The witches were right. This fairy was nothing like the ones Arielle had encountered. It was mean, and appeared vicious.

Calum stepped before her, shielding her with his body. “We mean no disrespect. We’re searching for a pocket of energy and were told this was where we find it.”

“What for?” The fairy asked with a sneer.

Arielle stepped out from behind Calum. She couldn’t let him risk his life again, and needed to prevent the tension from escalating. “I’m lost in this realm. And these kind souls are helping me to return home.”

The fairy narrowed his eyes. “Where are you from?”

“Another realm. It’s called Lyrandale. Have you heard of it?”

“You are not the first to pass through from there.”

He knew about it, which could be a good thing, or a bad one. Treading carefully, she replied, “I passed through myself when I was a child. But this time was accidental. Can you help me?”

“Stay away from the hill,” he warned. “Follow the path of the sun. And stay away from the hill. Trespassers will be dealt with harshly.” He turned and marched away.

Arielle caught Calum’s gaze. Was that a tip or warning? Or both?

“You heard the fairy.” Kayla glanced up to the sky. “Which way would the sun set?” She pointed and traced a path through the sky, although the sun had long since set. “This way.”

The night stretched on as they searched for any indication of a ley line. With each passing minute, Arielle’s hopes dimmed. She should tell them to give up. She had to accept that she’d never go home. This would be her new home.

“I found something!” Kayla said.

The three of them rushed over to her. “What?” Mason asked.

“Feel it,” she said, passing her hand palm down in a circle in front of her. “There’s energy here.”

Arielle ran her hand through the space, but didn’t feel anything. Still, Kayla was convinced.

Kayla closed her eyes and spread her arms wide. She took a deep inhale that seemed to bring the force of the surroundings into her.

“Come,” she said. “I need to include all of us in a magic circle.”

They moved closer to Kayla. She walked around them, spreading salt, and spoke foreign words. She returned to the cauldron and continued to chant as she spread her arms in circles over the cauldron and out to her side. Although petite and young, she appeared like a powerful goddess as she performed the spell. She closed her eyes at times, taking deep breaths, appearing in touch with her magic. Lifting a small shovel, she broke up the grassy plain below and threw some dirt into the cauldron.

Kayla took the flask of water and poured it over the dirt while continuing to chant. She circled her hands over the cauldron. Then she took the bottle, uncorked it, and poured it into the cauldron, repeating some of the words.

“Ready?” Kayla addressed Arielle.

Arielle exchanged a glance with Calum, and swallowed hard. She broke the gaze. It was too difficult to see all the emotions blazing through his wild eyes, a wild maelstrom that reflected her bittersweet feelings about leaving.

“Aye.”

Kayla put her hands close together, forming a sphere shape in between them. She moved them in a circular motion, spinning quicker. Then with a flourish, she snapped her hands apart and flames burst between her hands. Arielle gasped. Kayla directed the fiery ball into the cauldron with a flourish.

The flames went out.

Nothing happened. Arielle rubbed her forehead, stifling a moan. It wasn’t going to work. She’d never get home. She was stuck in this realm forever.

But maybe it wasn’t so awful. Over the last several days, she considered this possibility many times. At first, it had seemed like a tragic outcome. But since spending time with Calum, the idea of leaving him was just as devastating. He introduced her to his world, shared a part of himself with her, and she with him. She couldn’t deny their connection—and attraction.

A short-term affair was one thing—and he’d never indicated he wanted her to stay.

Besides, her mother… Arielle couldn’t bear to bring her more pain.

A low rumbling sound from the cauldron pulled her out of her jumbled thoughts. The earth beneath her feet vibrated. Smoke drifted from the cauldron, filling the space above it. The vibration from the ground grew more pronounced. Calum caressed her hand.

“Hold on to me.”

Sparks shot out of the cauldron. Everyone stepped back.

Kayla exclaimed, “It’s working!”

Fire uncurled from the cauldron’s mouth, reminding Arielle of the dragon.

Mason grabbed Kayla and pulled her away from the cauldron. “Get back.”

Flames continued to emerge until the air before them was filled with the fiery tapestry. Calum pushed Arielle back and onto the ground, covering her with his body.

