ut, “It’s me! I have breakfast.” She doesn’t wait for a reply as she tries the latch, findi

unfamiliar nuts. A cup of black liquid steams in front of her and the enticing scent of coffee wafts from it. Freya gives her a small, thankful smile as she plu

f bubbling liquid. Freya glances around the room, still shr

“Technically, it is. But where

his in last night’s conversation, only h

hem. It’s been shut for a long time, so it took some effort cleaning thi

e?” Freya says, a bite in her

disappear from our lives that easily,” Lilli says. “It’ll be easier for you when your me

sn’t said her answer out loud, whether she’ll join them of her own free will or

being the sage bodice that cuts in at her waist and then flows to the floor. She buckles the cherry leather belt around he

l in circles. She struts to the door, and

ra walks slightly ahead of Lilli, almost guiding them. “

“She’s your familiar. And it seems like she’s been keeping an eye on you ever since you left the Realm. When you v

ght I was dead.” Lilli nods her

we started searching for a way to cross over, too. We had tried to follow her the first time, but familiars’ magic is different from ours. And w

leaped out her window. They reach the same room they were in last night, the arched doors sli

an eyebrow at

open. The first thing her eyes lock onto are glowing amethyst eyes covered slightly by midnight hair. He has no allure in p

Rory, who is studying her from one of the wooden chairs. His eyes quickly meet h

through the castle. “Not really, considering the situation that b

a flicker expression on his face. Rory smirks, “You’

us man, who has yet to introduce

in a cool tone says, “It’s been a l

self – that ripped her from her life. The ones offering he

__

In front of them, a solid wall of stone with a circular wreath of branches, leaves, moss, and drooping flowers large en

e appears in the middle of the circle. Pulsating as it begins to consume the circle, the haz

our last chance. Once it closes, you won’t be able to come back.” They all wait, the tension tangible in

nt to be clear. No lies. No tricks. And,” she stares a

onversation in their eyes. A grin spreads across Rory’s fac

truce, however thin,

behind. Merlyn then steps through, lazy in his approach. Just Rory and her are left. The mist lacing around Freya as she nears t

, stronger than before, as her footsteps on solid ground. The wispy tendrils of the portal delicately gui

the portal folds in on itself and then vanishes in thin air. Rory saunters to her, placing a

mer breeze. A welcome change to the drafty castle that she was just in. The sun reflects off the vegetation, clusters of mushrooms and knee-high flower beds. Amp

at her. “I…,” Freya looks around, then points her gaze toward Rory, “I’v

eed not to lie,” R

I am?” Fre

ng between the two of you. Let’s head to Anwen.”

vilish grin on Freya, and she braces herself for whatever he’s a

in pricking as a light amethyst glow blooms around her. If she reaches out, she could touch it. But, Freya

touches her ears, feeling a phan

ntroduced her. “It’s an allure, so that the other fairies won’

need it?”

o the human realm. And, we don’t want them finding out we bro

sk you again.” He bends a knee, a playful smile countered with the seriousness in his voice, “Will you marry me?

the corridor of the castle. They talked about an oath.

Freya says, fully prep

Well, actually you did.

trick

y says. Rage flows freely through Freya. Her cheeks

ed teeth. “I, the person I am

raight line but a twinkle still in his ey