Page 137 of A Dance with the Fae Prince (Married to Magic 2)
“I did,” I say proudly. “My business here is done.”
“Katria,” Laura interjects. “When you said…I could go with you…” She looks between Davien and I.
Davien is clearly uncertain, but even now, he defers to me. I have the power of Aviness, after all. If anyone can find a way to give Laura a place in Midscape, it would be me. At the very least, I can give her the manor on this side of the Fade for as long as she needs or wants it…until she’s ready to strike out on her own grand adventure, whatever that might be.
“You will always have a place with me, sister.”
Laura’s face crumples with relief. I wonder if she’s been harboring guilt for Joyce and Helen’s actions. I wonder if she thought I hated her as I hated them. There are many discussions to be had between us, but we will now have time for them.
“You’re sure?” she whispers.
“I decree it.” I smirk slightly. I’m looking forward to her reaction when she learns that my husband did indeed have magic, and he taught it to me—in a way. Laura will do just fine mingling with fae, I think. “Ride in the carriage.”
“But my things?”
“If we don’t go now, Joyce might never let you leave,” I say solemnly. “I swear I will give you anything you need and more.” Laura’s gaze drifts back to the house as Joyce rounds the veranda to stand by Helen. She must know it to be as true as I do because she begins to climb in behind Davien.
“What are you doing?” Joyce flies down the stairs, shrieking.
I position Misty between her and my sister. “She is doing what she wants.”
“That is my daughter, you—you’re kidnapping her!”
“I’m leaving, Mother,” Laura says, a little shaky, but braver than I could’ve ever hoped. I’ve never been more proud. She was always the strong one between us. “I’ll write to you.”
“How dare you!” Joyce says as the door closes. Helen continues to stand, expression changing between dumbstruck and angry. “You cannot—”
“Laura and I will do as we please. Goodbye, Joyce.” Further conversation is pointless. I spur Misty into a trot and give a nod to Oren as I pass. I hear the carriage come to life with the clopping of hooves behind me.
Joyce gives chase, screaming halfway down the drive. What a pitiable creature. She might never realize that this pain is what her actions have wrought. But maybe Helen will. Maybe there’s some good left in her and this will be the catalyst for her change. I can only hope so, for her sake.
But they are no longer my problem. I look ahead, leaving them and the manor behind me.
As a lone rider, I’m faster than a carriage ever could be. I know my way back to my home—my kingdom. This time, I will ride down the hillsides of my family’s estate, through the hazy dawn, and into the forbidden woods. I will keep riding until I find the old markers that Giles and Hol taught me to navigate to find my way through the dark mist that separates Midscape from the human world.
My heart races in tandem with Misty’s thunderous gallop.
The torturous dirge Joyce had conducted for my life has come to an end. But a new song is only just beginning. One with my sister, with the man who will be my husband in both worlds, and with my kingdom.
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