Author's note: Shadows is back!

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Danica:

"Hello?"

I shouted to no one as I tried to heave the door open from the inside.

That Amir had it coming to him. Wait 'til I get my hands on that fairy prince!

After attempting to pull the open several times, I decided to look around the den and see if he left any keys around.

However, I soon found his hidden lair to be immaculate; this guy had the guts to kidnap me during the chaos of the witch renewing my curse, but I had to give him due credit for something.

His cleanliness was impeccable, not a hair or piece of furniture out of place.

"Where does a little king-to-be keep his spare keys?", I wondered aloud.

He doesn't, I realized. Fortunately, I had just spotted my way out of here.

A mysterious-looking mirror right above the vanity of the bathroom sink being standard fare in every dragon cave turned bachelor's pad? I don't think so.

I smell magic and right now, magic is going to solve my problem.

Touching the middle of the mirror, it dissolved and left a huge hole.

Perfect, no need for incantation required. Maybe I should have listened to Aunt Fleur when she tried to teach me Witch 101 instead of daydreaming about the latest fantasy novel I had just read.

Climbing on top of the sink, I squeezed myself into the hole and let out a huge sigh of relief when I came to the other side.

A dark tunnel greeted me in all of its dank, muddy glory.

Just great, it can't get any worse from here.

Gathering my wits about me, I trudged through the icky tunnel and prayed that I would find the exit eventually.

I should have thought of searching for a map, but I digress.

Reaching a dead end, I paused and stopped to think.

I thought, If I'm a self-absorbed fairy prince, where do I place an exit to reach the surface?

Wait. Dragon caves are usually built into the side of a mountain; I'm underneath several layers of rock. The safest place isn't directly in front of me, it's up!

Looking up, I found a hatch. Now, how do I get up there?

At the end of the hallway I had just come from, I spotted something that I had barely glanced over-a ladder.

Grabbing the ladder, I set it at an angle and used it to reach the ceiling of the cavern.

Turning the latch, I sprung up into the surface and breathed cool air finally.

I could feel the summer wind blowing in my hair again!

Time to head home finally.

"There you are. We have been on the hunt for you all over.", a strange creature told me.

"What?", I cried.

"You're the princess destined to marry the fairy prince, aren't you?", the thing said, clearly excited at his find.

"No...you must have me confused with someone else."

"Well done, my pet.", a lady's voice cooed as she flew...flew towards me!

I squinted and saw her; she was extremely extravagantly clothed, and her hair seemed to dance while her image shimmered in the light. Was she a fairy?

I'm doomed.

"How can I help...you?", I asked.

"Danica! It's been so long! Actually, 16 years in fact since you have seen me.", she answered.

"Do I know you?", I inquired while seeing how far of a drop off this mountain would be. Too high for the possibility of me dying not being 100%.

Why did I have to be afraid of heights of all things?

"Oh, you don't remember me, but I saw you as a tiny baby! However, the last time I saw you was at your debut to society. You looked gorgeous by the way.", she stated.

"Fairy ambassador?", I guessed. My mind was trying to figure out the pieces of this encounter and keep me alive. Unfortunately, my estimate turned out to be correct.

"In the flesh and your future mother-in-law as well!"

This strange lady embraced me in a bone-crushing hug and I started choking under the strain.

"Sorry. My husband tells me I'm a bit of a tree-hugger, that is in the sense of that I hug too tightly. I do fight for the environment. It is my sworn duty as fairy princess and current fairy ambassador to do so.", she declared.

"Ok. So can I go now?", I pointed to away from her and walked away from the strange creature she called her 'pet' and her.

"Of course not! We have a wedding to plan!", she replied.

"But I'm 16!", I responded.

"We know that.", she chuckled as if I was the one who was crazy, "You'll be married to my son once you're old enough...in two years."

"Lady, you're nuts. In fact, I smell crazy on you, but I just need a lift to go home and..."

She interrupted me, "Oh, we're going to your parent's castle and taking care of this whole fiasco right away. Come with me!"

She dragged me to the strange creature and out of nowhere, a bunch of pixies appeared and restrained me from running.

And to think I thought she didn't have backup! Please anyone save me from this!

I didn't want to be the damsel in distress yet again!

Then, I remembered that her son had warned me about her and realized that if I had just stayed in the dragon cave, I might have not been found by the fairies after me.

I analyzed my past actions and deducted I could have been safe had I stayed with Aunt Fleur and not done the whole debut into society in the first place!

"Excuse me. I have to call my boy first.", she apologized as she brandished a magical mirror out of her hand.

"Amir!", she called out, "I cannot believe you hid your betrothed in your man cave! We have a lot to speak about when we get home! Danica is now with us, young man!"

Why is the universe out to get me?

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Author's note: Poor Danica.