“I’ll be fine. Walking will help,” I assure him.
“First things first,” he says.
Right.
“What do I need to do?” I ask, weirdly nervous.
“Nothing. Just stand still. You may feel an itch or pinch, but once the glamour settles in you won’t even notice it.” We had discussed it this morning over breakfast that I would need another glamour while we’re here. It’s unlikely I’ll see anyone else except Fleur, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
I give him a nod. “Okay, do it.”
There’s a small flourish of his fingers before there’s the faintest prickles along my skin that almost tickles. Within a few moments, it’s over.
“Okay, lead the way.” He sweeps his arm out ahead of us.
I take a quick glance around the copse of trees and immediately know where we are. We’re only about fifteen minutes into the forest and dangerously close to our cottage.
“This portal is always active?” I ask warily. I take note of the barely noticeable circle of white button mushrooms that stick out against the fiery orange of the fallen leaves.
“Yes, but I can’t say I know of many who use it. It’s more likely that a human will stumble into it.”
“I could see that,” I mutter under my breath, thinking of the hundreds of times I would have come around this area and somehow never came across the portal. “It’s this way,” I say, picking up my pace as I navigate us through the woods.
I stop us when we reach the tree line at the edge of our property. “Home sweet home.”
I look upon the small cottage where I’ve spent my entire life with an ache of bittersweetness. This place is the source of my happiest memories, where I met my best friend, where I grew into the woman I am today. But I don’t feel that relief I would’ve expected once this whole ordeal kicked off. It’s tainted by the secrets that have been kept from me.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Bastian asks, brows furrowed with concern.
“No, no. I can do this. Plus, I think your presence may also make things so much worse.”
He nods in understanding. “Okay, I’ll be nearby. If you need me, call for me.”
I cross the open yard with determination powering my steps. I look back before stepping up onto the porch of the cottage and see Bastian still leaning against the tree where I left him. I can barely make out the nod he gives me in encouragement. I repeat the gesture back to him and watch as he steps back into the woods and fades out of view.
I step up to the front door of the cottage and freeze for a moment. I reach to anxiously fiddle with the ring that’s no longer on my finger. The lack of the cool metal sending a pang through my chest. It’s not like it really had any sentimental meaning at this point, but it was the method I used to help calm my nerves when they start to ramp up.
I close my eyes and take a steadying breath.I can do this.Opening my eyes, I lift my fist and knock on the door.
I can hear fumbling around on the other side of the door for a few moments and a muttered curse before Fleur swings the door open. Her eyes widen at me and then almost instantly flash with relief.
“Oh, Olivia. Thank the gods. Where on earth have you been? I’ve been worried sick! I’ve had Thomas out searching for you. It’s been days! Where have youbeen?!” She rattles off her questions while pulling me into the cottage so quickly that I nearly lose my footing. Slamming the door closed with her foot, she pulls me into a bone-crushing embrace.
“I’m fine, Aunt Fleur. Truly, I’m okay,” I say hesitantly. Because, yes, physically I’m perfectly fine. Now. Mentally and emotionally though? That’s another story entirely. I’m reelingand have too many questions rattling around inside my head at this moment.
As I pull back from her embrace, something in my expression must give away my thoughts because her brow furrows. “What’s wrong, Livi?” The concern in her words is so thick I can almost feel it in the air.
“I, um, I have some questions,” I begin. I don’t really know where to start, so I hold up my hand, now bare of the glamour ring and watch her eyes closely. I watch as they track to my hand and note the lack of ring, dart to the other hand hanging loose at my side to check it’s not there either, before her gaze settles back on my face with an expression of grave understanding.
“You know,” is all she says before she closes her eyes for a beat, shakes her head, and then walks towards her bedroom.
Dumbfounded at the fact that she left me standing here when I’ve confronted her about the fact that she’s beenlyingto me. My entirelife. I stare at the cracked door to her bedroom, unsure of whether I should follow her or not.
“Well, come on then, Livi. You want answers and it’s finally time I give them to you,” she calls from her room. I rush in to find her flitting around the space, gathering items off of tables and shelves dotted around the space.
“So, you know what I am then?” I ask quietly.
She scoffs. “I know a great deal more than that, sweet child. But yes, you’re Fae and I’m the one who crafted the glamour you wore.”
