Three months had passed since Cardan had exiled me from Faerie. Three months since he'd persuaded me to release him of his vow in exchange for something even more precious: the throne. He'd known the only way I would give up my power over him was for a different sort of power and he'd given it to me. I had trusted him, I had allowed myself to be vulnerable with one of the Fae and I had only myself to blame for being tricked. He'd let me believe I could trust him and the very next day, his face was blank of any emotion, his inky black like icy fingers caressing my spine. "I exile Jude Duarte to the mortal world. Until and unless she is pardoned by the crown, let her not step one foot in Faerie or forfeit her life." He'd even smiled at me as his knights led me away, as if he'd known something I did not. I'd tried to feel angry, to feel anything at all but when I'd shown up at Vivi's door with only the clothes on my back and my sword, Nightfell, at my hip I'd only felt tired.

And so for three months I'd replayed his cruel voice banishing me from my home, three months of my short human life spent sulking under the covers turning my options over and over. I'd given up. I'd tried to accept the cards I was given and move on, try to build some sort of life outside of Faerie. And then I'd gone looking through Vivi's clothes for something to wear, when I'd found a plastic tiara. Made of cheap plastic and painted silver, the tiara was something you might buy for a child on their birthday in the mortal world, it had probably even come with a wand. I would have just tossed it back in Vivi's closet had Cardan's words not come back to me. "Until and unless she is pardoned by the crown, let her not step one foot in Faerie or forfeit her life."

I had an idea.

It took only a few days for my plan to come together, I'd needed to come up with backup plan after backup plan until I was sure that If I failed I'd be able to leave Faerie with my life intact. And finally, satisfied that my plan was as good as it could be, I was ready. I'd gotten Vivi to charm me up a ragwort steed and promised I'd check in. As soon as I passed through the wall I'd decided to go by foot, as it would draw less attention. It didn't matter if I was seen, of course, because most folk would assume I was Taryn, but my heart beat erratically nonetheless. As I got to the Palace doors I checked my appearance one last time. My hair was braided away from my face, though wisps of it hung in loose waves where it had pulled free in the wind. A silver circlet of stars sat atop my head, forged by human hands but just as beautiful as something made by the fae, perhaps moreso. My gown, a deep blue velvet with silver stars embroidered along the skirts and a neckline that draped elegantly off my shoulders into long sleeves that came to a point at my wrist, edged in iron. I looked exactly how I'd imagine a faerie queen would look, save for my rounded ears. With my heart hammering at my rib cage as though a wild bird caught in a cage, I held my head high and pushed open the doors to the throne room.

Cardan was having another party which was no surprise. Courtiers twirled across the dance floor in all manner of dress, members of the council sipping faerie wine and talking amongst themselves and looking bored to be there. Cardan sat on the throne, a flute of faerie wine in his hand, his crown tilted atop his brow. Locke was grinning and speaking in his ear from his spot on the arm of the throne, as the Master of Revels. Taryn stood off to his side, a forgotten plaything who watched him with adoring eyes as he ignored her. I watched my twin, standing beside her husband and looking for all the world as though she was happy to just be in his orbit. My heart hurt, thinking of how she'd betrayed me, not only with Locke but conspiring with Madoc as well. I turned my attention back to Cardan, whose eyes were already on me, his flute of wine hovering just before his lips. I could have sworn his mouth even curled into a smile. I bit down my rage at him and held my head high as I stalked to the throne. Cardan, quick as a whip discarded his flute and stood to meet me halfway. The entire room seemed to quiet as one, everyone seeming to lean in to get a closer look at what was going on.

"Jude," Cardan spoke, his sinful mouth indeed curled into that cruel, cruel smile. I would not let myself think of that mouth on my skin, of what it felt like to have his hands tangled in my hair as he tried and failed to keep his desire at bay. "I thought I banished you to the mortal realm," he teased, dark eyes devouring me whole, traveling along my body before stopping at the crown atop my head. Surprise sparked in his eyes, and he grinned wider. My lips twitched, the beginning of a smile of my own. I shrugged, as though bored by the idea of exile and stalked past him.

"Yes, yes, 'Until or unless I am pardoned by the crown or forfeit my life' I remember." I kept my pace even, keeping my back to him; an arrogant move but effective, when I glanced over my shoulder, his face was a blank canvas but his eyes were painted in annoyance. Such a dangerous game we were playing.

"So you've come to forfeit your life? Shame," he moved closer, eyeing me like a cat watching a mouse. I laughed, harsh and quick, devoid of any humor.

"No, I've been pardoned of course," I waved him off, as though it was obvious. I stalked past more courtiers, meeting their eyes and daring them to defy me. None of them moved.

"Oh? I apologize, I don't remember remember writing you a pardon, and though I do enjoy my drink, I believe I'd remember such a thing," He stopped a few feet away from me as I climbed the dais to the throne. I turned and eyed the crowd before meeting his eyes as well.

"You didn't," I shrug as though that's enough of an answer. I look out over the crowd, watching the shock on their faces as I sit on the throne. "I did." Murmurs echo around the room, courtiers and servants all watch excitedly with wide,wild eyes. Some are debating whether I'll be executed for such a slight. Cardan holds up a hand and the room once again goes quiet, the only noise the click of his shoes on the smooth floors as he makes his way to me.

"Of course," Cardan says, as if he's just remembered something he'd forgotten. I cannot hide my own surprise when Cardan, High King of Elfhame, sinks to a knee and kisses my hand. "My Queen,"

The room errupts into chaos.