Page 41 of The Forever Queen

Ruby, red, scarlet.

Cast in the Great Forge of Creation

A magic that fed on the limits of the imagination.

‘Be wise,’

The gods advised.

So the faerie built a home,

A castle, stone by stone

For she and her friend to live in the Other, only.

Just so that she might not be so lonely.

Be wise, child,

For the faerie’s wish was wild

‘Bring my friend to me in the Other.’

She wished and wished, one night after another.

Just so that she might not be so lonely.

If only, if only.

The Goblet brought the faerie her friend

And so came her friend, alive, alive until she met her end.

Death, the boat that crossed the waters

From the mortal plane and to the Other, in slaughter.

Just so that she might not be so lonely.

If only, if only.

Seven storm seasons come but never go.

Come child, I hear the wild horns blow.

A western faerie weeps, broken by a lonely heart,

Cursed to the Other, destined to live apart.

Listen to the rain, child

But don’t be beguiled

For she’ll drown you in her tears

Or she’ll steal you away for years

To her castle in the sky

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