Page 28 of The Unseelie Wish

“Good. Now begone. Fetch the witch from the mortal plane. I will keep this…arrangement secret. I suggest you do the same. You are running out of time, after all.”

Izael found himself very eager to leave. He would have to tuck his fury away somewhere deep. It would do him no good. Valroy could not be overthrown or undone. And he was right—Alex was almost back in his grasp.

Seven days that had felt like seven centuries.

Without another word, Izael left, disappearing through a portal and returning to his home. He wanted to have everything just right for Alex’s return.

Abigail would think that Izael was attempting to convince Alex to willingly surrender her gifts.

While Valroy knew the truth.

Two games to play at once. Two chessboards, side by side.

Ah. But that was not true, was it? There were not two chessboards—there were three.

For the Seelie Queen, Izael would have to play the reluctant ally. He would keep Alex in chains of iron for those three days, ensuring she could not use her gifts. Perhaps he would even devise a way to bottle away her magic on a more permanent basis. A bottle that he controlled, of course. Let’s call it a security measure.

Yes. That would be his approach. Find a way to contain the power that was more hidden than chain and shackle.

As for Valroy, the second chess board was laid out and the match had begun. Izael would convince Alex to use her wish to love him. He was not about to admit it to the King, but he did not have a plan just yet on how to approach that subject. But it would come to him, he was certain. She would simply have to believe that it was the most sensible option—her way out of the misery ahead of her if she did not.

Misery for both of us. He could not stomach the idea of his soul belonging to her. What an insult!

And there was the third board. The third and most important game. The one between him and his songbird. Love me or surrender your magic. Love me or I shall be your slave. Love me, Alex, for now you shall never be rid of me.

What a complicated mess.

Unless Alex won her original contract—and wished for nothing at all. What a fascinating situation that would place her in. She would be sent back to Earth, never to be bothered by the fae again. But with her magic and his soul in her possession? How would that work?

Izael honestly did not know.

Nor did he want to find out.

He shoved that thought from his head. No, it was not possible. Alex would spend her wish and give him her love. That would ensure everything remained as it should. She would spend her mortal years with him. He would take her soul and her heart. And she would be the dread weapon that would destroy the Seelie and perhaps the mortal race.

He lifted the iron collar he had fashioned just for her, turning it over in his hands. It was a delicate piece, looking more like a decorative piece of jewelry than what it was about to be used for. The only hint that belied its darker purpose was the ring that sat in the front and center of the twisted, vinelike and complex knotted braids that made up its design.

She would look absolutely mouthwatering wearing it.

Even better when it was attached to the length of iron chain that he had lashed to his tree.

Games of chess be damned. He had something far more entertaining—far more tantalizing—to amuse himself with this night.

For one week, Alex had hidden herself away. She had run from him.

And now, he would ensure that she could never run from him again.

“We will be leaving now.” Bayodan bowed to Alex.

She sighed. She was watching it grow slowly darker outside—it was almost sunset. Not like she could see the sun behind the oppressively bleh weather. “I’m sorry to see you both go.” She walked up to Bayodan and Cruinn. “As much shit as I was giving you, I…really enjoyed our time together.”

“As have we.” Cruinn reached out and hugged her close. The pieces of glass that made them up smoothed out wherever she touched them to keep from cutting her or pinching her. She hugged them back, careful not to squeeze too hard. “This was wonderful.”

Alex let them go after a moment to hug Bayodan, who wrapped his one arm around her in return. “I appreciate the advice, Goatula. And the company.”

He kissed the top of her head. “You will be all right. You are clever. You will find a way out of this—I am certain of it.”

“Yeah. I hope you’re right. I’m not feeling particularly clever right now.” Chewing her lower lip, she glanced back at the window. “You should head out before he shows up. I expect he’s going to be in a mood.”