Page 132 of A Bargain with the Fae King

But the light burning within me fades when my eyes catch on May, still sitting at the end of the bed and looking between us all. She can go home.

It’s the goal I’ve worked for, my whole purpose in coming here, so why does the thought sit so heavily on my heart?

“He’s not particularly happy. Made some comment aboutraisin’ hell,” Ambrose adds.

Yeah. I swallow a huff of laughter. That sounds like Dad.

“Can you take us?” I ask Ambrose.

“Do I get to go?” May jumps into the conversation and bounces off the bed onto the floor.

“Yes, you get to go.” I look over my shoulder at Riven. His sad smile mirrors my own. “Daddy is waiting for us.”

It’s a victory, what I’ve worked for, so why does it hurt?

“Daddy!” She bounces on the balls of her feet. “Let’s go now.”

“I’m coming too.” Riven slides from the bed.

“You can barely stand,” Ambrose protests.

Riven shrugs and stretches his stiff limbs. At least he put a shirt on before my sister came in. “I need to make my apologies at some point. Might as well start today.”

Ambrose groans. “Fine. I’ll shift you all, but if you collapse, I’m finding someone else to carry you back.”

We make a square between us all, holding hands to connect us to Ambrose’s magic.

“This will feel weird,” I tell May. “But don’t let go, okay?”

The magic stirs around us. May’s eyes widen, but they contain excitement more than fear. Her hand tightens on mine, holding on like she’s been told.

“—my girls now!” The familiar voice reaches my ears before I see him.

Dad. I close my eyes against the tears that fill them. How I’ve ached for this moment, for him to know we’re safe.

“Daddy!”

My eyes snap open at May’s ecstatic cry. The magic pops, planting us firmly outside near the door to Earth. May tears her hand from mine and bolts. I spin around, following her movement. My knees wobble as I stare at my dad.

His mouth gapes. Overgrown stubble clings to his chin.

My heart shatters in a flurry of fireworks and heartache. He charges toward his youngest daughter as she flies to him, knocking two fae guards out of the way in the process.

“May,” he calls, over and over in his strong, gruff voice, one that breaks and cracks around her name.

With all my focus on the scene unfolding before me, I don’t realize I’ve been holding Riven’s hand in a death grip until he squeezes mine in return.

Dad kneels as May launches herself into his arms and hugs him around his neck. His embrace encircles her, pulling her close, as he heaves a sob into her hair. They hold each other, their entwined forms a portrait of relief and love against the solemn stone monoliths behind them.

Bittersweet joy sweeps through me. Dad found us. May can go home, even if I can’t. Not yet.

Dad looks up at me over May’s head.

“Lia?” he croaks.

I release Riven’s hand and run to him like a child. He peels one arm away from May and holds open his embrace for me to join it. I do, sliding home next to my sister. A sob rips from my throat as he pulls me in tight and kisses my forehead.

“My girls.” He draws back just enough to look at us. “How? Where—”

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