Page 32 of The Forbidden Fae King

The power is captured in a great stream of magic like liquid diamonds that shoots down the hollow center of The Tower.

It hits the jade altar beneath and splits in four directions, one for each fae court, quartering the original beam. Those fluid bodies bubble and boil as they hurl into a second set of altars beneath the immense granite arches, and the rainbow flow of raw magic splits again into at least fifty paths, each one slamming into the portals themselves.

Those Otherworld gateways transform immediately, from dirty, dull, unpolished moonstone that was almost indistinguishable from the slate around it, to a rainbow iridescence that could rival diamonds. A light glows from within the moonstone, revealing a swirling mosaic pattern, where before the portals appeared as haphazard pilings of rocks.

Thick, white mists now curl within the entrance of each, rather than the shallow alcoves I had become so accustomed to.

I turn in a full circle, taking in the sight of all those activated portals to the Otherworld. They will be guarded day and night, because now it is just as easy for fae to slip into our realm through them, as it is for us to sneak into theirs.

The portals pull at me. That open connection to the fae lands makes my magic swell beneath my skin. I was born to take this crossing.

A priestess approaches each pilgrim, ready to usher us to our destination. One comes for me, and another for Caitlin.

“We are going together.” Caitlin grips my arm with fingers of bruising strength.

“It is not wise to travel in a group.” A priestess with a silk hood covering her hair and part of her face says.

“Not a group. Just the two of us,” Caitlin cuts in.

“Then please make sure no others take the same portal as us,” I chime in at the same time.

“As you wish. Where are you going?” the priestess replies.

“The Spring Court,” Caitlin says.

The priestess simply walks off, and it takes a moment for us to recover and follow her. She strolls under one archway of the stone circle and stops at the altar before the spring portals.

“It is yours to choose the portal you take,” she says in the most unhelpful manner.

She takes two moonstone bracelets from a pouch at her side and places them on our wrists. I immediately feel a gentle tug of the glowing portals before me.

“Can you sense the pull of the spring portals on the bracelet?”

We both nod.

“Good.” The priestess purrs. “It contains one stone from each portal. Hold a single bead between your fingers, and it will guide you to the active portal. If you do not feel the call, it means the portals have closed. Do remember that you have until the festival of Beltane to return. It is little over a month in our human realm, but closer to three months in the fae world. Their time moves differently from ours, slower. You may cross now.”

I stare at her, rooted to the spot. Caitlin is so still next to me I wonder if she even breathes. It is our time to cross. There is nothing holding us back. No ceremony left. Our entire bodies have frozen in place

The priestess moves an outstretched arm toward the portals. “Your loved ones are waiting to send you off—or to take you home if you cannot make the crossing.” There is no judgment at all on her face.

My gaze follows her pointing finger.

A tunnel, formed by bodies, arms outstretched and holding branches of orange blossoms. My father and mother are opposite each other at the front, Breanna and Diarmuid beside them. High-ranking members of the guard who are close friends with Caitlin, including Gwyneth. My childhood friends from our court. And at the very end, stands Finan. My heart twists to see him there, looking so out of place. Guilt rolls through me, at the way I have ignored him the past weeks.

The priestesses never revealed this surprise show of support we would receive at our crossing.

I approach my loved ones on shaking legs, with the world spinning around me. I tug Caitlin behind me, our hands interlocked. A tear rolls down my father’s cheek and is lost in his beard, but a huge, proud smile beams across his face. He pulls me into a bear hug, his cheek pressed against mine, then releases me just as quickly.

He holds me before him, examining my face intently, his large green eyes full of emotion and fiery hair in disarray. I pick petals out of his short-cropped beard. “Keira. He may be hunting for you in the Otherworld.” His words die on his lips.

“What? Who?” Panic rears within me.

“Never mind. Keep hidden from the high fae and you will be safe. Remember what they did to your grandmother.” His hands shake slightly where he grips me, then he pulls me into another crushing embrace. Before I can question him, I am passed to my mother.

She gives me a quick squeeze, then brushes my hair with her fingers. “Stay together. You will do well.”

As I pass my brother and sister, I squeeze each of their hands, then offer smiles to the rest of the people. A warmth fills me, lending me the confidence to conquer the world.

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