by Cait Marie
She scoffed. “Says the immortal.”
Brienne flinched and looked away but not before Ada saw the grief in her eyes. Guilt stabbed through her chest. Yes, they were immortal, but their families and loved ones had long since passed. Brienne had told her about losing her father. It was before Ada knew the truth though. Now, she wondered who else her friend had lost. She looked about the same age as her, so she’d assumed there wasn’t a husband or children. But she’d been cursed more than a century earlier. Traditions changed; maybe Ada had thought wrong.
She didn’t know what to say to make it better. Brienne took a deep breath before looking back at her. Ada asked, “Who did you lose? You mentioned your father but…”
Brienne shook her head. Her eyes glossed over, but the tears didn’t fall. “My father and fiancé died in a fire the day I met Lee. Well, he wasn’t officially my fiancé… I never got the chance to say yes.”
“Brienne, I’m so sorry.”
She sniffed with a nod. Swiping a hand through her dark, tight curls, she sat up straighter. “Just don’t take your time together for granted.”
Ada nodded. She shifted, turning to lower her feet to the deck. Several members of the crew lingered around in the sun. With the smooth sea and a breeze keeping them on track, there wasn’t much for them to do.
“I just don’t understand why he’s still keeping secrets.” Ada gripped the bench on either side of her legs. “I know they’re not big, life-altering secrets, but why won’t he let me in?”
“Because he’s scared.” Brienne’s tone suggested it was obvious. “The last woman he loved destroyed him and took away his entire life. For over a century, he hasn’t trusted anyone outside this crew. It’s going to take some time.”
Ada closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the ocean air before she turned toward her friend. Brienne was right. They’d gone through so much, and for one hundred and thirty years, they were all each other had. She needed patience, which wasn’t her strongest quality. “All right, I’ll talk to him. Do you think Nayani will have answers?”
“I think she’s our best chance.”
Ada bounced on her toes as the ship docked in Ferda. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the familiar scent of home. The trip hadn’t lasted near as long as her search for the Nihryst, but she missed her brother and Phillip all the same. And her bed.
The usual hustle and bustle of the docks calmed her nerves. The sights and sounds reminded her that not everything had changed. Blond hair caught her attention, and she moved to where they placed the gangway. As soon as it was down, she ran across, not stopping until she was in her best friend’s arms.
“I missed you.” Phillip lifted her up, squeezing her tight. When her feet hit the ground, she didn’t let go. Emotions swarmed her—the feeling of being homesick even though she was finally back in Detmarya. He held her close as if understanding something upset her, and she buried her face against his shoulder.
“Adalina, what’s wrong?” he asked in a gentle voice.
She shook her head. Taking another deep breath, she finally leaned back. “Nothing. How did you know to be down here? Why aren’t you at the castle?”
“I happened to be down in the market and saw your ship approaching, so I sent word for a carriage. Captain,” he said, looking behind her. “Why is she upset? What did you do?”
“No, he didn’t do anything.” She glanced back in time to see the hurt flash through Lee’s eyes. “It’s just all hitting me. I’ve been gone for months other than the ball. It’s just a little overwhelming. I’m fine, really.”
“Mhmm.” Phillip hugged her once more before walking over to Brienne.
“Sorry,” Ada whispered, moving closer to Lee.
Lee nodded, but the hard mask that she thought had finally shattered began sliding back in place. She put her fingers over his beating heart.
“I’m sorry,” she said again.
With a sigh, Lee reached a hand around the back of her neck to pull her close and kissed her brow. “Me too.”
“Ready to go home?” Phillip asked.
Ada laced her fingers through Lee’s with a smile. A familiar carriage sat near the edge of the docks. The majority of the crew stayed with the ship. They’d split into groups, rotating shifts while some went to O’ Chwedlau to freshen up and rest. They were all welcome at the castle, but they wanted to stay near the ship, and the hidden courtyard offered them sanctuary. The rebels Shane had befriended worked out of the basement of the ancient church—the very one Loxley used to meet Mariella in to gather supplies for those in need throughout the kingdom.
