I was being hunted.

From my perch in a tree, deep in the Spring Court woods, I could hear the sentries and Tamlin combing the ground looking for me. It was only a matter of time before they spotted me up here.

Think.

Only a few hours ago, I had been sat at the dining room table with Tamlin and Lucien. While Lucien had maintained a sullen silence for he past few months, Tamlin had readily fallen for my careful lies about the horrors of the Night Court. I had managed to gather plenty of information about troop movements and strategy and send it to Rhys to help our people ready for war.

It had all been going well.

Until tonight.

The King of Hybern was no fool. He may have believed that he had broken the bond between me and Rhys but he knew how powerful I was – and the threat I might pose to him. He had managed to persuade Tamlin that I needed to wear a pair of bracelets, carved from the same bluish stone used to nullify Rhys' powers, to protect me from my own magic. And Tamlin – he hadn't risked asking and me refusing to wear them. Instead, he had spelled my wine to freeze me in place quickly while he clasped them onto my wrists. The bastard even had the nerve to look guilty and tell me it was for my own protection while he did it.

Once the manacles were on, my magic was completely silenced. The glamour I had held on my tattoo fell away, leaving me exposed – the markings signifying me as belonging to the Night Court. Tamlin's shock as he stumbled back had been priceless – almost worth the months I had withered at this infernal court. It had also given me a single, precious moment to dart for the doors behind him.

With my Fae speed and agility, I had reached the main doors to the manor before an earth-shattering roar and the pounding of enormous paws thundered after me. My heart was hammering wildly but, with no magic to fall back on, years of hunter's instinct honed from being both predator and prey had kicked in. I did what I had done for many years, what I knew, what had kept me alive – and headed for the forest.

Now, the howling of Tamlin's beast was growing closer – I could hear him tearing through the undergrowth. I had no idea what he'd do if he caught me. Maybe he'd shred me apart. Maybe he'd drag me back. I had no doubt that, with my magic, I would be able to hold my own against him – with the training Cassian had drilled into me, likely in hand to hand combat too. However, when he had all of his power and the bracelets nullifying mine were still firmly clamped around my wrists, I would barely last a few minutes. I had tried desperately to remove my shakles, but to no avail.

Fear was beginning to build as I realised the true helplessness of my situation. I pushed it down, forcing myself to focus. I weighed each of my options, one by one, knowing that I'd have to act soon.

I had to get out of the Spring Court as soon as possible. If I stayed, it would be a matter of hours before Tamlin or one of his sentries detected me. This was their territory – they had known it for millennia and I knew I had the disadvantage here. If they found me, I might never see home again. Might never see Rhys again-

Stop.

I forced myself to take another gulp of air.

I couldn't contact Rhys or any of the Inner Circle – the stone bracelets had nullified that too. Even if I managed to reach one of the borders of the other courts while evading detection, I couldn't enter without the High Lord knowing. The Autumn Court were allied with Hybern – they would simply hand me back. The Summer Court had a bounty on my head declaring that I was to be killed on sight. The Mortal Lands were on the other side of the Spring Court – it would take me days to travel on foot and – if I wasn't intercepted on the way there - Hybern likely had soldiers stationed at all points along the Wall.

Every option had the same ending.

I could hear that they were nearer now – around twenty Fae sentries moving swiftly, calling to each other as they surrounded the forest. Further away but still close, the thundering beast prowled after them.

I was not afraid of him.

I was not afraid, I realised, of his anger. Not any more.

I was stronger than that – I was more than that. In the past, I had cowered with fear and submission.

Never again.

I had come so far – I could not let it end like this. Not when my family were waiting for me. Not when I had so much to fight for.

I lifted my chin. I would fight – I would go down swinging.

I surveyed the forest once more. If I was somehow able to return to the manor and get a weapon, I could break these infernal things off my wrists. A fool's hope, likely impossible, but the only plan I had.

Silently, I dropped out of the tree.

Only to have a hand grip my shoulder and pull me into the shadows.