He kissed my cheek, and I was overcome by emotion. “I’m sorry I caused your death.”
“Nonsense. My death was my own choice. I died as a fae should, on the battlefield, and it was not your doing,” Father replied. “Carry that guilt no longer. It was never yours to bear.”
I was so cowed I couldn’t speak. I feared if I did, I’d sob in his arms. Years of shame and pain washed away as if they’d never taken place at all. I would’ve given the world to hear my father say that before, and now he had, restoring me in a way I’d never thought I’d experience.
Arthur bowed slightly as he came before us. “Your majesty. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine. I’m honored to be in the company of one of the Arcanea’s greatest scholars,” Father replied. “It is quite impressive you’ve uncovered the details of one of the fae’s greatest hidden secrets. I commend you for it.”
I held my breath. “So, then… can Emma return to life?” I asked.
Father’s brow furrowed. “That remains to be seen.”
I refused to let my heart drop. This would work— it had to.
“Where’s Emma?” Arthur asked abruptly, refusing to relent.
“Inside,” Father said. “You will not be able to enter the Great Hunting Grounds without a guide, as your spirits have not yet left their mortal lives. The griffin guards who protect the gate into the Grounds will not allow you through, save for if I act as your emissary. I will be your escort into the afterlife. No one shall touch you, so long as I am at your side, but be warned. You will not be permitted to stay for long.”
I nodded. “We won’t delay. We are here for one thing only.”
“Then let us be off.” Father clapped a hand on my shoulder, and we strode forward. The mist encapsulated us, until I couldn’t see anything but my father and Arthur beside me. We walked for a time, until I saw the pearly shine of silver gates in front of me.
Surrounding the gates were griffin guards, in both shifter and man form. They wore golden armor, and carried fierce weapons. By their countenance, I thought they were old… they’d been guarding these gates for millenia, and weren’t about to let anyone pass who didn’t belong there.
“Halt,” a guard cried as we approached. He stomped his spear against the ground. “Who goes there?”
“It is I, Lycus, First of His Name and former King of the Arcanea, and a soldier of the Eternal Hunt. I am here to guide my son and his friend into the Great Hunting Grounds,” Father said, gesturing to us.
“The two of them may not enter,” the guard replied. “Their spirits have not yet passed, and the living are not permitted to roam the lands of the dead.”
The expression of the griffin guards was impassive. I knew in my gut that they were more powerful than Arthur and I. Fighting them wouldn’t do us any good. They’d just chase us away.
“They are here to intercede on behalf of another, to trade a life for a life,” Father replied. “They will not remain.”
Two of the guards glanced at each other. One of them nodded.
“Very well,” the guard replied. “A message came just this morning from the Mother Goddess herself, indicating there would be such an exchange. You may enter. But do not tarry long, for if you do, we will find you.”
The guards stepped aside, and the gates opened. As I went to step on through, Father grasped my arm, gripping it tightly.
“Whatever happens now is in the hands of the gods,” Father replied solemnly. “What shall be shall be. Prepare yourself, my son, for the outcome could be one you may not expect.”
My lips flattened, and I nodded. Despite my father’s warnings, I wasn’t about to accept any other alternative but the one that I desired. Emma was my cherished soulmate. I would give myself to her, and allow the gods to have my soul in exchange for her own.
There was no greater love than one who was prepared to lay their life down for the person they adored. And my love for Emma was ever so great.
I prayed the gods saw it that way, and found me a worthy exchange for her life.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Emma
Iheld on tightly to Milonna’s hand as she led me onward. As we emerged through the tunnel of light, I found myself in an entirely new world.
Everything was majestic here. There were so many vibrant colors, pink, purple, yellow, and green. Rainbows were reflected in the foliage and in every living being. Faekin of all kinds lingered in the prairie and in the far off trees. I saw women made from nature’s elements twisting in the wind, and dozens ofmalyludwygathering honey for their magnificent hives, which were made of diamonds and nestled into the branches of enormous trees that were hundreds of feet tall.
I marveled as my eyes took in miniature beings that I’d never seen before— pixies. They were humanoid creatures that appeared to be made of flower petals with dragonfly wings. They were no bigger than my hand, and lived amongst the flowers that were growing everywhere. The pixies had black eyes, and made crooning sounds as they watered the plants around them and picked berries, cultivating the space. They tugged at my wolfish ears, and yanked playfully at my tail and wings.
