Morgana knew that if she went to the Spring Ball tonight, she'd most likely die.

Her throat was tight as she finished writing the last sentence in her essay about the Witches' War. A final assignment she'd left till now so that it would be a distraction for what she should really be doing.

"Why aren't you ready yet?"

Morgana jumped and turned, spilling a bottle of black ink all over the desk.

Her adoptive brother, Prince Damon of Golah Court, was in her bedroom doorway. He wore a pale blue suit that matched his eye color. A gold crown glinted on his short blond hair.

"Look what you've done." A flush crept up Morgana's throat. The ink had spilled over an open book, A History of The Witches' War. She dabbed the stain with the sleeve of her dark gown and sighed. If only she were a fae like Damon, a water and earth user, then she could get rid of the ink easily.

But unfortunately, she was human.

Damon snorted and waved a hand, using his water magic to dissipate the ink smeared on the book and desk. He assessed the dark skin under her eyes.

"Couldn't you sleep again last night?" His dianthus and honeysuckle scent wafted as he walked into her bedroom.

The setting sun filtered through her open balcony and over the books on her desk and rose quartz walls. There was a small plum tree in the corner, where fireflies wove amongst the leaves. Damon leaned against a golden framed mirror that had blue butterflies crawling over the surface and crossed his arms. "Is that why you left your assignment to the last minute?"

"Why are you here?"

"I was checking to see if you'd already started getting ready for the Spring Ball."

Morgana's stomach squirmed. The Spring Ball was one of the balls held in honor of the Seasonal Ceremonies where the aristocratic and wealthy fae gave thanks to the Goddess for creating the land of Elysia, and for granting them control over the elements: air, fire, earth, and water. Earth was considered the strongest element because it gave the user the ability to manipulate Elysia's gravity.

In the fae's opinion, control over the elements gave them the right to rule the faeries of Elysia because it was a power exclusive to them.

But the royal fae were more powerful.

Both the Aeperos and Golah Court royals wielded two elements. The only difference between them was that the King and Queen of Aeperos Court had their powers given to them by Allegra, the strongest witch of all time, before King Erik from Golah Court had executed her.

The Golah Court royals were born with their ability to wield two elements, which made them think that they were superior to the Aeperos royals.

"Do I really have to go?" Morgana whispered.

"Yes," Damon answered. "You're nearly of age and you're a part of this family. You know that females must be presented to fae society."

Anger flickered inside Morgana's chest. "Because females are like prize pigs at the village for auction?"

Damon sighed. "It's tradition and mother expects you to be there. You were supposed to be introduced to fae society last year, but you wheedled your way out of that one."

"I turn eighteen in a couple days' time; wouldn't it be better to wait till the Summer Ball?"

"It's tradition to come out at the Spring Ball."

"Tradition." Morgana snorted. "Were you ever presented to court?" She glared at the 300-year-old fae who looked as if he were only a few years older than her. Human life spans were a blip for the fae, an insect's lifetime.

"You know the answer to that." Damon gave her a withering look. "Did you have your dose this morning?" He nodded towards the crystal decanter full of shimmery purple elixir that was on her bedside table. A concoction that Morgana needed to take every day because it helped her survive Elysia's magic, which was toxic to humans. The elixir slowed down her absorption of the magic from Elysia's land, but without it she would lose her mind in a matter of weeks and the magic would rip her apart. It was a miracle she'd survived this long, but the threat of death, of soaking too much of Elysia's magic with her weak human body was something she thought of constantly. The elixir's side effects didn't help. When Morgana had first taken it as a child there were daily headaches and vomiting but over time the side effects had gotten better. Until the past couple of months when they started getting worse again.

"Of course I've taken it."

"At least it's a little more protection for the ceremony."

"I hope so," Morgana sighed. "If the magic doesn't kill me then the boredom will, I'll have no one to talk to at this stupid ball."

"You'll have me."

"You'll be too busy with the council members."

"I'll spare you a moment when I can. Flynn and Valerio will be there, they'll keep you company."

"They're your friends."

"Well, maybe this ball will be a perfect opportunity for you to make some friends." Damon gave her a pointed look.

"With whom? Everyone hates me."

"Not everyone." An awkward silence passed, where Damon's eyes went to the floor. "You should hurry up and get ready. I'll check your essay and make sure it's good enough for your tutor." He leant against her desk and read it aloud, "Once, the witches were just like the fae and had access to one element. However, with each new generation of witches they were able to use all four, which made them the most powerful creatures in Elysia.

"But the leader of the Maiden Coven, Allegra, rebelled against the fae of Golah Court and opposed the decree that protected the fae and faeries from the witches' poisonous magic. She incited the Witches' War and divided the fae courts a thousand years ago.

"Prior to the war, Elysia was ruled by Golah Court, until the fae traitors sided with the witches and renamed themselves Aeperos Court. The Aeperians and witches lost the war and as a result all the witches were executed, and their paraphernalia burned."