Ada, Lee, Phillip, Brienne, and Ren piled into the coach, barely fitting. As they made their way through the cobblestone streets, Phillip asked about Rayerna, and Ada looked out the window at her passing kingdom.
“We didn’t find anything but rumors,” she said. “I think Michel is hiding something…”
“Why do you think that?” Phillip leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.
“The first summer Shane and I spent there after my mother’s death,” she started, “I was upset and ran out to the woods beyond the garden. There’s a little clearing in the trees, where I sat all day. During this trip, Lee and I looked for the flower in the garden with Michel after hearing rumors in the marketplace. We eventually wandered back to the clearing. Someone had been digging.”
“You don’t know that,” Lee whispered.
She looked at him then. “My foot hit a patch of loose dirt covering a hole in an otherwise dry, solid area. Whoever it was did a good job covering their tracks, but there was definitely someone there recently.”
The tires rattled as they passed through the castle gates. She went back to staring out the window, watching as they approached the place she’d always called home. Only it no longer felt like home. Since being out at sea and wandering from island to island, her life had shifted. It changed in every way imaginable. Looking up at the tall stone walls and intricate windows, she now felt like a stranger coming to visit where she grew up.
As they came to a stop outside the doors, Ada glanced back at Phillip. “The second I stepped into that clearing, I knew something was off—something was missing.”
The cab opened, letting Shane take a relieving breath. He hated that his sister was off sailing around the world with a bunch of pirates. Even if they were the Nihryst and she trusted them. Shane did too, but Adalina was still his little sister. Her matching blue eyes met his, and all of his worry faded.
He walked as quickly as he could while she ran to him. They met in the middle of the stairs—their collision nearly making them lose their balance. Shane held her tight, wishing more than ever that she could stay home. But he knew she’d never truly be happy trapped in the castle. She was born for adventure.
As the others joined, he shook Loxley’s hand over Adalina’s shoulder. “Thank you for returning her in one piece.”
Loxley inclined his head. “Of course.”
A bond connected the immortal and Adalina; it was plain to anyone who looked. But the tension in Loxley’s shoulders and jaw didn’t match the love so visible before they left. Instead of asking about it though, Shane greeted Brienne and Ren and then led them all inside.
The halls were quiet, as the castle had been of late. He missed the days of life filling his home. Many of the staff had learned to stick to the shadows and avoid his father’s temperament. It would take a lot of work to make it a cheerful environment again. And that couldn’t happen until there was a cure to the illness still spreading throughout Ferda and the rest of Detmarya.
Up in his father’s study, they spread out among the chairs. Shane stood leaning against his desk, grateful for the support. Walking up and down the stairs took more of his energy every day, and he still didn’t want Adalina to know he was infected.
Phillip stood beside him, concern filling his eyes as he whispered, “Are you all right?”
Shane nodded and looked to his s
ister sitting beside Loxley on the sofa. He still couldn’t believe the man existed, let alone that he sat with them and was helping search for a cure for Shane’s people. Brienne pulled the two chairs away from the desk to better see everyone. Ren’s large frame took up the entire simple seat.
“I take it you didn’t find anything?” Shane assumed they’d look happier had they found the flower or a way to break the curse.
Adalina shifted, visibly uncomfortable. Loxley slid his hand into hers, and she glanced up at him. Something passed between them. She looked almost nervous, and Shane didn’t like it.
“Adalina Rose,” Shane said.
She sighed and met his gaze. “We didn’t find anything.”
He wanted to know what that look was about—what was going on between them—but he knew she wouldn’t talk about it in a room full of people. Before he could ask, she launched into a story about the past few weeks. She told him of searching Rayerna high and low for clues about the curse and the flower. They’d heard rumors about the latter existing in the royal gardens, so they visited Prince Michel. She then told him about the clearing.
