face made him wonder if she wasn’t thinking the same thing. “We’ll be back soon.”
“I’m ready.” She looked up at him. “But are you sure you’re all right with that? You could be king again.”
“I’m very much all right with it. I never intended to be king in the first place. Unless…” He tipped his head, squinting at her. “Do you…want to be queen?”
“Me?” She shrank back like the idea was unfathomable. “I would be rubbish at that. No, thank you.”
“You wouldn’t be rubbish. You’d be spectacular.”
She frowned at him. “Did you get hit on the head?”
“I’m serious. Even if you don’t see it, I do.”
“I just want to go home.”
Had she just called his house and Shadowvale home?
She shook her head. “I mean—”
“I know what you mean. I want that, too. I want to finally get to know the town I’ve lived in for the last twenty years. And I am very much looking forward to doing that with you at my side.”
“I can’t wait. I’m excited at the prospect of living somewhere besides Limbo. And not having to work every waking hour to get by. And not worrying so much about my father.” She smiled. “And the thought of spending more time with you is pretty great, too.”
Pryn approached them, slipping her arm around Robin’s waist. “Today was a good day. One for the history books.”
Robin put his arm around her as well. To have his mother back again after so long was just amazing. “I hope everyone accepts Marken as their king.”
“You mean the fae?”
He nodded.
“I don’t think that will be an issue,” Pryn said. “Limna is fae, so they will be well represented.”
“That will definitely help. Are there a lot of fae in the highlands?”
“Some,” she answered. “But more with mixed blood.” She smiled at him. “Interested in your heritage, are you?”
“My heritage?” He frowned. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
“Your great-grandmother on your father’s side was fae. And my mother had a little in her blood as well.”
“What?” He shook his head. “This is a discussion for another time, but I want to know more. Right now, we need to get back to Shadowvale and the people waiting on us there, who have to be absolutely frantic that we’ve been gone so long.”
Theo’s brows knit with worry. “I never meant to leave my father this long.”
Pryn stepped up onto the fountain’s edge and held out her hands to Robin and Theo. “Then let’s go. I want to see this land called Shadowvale.”
Robin took one of her hands, and Theo took the other as they joined her on the edge. Robin glanced over at Theo. “Ready when you are.”
She smiled at him, then spoke the words to open the portal. “Peri peri nixie ta.” The blue glow appeared instantly. She looked back at him. “Let’s go home.”
When they stepped out of the fountain on the other side, Welten put a hand to his chest as he came toward them. “You’re back. I was starting to think I’d never see you again.”
“I’d never leave you, Dad.” Theo embraced him. “And look. We brought Robin’s mom with us.”
Amelia, never one to appear all that worried about much, actually seemed relieved. She glanced at Pryn, then at Robin. “Is that what held you up? Or did you have trouble?”
“A little of both, but it all worked out,” Robin answered. With a smile he couldn’t contain, he introduced his mother. “Amelia Marchand, Welten Middlebright, this is my mother, Pryn Gallow. Mom, Amelia is the founder of Shadowvale, and Welten is Theo’s father.”
Welten stuck his hand out. “How about that? Nice to meet you, Pryn.”
“You, too, Welten. Your daughter is a real treasure.”
He beamed. “That she is.”
Pryn turned to Amelia, who took Pryn’s offered hand. “What a pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here.” She smiled at Robin. “And to be with my son again after so many years.”
Amelia’s gaze held a deep understanding. “I’m sure you missed him terribly.”
“I did. But now that I’m here, I’m looking forward to seeing the place he’s called home all these years.”
“Shadowvale is a marvelous place,” Amelia said. “But then, I’m rather biased.” She glanced at Robin. “Will you be able to explore the town now, or…”
“Vesta was not only deposed as queen, but she was forced to remove the curse she put on me. I guess we’ll soon see if that’s what she actually did. Otherwise, I’ll be making another trip back to Limbo.”
“Deposed?” Amelia asked. She