by Cait Marie
“You’d be cooler without all the layers,” he said quietly with a crooked grin.
Her eyes widened at his bold words.
“Such dirty thoughts, Princess!” Lee leaned closer. “I meant the coat.”
Gritting her teeth, she yanked out of his grip. She pulled off the coat, balled it up, and threw it in his face. He laughed and tossed it over one shoulder before stalking down to the main deck. Ada let out a frustrated groan as she moved to sit.
“What the hell was that about?” Brienne asked.
“Nothing.” Ada crossed her arms. After a quiet moment, she asked, “Are you and Captain Lee together?”
She regretted the question as soon as it was out. Even more so when her friend began laughing. Brienne turned to face her with one hand on her hip and the other holding the wheel. Ada covered her face, groaning as she let her head fall back.
“So, that is what’s bothering you?”
“No,” Ada said too quickly. She lowered her hands and looked to Brienne. “I just thought maybe you were and that I should warn you.”
“Warn me of what?” Brienne asked with a raised brow and a smirk.
“Nothing, forget it.”
Brienne shook her head and faced forward. “No. We’re not together, never have been.”
“Ever?” Ada couldn’t help pushing.
At that Brienne turned back to her. More seriously she said, “Never. We’ve always just been friends. He gave me a place on his crew after my father died. Most wouldn’t allow a woman to join, but he didn’t even hesitate. Believe it or not, behind that hard wall he puts up, Lee is a good man.”
Ada stayed quiet. She couldn’t help but smile because she knew Brienne was right. She had seen a glimpse of that man earlier. The wall had slowly started to crack over the last couple days.
The cold, quiet halls sent shivers up Shane’s spine. He hadn’t been down to the eerie lower levels of the castle in years. As a child, he loved running through the stone halls with Phillip and Adalina. They explored and made up adventures in the empty areas, many of which looked to have been abandoned decades before their time. It wasn’t until he began learning the truth of those sublevels—particularly the dungeon—that they ceased playing down there.
He remembered hearing the yells of a man being tortured. It had stopped them in their tracks. They hadn’t seen anything, but they heard. Adalina had been too young to fully understand at first, but even she knew something was wrong. He knew what was happening, so did Phillip, and they tried to lead her away. Then it clicked as she remembered the odd structures and barred cells. She started to cry out of fear—out of anger that someone was being hurt in their home. He carried her away while she fought to go help the man. They had gone down there so many times, pretending to be the Nihryst, and it ripped at his heart to know she worried the legendary thieves went through that same torment.
Walking slowly to avoid his footsteps echoing, Shane crept through the underground labyrinth. There were still many places he hadn’t explored when younger, areas he searched for now. The sound of a door opening nearby drew his attention. He approached an intersection in the hall and peered around the corner. Two men stood together, speaking in hushed tones.
“Just do it,” one of the men hissed loud enough to reach Shane.
The second man nodded, then he headed down the hallway in the opposite direction of the prince. The first man wore a long white coat, which flared out as he turned around and went back into the nearby room. Shane looked up and down the hallway, listening for anyone else, before creeping to the door. Through the small window in the wood, he could see tables covered in various devices and ingredients. He knew he’d found the right place.
With the man nowhere in sight, Shane eased the door open. The hinges squeaked once, and he froze. His heart pounded in his chest as he waited to see if he would be caught. Seconds ticked by, but nobody came. He pulled the door open a few more inches, just enough for him to squeeze into what appeared to be some sort of laboratory.
Shane closed the door and approached one of the tables in the dim room. He looked through an open book and then around at its surroundings, but he didn’t recognize most of what he saw. There were sketches of the human body in a journal with notes about symptoms. The dark shelves held vials and jars of all shapes and sizes. His stomach twisted. He wanted to believe his father had nothing to do with the people getting sick. A sliver of hope stayed with him that they were working on a cure, and he searched for some form of evidence one way or another.
A noise startled Shane, causing him to duck down behind the table. He quickly looked around and saw that he was still alone, but he saw two doors he hadn’t noticed before. After making sure everything was back in its proper place, he walked to the closest one. Unsure of which the man had gone through, he prayed to the stars as he opened the heavy iron door.
