How Does It Feel?

At first, Callie hears nothing from Mendax as she begins to feel the pain from the poison. Then she hears his voice in her head, telling her to fight like a serpent. It dawns on her that the antidote is in the snake venom. She grabs one of the snakes and forces it to bite her. She wakes up, back in court, with Mendax holding her. The Queen is livid, vowing that Callie will not survive the final trial. The Queen herself will oversee it, not Mendax.

Callie tries desperately to convince herself that she has not fallen in love with Mendax. For his part, he declares his love for her, vowing to protect her. She makes him promise not to control her mind, ever. He agrees and tells her his full name. She begs him to allow her to go home, to forgo the final trial. He refuses, reminding her that they are now bonded. They will be married, and Callie will remain forever in the realm of the Fae. Callie runs, even though she is dimly aware that her attempt is futile. He catches her, and they kiss. Even amidst their passion, Callie insists that she belongs in the human world.