sure if I believe this whole crown princess thing. You all seem like you know what is going on but this has never been my life. All I want is to get to the mainland so that I can live in peace," I tried to reason with him.

"I will have one of our best trainers come and help you learn to manage and then control your element. You cannot be walking around setting the forest alight every time you get upset. This is non negotiable Kasia," Malakar said seemingly ignoring my words.

"I don't want to learn it! I just want the whole world to FUCK OFF!" I shouted, and embers erupted from my mouth, burning my tongue in the process.

I took a step back and sighed. Maybe Malakar is right. It doesn't look like this power is going to go away any time soon. I may as well at least get a grip on it before I head to the mainland. I looked up at my older brother and shrugged my shoulders in defeat. The triumphant smirk that graced his features was less than satisfying for me.

"Fine. You win. Let's get this overwith as soon as possible," I huffed.

"Perfect. After you've gained control of your abilities, then I will arrange passage for both you and Stryker on one of the boats from the shipyard," Malakar said as if it was the simplest thing in the world to do.

"Lorien told me that I could not be granted passage off the island as a Fae. So, how?" I questioned.

"I control the vampires here. They all work for me. Thats why Lorien's family fears me so heavily. I run this island, Kasia. I cant believe that prick called you Fae right to your face. I should scalp that prejudice fuck," Malakar said which prompted me to look confused.

"Huh? I thought I was Fae?" I asked.

"You, sister, are a Faire Lady. Fae is a slur if I've ever heard one. It is absolutely disrespectful and uncalled for and Lorién knows that full well," my brother explained.

"I didn't know... man this whole place is like another world. Gustav never let me learn too much about anything. I'm lucky that I can read and write our native tongue but... Knowing all of this stuff about Fae or Faire Folk or whatever? Its going to take time," I sighed loudly.

"Speaking of... The only loose end of my operations here with the vampires was Gustav ...who had you all this time... but rest assured, he will be handled. You do not have to run. You may live freely where ever you choose. If that is the mainland, that is fine. However, please know, that you are always welcome here with me," Malakar said in a sincere tone.

"You control the vampires here..." I repeated as that bit of information finally sank in.

"Yes," Malakar confirmed.

"Why do you allow werewolf slaves? My nanny, Eliza, could you bring her and her family here to Sunlight? Could you bring them to saftey? Gustav treats her so horribly," I pleaded.

"I do not allow slavery. Saffir was the last court that we knew of who had slaves and they were all anahilated. If Gustav has slaves, it's news to me. I will handle that as well, when I capture him. Your friends will be safe, Lil K," Malakar assured me.

My head was spinning with this new information. I caught onto things quickly and for whatever reason, I did not doubt what Malakar was saying. A huge weight that I did not even realize I had been carrying was lifted off my shoulders with his words. I felt my entire body relax for just a moment before the cabin's front door burst open behind me. An angry growl echoed through the room as I spun on my heels to assess the threat. Malakar moved quickly to place himself between the door and me slightly blocking my view, but I was able to safely guess who was on the other side of the threshold. I shifted slightly to the left so that I was between Malakar and the still unconscious body of Stryker on the couch. This is not a good situation.

The growling continued but the wolf outside the door did not enter. He sniffed at the doorway. Malakar held his ground. A few moments, and some terrifyingly disgusting noises later, Lorien's naked body stood where the wolf had been. I stood on my tiptoes to just barely see over Malakar's shoulder. Thankfully his broad muscles blocked my view so that I only had to experience seeing Lorién's nakedness from the waist up. Malakar's body slowly began to glow an orange hue as power radiated from him. Something told me that what I was seeing was only a small amount of the power he held within. Lorien's head dipped from my sight as he feigned a bow.

"Why have you come Lorien?" Malakar asked, finally addressing him.

"You know why," Lorien stated, throwing up his hand in a sweeping gesture towards me.

"You have no claim to my sister. Leave this place," Malakar demanded.

"She is only on Sunlite land under my protection. She can come back with me or she can leave this place and let those vampires catch her. You'd like that wouldnt you?" Lorien goaded.

"I'm handling that situation already. She is in no danger if she chooses to leave here. Kasia doesnt need your protection, and last I checked Sunlite was run by the alpha counsel, not you alone. I'm growing impatient here, Lorién. State your true business or begone," Malakar spat at his feet.

"Begone? You dare to dismiss me from land that you yourself are banished from? I'm sure the counsel would love to learn that you're here. I brought her here, to saftey, to be my wife. I will not have you ruining that," Lorién stated so plainly that I almost believed his intention.

"I will do no such fucking thing!" I growled from behind Malakar.

"Oh? It's not really up to you, lovely, so shut that dirty little mouth," Lorién chastised.

"It's very much up to the Crown Princess of Adoh to choose who she would like to wed. Clearly, you are not among her approval to be on the suiter list. Apparently, kidnapping doesn't make for good courtship," Malakar laughed in Lorién's face.

My cheeks heated into a deep blush but not out of embarrassment. No, I feel myself getting angry. There these strange men go again discussing me like I'm not here. Courtship? He stole me from my own plans and threw me into this weird-ass place. I guess I'm glad to have met my brother, but it's not somewhere I could ever see myself staying. Oh and be Lorién's wife? Goddess no. Just fucking no. Lorién may have the looks of a demigod but his personality is reptilian. He's way too overbearing. I don't like having all my decisions made for me or being told to stay put and wait for someone's beck and call. Nope, that is not for me. Malakar and Lorien were still arguing near the door when my thoughts were interrupted by a warm hand on my lower back.

I spun around in surprise and found myself in Stryker's arms. I blinked up at him and then placed my hands on his shoulders offering the support that I'd expect someone who had just been unconscious to need. He did not lean into me, though. He seemed to be fully recovered, actually, as he gently moved me to the side. The movement gave me a much better view of the front door as Stryker stepped forward. The scene in front of me rolled out like a slow-motion film. Stryker came to Malakar's side and smiled. His smile was so radiant that even Lorien almost returned the gesture. Stryker's smile quickly curled into a malicious sneer as he took another step forward towards the door. Lorien appeared so small before the two Faire Folk in front of him.

"If you want her so badly, Lorién, please come right in and take her," Stryker's voice was cold and laced with venom.

Lorién wasted no time and lunged forward in a movement to attack Stryker, but as soon as he would have breached the threshold he screamed in agony. Lorién fell to his knees and clutched his left arm to his chest. I moved closer so that I could see what had happened. The skin on Lorién's arm appeared to be melting from the bone. Lorién's body began to phase in and out of his wolf form causing a disturbing distortion of his features. His dark hair and broad shoulders remained the same but the rest of him appeared to become some sort of monstrous abomination of his former self. I felt the bile in my stomach begin to rise and turned toward the kitchen. I heard Stryker's voice one last time before I made it to the trash bin.

"She will never accept a vermin so lowly as you to be her king. No, Lorién, you'll never be anyone's king again. Kasia is my Lady, my Queen, and it would be wise to learn that fact right now. If you ever so much as look her way again I will not be so kind as to spare your pathetic excuse of a life," Stryker said with an authoritative dominance over the situation.