Arielle turned her head to see the scene unfold. She squinted at the blaze. A black circle in the middle of it swirled. It was the one part that wasn’t blinding.

The black shape continued to grow becoming more spherical.

“What the bloody hell is happening, Kayla?” Calum said.

“I don’t know!”

Although the flames were right above them, Arielle didn’t feel the heat. It wasn’t like when the dragon had pursued her, which was odd with fire so close.

The black sphere continued to grow. Streaks of bright colors shot through it. The streaks grew wider and longer, overshadowing overwhelming the black. Seconds later, the black was swallowed by a rainbow of light. A tunnel.

“It worked!” Kayla shrieked. “The portal is open!”

Arielle’s mouth fell open. It was true. The vortex of colors reminded her of the entryway into this realm.

“What are you doing?”

“She’s right,” Arielle replied. “It’s the way home.”

“I’m not going to let you go through that!” Calum exclaimed. “Who the bloody hell knows where that will take you.”

A warm tingling expanded inside Arielle. Once again, his concern touched her. He’d been showing her this caring side ever since they’d met. Maybe it was simply a gargoyle thing, but after all they’d gone through, it had to mean more. They cared deeply for each other. She was sure of it.

Arielle touched his arm. “That’s how I came in. That’s the way I need to go home.”

She scanned his face once more. This was it. The last time she would see Calum. It was time to say goodbye.

* * *

Calum rolled off Arielle with reluctance, and rose to his feet. He offered his hand to help her up.

“I don’t know about this, Arielle. It — it bothers me.”

She turned to face the fiery-colored entryway before them.

“It’s scary, I know. But it’s the way back. I’m sure of it.”

When she turned back to him, he searched the violet eyes he’d never forget. A dozen words passed between them, yet none were spoken. How could he say goodbye after all they’d gone through together?

“Thank you all for everything you’ve done.” She turned to the others.

Kayla’s face turned troubled. “You better go. My energy is draining. I don’t know how much longer it will stay open.”

Arielle turned back to Calum. He took her in a fierce embrace, reluctant to let go of her. She couldn’t go through that portal and leave him.

It’s what she wants. You have to let her go.

When she pulled her head from his shoulder, she glanced at him. His gaze moved from her eyes to her mouth. He lowered his mouth to hers, capturing her in an urgent kiss. The passion rose instantly. He didn’t hold anything back, desperate to brand her with a part of him, possess her for one perfect moment. Tell her all the things he couldn’t say. How he’d never met anyone like her. How he doubted a minute would pass without thinking of her.

But it wouldn’t change anything.

She sobbed against his mouth, pulling away from him. “I have to go.”

Her eyes were shiny with tears. He swallowed a lump as hard as a microphone before he choked up as well.

He held on to her hand as she walked away, clinging to the touch of her fingers, until the last moment.

As she moved closer to the portal, a desperate urge to stop her welled up within. It took all his self-control not to destroy what they’d all worked so hard to accomplish.

This was it. The last moment he’d see her.

Arielle turned and faced him, locking her gaze on his as she stepped backwards toward the portal. Her silvery blonde hair floated around her like a halo. The energy from the portal seemed to reach out and grasp her.

Vibrant colors shot around her and then swallowed her whole. Calum stepped forward and slammed his hand over his heart.

He blinked, and reopened his eyes. But the outcome was still the same. Arielle was gone.

“Kayla!”

Mason’s shout startled Calum. When he turned, Kayla was on the ground, eyes closed.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know!” Mason exclaimed. “She collapsed in my arms.”

Calum’s blood froze. If anything happened to Kayla, Mason would never forgive him. He and Kayla had overcome obstacles that had kept them apart, the ones who were brave enough to breach the territorial divisions between species on the isle.

Mason put a hand on her cheek. “Kayla,” he whispered. “Please be okay. I need you. And our baby.” He dropped his head onto her belly and sobbed. “I need you both.”

Mason’s agony ripped through Calum. Guilt rose like a cresting wave in Calum, spreading through his body. He was to blame for Mason’s suffering. Calum was the one who’d found Arielle and asked his brothers for help.

After several minutes, Calum urged, “Let’s take her back to her coven, Mason. They can help her.”

