Page 25 of Fallen Court

Not that I had a lot of options. I stared into the chalice, a little concerned that it was still smoking. Hardly any remained. I downed the contents, gagging as a bitter earthiness coated my tongue. That’s when Titania hit the ground.

Was that supposed to happen?

Marin let out a triumphant cheer, whirling toward me with wild eyes.

Shit. I hurled the cup toward the altar, but it was too late. I swayed, my knees buckling. The world spun around me, darkness beckoning me to finally sleep. Ilsa’s voice echoed distantly. “Sleep now, child. The goddess will guide your path.”

My vision blurred as my knees hit the dirt with a teeth-rattling crack, and I sent up a prayer of my own.

Belle Mère, if you’re listening: help.

Chapter Seven

Cate

The world tilted on its axis as I blinked to find my cheek smashed against damp, hard earth. It felt like I’d put my brain in a blender. Could this ritual bullshit get any worse? Groaning, I pushed onto my elbows and looked across the garden to find…myself.

I scrambled back, fingers tearing at the cold grass, suddenly very fucking awake.

A shadow fell over me as Marin approached and knelt before me. She held out a hand to steady me, but I didn’t reach for it.

“Easy, Cate,” she said softly. “The effects of the spell are quite strong. Give yourself a minute.”

A minute? I was going to need a goddamn year.

I clutched my chest and froze when I found my boobs two sizes smaller. I looked down to find Titania’s hand, wearing my ring, planted over my rampaging heart. “What the hell is going on?” I reached up to touch my face. Not my nose. Not my mouth. Not me. “What have you done to me?”

“Shhh!” Ilsa shushed me. “People will hear you.”

“She’s panicking. It’s to be expected,” Marin called to her.

Panicking? I was having some type of psychotic break. I poked at my cheek, pinched my arm. I felt everything, but this wasn’t my body. Somehow, I was Titania.

Marin grabbed my hand as I was about to slap myself. “It’s a simple transference spell. Only temporary. I need you to listen.” Urgency laced her words. “We lied to Oberon.” She gestured to my sleeping body. “I’ve placed a spell on both of you, making you appear like each other, but we have to get you out of here before it wears off.”

“Are you serious?” Something thundered in my chest. My heart. Or Titania’s heart. It was all a bit difficult to wrap my head around. “Why?”

“No one will stop Titania from leaving the court.” She rose, grabbing my hand and hauling me to my feet. “She will remain asleep until the spell wears off. We should all have enough time to get the hell out of here before Oberon realizes what we’ve done.”

A glimmer of hope ignited in my chest, but it was instantly smothered by a fresh pang of fear. “If he catches us—”

“We’re aware of what happens,” Ilsa cut me off. “She needs to change.”

Looking down, I realized I was still wearing the white gown the maid had dressed me in earlier. I started to tear it off, but Marin stopped me. “We need to put her in that. Be careful.”

I nodded and began to undress as she moved to help Ilsa with Titania’s clothing. Years of working as a nurse and changing in hospital locker rooms had cured me of any modesty. I focused on that to distract myself from the fact that I was wearing someone else’s skin. I stripped everything off, trembling as I stood naked in the night’s cool breeze. Marin passed me the red dress and shoes Titania had worn to the ritual, and I slipped into them as they dressed her in my white gown.

It would almost be worth sticking around to see her wake up wearing it.

“Call the guards to help us,” Ilsa ordered Marin. She dashed off, and the old witch turned on me. “Play the part. They must believe you are Titania. Can you do that?”

“Act like a raging bitch?” I asked, shivering again. Her dress was useless in this weather. “I think I can handle that.”

She looked unconvinced as Marin returned, two guards running behind her.

They shared a look as they took in the unconscious woman surrounded by the salt circle. One pivoted to stare at me. His eyes swept over me from head to toe.

My pulse sped up. Did he know? Then I realized they were waiting for me to give the order. “What are you doing?” I marched toward them and pointed at…me. I was so going to need therapy after this. “Oberon’s fragile human bride fainted. Get her inside before he finds out you left her on the ground this long.”