He shook his head. “That isn’t the point. The point is that this is how she is. You can either accept it or not. It has nothing to do with you. She leaves the court at no one’s bequest, and she is not required to explain why.”

“Because she’s a seer.”

He nodded gravely, obviously happy that I understood. But I didn’t. I just didn’t see the point in arguing it with a couple of treekin—especially since Galfreya herself wouldn’t discuss the matter. I had to either accept it or not.

And for the past couple of years, that’s just what I did. I accepted it.

So finding her here, this far from the court—not to mention in the company of my brother’s shadow . . .

It was confusing, to say the least.

But as she continued to talk, I realized I wasn’t about to get an explanation now either. That wasn’t why she was here.

When I did understand what she wanted, I shook my head.

“There’s Jilly now,” I said.

She nodded. “There’s always been Jilly. I know how you feel about her and I respect those feelings. But we have something special, too, and what we have can be real.”

“It’s not that.”

“I have to earn your trust again. I understand that.”

I shook my head. “It’s not just that. You say you had me under an enchantment and I believe you, but the truth is, you almost didn’t need it. Deep down inside, all I wanted these past few years was to not be locked into a relationship with any woman—even one as gorgeous as you. I know that sounds crazy. But really, for all my trying to get you to commit more, I wanted it casual, too.”

“But you were always pushing for more.”

“I know. I did want more. It just took me forever to figure out who I really wanted it with. It took me learning she feels the same way that I do. It took me dying and her crying over the changeling mess that was left of my body—and if that doesn’t bring the point home, I don’t know what could.”

“I’m not going to just give up,” she said.

“We can’t choose who we love—or who we don’t.”

“Don’t you think I know that? Why do you think I’m here? I’m ready to give it all up. The court, magic, everything.”

“You shouldn’t have to change who you are to be with the person you love.”

“No, that’s just the way it works when a fairy falls for a mortal.”

“Galfreya . . .”