Barto went to look for his father, who was standing in the garden where Maya had disappeared, staring intently at the tree through which the fairy queen had opened the portal to the land of the fairies. Ryan seemed taciturn and introspective, maintaining a tense silence and appearing deeply pained. Barto had only seen his father like this once before, and that was when his mother had died.
"Dad, are you okay?"
"I can't stop thinking about your sister, wondering if she's alright."
"The fairy queen seemed willing to help her; I think she'll be fine."
"This is my fault."
"What?"
"I knew that unions between fairies and humans were forbidden, but I still didn't stop your sister. This is all my fault."
"What do you mean by that, Dad?"
"Maya was fine until the marriage ceremony ended. I b
