Book Four: Chapter 178

“I could send you home right now if you wish.” She pointed over his shoulder and he looked to see that an archway had formed behind him. “All you have to do is agree to the terms and you can be home right now.”

“I...” He looked at the queen, then back at the door. His home was being torn apart, but even worse, the others were in danger. “What terms?”

“Leave Cecilia here.” The queen was standing next to him now, her voice like honey. “I will allow her to leave in time, Caretaker, but walk away from her and never look back. Is one woman really worth the potential loss of your family?”

He let out the breath he had been holding, then looked at the mirror again. It flitted between everyone’s face, then stopped on Beth’s.

“She is eternal, Caretaker. You can have no true life with her. But this woman, Beth? She is one of your own kind, you could grow old and have a family with her.” The words were low and borderline hypnotic, and she was leaning over him now, her sc