Read Clash of the Otherworlds: Book 3, Portal Guardians Online
Authors: Elle Casey
Clash of the Otherworlds: Book 3, Portal Guardians (43 page)
I smiled.
"For what?"
"For making your life difficult ... for keeping you from doing what you needed to be doing.
It was selfish and unkind, and for that I'm sorry."
I stepped over and rubbed his upper arm.
"Stop worrying about that crap.
I'm totally happy right now.
I'm not pining over you or wishing I could go live in the Overworld.
Spike's the guy for me.
I know that now."
Chase smiled.
"You really are happy."
"Yeah, I really am.
Life has a way of working out, even when it seems like there's no way it can."
He nodded.
"I've got to go now.
I'll see you on the other side?"
"Yep.
In a few thousand years."
"Good enough."
He slowly faded out to nothing, leaving me alone in the trees.
I turned to go, noticing Spike waiting for me at the edge of the meadow.
"Everything cool?" he asked, putting his arm around me and drawing me near.
"Yeah.
Everything's awesome.
Especially now that I have you."
"So ... uh ... I was wondering ..."
"Yeah?"
It was weird, Spike sounding so nervous all of a sudden.
"I kind of have a question for you.
It's ... you know ... important."
I laughed.
"Out with it, dope.
You're making me nervous."
"Okay.
Do you think you'd ever want to do that with me ... you know ... what Finn and Becky just did?
A binding ceremony?"
I smiled.
It was impossible not to.
"Hmmm ... I don't know.
Maybe."
"Maybe?"
"Yeah.
Maybe.
If you play your cards right.
You know, show me that the foot massages aren't just a passing phase, convince me you'll still love me even when I look like Maggie, stuff like that.
Then, maybe ... yeah.
I could see that happening."
Spike lifted me up and spun me around in circles.
"It's not exactly a yes, but I'll take it anyway!"
I laughed with the joy of it - the strength of Spike's arms around me, the smells of Spring in the air, and the anticipation of being in a circle of flowers one day with the man I loved.
I could see it already, a vision coming through my mind and warming my heart as we walked back to join our family - Spike holding my hands in a beautifully-flowered meadow and standing under the oak where my mother had been laid to rest, telling the fae world he wanted to be with me forever.
About the Author
Elle Casey is an American writer who lives in Southern France with her husband, three kids, Hercules the wonder poodle and Monie the Bouvier des Flandres who will someday be bigger than everyone in the family.
In Elle's spare time she writes women's fiction and young adult novels (you can find her Women's Fiction work under the pen name
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Other Books by Elle Casey
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Acknowledgments
The writing, formatting, and marketing of this series has taken untold hours of my personal time to write, so that means that there's one group of people who must suffer for it all, and that is my family.
I would be remiss if I didn't recognize the sacrifices they make so that I can fulfill my dream of being a writer.
Thank you for allowing me to be me!
To my readers, who purchase my books, read them, leave reviews, and tell their friends and family about my work, thank you!
Without you I'm sure I would have given up long ago.
Your outpouring of support means so much to me.
I wish I could express this better, but words just don't suffice.
Imagine me giving you all a giant group hug.
To my characters who came to me and introduced themselves, I thank you for allowing me a glimpse into your worlds.
To Derek Emmons who graciously permitted me to use his art for my cover, thank you!
I have never seen such amazing work before, and I feel incredibly privileged to be one of the few authors he's worked with.
Derek, don't ever stop doing what you do, man!
You are truly gifted.
Thank you to my friends in France who never hesitate to celebrate my successes with me and to my Facebook friends and family who are always there to drop a kind note on my wall, laugh with me, cheer me on, and tell me I'm wonderful and talented when I need it.
To the fans to take the extra step to contact me personally, make songs and sing them for me, who create cover or banner art for me ... thank you!
You guys just blow me away with your kindness, dedication, creativity, and love.
Biiiiig hugs, y'all.
Big ones.
To Margaret, Theresa, and Craig who read like the wind and find those troublesome errors that my eyes always seem to miss and give me feedback out characters and plot issues, thank you every so much.
My work is better because of you.
And finally, to Amazon, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook, all the services that help me and my fans spread the word about my work, make it available to my readers, and make it possible for me to communicate with people who connect with my characters, worlds, and writing style.
I'll never not be grateful for the opportunity that you've given me.
