“I told you the first time we met,” Bella said. “I’m nothing like you!”

Queen Fire’s smile left her face. “Time will tell, Princess. You can’t control what’s inside of you. There may be untapped evil you’ve yet to even imagine.”

Bella gritted her teeth. She had to get Glimmer out of here. It wasn’t going to do any good to keep arguing with Queen Fire.

“Please just tell me what you want,” Bella said.

The queen folded her arms. “I don’t know when I’ll want something from you or what that may be. But I agree that you, Princess Bella, are in my debt. When I am ready for you to fulfill my favor, you will know.”

The queen smiled again, making Bella’s knees shake even harder.

“I—,” Bella started.

A loud crack! cut her off, and black smoke rose from the spot where Queen Fire had just stood.

“Let’s go! Right now!” Bella said to Glimmer. Glimmer turned in the direction Bella had entered the clearing, clearly beckoning Bella to follow.

Without a look back, the two raced out of the Dark Forest and into the waiting open arms of Ivy and Clara.