Page 98 of Can you take it?

“Eternal love and friendship,” I said with watering eyes. Tears flowed down her face. “It’s fitting,” she said solemnly.

Suns, I didn’t want her to cry. Seeing the sadness in her eyes felt like it would tear me apart.

As soon as the bottle opened, a faint cloud of pale pink lifted out and straight into Anna’s nose. She began coughing, dropping the pendant. I moved to run to her, but the Fate grabbed my forearm, stopping me.

When Anna lifted her head, she wore the second-biggest smile I had ever seen on her face.

“As soon as you return to Eromreven and leave the tiers, your full powers will be restored,” the Fate said.

Anna clapped her hands over her mouth, tears still flowing as if she couldn’t believe what had happened. Her eyes found mine, and the smile dropped.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Congratulations,” said the sister. And I had to turn away to keep from fully breaking down.

I took a deep breath, my heart racing. The portal shimmered behind me, the Elysian Fields waiting just beyond. With one last look at Anna, her tears of joy mixing with sorrow, I stepped forward, ready to embrace whatever came next for me.

“Just as I knew you would, you have passed the tenth tier of Pride in giving Anna the pendant. You have shown that pride does not rule you.” The Fate smiled.

I nodded, unable to speak.

“Say your goodbyes, and you all may leave.”

Walter approached me, pulling me into a tight hug. “Don’t take any shit from your mother,” he said with a grin, his eyes filling with tears as he patted my shoulders. “I’ll watch out for her, I promise.”

I nodded. “You’ve been a good friend, Walter. Thank you,” I somehow managed to get out.

Eletha surprised me, coming up behind me and hugging my back. As soon as Walter moved, she stepped in front and squeezed me so tightly, I felt one of my ribs pop.

“You’re a good man,” she said, a smile on her face. “It’s a shame you can’t come with us to Eromreven. Now Anna will have to end up with one of the Unseelie,” she said with a wink.

She and Walter each gave me one last hug and returned to their painting. Anna remained unmoved, waiting to see if I would go to her.

I dropped my head and turned my back to her, unable to.

The Fate held her hand out, motioning for me to step into the portal to the Elysian Fields.

“Wait a minute,” I said. “Are you not disappointed that she’s not returning to Moirai to ascend?”

The Fate smiled. “Foolish of you to assume our directions are the plan.” She winked.

I nodded, feeling somewhat duped, but knowing it was something I shouldn’t be surprised about. Without a second look, I stretched my foot out, stepping into the Elysian Fields. The moment my foot moved into the portrait, I felt the warm sun hit the top of my boot and stepped inside. As soon as my face pushed through, I saw the real-life faces of everyone I had expected to see.

I waited for the happy feelings of home I’d missed so much to hit me, but instead I was met with grimaces and scowls that reminded me of times with each person I’d tried to forget. My mother appeared to walk across a golden cloud with my brother, Langmure, at her side. My body tensed with panic, and as I looked around at the beautiful golden paradise, I realized that it didn’t really matter where I was, what it looked like, as long as the people I loved were there. I pushed my weight off of my front foot and sprung back out of the painting.

“Wait a second,” I said to the grinning face of the conniving Fate sister as I began to put the puzzle pieces together. “So you did all of this on purpose? All of it?”

“That’s Fate,” she said with a wink. “We put people where they’re supposed to go even when it doesn’t feel like it.”

I backed away from the portrait. “I’m not going to the Elysian Fields,” I said, looking at her.

She leaned in conspiratorially. “I know,” she whispered.

“I’m staying in Tartarus,” I said, surprised at the relief I felt at the words. I couldn’t help but feel like a complete idiot for not seeing what was so obvious this whole time. I’d been so busy fighting to fulfill my destiny of staying in the Elysian Fields, I’d missed seeing the beauty and opportunity right in front of my face. I’d been fighting my feelings for Anna so I could follow my fate when being with her was my fate the entire time. I couldn’t help but feel like I’d been given a second chance at life all over again, only this time, I wouldn’t fight it.

She leaned in again. “I know that too.” “You’re what?” Anna said from behind me. I spun around and walked to her.

“But you hate it here,” she said. “You’ll never be happy here, and then you’ll never be happy with me.”