The sky was a piercing blue, too vibrant to be real. Wispy, white velvet clouds floated through a sea of aquamarine, drifting aimlessly across the broad expanse. She stood in a field of emerald, the long blades of grass swaying back and forth, stirred only by the gentle breeze. The dazzling landscape stretched out before her. It was picturesque, an endless horizon of beauty. She glanced behind her, hoping Rowan might have followed her through after shoving her into the void, but she was entirely alone.
Some part of her wanted to be furious with him for throwing her into this place, but in truth, she no longer cared. She was empty. Emotionless. There was nothing left inside of her. She’dgiven everything, all of her love and hope, every last broken piece of her heart to protect the ones she cared for most. She’d given her soul. And it had not been enough.
The loss was too much, the trauma too great.
She was barren of feeling—everything that made her fae, everything that had once made her human, was gone. Her Aurastone was still in her hand and she sheathed it, unable to look at the blood staining its iridescent blade.
Maeve lowered herself into the soft green grass, pulling her knees to her chest. For a moment, she simply breathed.
Blood soaked her armor, stained her hands. The metallic stench of it clung to her, and she supposed she would never be able to wash it all away. So she sat, filthy and damaged, a blemish upon the splendor of this world.
Again, she inhaled, picking up the faintest trace of smoke and amber.
“Hello, little wild one.”
It was a voice she never expected to hear again.
Shay.
Maeve looked up sharply, disbelieving.
Gradually, a tall fae male came into focus. His golden hair was swept to the side, and a pair of eyes, a perfect match to her own, twinkled back at her. He smiled, broad and full, and as handsome as ever.
“Shay.” Her voice broke.
She reached up for him, and he grabbed her, pulling her into his arms.
Maeve melted into his embrace, hot tears spilling down her cheeks before she could stop them. He eased back, smoothing her hair from her face, and her bottom lip quivered.
She sniffled, swiping at the errant tears. “You’re alive.”
“Not alive, darling sister.” Shay cupped her cheek, and his eyes reflected the well of sadness brimming in her heart. “Ireside in Maghmell. But it seems Danua thought you were in need of my assistance.”
Maeve’s brow furrowed, and she tried to ignore the tiny bubble of hope taking form in her chest. “The goddess of life wants to help me?”
“Correction,” Shay countered. “She sent me to help you.”
As much as she loved her brother, she wasn’t entirely sure what he meant. “Help me do what, exactly?”
“Heal.”He draped one arm casually around her shoulders, gesturing vaguely to the spacious field. “Walk with me.”
He took one step, guiding her along with him, and the world blurred into a haze of melding colors. It was like walking through realms.
Orange blossom and cedarwood surrounded her. Magic filled her. Renewed her.
Shay waved his hand before them, shifting the colors, drawing them back into focus. “Let me show you what you’re fighting for.”
Maeve saw a world where the mountains were so high, they almost touched a starlit sky. A place where carriages were pulled by flying stallions, where magic thrived in a way she never thought possible, where a family of stars owned the night. It was lovely. Dazzling. She’d never seen anything so wondrous.
“You’re fighting for worlds not your own,” Shay whispered, his voice carrying through the heavens.
Another wave of his hand, and the colors morphed before her, blending and fading to show her someplace new. This time, Maeve gazed upon a golden city dripping with sparkling grandeur. Life filled this place, but never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined a world where mortals and immortals lived among one another peacefully. Yet here, such harmony existed. The rich city sat at the edge of a magnificent harbor, where ships of all sizes docked in its bustling port. One inparticular looked oddly familiar, but before she had time to place where she’d seen it before, Shay took her hand, and whisked her away into another whirl of magic as the golden city faded from sight.
He gave her hand a reaffirming squeeze. “You’re fighting for those who cannot fight their battles alone.”
They continued their walk through the realms, and Maeve found herself overlooking a kingdom brimming with lush greenery, where an ivory castle was situated upon a hill surrounded by an enchanting forest. She witnessed a mortal girl running barefoot through trees, her lacy white dress hoisted with both hands as she splashed through a crystal clear stream, aiming straight for a faerie ring of flowers and mushrooms. Wherever she was running to, or whoever she was running from, didn’t seem to matter. For the girl did not look afraid. Her youthful face was set with fierce determination.
Shay stepped again, and she went with him. His voice was low, almost ominous, when he said, “You’re fighting for those who will answer your plea for help, for the ones who will claim your enemies as their own.”
