Page 1 of Chaos Tempted

1

REPERCUSSIONS

PRINCESS TWYLA

Reflecting on my last conversation with Wynstelle, I worry if I told my human counterpart too much. Or is this exactly how things are fated to unfold?

I know there might be repercussions to further linking Wyn to my Elven magic. But when I was healing the human after the attack, I’d been compelled to give Wyn more than just her health back. Now, I wonder what might happen to both of us because of my spontaneous choice to bring her back from the brink of death.

Magic often has unpredictable results.

Several years ago, the Elven Mage Weaver, who linked Wynstelle and me as infants, snuck into the mortal realm. The powerful mage risked being caught by King Nathaniel to teach me about my nature and changeling magic. She told me how the sickly baby, Wynstelle, magically bound the Human-Elven PeaceTreaty when I replaced Wynstelle as the Mortal King Nathaniel’s child.

The Elven Mage warned me there would be repercussions if I ever met with Wyn. She also predicted that one day Wyn would find her way through the portal. She was correct.

Through a series of events, fate brought Wyn back to her castle home, where she discovered the tangled secret of our past.

Our lives were forever changed as infants, and I assume, not for the better. To secure peace between the realms, I was denied my immortal Elven life, and Wyn grew up as an indentured servant—a lowly human in an elf dominated realm.

In the bigger picture, I understand it was a reasonable exchange—two lives for peace for a hundred thousand lives in two realms.

I had been one of the few female elflings born that year in the Elven King Magnus’s kingdom, and my parents offered me in exchange for a better life for themselves.

In many ways, I am better off for it. Traded to the mortal king, I landed in the lap of luxury—humanluxury. My adopted father is kind and generous with me, even though I’m not truly his daughter. Not that either of us can reveal that dangerous fact. He treats me as if I were his flesh and blood. And because of the Weaver’s magic that mimics my development and looks, I’m practically Wynstelle’s twin.

When Wynstelle returned to the human realm, I was painfully reminded of what I truly am—an impostor. A pretender princess. A secret interloper.

Wynstelle thinks herself the lesser beauty. Of course, my doppelgänger is human—and therefore shorter and curvier. However, Wyn glows not from the immortal magic of the fae realm, but with an essence all her own.

No wonder the three Elven males have all fallen hopelessly in love with Wyn and are willing to share her bed just for the chance to love her. I envy her for it.

Now that Wynstelle has met me, we have connected on a deeper level. When I healed her, I gifted Wyn with something more—something that was only mine to give.

Our link is stronger, and I’m worried it might be used against our will. With Wyn’s forced return to Elfhame, I worry the Elven King will use our connection for malicious purposes.

What if everything I care for is destroyed?

I fear I will soon be forced to decide between my Elven heritage and the human father who loves me.

2

RUMORS

WYNSTELLE

As I open my window and look out over Prince Eldrin’s garden, I smile at the beautiful sight. It’s winter, and the plants still thrive.

A small flower faerie, Lalo, flies up to greet me. “Princess Wyn! I am happy to see you are feeling better!”

“I haven’t been ill.” I tilt my head in confusion.

“No. You were sad about what to do.” Lalo lands on the windowsill. “And now you are glowing.”

I blush, thinking about the blissful experiences the three elves gave me the night before. “I suppose I am.” My eyes widen, remembering something I need to say. “Oh, when we spoke last time, I forgot to thank you for your help when the elf abducted me.”

“It was the least we could do since you convinced Prince Eldrin to grant us our freedom. But that isn’t why we helped.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

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