“No, she’s right.” Shane crossed his arms to glare at Loxley after he claimed to not think the prince was hiding something. “I vaguely remember that spot too. It’s not within any walls, so it’s possible someone got there first.”
“Then, anyone could’ve taken it,” Phillip said.
Adalina cursed, and Shane raised a brow with a chuckle. She shrugged. “Too much time with pirates.”
Loxley grinned before putting an arm around her. She leaned into the touch with her own smile, and for a moment, Shane imagined that was how it usually was between them—easy and natural. Something he’d never experienced.
Maybe he was overthinking their earlier behavior.
“I can’t imagine Michel had anything to do with it though,” Phillip added.
Shane agreed, but unease filled Adalina’s eyes again. She bit at her bottom lip before nodding. “I know, but something was off about him…”
At that Shane let out a soft laugh. Loxley shot him a wide-eyed look, as if his reaction brought him to the same realization. Clearing his throat, Shane scratched the back of his neck. “Ada, you can’t imagine any reason he might have acted differently when you showed up with Lee to look for a mythical flower?”
“He’s never treated me differently because of my belief in fairy tales. You know that.”
Loxley kissed the side of her head. “It was me, love. It’s because you brought me with you… after calling off the engagement.”
“We weren’t engaged,” she mumbled as a blush spread across her cheeks. She looked back up. “Fine, you’re right.”
Phillip crossed his arms, mirroring the prince’s stance. “So, we’re back at square one.”
“I think it’s time we visit that scientist you have down in the cells,” Brienne said.
“He’s not talking,” Phillip said.
Brienne straightened in her chair. “I’m sure we can fix that.”
She reminded Shane a lot of Gwyn, who should’ve been there by now. He’d sent a messenger when he heard the guards were taking a carriage to the docks for the princess.
For weeks, Viktor had stayed quiet down in the dungeon. Shane was open to just about anything at that point. He nodded and pushed off the desk. “I’ll show you down.”
As everyone stood and moved toward the door, Phillip put a hand on his arm to stop him. He waited for the others to leave the room before saying, “You need to tell her.”
“I can’t. Not yet.”
“Shane—”
“No.” His words came out harsher than he intended, and the look of hurt that flashed through Phillip’s eyes gutted him. “I just… I can’t add that to everything she’s dealing with.”
“She needs to know, Shane. If something happens—if you…” His words trailed off, but Shane knew what he meant. If he died, she would become queen.
“If it gets worse, I will tell her.”
“Are you coming?” Adalina’s voice cut in as she popped her head back around the doorway.
“Yes.” Shane walked toward her with his best friend at his side. Glancing over, he added quietly, “I promise.”
Phillip nodded before walking ahead to catch up with Brienne. He looped an arm through hers, and Shane wondered if more had gone on during their last trip that he didn’t know. An uncomfortable pit opened in his stomach he couldn’t explain. It seemed everyone had gained something in that trip.
“Ada.” Shane grabbed his sister’s arm as they reached the lower level of the castle. They followed the others toward the dungeon, and the cold stone halls sent a shiver down his spine. Adalina leaned in closer as they approached the cells, and he moved his arm around her shoulders. “You don’t have to come down here. It might be better if you and Lee stay upstairs.”
He could only imagine how hard it was for the Nihryst to return to the dungeon that once held them—the place they were kept until cursed and banished to an eternity on the lost island of Cyfrin. It was his sister he first thought of though. The memory of carrying her away from the dark tunnels kicking and screaming flashed through his mind.
“I’m fine,” she whispered, but she looked back at Loxley walking slowly behind them. His sea-green eyes cast down at his feet.
Shane let go of his sister. “Take your time.”
“Stop,” Ada said as she turned and put a hand on Lee’s chest. When he didn’t argue, she knew she’d made the right choice. The others continued down the tunnel to the cells beyond, leaving them in the flickering torch light alone.
Lee wrapped his arms around her, bending to bury his face in the crook of her neck. “I don’t think I can go down there.”
