“We’ve dealt with the worst monsters from our world and the underworld. We will be fine,” I say.
The two guardians wave dismissively to the swirling purple and black portal. It’s ominous how dark it is but we don’t have much of a choice. We must go through it to save Hermes and the rest of the world.
Jayden grips my hand in his and we step into the vortex. The world spins and I grip Jayden’s hand tighter in fear that he’ll let go and we’ll be separated. If the portal spits us out in different places, it will only slow us down.
The ground solidifies under my feet and I sway with momentary dizziness as we step forward into the woods so still and eerie I’m instantly on guard.
“Jayden, what the fuck? Did you know the portal was here?” I ask.
“No, I didn’t. How the fuck did we get here?” He scratches his head.
“How are we in Elysium?” Raven gasps as they walk out of the portal.
“This is what they’re all terrified of in the fae realm?” Dax asks. “It doesn’t look so scary to me.”
“We’re in the damn underworld,” I say. “Is the underworld a whole different realm or are they confused about what it actually is?”
“I don’t know, but our chances of success got better when the portal dropped us here.” Jayden shrugs.
“We should have asked more questions about the creatures that came out of the portal. Are they all gone? Did any get away to run loose in the fae realm?”
“We’ll talk to my father about it. That’s not our problem to solve, baby.” Jayden presses a kiss to my forehead.
“I feel responsible,” I say. “The queen is only doing all of this because of me.”
“Don’t take responsibility for other people’s actions. The queen is unhinged. That’s on her not on you.” He hugs me to his chest.
How can I not blame myself for what’s going on in the realms? If I hadn’t been born, would all this be happening? My very existence in this world could get everyone I care about killed.
