You fool!” Oberon’s voice rang through the courtyard. “What have you done?”

The host of fae had gone deathly silent. Liza found that her own voice had quieted as well. Pain that had been held back by the song crept back into her exhausted body. She looked up at the furious Prince standing over her and then down at the knife handle protruding from her abdomen.

“I…I have made my choice.” Her words came out soft but strong enough to be heard by those standing nearby. She heard gasps of disbelief and anguish. She also felt pity for this proud folk who had waited such a long time for their Princess to come and release them. She coughed and felt warm blood spill over her lips as the taste of iron filled her mouth.

“This cannot be!” Oberon yelled. He grabbed Liza by the back of the neck and lifted her upright. “You will not ruin all that I have worked for.” He grabbed the knife and tore it from her abdomen.

Liza cried out as her hands fought to cover the gaping wound. Darkness crept in around her vision. She watched as through a tunnel as Oberon swung the knife to bury it in Paulie’s chest—but Paulie was no longer there. Oberon yelled and spun in search of his prey. His grip on Liza released, and she fell to the ground.

“The chosen one has failed,” a voice boomed from the heavens.

“She has chosen,” boomed another.

“She cheated. This was not allowed.”

“She chose love.” The voice was much softer, nearer, more human. Liza looked up and struggled to focus her gaze. Paulie stood a short distance away. He was smiling at her as though she had given him some wonderful gift.

“No! This is not right.” Oberon’s words blended with the booming voice as the two cried out in unison.

“Unexpected, yes,” Paulie said. “But very much right.”

Oberon grabbed Liza’s limp form and held her before him. His face faded in and out of darkness as she fought to remain conscious. “You ruined everything, human whelp. I’ll cut your heart out.”

Liza watched as he raised the knife before her. The world tipped and she put a blood-covered hand on the pillar that Paulie had been bound to. The pillar pulsed beneath her fingers, like a heartbeat. It grew warm, and a strengthening energy flowed into her. The pillar flashed in a blinding light that forced her to close her eyes and look away. Oberon yelled something she could not understand, and his grip on her vanished. She fell with her back against the pillar, feeling the light wash over her.

In her mind, she saw that same light spread out through Tír na nÓg. Most of the fae folk fled from it, others fell to their knees weeping. None could stand before it. Liza sagged back as strong arms wrapped her in their embrace. Through her closed eyelids, she was aware of the brilliant light fading to a more natural illumination. Her eyes fluttered open. A man’s face smiled down at her.

“You have done well, beloved,” the man said. He looked familiar. It took Liza’s dizzy mind a moment to recognize him from the vision Nidawi had shown her.

“You’re…the fae king?”

His smile widened. “I am, child.”

“How?”

“Your sacrifice. Your love. You made the one choice that could save human and fae alike.”

“You are beloved, Liza McCarthy.” Liza shifted her eyes to see Paulie kneeling beside her.

“My son,” the king said. “The true Prince and heir.”

“Oberon?” Liza’s voice was growing weaker as she sank into the king’s loving embrace.

“My brother is still out there,” Paulie said. “I pray he someday has a change of heart, but I fear his hate runs too deep.”

Liza saw others standing behind Paulie. A host of fae folk gazed down at her, but these were different from those she had seen before. These were beautiful. She could sense their goodness and concern for her. She smiled as her eyes closed. The king was not the only one who had been freed. His people had come out with him. She felt herself begin to slip away, and that was all right. She was ready.

“Liza!”

Another familiar voice. Liza pried her eyes open. Brianna hovered over her, concern etched on her face. Behind her stood Ana and Cullen.

“You’re alive?” Liza’s voice was little more than a whisper.

Brianna took Liza’s hand in hers. “We are fine, thanks to you.”

“I’m so tired,” Liza said. She began to drift again.

Beloved daughter.

Liza could not tell if the voice came from her own head or elsewhere. Father?

You have done well. I’m very proud of you.

I don’t know who you are.

I am the one who created you, the one who loved you before you ever existed. You will have plenty of time to know me if you so choose.

Another choice?

Liza heard an amused chuckle. An easy one. Do you wish to live?

“Do you wish to live?”

Liza opened her eyes. The king and Brianna were still there. Paulie had joined them and held her other hand.

“Liza, do you wish to live?” Paulie said again.

“Please live,” Brianna said. “You’re one of us now. We need you.” Behind her, Ana and Cullen smiled their agreement.

Liza’s eyes slid closed as the last of her energy faded. A slight smile crossed her lips. “I want…a family.”

“You have us, dear one. You will always have us.” Ana’s voice seemed to come from down a long tunnel.

Liza felt herself being drawn away. She was no longer aware of her body nor the pain that went with it. All was peaceful and quiet. Yet there was still a choice to be made.

I want to live.