6. Six

Poppy bathes and dresses Amara in a shimmering blue gown, the first true pampering Amara has ever known. As they walk through the dark stone corridors, Amara studies each turn, quietly planning a future escape despite finding no obvious exits.

In the dining room set for two, Poppy departs, leaving Amara alone to assess the space and a black tapestry flecked with gold. Resolving to risk escape, Amara moves toward the door just as the winged fae who abducted her arrives, dressed in black with gold trim, and seats himself as the king.

Servants present food and wine. Fearing enchantment or poison, Amara refuses to eat, but the king threatens to force-feed her, saying he “can’t have you die” before he is done with her. She complies and is startled by the food’s excellence, struggling to keep focus on her situation.

Pressed for answers, the king states they will wed so a curse can be broken, after which he will return Amara to the human realm. He calls her the “chosen one” he has waited centuries for but withholds details, admitting he hates humans and treating the matter as duty rather than desire.

After declaring he will inform her when the wedding is ready, the king ends the dinner abruptly and dissolves into shadows, leaving Amara with confirmation of his plan, the ominous “chosen one” designation, and renewed urgency to escape.