“If she chooses to waste her boon, that’s her decision.” The Queen raised a jeweled wand. “By the power of the Seelie Court fairies, Skye’s boon is granted. Kheelan, ye are free.”
Skye smiled in triumph. She did it. She had activated the crystal, helped the good Fae, and released Kheelan from his bonds.
Kheelan was not smiling.
“Aren’t you happy?” she asked.
He glared at her. “Why? I told you to save yourself.”
“I did what I had to do,” she told him simply.
“Not too smart. You’re trapped here forever now.”
Her own temper rose. “There’s gratitude for you,” she said. “You got your heart’s desire so stop glaring at me and calling me stupid.”
“My heart’s desire,” he repeated, his voice softening. “You really are dense sometimes, you know. I wouldn’t sacrifice my freedom for just anybody.”
The enormity of Kheelan being willing to give up his dream astonished Skye. “Now who’s the idiot?” She smiled and traced his lips with her fingers.
He groaned and pulled her to him. “Maybe we can figure something out. Throw ourselves on their mercy.”
She could tell he held no hope. “I was the one who saved them from their worst enemy. I think they’ll grant me one more teensy request.”
“Don’t bet your wings on it.” He tried to smile but it came out more like a grimace.
Unease about her future quelled Skye’s pride. “Let’s find out right now.” She pulled at his arm, dragging them in the direction of the Queen who was ordering music and food for the celebration.
“Excuse me,” Skye said as they walked up. The fairies ignored her and continued their excited twittering. “Excuse me,” she tried again, her voice louder. One fairy spotted her and pulled on his companion’s shirt sleeve. One-by-one they ceased talking and stared at her. Queen Corrigan turned to see what caused the silence.
“Ye again. Did ye come to thank me for the changeling’s freedom?” The Queen didn’t spare a glance at Kheelan.
“Um, yes. Thank you.” This wasn’t going to be as easy as she thought. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to leave now. It’s been, like, a really long day for me.”
“I couldn’t possibly let you leave before we all toasted The One who saved us.” Corrigan’s upturned lips did nothing to soften the angry slit to her eyes.
“No need to thank me,” Skye said quickly. “If you could have Annwynn take us back –”
“Kheelan may go.”
“What about Skye?” Kheelan shouted, his worry for her evident. “After all she’s done for you –”
A knife appeared at his throat. A handsome, jewel-coated knife, but still lethal. “Silence, mortal one. How dare ye speak to our Queen in such a vulgar manner?” It was one of the ever-present royal guards.
“He meant no harm.” Annwynn’s calm voice interrupted the fray.
The Queen nodded at the guard and he withdrew the knife.
Skye turned beseeching eyes on Annwynn. “I was only asking the Queen if we could return now.”
“I’m sure there’s no problem considering what ye have done for us,” Annwynn said pointedly. “All of us are forever in yer debt for what ye did tonight. The sluaghs were as close as they’ve ever been to our inner sanctuary in Faery.”
Hefeydd and Ealdun ran to them, as if awaiting a cue. “All hail The One,” they yelled together. A resounding cry from all the fairies answered their shout.
Queen Corrigan’s face reddened and her back stiffened. She had been out-maneuvered and it didn’t sit well with her royal vanity. When the shouts subsided she aimed a wintry smile at Skye. “If ye choose to leave, there is no returning. Ye must sacrifice yer wings and no longer be any part of us.”
Skye didn’t hesitate. “Deal,” she agreed.
Annwynn immediately hustled them away before Queen Corrigan could change her mind. They went past the celestial crystal, away from its heavenly luster. Skye would have liked to touch it one last time, but the urge to return home was stronger. The three joined hands as they descended through a hidden portal, back through the twisted labyrinth until they stood again on human ground, at the other end of the fairy mound.
Skye blinked at the gray, overcast panorama. “I can’t tell when it’s day or night anymore.”
“It’s Samhain day,” said Annwynn. “It may have felt like ye were only in Faery a few minutes, but ye were gone for hours.”
Kheelan hissed, holding his right hand cradled with his left.
“What is it?” Skye asked in alarm.
“Not sure.” His breath was jagged. “My hand burns.” He held it out. Annwynn and Skye stared as the tattoo came to life, the design twitching under the skin’s surface.
A single feather broke free from his flesh, along with a miniature wreath of green leaves entwined in a circle. The feather and leaves swirled upwards in a spiral eddy until they disappeared.
Kheelan’s tattoo was gone.
He touched his unmarked right hand where the tattoo had once branded flesh. Only the faintest etching of a white scar remained.
It was really over. He was free. He had pulled it off, as if his immense desire and determination had finally been rewarded.