Fortunately, his mate caught his arm and forced him back down before his outburst could interrupt their daughter. Even so, the single word was enough to make both their hearts seize with fear and unease.
"Sweetheart," the Queen said softly, her voice steady despite the tension in her eyes, "please… explain."
"First," Addison began, her voice steady but tight, "when we were about to head west, we were forced to pass through the Forbidden Forest. Whether the enemy meant to send us to our deaths or intended for us to break the seal and release the dark fairies trapped there, maybe even both, we still don't know."
"Fortunately, we didn't give them the chance to exploit that situation. We brought the fairies with us, but that was only the beginning."
