Freed (Imprisoned by the Fae 3)

Hey. Ignorance is bliss. For both of us.

But it looks like I’ve kept him in the dark for too long. It’s not fair. I’m not being fair to Jim.

And it’s about time I start being honest with him.

“My ring?” The promise ring he gave me when we were eighteen and he promised me forever? “I… I gave it to Siúcra.”

“The prison.”

“I needed a sacrifice. In order to break out… the only way I could leave was sacrificing something. Jim… Jimmy. I— I lied. When I told you that I can’t leave Faerie because of the faerie fruit. That was a lie. I can’t leave because, when I gave up my ring, it’s because I sacrificed going back to the human world again. And my ring… it symbolized home to me. When Siúcra took it, it trapped me here.”

“So… let me get this straight. You gave up home.”

I nod.

“But… you knew that meant everything. Your mom. Dad. And… me.”

I can’t lie anymore. “Yes. I knew that and I did it anyway.”

I don’t tell him about Rys. I don’t have to. He looks away from me, his gaze landing on the Seelie. A few seconds later, as if he finally understands, it’s his turn to nod.

And I feel my heart breaking. For what we had. For what we’ll never have again.

For what Jim just lost...

“Jim, I’m so sorry—”

“It’s okay, Elle.” Elle. Not Hel. I think that hurts me the most, how careful he just was to use my new name. Before I can say anything, though, he turns toward Grimly. “You want a memory. I’ll give one of mine in exchange for the one Elle wants. Your buyer, the one who wants to hurt Morgan. It’ll help them both and I’ll do it.”

“Deal,” Grimly says, almost crowing as he points his gnarled finger dead at Jim’s chest. “But it has to be a good one, boyo.”

“It’s the best.” Jim gives me a crooked grin that doesn’t quite meet his dark brown eyes. “It’s the day I saw a girl with a teal streak of paint splashed across her cheek.”

I shudder in a breath. He can’t possibly—

No. “Jim. You don’t have to do that.”

“Yes. I do.” He doesn’t look at me again. He doesn’t see how scared I am, or how much I want to stop him… but how? I’ve known Jim ten years and I learned a long time ago, when he sets his mind on something, there’s no changing it. So when he says to Grimly, “What do I have to do?,” I know there’s no going back.

What I don’t know? Is what’s going to happen after they trade their memories.

Thanks to Saxon’s lesson, it’s not really a surprise when Grimly pulls two small crystal shards out of one of his countless pockets. He takes one, then tosses one at Jim.

“Fold your fingers over it, that’s a good boyo. Close your eyes. Think about the memory you’re offering up. Got it?” At Jim’s nod, Grimly chuckles. It’s a nasty sound. “Squeeze and imprint. While you do that, I’ll do the same.”

“Okay.”

I have to try. I have to stop him. “Jim, don’t.”

His eyes are already closed. He quirks one open, then smiles. “Told you. It’s alright, babe.”

I freaking hope so.

“Go,” commands Grimly.

At first, it doesn’t seem like anything is happening. Both Jim and Grimly are standing still, fists tight, eyes closed. I barely resist gnawing on my thumbnail, I’m so worried, and, out of the corner of my eye, Riley is dancing nervously in place.

And that’s when Jim collapses.