By the time night fell, her entire arm, side and part of her leg had turned to gold. A familiar scratching on the wall outside alerted her to the fey's presence.

"How dare you!" She pressed herself against the wall to glare at him.

"Whatever do you mean?" He asked easily, slipping through the bars.

"The magic you gave me is turning not just the straw, but me into gold!"

He held one of his hands up to the moonlight, studying his longer-than-average nails. Gold flecks were scattered across his skin. "You said you wanted the magic. I see you finally learned how to work it. I thought you'd be pleased."

"You didn't think about me at all! King Cedric will kill me if I don't spin straw to gold for him, but how can I do that if I'm turning myself into gold at the same time?"

"Is that so?" He didn't sound at all surprised.

"You knew!"

"I told you the king had no mercy."

"So you're going to let me die?" She fought back tears.

The fey leaned forward, meeting her gaze with cunning yellow-green eyes. "Of course not. I said I would help you."

"I don't trust you."

"How wise of you. I don't trust anyone. Now, what is it you want?"

She wasn't sure what she wanted, but she certainly didn't want to end as a gold statue. "I don't want the magic anymore."

"Then let's make a trade."

"We already made a trade. You said you would help, and gave me magic that began turning me into a statue!"

"I gave you what you asked for. If you've changed your mind about what you want, that means it's time for a new bargain."

"But you didn't help me. You still owe me. Give me a way to not turn myself into a statue, and we'll call it even."

"Oh no, that's not how this works. If you want your solution, I need something in return."

"You're insufferable." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a carved wooden bird. Other than the clothes on her back, it was all she had to offer.

He shook his head in refusal. "You have other things of worth,"

She shrank back a little. His pupils had narrowed to slits again. What exactly was he after?

"This solution to your magic problem is worth your life, so it must be traded for something equally valuable."

"I don't understand," He was starting to scare her.

"A life," he said, his tone changing from mocking to serious. "Your firstborn will be mine."