A Fey New World (The Godhunter #32) - Amy Sumida Page 0,56
from his father's DNA. Her deep auburn hair was braided back from her face intricately, her green eyes bright and clear, and her skin, though pale, looked healthy. Ethniu had weathered the storm of the Faerie Realm closing far better than her son. Wait, what did she say?
“What didn't work?” Arach demanded.
“The wayfarers have been toiling ceaselessly since you left,” Ethniu explained. “Cian even added his magic to theirs but every time they closed the realm, the magic would break and just... vanish. They've finally given up, at least for now. Cian has concluded that the wild magic on Earth is too strong. It keeps breaking through the shield the wayfarers set and establishing new connections.”
“Faerie is still open?” Arach whispered in a tone partly horrified and partly joyous.
“It is,” Ethniu confirmed. “I don't believe it wants to be closed. The magic will not permit it.”
The room held its breath as those of us who were fey looked at each other. I set my stare on Arach, unsure whether I should be happy or not. We had left. We'd made our goodbyes, abdicated our thrones, and given up our lives there. We did so rapidly and in desperation. And now, just as suddenly, it appeared that it was all for naught.
The Imps broke the silence by cheering.
That was the nudge we needed—a reminder that it was okay to be happy even if it might mean more trouble was on the horizon. Arach rushed to me, swept me up, and spun me around, his face split in a joyous grin. Everyone started laughing and shouting and cheering. Even the nurials danced about on their six legs. As Arach set me down, I saw Isleen staring at Lugh. She shook her head and backed away from him.
“Isleen?” Lugh asked in confusion.
“No,” Isleen whispered. “I've already made peace with the end of us. I can't do this again, Lugh.”
“But there doesn't have to be an end to us!” Lugh snarled.
“Yes, there does,” Isleen said firmly. “It was always coming.”
“What does that mean?”
“You are the High Prince of Faerie. I cannot marry you. There is no future for us.”
The joy in the room dimmed as we watched another drama unfold. Even the children went wide-eyed and silent.
“Of course, there's a future!” Lugh shouted. “I came here to propose again. I want you to be my wife, Isleen. That hasn't changed.”
“No,” she said simply. “I won't leave my family.”
“You don't have to leave your family. They can come back now. What's the damn problem?”
“I will return to the Fire Kingdom, where they need me,” she explained. “If I marry you, I'd have to move to the Castle of Eight. I can't do that, Lugh.”
“Isleen,” Arach interrupted in his resonant king voice.
Isleen turned to him, startled. “Yes, my King?”
“You are fired.”
“What?” she squeaked.
“This is long overdue but I didn't want to push you. Now, I see that I must. You are a duchess; it isn't appropriate for you to be my chatelaine. So, I hereby release you from your duties and offer you the deep gratitude of the Fire Kingdom for your many years of service.” Arach went to her and kissed her cheek. He softened his tone to add, “Be happy, Isleen. Love should not be cast aside for such silly reasons. Take it and defend it against all enemies. It's a treasure that you richly deserve.”
“I...” Isleen whispered, then looked at Lugh. “I can...”
“You can do whatever you wish to do, Mother of my Heart,” Arach said firmly. “If you want him, take him, or you may come home with me. You will always have a home wherever I am. But either way, your days of service are over.”
Isleen stepped away from Arach and went to Lugh. Lugh watched her warily.
“Did you bring a ring?” Isleen demanded.
Lugh fumbled in his pocket and yanked out a glittering diamond ring. He held it up to her like an offering, then, almost as an afterthought, fell to one knee. “I love you, Isleen. Losing you nearly killed me. Please, don't make me go through that again. Put me out of my misery and marry me.”
Isleen lifted her chin, looking as cool as ever. Her long, raven hair hung down her back in a sleek veil and her pale skin refused to show a hint of a flush, but her dark eyes sparked with fire and her lips spread into a beatific smile. She held out her hand imperiously. “I accept your proposal.”