Page 31

Like a lighthouse.

Nothing has gone my way since I landed here, still dripping bathwater.

But rather conveniently, Grak says, “Grak will wait for Empress outside in cart. Temple to make petition is straight ahead.”

“Thanks!” I answer, keeping my voice as light as possible.

Doing my best impression of a solemn penitent, I head toward the Mother Goddess Temple corridor until the sound of Grak’s footsteps fades.

After a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure the coast is clear, I beeline toward the Lower Realm corridor.

It’s a surprisingly far walk. My darting steps soon slow to shuffles, and when I finally arrive at the Lower Realm corridor, I come to a full stop.

The portal sits right beyond the arched entrance like a foggy mirror framed by an oval glow.

Much like the way station crystal ball, the fog clears when I look upon it, revealing a high-res scene of a bathroom I immediately recognize.

It’s the one at my aunt’s house, and it doesn’t look like much time has passed. The tub water still has a few bubbles in it, and half a glass of wine stands right next to the tin of peppermint bark.

There it is.…

My old life lies before me, just waiting for me to step back into it.

But instead of walking forward, Ivar’s tender expression after we exchanged our vows floats into my head.

“Adora, future mother of my ogres, you may have anything you wish. You have made your new husband so incredibly happy.”

A pit of guilt opens in my stomach, and the portal’s glow catches on the gold skull ring on my middle finger.

I should take it off. Leave it on the floor for him to give to some other sucker. I don’t want it anymore.

But my hand doesn’t move.

Even when I remind myself that the “future mother of my ogres” was the only part of that declaration that mattered to him.

I rub at my stomach, thinking of the life I’d hoped to create with him.

Wait, no, no… I’m being stupid, and I need to get my head out of the clouds. That’s how I got pregnant with a fairy-tale creature in the first place.

I am not the main character in a Clara Quinn side story. I’m someone who was used by an Orc—one of the Quinnverse’s major side villains, by the way—to extend his dynasty.

I had no business wishing to come here the night before my big test, and I have absolutely no reason to stay here with an Emperor who only pretended to want me.

And as for the ogre I’m carrying… I can’t think about that right now. I’ll figure it out on the other side.

Inhaling a deep breath, I take a step into the Lower Realm corridor and prepare to re-enter my real world through the port⁠—

“Adora!”

A giant hand wraps around my arm, and suddenly, I’m back in the main rotunda, being pushed into a white marble wall.

“What in the realms do you think you are doing?” Ivar demands, thunder flashing in both his voice and his eyes.

Chapter 20

So, it’s True?

I’ve been adding inches to Ivar’s assumed height all this time, but I should have been adding feet.