The violent wrench of magic released her at once, and she stumbled forward onto smooth marble that glimmered like pale gold beneath her slippers. The air was warm and smelled of peach blossoms.
She gasped, steadying herself.
The fae warriors released her without ceremony. Their grip vanished as though she were no longer worth touching. Candice straightened instinctively, lifting her chin even as her heart thundered in her chest.
She stood in a grand throne room.
Columns of crystals rose toward a ceiling so high it vanished into radiant haze. Sunlight poured from nowhere and everywhere at once, illuminating carved walls etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly, as though breathing. There were no courtiers. No guards except for the two who had brought her.
Only silence.
And at the far end of the hall on a throne of pure golden light.
Upon it sat King Helios of the Fae Court.
