Page 105 of A Dark and Lovely Devastation

My fingers curled around blades of grass as they balled into fists. “He thinks the Otherworld doesn’t need him, but he is wrong. He has held the faerie court together all these years. He gave me the space to grow into my position as queen. He has faith, not only in me, but in the Otherworld's future.” I released the grass and rose, my shoulders back, a power strong and raging burning in my chest, as I took a slow steady step toward the Chimera. “Without him there is only darkness. Ask the fates, look into the future, whatever it is you do. See it.”

A power inside me released, blasting outward, bowling into the Chimera. He blinked as if startled. I stood there, trembling, just as surprised. What had happened?

The Chimera’s head dipped in a nod. “If you are to pass through the portal, you must agree to a sacrifice.”

My mouth fell open at the same time that my knees shook. The Chimera was bargaining with me. Lugh had bound himself to the Chimera for the rest of his life. For his people. For his world. The thought of offering something so encompassing made me feel as if I were suffocating.

My gaze fell on Labby Rock, where Thaya had paid the ultimate sacrifice for me.

Palon had said that Thaya loved fiercely.

May we all love as fiercely, I’d responded.

A breeze shifted through my hair. Today, and from this day forward, I’d honor her memory by doing just that. I owed her that much. Whatever the cost. “What is the sacrifice you demand, Chimera?”

“After you, Queen Morrigan, pass through the portal, you shall never again step foot in the human world. If you do, your body shall be turned to dust and that shall end your existence.”

Surprise roared through me. This wasn’t what I expected. Abandoning any chance of returning to the human world forever. Abandoning my family, my friends, any chance of finishing college, and every dream that went along with it.

I’d wanted to live a human life. It had been driving me all the way up to when I stepped through that portal and abandoned the Otherworld. How could I leave everything, everyone?

Love fiercely.

“Yes, yes. I agree.”

The Chimera slid a palm over the stone. It began to undulate and split, opening wide, revealing the multi-colored forest beyond.

A breath leaked out of me. The Otherworld.

If I passed through, there was no going back. My deal with the Chimera would be sealed.

I checked the sun dipping lower toward the horizon.

Only one thing mattered now.

I stepped through the portal, leaving the human world for the final time.

Chapter 36

The Chimera followed me through the portal. I turned to watch as it shut, my last glimpse of the human world that was closed to me forever.

I bit my lip. My family, my friends… that life was over. With effort, I pushed those thoughts aside. I could mourn over all I’d lost later.

Time was slipping away. I looked to the sky, the sun already beginning to sink toward the horizon.

My teeth pressed deeper into my lip. Holy shit, what had I been thinking? I should have let Mina come. I should havemadeher come.

I looked at the Chimera, who lingered next to me in his lion’s mane robe. “Do you still have it?”

The creature nodded. “I have kept your shimbael safe since the battle with the Fomori, as promised. Would you like it back?”

“No. It’s safe with you.”

My shimbael was a small token carved from the wood of the Rowan tree. If I fell, it marked the location where I would reappear as a baby. Dagda also had one, as all faeries did, though his was probably placed somewhere safe within the palace. At least I prayed he hadn’t turned it over to Badb. I shivered at the thought, staring helplessly into the dark forest in front of me.

“Do you know your way to the castle, my queen?” the Chimera asked.

I shook my head.

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