Mason waved a hand back, releasing a cry of anguish. He then fell silent, which was even more terrifying. After several moments, he raised his head. Raw emotions burned through his red, tear-filled eyes. Calum’s muscles clenched. He’d never seen Mason controlled by such fury and despair. If he stayed on this path, he’d be consumed by blood lust, controlled by rage.

Calum swallowed. “What can I do?”

“The magic must’ve taken too much of her energy from her. She better be all right.” Mason turned back to Kayla, ignoring the question.

Calum paced from forest to shore and back. He had to do something to help his brother, but what?

“Maybe we can try to transfer our energy into her?” Calum offered.

Mason dragged his gaze to Calum. “Aye, that might work.”

Calum exhaled. It was the first moment Mason didn’t appear savage, on the verge of tearing out Calum’s throat.

The next part was tricky. Neither one of them were experts in this task. Yet, they had both passed their energy to Lachlan in the past.

“Let’s try what we did with Lachlan,” Calum suggested.

Calum took a deep breath before bending over Kayla. She appeared even younger in this state. Almost too young to have a child. What would happen to the child if Kayla never woke?

They each took several deep breaths. Calum relaxed his body and mind on the exhales until he felt centered enough to continue. He focused on passing his energy to Kayla, while Mason did the same.

For several minutes, they repeated this process.

She didn’t respond.

Now what the fuck could they do? Nothing. Gargoyles were known for strength and protection, not bloody magic!

Magic. Wait. Calum reached inside his pocket and trailed his fingers over the soft edges of Arielle’s feather.

The pegasi had a special kind of magic, one Calum didn’t fully understand, yet her hair had helped heal his burns from the dragon. The witches had asked for a single feather.

“Will you let me try with this?” Calum pulled it out.

“Are you mad?” Mason said. “That’s a bloody feather!”

“But it’s from a pegasus.”

“If our energy didn’t help Kayla, how the hell do you expect a simple feather to?”

Mason might be right. But what else were their options? Nothing except bringing her back to the coven—and facing the wrath of several witches.

“Arielle’s hair healed my burns, brother. Let me give it a go.”

Mason appeared unconvinced. “Fine,” he snapped. “I’ll do it.”

He took a deep breath and ran the feather over Kayla’s body, starting at her forehead and moving down. He spoke gently to her, encouraging her to get well. He concentrated in a circular motion over her belly, whispering to his child.

After several minutes, nothing had happened. Calum sank back on his heels, defeated. “I’m sorry, brother.” He lowered his head. “So sorry.”

Mason didn’t reply. Calum didn’t know what to do, what to suggest. So much guilt weighed heavy on him.

“She’s moving!” Mason’s voice pierced the air.

Kayla’s head rolled to the side and she moaned. Her eyes were closed.

“Come back to me, love,” Mason said to her in a gentle tone.

“It’s okay,” she said in a sleepy voice. Her eyes fluttered open. “I’m fine.”

Mason enveloped her in his arms. “You terrified me. If anything happened to you… Or the baby…”

“We’re both fine.” Kayla glanced at the shrinking portal. Her eyes widened and she clasped her hand over her mouth. She pulled herself up on her elbows. “It worked. I can’t believe it!”

“But you were unconscious. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Magic takes a toll. That sometimes happens conducting a spell of that magnitude.” She stared at the portal, clearly jubilant at her success.

Mason’s eyes gleamed with joy. He’d never found such happiness until he’d met Kayla. And if he ever lost her, well, Calum wondered if Mason would ever recover.

Look at him. Elated.

Love could do strange things to a man. Give him the impetus to conquer any obstacle.

Like crossing realms.

Have you taken any risks to be with Arielle? No.

The portal was closing. An impulse to jump in and follow Arielle bolted through him.

Should he? His feet itched, as he was eager to take the leap. But, he had to think, not rush headlong into another realm without thinking of the consequences.

Mason and Kayla only had to overcome prejudices on their islands. Calum and Arielle were separated by a distance far greater, which might be physically insurmountable. They lived in two different worlds, and probably fit in neither. Arielle wanted to return to her family and her home. No matter how happy they’d been, they’d never discussed a future together.

The portal closed, with no sign that ever existed. Calum stepped closer to where it had been, running his fingers through the air. A faint sense of higher energy tingled over his skin. Then it was gone.

He’d lost his chance.