“But—”
“I’mthe one who died,” I said firmly. “It’s my time. You have a full life ahead of you. You can’t just throw it away because of me. I’m gone. You have to accept that.”
“Youwouldn’tbe dead unless I killed you,” Ethan argued.
“So? You can’t change that past!”
“Wecan,” Ethan pleaded, and he grabbed both my hands. “We can fix everything. Our people still need you, Emma. You’re a better monarch than me. You’ll lead them into a life of peace, where without you, I’ll only send them tumbling into destruction. This is the right thing to do.”
“And what about what I want?” I asked. “Did you think about that?”
Ethan blinked. He got this astonished look on his face, like he was some dog who’d had their chew toy taken away.
I huffed. I was a little pissed off that Ethan thought he could come here and make this decision for me. It was kind of bullshit.
“I’m… I’m at peace here,” I told him. “I’m not sick anymore… I canskate again.I never have to worry about being in pain or suffering. I’m okay here. I promise.”
Ethan’s head dropped. “I understand, my love. I accept your choice. I will never force you to do anything you do not wish to, and if this is your home now, I must honor your decision.”
He went to walk away. I grabbed his wrist to pull him back toward me.
“That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t consider going back,” I stated slowly. “But only for the right reasons. Only—only— to be with you. That’s the singular reason I’d want to return to my mortal life. So we can live out our days together. I wouldn’t come back for my people, or for the good of the country. I’d come back because we didn’t get enough time together, and I want to be selfish, and have you all to myself. You’re the only thing I would give heaven up for.”
My voice rattled as my words grew heavy. “I’m always doing things for other people. I gave myself up for the fae and killed myself for the good of my nation. It’s time for me to put myself first and think about whatIwant. If I leave the Great Hunting Grounds, I want you.”
Ethan frowned. “We both know that’s impossible.”
I wasn’t going to accept that. There had to be a way. I wanted to stay here, but I wouldn’t without Ethan. Neither of us felt whole unless the other was nearby. It was the curse of being a bonded fae.
At the same time, both of us couldn’t return to our mortal lives. It was impossible. Someone had to make the sacrifice, and stay in the Great Hunting Grounds. It seemed like we were doomed to be apart.
Arthur took a step forward. “Actually, Ethan, you’re not going anywhere.”
“What?” Ethan’s eyes widened. “I don’t understand. This is the only way.”
“The matter is settled. I’ve been planning this for several days now, and I said my goodbyes to my children and the world we came from,” Arthur said. “I will make the sacrifice. I will give my life in exchange for Emma’s, so both of you can return to Malovia.”
Shock overcame me, and Ethan stiffened beside me. I couldn’t believe he’d just spoken those words. “No,” I said immediately. “It won’t work.”
“We have a soul bond, as we are twins,” Arthur reminded me. “The gods will take the exchange.”
“Arty, you can’t,” I said, and my voice cracked.
“I can, and I will,” he stated firmly. “This is the right thing to do.”
“But you’re a father,” I protested. “The twins need you.”
Arthur shook his head. “No. The twinsneed you.”
He sighed, and took a step forward. “I am not the father the twins deserve. Without Vara there, I am unable to manage. I won’t be able to give them the life and the love that they need, in my broken state. If I raise them, they will know nothing but deep sadness, and the void of trying to please a father whose soul is already so far away. Despite trying, I cannot give them the love I want to, because the truth is, Emma… my heart just isn’t interested in living anymore. It hasn’t been since Vara died.”
He turned away from me. “I’m doing what’s best for my children. I am a shifter who is mated to a goddess, and no matter how hard I try, I am destined to become a shell of a person without her at my side. The magic that binds Vara and I will continue to drive me mad until we are reunited. That’s no life for two children to endure, watching their father slowly slip away.”
Arthur grasped Ethan’s hand, then mine, clasping them together. “But you two… you are already better parents to Kalina and Kazim than I could ever hope to be. Kazim and Kalina need united parents who are a team, parents who can fully be there for them in ways that I can’t. And that’s why I’m doing this. I’m sacrificing my right as a father to give my children to people who will be able to protect them from the world, and teach them everything they need to know to survive such a harsh place. They deserve to grow up in a whole and functional family, one who is willing to putthem first.”
“Arty…” I whispered.
“I specifically ask that you take them in, and raise them as your own,” Arthur said. “Give them the strong lineage the fae will respect. You will be their mother and father now. I think you were always meant to be. They need a mother. And it needs to be you, Emma.”
