I felt Adelaide tense. All the eyes of those in the glade were upon me. Were they afraid I’d fail – or hoping I would?

I closed my eyes and pictured the time I was in Faerie with Liam beneath the willow tree. I felt the warmth that had spread between us, the way his face had been haloed by radiant light, his eyes full of love. If only we’d had more time together, I thought, if only he’d been able to tell me who he was when he became corporeal in this world, or that he hadn’t changed when he took a new form …

I heard a gasp from the crowd behind me. I opened my eyes and found myself facing not the cliff and ocean but a green field that sloped down to the grassy bank beneath the willow tree: the place where Liam and I had made love.

“Good idea. Show them the prettier side of the place,” Adelaide whispered. “They’ll see the ugly side soon enough.”

I wondered whether there really was an ugly side to Faerie or if Adelaide was just bound and determined to think so. I was glad, though, that I’d summoned this beautiful place. When I turned to the crowd behind me I saw the golden light reflected on their faces.

“I promise you that I will not let the Grove close the door,” I said raising my voice so everyone in the circle could hear me. “It will stand open on the solstices as it always has. If you wish to go now to visit Faerie, go ahead. I promise that you will be able to return as long as you pledge to do no harm in this world.”

A murmur of voices rose from the crowd and I heard someone say “We should go then. If she’s able to open the door next solstice we can come back. If not, at least we won’t be trapped in this world.”

“Good thinking,” Adelaide whispered to me. “Let them think there’s hope that they can come back. It will keep them from panicking and avoid a riot.”

I ignored her and focused instead on Lorelei, who had stepped forward of her own volition looking calm and at peace. As she came forward two Stewarts walked on either side of her, each carrying a set of bagpipes. As they approached the door, they began to play.

The plaintive notes seemed to capture exactly the mood of the gathering. The two pipers separated and went to stand on either side of the door. Lorelei paused beside me.

Your children are safe, I silently mouthed.