"What do you think?"

Damon's nose scrunched.

Morgana stood up and snatched the essay from him. "Thanks for the encouragement."

"Just because it's your last year, doesn't mean you should be lazy."

"I'm not lazy!"

"You're supposed to study hard."

"What for? So, I can be married off to some baron who has a fetish for humans?"

"Morgana!" Damon's cheeks flushed red.

Morgana crossed her arms. "What? Mother always wants Aelys and I to marry well. It's our duty, unlike yours. I've got until I turn twenty-five to find a suitor or I'm kicked out of the castle."

"You have a while until you reach that age. You can do whatever you want when tutoring finishes. You can take your studies further if you wish."

Morgana snorted. As if her mother would allow Damon to stand in the way of a prospective engagement. And as if Morgana could study in a whole classroom of fae, ever again.

"Don't worry too much about proposals. Have fun tonight, for once," Damon said.

"I can't let my guard down."

"You can. It's a public area and I'll be there. No one will try anything."

Morgana swallowed, remembering one of the last times she'd been in a public area. It was about two years ago behind a grove of trees at school where Elvenia, a skinny fae with caramel hair and cruel eyes, had set Morgana's hair on fire with a match. Her fae classmates had laughed like a murder of crows, and Morgana had screamed until one of the teachers on duty ran over and put it out with his water magic. When she'd gone home that afternoon Damon and Larania had asked what had happened, she'd lied that a potion in class had gone wrong. However, Damon hadn't believed Morgana. Furious, Damon had fired the guard that was supposed to protect her because he'd been in the bathroom at the time of the attack.

"Just remember your combat training and you'll be fine. Now, hurry up and get ready for the ball. You know how mother hates it when we're late." Damon clapped his hands on Morgana's shoulders, dispersing her memory.

Then he left to go meet with Flynn, Captain of the Guard, and Valerio, Captain of the Spies, to ensure security was tight for the ball. In addition to being Captains, Flynn and Valerio were Damon's best friends.

Even though Damon was confident about her safety, Morgana knew that it would be a slim chance she'd walk away alive if she ran into her bullies at the ball. It was why she was so afraid of going tonight. Not only that, but it was also her first ball. She didn't want to attract any suitors. She wanted to be left alone and safe.

Morgana decided a relaxing bath would help ease the nerves and anxiety that were crawling in her belly like a nest of ants. She walked into her ensuite bathroom, which had walls that were made of turquoise sea glass, and a floor that had clear tiles filled with seashells and starfish. Her vanity was lit by a giant pearl and was also decorated with dried coral. The whole bathroom had been styled after the Undine Islands. A scattering of islands in Elysia's south where water fae and faeries lived. It was ruled by Lord Nasir Undine, a water fae so strong he could command the Undine Ocean's tide. But despite his power, like all lords in Golah Court, he still answered to King Erik.

Morgana climbed into her gigantic seashell tub, full of warm lavender scented bubbles. But her muscles were still tense and stiff. Her mind ran amok, thinking of all the ways her bullies could hurt or kill her tonight. They were fae with all the elements at their disposal and she was just a weak human with no magic.

Soon, she was stepping into a beautiful shimmery white gown. Morgana didn't even get it up to her waist when her door banged open and Queen Larania marched into the room with her magnificent burgundy gown rustling. Her chestnut hair was in a low intricate bun, and a crown of diamonds and rubies adorned her head. Larania's rose scent filled the room, and her nostrils flared when she took in Morgana's half-dressed state.

"I'll be ready soon," Morgana squeaked.

"Really? Doesn't look like it to me. Your hair isn't even dry yet." Larania waved a hand and dissipated the offending water from Morgana's hair. "Hurry up. The delegations from Aeperos Court will be arriving soon. I'll be outside." Then she turned on her heel and left the room.

Larania's abrupt dismissal wasn't a good sign.

Morgana ran to her dresser and rifled through a box of sparkling jewelry and grabbed a diamond hairpiece. She jogged to the mirror and jammed it onto her curly ebony hair. At least the gown complimented her olive skin. But Morgana's stomach knotted as if a snake coiled around her intestines. She really didn't want to go to the Spring Ball. And it wasn't just because of her bullies, the magic from the Spring Ceremony would also bring her closer to death. A ceremony that the fae would take part in before the ball's commencement.

Despite this, Morgana forced herself to shuffle out into the hall, where Queen Larania sat on a pale divan with two guards at her side.

The frown on Larania's face softened. "Oh, darling. You're so beautiful I believe you'll have a match by the end of the night."

Morgana was silent and her throat tightened. She didn't want to be married off to some fae and made to move out of the castle, as if she were some unloved pet given to a new owner. This patriarchal nonsense of females being presented to the aristocracy of Golah Court needed to die in her opinion.

