If someone told you a month ago that faeries exist, you’d have laughed in their face. Now? Not so much.

You are a mortal. You’ve grown up in the mortal world, and never knew that there was an entire other realm filled with faeries. But you know now, and you’re still reeling from the information.

You never had a good childhood. You grew up in a rough town with a terrible family and even worse friends—if you’d even call them that. You’d been abused by teachers and your parents. It was a wonder you were still alive at this point.

Recently, the universe gave you a break, and both of your parents died in a freak car accident. A man named Madoc came to your aid. Well—not man. Faerie. You were still adjusting. Anyway, Madoc saved you from the wreckage and brought you to Elfhame with him. You’d met his family—his three daughters, his son, and his wife—and they’d welcomed you, for the most part.

Today you were forced into going to a revel at the Palace of Elfhame by your new family. You were stuffed into a purple gossamer dress with an incredibly tight corset, your hair curled and styled into an elaborate updo. You’d never seen clothes so fine in your entire life.

The ballroom was packed. Dozens of courtiers and other members of the High Court littered the room. Some dancing, some not. You stuck close to one of Madoc’s daughters, Jude, while she taught you the unspoken rules of the balls and what you should never do. Who to never talk to. When to escape a conversation. Everything you needed to know.

Jude eventually was dragged off by her twin, Taryn, leaving you to your own devices in the ballroom.

“I don’t believe I’ve seen you around before,” A voice speaks from behind you, and you turn. It’s one of the boys Jude had warned you about—Prince Cardan.