Page 119 of The Mating Quest

“Please. Please. Don’t leave me. I love you so much.” He couldn’t see for the tears blurring his vision as she grew cold in hisarms.

Time grew still as he rocked her back and forth in his arms, refusing to let her go. Gradually be became aware he wasn’talone.

Ethan glanced up at Caderyn, standing solemnly next to him. “Let her go, Ethan. It is time for her to return to Tir na-Nog.”

“No.” He caressed her cold, still face. “Ican’t.”

The Shadow Wizard squatted next to him. “I know she holds your heart. But you must release her, son. Let hergo.”

Ethan released her and laid her gently down on the ground. He closed his eyes and sobbed, feeling a warm hand squeeze hisshoulder.

When he opened his eyes, Ilana’s body and Caderyn weregone.

For a long time he simply sat on the grass, trying to make sense of everything, trying not to feel. Beneath his palm, the grass was still warm from where she had lain. Lilacs and fresh rain water, Ilana’s sweet scent, still lingered in theair.

And then he finally stood, scrubbed at his wet face with hishands.

Feeling a soft pop of air, he turned, unsurprised to see Tristan. The Silver Wizard’s expression was gentle, his dark eyes filled with sorrow. “I am sorry your heart is hurting, Ethan. I came here to take you wherever youwish.”

With dull resignation he nodded. “Take me home, Tristan. Take me back to my pack. I don’t want to be hereanymore.”

Chapter 31

“Open your eyesIlana.”

Sensing Caderyn’s presence, slowly she opened her eyes. The Shadow Wizard stood beside her, smiling. She lookedaround.

“I’m dead. Not asleep in a fairyglen.”

“In a manner of speaking. You are in Tir na-Nog, mydear.”

“The afterworld? But I’m not a spirit.” Her eyes opened wider as she stretched out her hand. Then she pinchedCaderyn.

Felt flesh beneath her fingers. She drew in a breath. “I’m reallyhere.”

“You may pinch yourself instead of me if you do not believe me,” he said dryly, but his voice wasgentle.

They stood in a brilliant green meadow, with luminous trees scattered here and there. The sunlight was warm and the sky a brilliant blue, with purple and green clouds scudding across it. Ilana rubbed her face. She felt fine, terrific, no pain, no wounds. Glancing down, she checked her body. Her leather vest intact. Noblood.

Ilana checked her weapons. Starsong sat snugly against her back and the dagger was sheathed on herbelt.

“I don’t get it,” she told the wizard. “Whathappened?”

He looked at her solemnly. “Cormac delivered a death blow to you after you saved Ethan. You died, and came here. For areason.”

She felt her heart racing. “Whatreason?”

“Hush. Here theycome.”

Mouth dry, she watched as figures materialized in the distance. Drust, Lacey on his arm, in their typical cobalt blue. Then Tristan and Nikita. A man she did not recognize but instinctively knew was Gideon, the Crimson Wizard, and a lovely blonde woman with him, both clad all in crimson, gold andsilver.

She hung back, a little afraid. Caderyn touched her shoulder. “It is all right. Do not bescared.”

They looked so intimidating here in their place of power. Even Tristan lookedforeboding.

The tall blond Fae had a face all sharp angles and planes. He was quite handsome, she saw as he came close to her. The tips of his ears were pointed. She backed up until hitting Caderyn’schest.

What did she do wrong now? Was this Fae wizard going to punish her for daring to touch histalisman?