That means…
Eason didn’t get the date wrong after all.
He knew.
He knew and didn’t tell me.
He let me sit outside all night—let me cry myself to sleep over no fae coming through the portal, knowing all the while that the portal wasn’t bloody open.
Easonliedto me.
To what end? He hates it here as much as I do. Why wouldn’t he want to go home? He knows how much I miss Kumulus. How much I miss my aunt and the life I once lived.
The longer I think about it, the angrier I become, until the guilt I felt over the thought of leaving slowly fades.
Tonight, I’m going through that portal.
And Eason won’t be here to stop me.
Eleven
ALLETTE
I dyemy hair after dinner, wishing Eason’s betrayal was as easy to cover up. How could he do this to me? Because of his lie, I was almost stuck down here for another year. Perhaps he hid the truth because he had to leave for work and didn’t want me going without him. Regardless, he should’ve given me the choice. I deserved to know the truth and decide for myself whether I wanted to stay here or return to Kumulus.
Widow Mae falls asleep before ten o’clock, giving me a chance to sneak around the creaky cottage and prepare for my escape. There isn’t much to do since my bag is still packed from the night before.Eason. What were you thinking?
I take my share of the money, leaving Eason his wages so he has something to survive on until next year. While I may be angry with him, he has taken care of me, so I don’t want him to struggle.
And then I sit down to write him a note.
I’m sorry.
I’m so very sorry that I can’t be the woman he wants me to be. The one who can love him the way he deserves.
Sorry that he chose to lie to me about the date instead of telling me the truth.
Samhain is tonight, and I will be going home.
There is a chance no one will come through, and if that is the case, I’ll burn this note along with what remains of my hope.
I don’t know why you lied and
probably never will.
Perhaps in time, I will find it in
my heart to forgive you.
Or maybe I won’t.
I sign the note and leave it on the table, not caring if Widow Mae learns that I’ve left him. She already thinks the worst of me; may as well embrace my terrible reputation.
As tired as I am from staying up last night and today’s betrayals, I refuse to let myself fall asleep. It would be my luck to take a nap and end up sleeping the whole bloody night away.
Outside, the wind whistles and trees groan. I wrap my cloak tighter around myself as I slip into the dark night, leaving Mae snoring away in the rocking chair. Once my eyes adjust to the darkness, I slowly make my way back to the spot where Eason and I have waited for the past four years. When I lift my gaze toward the sky and see a distant, flickering light shining brighter than the stars, hope sparks anew. Something moves in the distance, far too large to be a bird.
Holding my breath, I watch in rapt silence as the first masked fae lands, green wings flared at his back, quickly followed by another, and another. Although their voices remain hushed, I can feel their excitement vibrating in the frosty air.