I let out a soft groan, my head throbbing slightly. What’s going on? All I see is darkness, my senses slowly start to come back to me.

Ok, I think I’m on a bed because I feel something soft underneath me. Then I feel something licking my cheek, my eyes slowly opening. I find Kefi nuzzled into my neck, licking me still. “I’m up boy, I’m up. Kinda.” I say to myself.

I look around my room, how did I get here? I see Arabella in her little fairy form, flying about frantically. Looking angry and worried about something.

“Arabella?” She turns to me, her eyes widening. “My lady!” She cries, fluttering over to me. “Oh, my lady I was so worried!” She burst out in a fast speech that I can't keep up with, her eyes filling with tears and worry. 

A knock on the door stops her words before I can say anything. She flies quickly to the door, changing back to her full size before opening it. 

“Oh thank goodness! Please hurry, and come in!” She opens the door, Arcane walking in with a stern look on his face. He looks over toward me, his eyes widening before a look of anguish fills his face.

He speed walks toward me, Arabella closing the door in a hurry. Arcane slowly pulls down the blanket over my chest, stopping once he spots something. What is it?

Whatever it is, it's making Arcane look like he's in pain…

His golden pure eyes gaze down at my dull blue. “How do you feel?” He asks, caressing my cheek. His touch feels nice against my hot skin “I feel heavy. I can’t move anything…” I have no idea what is going on, the last thing I remember is talking to Erebus in the garden.

His face turns grim “That is to be expected.” Expected? What does he mean by that? 

“Do you remember anything?...” He looks down at me with gentle eyes. I look up at him, my affinity catching on to all the emotion he is feeling. Pain, so much pain and conflict. I don’t understand why he is feeling this way? How can he feel so much conflict and yet show me such gentle eyes.

“I remember talking to Erebus.” I say, his eyes flash a furious gold. “Do you remember anything else?” He asks in a serious tone. I shake my head in denial, I really don't know what is going on…

He sighs deeply, staring down at my chest with a bitter face. I look down at myself the best I can. I really can't move all that much for some reason. Though I catch a glimpse of something on my left breast.

From what I can see it looks like fang marks with some kind of design engraved around it. The skin around it looks red and angry from the intrusion.

I have no idea what that is, I look up to Arcane for answers. He turns to Arabella, she walks over to us, worry all over her face. “What do we do Arcane? If they find out that she’s been marked by someone else before being marked by our race it could look back for her.” Arabella’s eyes fill with tears, she looks so torn up that it breaks my heart.

Why is she so worried? Why are their emotions so conflicted?

“What’s going on? What is this mark?” I finally ask, looking at the both of them. They both turn to me with soft eyes. “My lady, the Emir Naga claimed you as his with that mark on your chest. He was not supposed to do that.” She glares with anger. “Our prince was supposed to be the first to give you his mark.”

“What does the mark mean?” I look at her puzzled, her shoulders sag in defeat, turning to Arcane. He nods for her to continue “It’s a claim of ownership, kinda like marriage for your people. You will soon be able to give your own mark once your magic is fully under your control. Placing your mark on another is sacred amongs every race in Kroba. Erebus claiming you first is highly disrespectful to us when you belong to our race!” Arabella tears fall down her rosy cheeks, my heart squeezing with pain at her tears.

Arabella never cries, she’s always smiling and glowing. Seeing her so upset hurts my heart, making it hard to breathe.

“Is there any way I can fix this?” I ask the both of them. Arabella’s eyes soften before looking at Arcane who is looking at me with sad eyes. 

“The first one to state their claim has higher power over the ones that follow after. Kinda like the boss over the rest of the males you decide to bring into your harem.” My face pales, so Arcane will be lower than Erebus in my harem?

For some reason that doesn’t sit well with me. After all, I love the fairies I represent, they have been nothing but kind and welcoming to me.

“Though,” Arcane pauses “you can give your mark to me first. Giving me your mark shows a form of favoritism and trust. Doing so can help both of us lead.” Arabella nods in agreement “Yes, it displays Arcane as your right hand. Even if he can’t control or lead the rest of the males as powerfully as Erebus can now. It still gives him a form of power to go against him if needed.” Arabella looks like she’s calmed down with this idea and I trust her justment over anyone else.

“Alright, Arcane will have my first mark. It only feels right to do it that way.” Arcane’s eyes light up hidden joy. Arabella nods with a smile “I think that will help level things out.”

“Once you heal from Erebus mark, I would like to place mine on you as well. My mark won't affect you as badly.” Arcane states, looking at me with soft eyes. He caresses my bottom lip slowly “Mine might even give you more energy.” He gives me a playful smirk, his pearly whites showing. 