“I know.” She held a hand up against the back of his head. “Let’s go upstairs.”
He nodded, and she laced her fingers through his as they walked away from the dungeon. Lee showing vulnerability was a rare occurrence, and for him to admit it was a big deal. Ada wanted him to be more open with her, but she hated seeing the pain of his past.
On the main floor, she led him in the opposite direction of the throne room and council chambers, knowing they would likely have the same effect. They passed a few maids and guards throughout the bright halls, each greeting the princess with welcoming smiles. Their footsteps clacked along the marble floors.
She stopped beside giant oak doors with sunlight beaming through the windows, creating rainbows in the hall from the colored glass. Ada pushed open the door to her favorite room in the castle.
She glanced at Lee as they reached an iron, spiral staircase in the grand library. The corner of his mouth tipped up as she stopped on the first step and faced him. There, they were closer to the same level, and she easily pulled him close enough to press her lips to his.
“Come with me,” she said, turning back around and walking up the stairs.
He followed her to the second-floor balcony and then through rows of books to an alcove in the far corner. Her entire life had changed in the past couple months, but that area remained untouched. A deep blue settee sat adjacent to a tall window overlooking the gardens. Across from it was the section of history books with the kingdom’s past, the great war with Rayerna, and even some of the stories about the Nihryst.
Lee walked over and scanned the titles. Shaking his head, he turned back to Ada. “Your favorite spot, I presume?”
She joined him by the shelves. Her fingers trailed across the familiar titles until Lee’s hand covered hers. After a moment, she met his gaze. “My mother used to bring me here to read me your stories.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I thought it’d be fine but…”
“You don’t need to go down there. It’s all right.”
He brought a hand up to her cheek, sliding it back through her hair. “I’m sorry I haven’t been telling you everything. I’m trying.”
“I know.” She stepped closer. “I know it’s hard to trust
people after everything, especially me.”
“No,” he said, lines appearing in his forehead. “It’s not you. I know you’re not your ancestors. I trust you—I’d say with my life but…”
Ada laughed and pulled both hands up to rest on his chest.
“That’s the real issue here,” he whispered. “Ada, if we don’t figure out how to break the curse, I’ll stay immortal. It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s that I’m scared I’m going to have to watch you grow old without me.”
That he felt so strongly after just a few months scared her. Instead of telling him that, she stood on her toes and clasped her hands behind his neck. “Well, then, it’s a good thing you fell for the one girl who’s stubborn enough to not give up.”
His breath brushed across her lips as he let out a quiet laugh. “My stubborn blodau.”
“We will break the curse.” She kissed him once. “Besides, we have time. It’ll be years before I even catch up to the age you were when you became immortal.”
“I wasn’t that old.” He poked her in the side. “You don’t have to make it sound like I’m an old man.”
“Well, you’re at least one hundred and fifty years old…” She grinned. After another kiss, she asked, “How old are you though, for real?”
“I was twenty-three when we were cursed.”
Ada thought knowing would help her feel closer, but it just filled her with sorrow. He was so young when it was all taken away. As if sensing her mood shifting, he brought his lips down to hers again.
He moved to her jaw and then to her neck. “Don’t be sad, love.”
She silently agreed, putting a hand on his cheek to bring him back up to her mouth. Her lips parted, and a soft moan escaped as he turned to press her against the shelves. Hands drifted down her sides, lingering at her hips. She tried to pull him closer, but there wasn’t any space left between them.
A throat cleared, and they sprang apart. “Miss Adalina, what in the stars do you think you’re doing?”
Ada looked over to find Mrs. Lavens and Carys. The older woman stared in shock, but amusement lit up her daughter’s eyes. Tucking a strand of hair back, Ada walked over to embrace Phillip’s mother. After the queen died, Shane essentially raised her, but Mrs. Lavens had stepped in when she could. With Queen Célest living across the sea, Mrs. Lavens was often the closest thing she had to a mother growing up.
