Freed (Imprisoned by the Fae 3)

And for me?

That’s saying something.

Ever since I waltzed through the fairy circle back home and ended up in this world, I’ve been super careful to keep track of the days. I don’t know why. Not really. At first, I think I did it as a way to hang onto my sanity. Then it just became a habit.

But, sometime after we got lost in the darkness of the Shadow Realm, I just stopped counting.

What does that mean?

I don’t know that, either.

I follow after Rys, being careful not to get too close to the horses. “They waited for us?”

“Of course. Seelie horses are as loyal as those that belong to the Wild Hunt. I told them to wait until we returned in case we needed the carriage again. I assumed there would be more of us when we crossed into the Seelie Court again.”

Yeah. You and me both.

He approaches the horses, running his palm over the mane of the nearest stallion. “What do you think, Leannán? Since it’s just the two of us, we can either ride back with the carriage, or we can take a portal.”

“You’re asking me?”

“Of course. I know you didn’t like traveling by horse before, and the portal will bring us back to the manor immediately. But if you’d rather ride… whatever you wish.”

The manor? “Don’t we have to go back and tell Oberon that we did what he sent us to do?”

“Eventually. My first priority is to make sure that you’re safe. I’ll feel much better once I have you back at my home.”

I don’t know why I’m so surprised to hear him say that. I mean, I’d hoped that Rys would let me return with him. Where else was I supposed to go? But it’s one thing to hang my hopes on my scarred Seelie, and another entirely to hear him make that pronouncement as if I should’ve known that was the plan.

I have to make sure. “I’m going with you?”

“Did you have any doubt?”

Uh. Yeah.

I’m no good at hiding my feelings. I’ve got the worst poker face, and when I’m running on empty like I am now, I’ve got no shot at fooling anyone. One look at my face and he can guess exactly what I’m thinking.

Rys hardens his jaw. He looks pissed, but I don’t think he’s pissed at me. The situation? Probably.

I’m pissed at it, too.

I love him. No denying that. And maybe I was supposed to, and maybe I’m blaming fate the same way that Rys is blaming his prophecy for the shaky state of our relationship, but even after all that’s happened since Saxon dragged Jim here, I still haven’t changed my mind.

There’s a promise in Rys’s eyes as he looks down at me for a second before tearing his gaze away. He moves back to the horses, murmuring something in the Faerie language. The harness vanishes. The carriage, too. As if they never existed, they erupt in a shower of sparkles—just like the doors inside of Siúcra—and they’re gone.

The pair of stallions don’t stick around. After throwing back their heads, neighing their goodbyes, they paw the springy, cotton-candy grass before stampeding off into the forest surrounding us.

Okay. So I guess we’re not going for a ride.

While I watched the stallions race off into the trees, Rys must have used his recharged power to build us a Seelie portal. It’s waiting for me when I turn back around. He doesn’t say anything, though. He just nods at the fiery red-orange-yellow-white portal and waits for me to step inside.

I do because, despite how many times he’s told me not to trust anyone, I trust Rys. Plus, I’m tired. If he’s spoiling for some kind of fight, I’d much rather it be in the safety of his manor where, once it’s done, I can get away from him and not get lost on this side of the Court’s divide.

What a difference a few months make. The first time I was shoved through a Seelie portal, I was terrified. Now? I take it easily, landing right outside of Rys’s big house without losing a single step.

I can sense Rys right behind me. I don’t look back at him, though. Instead, I head right for the front door.

And that’s when his lilting, lyrical voice chases right after me.