"Let's go, we're already late." Larania looped her arm through Morgana's arm. She dragged her through the castle halls, which were made of rose quartz. Purple wisteria dangled from the ceiling, and flowery vines of bougainvillea crept down the walls like pink curtains. The smell of the flowers were too sweet. Suffocating. Morgana's heart thundered.

Guards stood at the entryways like silvery sentinels, wearing an armor made of erudium, a steel native to Elysia.

"Are Dain, Alston, and Elvenia going to the Spring Ball?"

"Of course." Larania slowed her pace. "They're part of the aristocracy."

A cold finger trailed down Morgana's spine.

"But there's nothing to worry about, dear. You'll be safe." Larania patted Morgana's arm as if she were patting the head of a dog.

Numbly, Morgana followed Larania down a stairwell that spiraled around a gigantic tree where sprites and fireflies flitted through the branches.

She thought back to the last time she'd seen her bullies. It was a year ago when Alston and Dain had cornered her in class during winter. Alston was the son of Baron Finch, and Dain was the son of Earl Alfrigg, and they were two of the most despicable fae Morgana had ever met. Elvenia was their ringleader and had a special hatred for humans because her parents always advocated for half-fae citizens to be kicked out of Elysia. To them, humans had the same rights as dirt.

The three of them had bullied Morgana all throughout her school years and had always cooked up some plan to make her life horrible. But on that fateful evening they had waited for class to finish so that Elvenia could block the door. The teacher had been the first to leave, which gave Elvenia the opportunity to let the rest of the class leave except for Morgana. Fear had crawled in Morgana's gut as if she'd swallowed a centipede. The guard that was supposed to be with her had left her alone for the last class. He'd said there was an issue with the carriage and had to organize a new one to take her home.

Her bullies had seen it as the perfect time to strike.

When it was just the four of them left, Morgana fled to the windows, thinking she could escape. Desks had hit her thighs, as shrill laughter surrounded her like a pack of hyenas.

Alston had followed her with calm steps, eyes as hollow and dark as two empty wells. His raven hair and pale skin reminded Morgana of a creature in the mortal story books that Damon had once given her. A creature called a vampire that haunted cemeteries.

Dain was the opposite in appearance to Alston, he looked like an angel with his light blond hair and baby face. He'd blocked Morgana's path, and she ran to the back of the classroom. Cornered, like a deer facing lions.

"Please leave me alone." Morgana's plea had been thin, weak, like a sprite's cough. Her cheeks had been wet with tears.

"Human trash like you doesn't belong here," Elvenia had sneered.

Alston had pinned Morgana to the wall with his earth magic. A ribbon of it had coiled around her throat like a serpent. She'd kicked, lungs on fire, scream empty. Once again, she'd only been saved by pure chance when a stray older student had walked past the classroom, saw what was happening and had grabbed a teacher.

All three of her bullies had gotten detention.

Morgana had gone home in tears and showed Larania the red mark around her neck, begging to be taken out of school. White-faced, Larania had agreed to have her tutored in the castle. Damon had decided to train her in combat.

Now, Morgana faced the possibility of seeing those horrid bullies again. She turned a corner, and the large ballroom doors came into view. They were gold with intricate flowers carved into the surface. Next to the doors were her adoptive brother and sister. Damon was speaking to Princess Aelys, whose back faced Larania and Morgana. Voices rumbled through the door.

There were a lot of fae in that ballroom.

Too many fae.

"What's taking them so long?" Aelys complained. Through high windows streamed the afternoon sun, which made Aelys's golden hair glimmer as if it were sprinkled with pixie dust.

Damon flashed Larania and Morgana a grin.

Aelys turned and her eyes snagged over Morgana's gown like thorns catching on a shirt.

Morgana's stomach tightened. Compared to Aelys, she felt like a peasant. Aelys wore a silky blue gown and a tiara of resplendent diamonds. Morgana couldn't help but notice how the color of Aelys's dress matched Damon's pants and jacket. A true pair of royal siblings.

"Morgana wasn't ready that's why we were late." Larania's lips pursed. "But beauty takes time."

"I don't see why Morgana should even be here. It's tradition for fae females to be presented to court." Aelys's nose wrinkled.

Damon gave his twin a look, be nice.

"What?" Aelys shrugged.

Morgana grimaced. She'd give anything to be anywhere else.

Then they were ushered onto the red carpet by Larania and formed a line. Morgana was at the rear.

The announcer, a gnome wearing a velvet sapphire suit, bowed to Larania. "Are you ready to be announced, Your Majesty?"

"Yes."

Morgana's heart raced, palms sweaty, as she thought of all the eyes that would be on her. Eyes that would be full of disgust and scorn. Why couldn't she just stay in her room like she always did whenever they'd had these Seasonal Balls?

Because you're nearly of age.

As if Damon could sense her unease he peeked over his shoulder. "You got this, Morgana."

"Thanks," she rasped.

The gnome took the handles of the doors and swung them wide open.