Amelia returned and stood by Angus, who had abandoned his chair.
Clasping her hands, she stared at them, sure she was doing the right thing. The time passed slowly.
Then Seamus joined his aunt. Somehow, he must have found out when she went in and came to meet her. Her heart was tearing apart. She couldn't do this without Seamus by her side. But she had no choice.
'I love you, Seamus, now and forever.' She repeated the words she had said at their binding as her hand reached for the place where her bangle usually sat.
Tears streamed down her face, reading Seamus's concern as he moved towards the caves. Angus and Amelia tried to hold him back, but he would not be stopped. The final bell tolled, and the entrance disappeared moments before he reached it.
'You cannot do this!' she heard him yell. 'Have we not given enough? Send her back. Take me instead.'