How Does It Feel? by Jeneane O'Riley

Here is a summary with spoilers of How Does it Feel

Callie Peterson is an exceptionally intelligent biologist dedicated to aiding butterflies and moths globally. Her kind nature extends to all animals, earning her the nickname ‘Disney Princess.’ In pursuit of her mission, she takes various jobs to advance her career. We first meet Callie in a small town, working as a biologist in a state national park, focused on curing a parasite affecting the moths in the park. Despite her dedication, she avoids forming close friendships, knowing she will eventually move on. However, this doesn’t deter Cliff, a warden who persistently flirts with her and tries to win her over.

During her research, Callie theorizes that a rare mushroom unique to the park could help combat the parasite. This quest leads her to Crazy Earl, a former biology teacher who has spent years studying these mushrooms. One day, they discover a mushroom, but Earl panics and urges Callie to leave the forest quickly. In the rush, she forgets her brand-new telescope.

Determined to retrieve it, Callie returns to the forest alone and finds a circle of the mushrooms. As she approaches, a little fox she had seen before tries to steer her away, but she gets too close and falls through the ground, landing on someone. Suddenly, armed guards appear, accusing her of being a spy, and one stabs her, leaving her for dead. The little fox reappears, licks her wound to heal it, and insists they leave before anyone finds out what happened.

Callie awakens to find herself in a mysterious world, where a prince named Mendax plans to use her to send a message to the human world. Mendax, believing Callie to be an assassin sent by humans, imprisons her. Despite the harsh conditions, Callie discovers she can communicate with the rats in her cell. One rat warns her of a forthcoming attack by a creature known as the bog, ordered by Mendax.

Callie survives the bog’s attack using a brick and keeps one of its finger bones as a makeshift lockpick. She escapes her cell and encounters the rat, who reveals himself as Walter, a shifter who has been trying to help her. Walter explains that the fox she saw is from the Seelie Court, which has claimed her life until they kill her.

As Callie attempts to escape, she stumbles upon the queen’s party, where Mendax confronts her. Walter, shifting into his wolf form, fights Mendax but is thrown off the roof, revealing they are half-brothers before he disappears. Mendax spares Callie and moves her to his quarters, planning to display her at a party as his new prize. He announces that Callie will undergo three trials; if she survives, she can return home.

In the first trial, Callie battles two winged beasts in a forest and emerges victorious. Meanwhile, Mendax’s thoughts are increasingly consumed by Callie. The queen advises Mendax to bond with Callie to secure his position as king, suggesting her death afterward to nullify the bond.

During the second trial, Callie faces a deadly challenge involving poison-filled glasses and snakes. With Mendax’s help, she survives by using a snake’s bite as an antidote. Mendax reveals his real name, Malum, and informs Callie that their bond means she must stay in the court and marry him, leading to an intense argument that turns passionate until the queen interrupts, announcing the final trial.

The third trial involves choosing between two doors, one leading to freedom and the other to a deadly monster. Mendax’s signal misleads Callie, resulting in a fierce battle. Mendax intervenes, saving her but prompting Callie to stab him, revealing her mission was to kill him. She escapes through the other door, returning to the mortal realm.

In the hospital, Callie’s friends, including Earl, who is revealed as Prince Aurelius (Eli) and the fox who healed her, surround her. Eli explains her true identity as Calypso, raised by the Seelie Queen after her family’s death. Her mission was to prove allegiance by killing Mendax. Eli offers to take her back to the Seelie Court, but only if Mendax is dead. Callie assures him of Mendax’s demise, knowing her return to the Seelie realm hinges on this claim.