I nod understanding “It makes sense too,” I smirk “are you worried I’ll get someone elses mark, prince Arcane.” He gives me a hard playful look “I didn’t think it would be a problem, but clearly everyone wants what’s mine.” 

My face flushes at his words, he steps away and heads to the door. “You’ll need to stay in your room for a couple days to heal fully. No one can see his mark either, not before mine is also placed on your skin.” He states given me a heated look, I swear this fairy prince.

I nod, not having the words to deny him. With my confirmation he leaves my room.

Three days has gone by since I was first marked by Erebus. I haven’t seen Novak at all since then either. My body is back to normal, kinda, I feel a little different. Like a poison has invaded my body, but it isn't harmful to me. Actually it feels like it empowers me, I’ve been able to sense Erebus as well. Like no matter what I’ll know where he is and his well being.

It’s so weird but also feels reassuring in a way. I feel closer to him, though I really don’t know if I ever wanted to get too close to him.

I’m not sure how to feel about it all, not much I can do now though. I chuckle to myself as I sip tea on my balcony.

I’ve been a good human woman and stayed in my room like my prince asked. “My prince” sounds funny but it is right, Arcane is my prince. If I win this chosen stuff or pass whatever test they give. I’ll be the fairies queen I think, from what Arabella has explained.

So this kingdom needs a human woman for breeding, but also governing? It’s really interesting.

Since I haven’t been able to do much Arabella has taught me a lot. She really is the best teacher anyone could ask for. I feel like I’ve started to understand my place and purpose here.

Arabella even explained past human chosens, and how the queen herself was once human. A very long time ago though, like life times ago. 

The purpose of the games isn’t only to show our strength and help us become part of their world. But also so we can win in the end.

Having favoritism from the people helps greatly because one day we all could become a queen to the race we represent, and even more.

Having the people's favor helps become powerful, and shows you’ll be a great queen.

Finding this out was a lot to take in. I had asked Arabella since I have Erebus’s mark, would that mean I’d represent his people as well. She said yes, so now I’ll be representing two races. Though overall I’ll become queen of the fairies, I’ll still have a duty to look over any other race I decide to bring into my harem. 

But only if the leader of said race claims me. Sadly Erebus is the Emir Naga, so his race is in my care, alongside him of course. 

It’s been an interesting three days, having to come to terms with so much change and responsibility. I’m proud of myself though, taking everything in strided. 

Though in a way I’ve always had some major responsibility. After all, I looked after my five younger siblings, being the third oldest and older daughter. It was just expected of me. So in a way I think I naturally would take it better than others. 

I hope Sona and Willow are taking it well though. I know both of them can take it completely differently. Sona would probably get really mad and Willow would panic.

The thought makes me giggle, they're so different yet so close. People would never think they would be friends if they hadn’t seen them together.

I’m happy I’ve gotten close with them, I’ve never really had any girl friends growing up.

That thought brings me to Lucy. I wonder what’s going on with her, I always get a weird feeling when I see her. She hides her face when she’s by herself, but only when she’s with Annabeth will she laugh and smile.

I do remember the hat saying Annabeth had some kind of mind control affinity. Is she controlling Lucy?

If that’s the case we're all in some serious trouble…

“My lady,” I turn to Arabella, Kefi still snoozing on my lap. “The chief is here.” She states, looking at me expectantly. “Chief?” I question, she nods “Yes Chief sleepwalker.” I still look at her puzzled. She opens her mouth to explain, but before any words leave her mouth Novak walks up beside her.

My eyes widen tremendously, seeing his muscled broad frame next to little Arabella who’s ruffly taller than me. My goodness.

Kefi’s ears perk up, looking at the horned minotaur. His tail wags slightly, watching Novak in my lap.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, puzzled as can be. He grunts “I needed to see you again. My mind has been driving me cra-” he pauses, looking at the mark on my breast.

I cover it embarrassed, even though I shouldn’t be! For some reason I don’t want him to see. He stomps over like he's on a mission, Arabella goes to stop him but she doesn’t reach him in time.

He takes my wrist gently, moving it away from my chest quickly. He looks down glaring at the black mark. “That’s not Arcanes fairy claim.” He growls, looking pissed as hell!

Oh my, what do I say! What do I do? I look to Arabella for help. She looks flustered not knowing what to do with the massive male either.

“Beatrice,” He growls, “explain.” I look up at him wide eyed, not sure what to say.

How do I explain to him that Erebus marked me without consent?! I don’t want a fight to start out because of me!

“I-”I don’t know what to say! 

“Novak.” I hear a rich voice call out, looking over to find Arcane.

“Arcane.”