to Isleen.
“You can still change your mind,” I whispered to her. “Love is important.”
“Lugh and I were not meant to last,” Isleen said firmly. “I would never have left the Fire Kingdom and he needs a woman who can devote herself to him and the House of Spirit. He is the High Prince—that comes with responsibilities. Lugh has never faced what that meant for us. It's time that he did.”
“Isleen, you don't have to give up everything for your family,” I said softly. “You've served the House of Fire for thousands of years. Take something for yourself for once.”
“I am, Queen Vervain,” she said firmly. “I'm leaving. This is for me. Not for Arach, or you, or the kingdom, and definitely not for Lugh. I choose this for me. Don't forget that I've loved a god before. I will again, I'm sure.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
“King Arach, would you permit me to accompany you to the Great Tree?” a masculine voice came from behind me.
I turned to see Craigor, his moth wings twitching nervously behind him. His black stare shifted to me and he inclined his head.
“Of course, you are welcome to join us,” Arach said with a small smile of confusion.
“Are you leaving too?” I nodded toward Craigor's bag.
“My daughter won't leave the Human Realm,” Craigor said simply.
“But you will have to glamour yourself constantly there,” I warned him. “Are you sure about this?”
“Aradia has a home in the God Realm as well... with her mother.” Craigor lifted his chin. “I have been extended an invitation to live there.”
“You're going to live with Diana?” I asked with even more surprise.
“I am,” he said firmly.
I'd never met the Goddess Diana but I had met Aradia, her daughter with Craigor, and she was a kind, charming woman. It made me think better of Craigor that he loved her enough to abandon his home for her. I hoped he did well with her but living with an ex can be tricky.
“If you have any problems with that living arrangement, you're welcome to live at Pride Palace,” I offered. “Your daughter can reach me through Alaric.”
Craigor gaped at me a second before he responded, “I am most grateful, Queen Vervain.”
“No problem.” I turned toward Arach. “We'd better get going.”
Arach nodded and took Rian's hand. I took Brevyn's and the boys held each other's. The nurials flanked Isleen behind us and we started down the Road of Neutrality. We'd decided to walk this last time. It was a long walk to the End of the Road, but we didn't want to spend our last hours in Faerie cooped up in a carriage.
Behind Isleen and the nurials, the wagon was pulled by Phookas and behind that, the faeries of our court marched in a somber procession. Craigor joined them, walking instead of flying. I held my son's hand and stared out at the beautiful, magical forest around me, trying to memorize every detail—from the breathing trunks to the bowing blades of grass to the clear sky above. I would take as much of Faerie with me as I possibly could. And hopefully, someday I'd be able to remember it without sadness.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
You've done better than I expected, Faerie's voice slipped into my mind as we neared the Great Tree at the End of the Road.
Our procession stopped at the crossroads where the road to the Castle of Eight bisected the Road of Neutrality. To our right, the path ended in a circular space before the massive tracing tree. Waiting in that space were wayfarers and the High Royals of Faerie.
“There you are,” I muttered to Faerie. “I was wondering if you were going to say goodbye.”
I thought you might be mad at me.
“For encouraging King Cian to close the realm?” I asked.
Yes.
“I think I've known you long enough to understand that everything you do is to help or protect this realm and its people. I'm not mad at you.”
Oh.
“I will miss you, Faerie. You've been... well, you've been a pain in my ass but you've also been good to me.”
I love you, Vervain. I hope you know that.
I love you too, I said in my mind. Stay safe, Faerie. Maybe someday, your realm will be open again.
You too, Vervain. Follow the dictates of your heart; it has yet to lead you astray.
“Thanks,” I whispered. Then I looked down at my boys. “Say goodbye to Faerie.”
“Goodbye, Faerie,” they said solemnly.
Goodbye, my beautiful Princes of Fire, Faerie said sadly.
“My King and Queen,” Isleen called to us.
I turned around and