Tamara did not retreat from Edric's advance, but moved toward him instead. At her words he had slowed and his expression had changed. He seemed almost petulant now, and any charm he had retained was now gone.

"You dare much, girl," Godda snarled as she dug at the soil with her sword. But there was little threat in the words. The Faerie Princess had powerful magicks of her own and could easily have attacked Tamara directly now.

She did not.

"Too much," Edric added.

Tamara slapped his face with such ferocity that the stinging sound echoed through the trees. The cursed man stared at her, mouth gaping in astonishment, and held a hand to his cheek, greatly affronted.