The hall beyond was dark. A lone torch sat on the wall several feet away. Shane inched down the stone corridor. He didn’t see the man anywhere, but a faint noise grew to a dull, human moan as he approached the lit area. In the flickering light, he found several small cells. Everything in his body froze in terror.
The alley with a few sick people was nothing compared to the rows of full cells. Dozens of people lay on the floor, most unconscious. The stench was so overwhelming, Shane raised an arm to cover his nose and mouth. His stomach rolled, threatening to upheave his breakfast. He didn’t fight back the tears as he shook his head in disbelief.
Remembering that William had said the disease was not air-born, Shane moved closer to a cell. A man sat propped against the wall near the barred door. Shane knelt beside him and was surprised to find the man awake. He lulled his head to the side to stare at the prince, but it was clear the man had no strength.
“I’m sorry,” Shane sputtered out in a whisper. He looked up and down the row of people before meeting the man’s gaze once more. With determination, he said, “I’m going to stop this. I’m going to figure out how to get you all out of here.”
The man simply closed his eyes and turned his head back. Shane stood and quickly walked toward the door. He glanced over his shoulder to find the sick man watching him, then moved back through the laboratory and out into the hall.
He made his way up to the main floors and then up the stairs to the residence floor. Prince Michel had been given his usual set of rooms down the hall from the royal family. Shane wanted to keep him in the loop as much as possible and because he knew he couldn’t do this alone. He needed help if he was going to get those people out alive.
“Shane,” his father’s voice called out before he could reach Prince Michel’s door.
Taking a deep breath, he turned to face the king. “Father.”
“Where are you off to?”
Shane glanced to his own door, realizing he conveniently stopped near it. As an idea sparked, he angled his body toward it. “To my room. I’m not feeling well.”
“Oh?” The king stepped closer, examining him.
“Yes.” Shane steadied his breathing and reminded himself to slow down before continuing. “Just a bit of a headache, and I think a slight fever. Nothing too concerning.”
He watched his father for any sign of reaction as he named the beginning symptoms of the Kald. His father nodded with a sympathetic look. He reached out and gently placed the back of his hand on Shane’s forehead.
“I’m sure some rest is all I need.” Shane needed the conversation to be over. The thought of his father purposely locking up those people—of him killing people—made him sick.
“Yes,” the king agreed. “That will help.”
“Any word on Ada?”
The king shifted on his feet. Dread coursed through Shane with his father’s next words. “Not yet, but I sent several ships out searching the other kingdoms, Rayerna and Prillia specifically, as well as islands like Tugora and Innysa.”
Shane clenched his jaw at the king’s emphasis on Tugora, desperate to keep the emotions
from showing on his face. Adalina had to have reached the pirate town by now. He hoped she found what she needed and had already moved on. A backup plan did not exist if she were caught and brought back. He had no idea what they’d do if she couldn’t find help. The Nihryst—if they even existed—would be able to stop his father. Their immortality might be the only force strong enough. Hope proved to be dangerous, but it was all he had.
“Good,” Shane said. “Hopefully they are able to find her soon.”
The king agreed, keeping his face neutral. Shane stepped into his room after excusing himself. He slumped against the door and let out a breath. Waiting a moment for his father’s footsteps to leave the hall, he quickly locked the door and moved toward the hanging tapestry. He needed to fill Michel in on what was going on and then find the group of rebels. They needed to know what he found. Time was running out.
“This is a horrible plan,” Ada said again.
“No, it’s a brilliant plan.” Brienne finished helping Ada dress. They had grabbed the nicest looking dress they could find from a trunk of clothes below. It was an older style with the corset laces in the front, but Ada loved the vintage feel of it. When she asked who it belonged to, Brienne had quickly changed the subject.
With the corset pulled tight, the burgundy gown fit to every curve of her body. It was more revealing than she was used to, but Brienne had assured her repeatedly that it would do the job. They curled her hair, lined her eyes with kohl, and painted her lips red. She felt older than her nearly nineteen years. When she looked in the mirror, Ada saw her mother in the reflection.
“What?” Brienne asked. “Don’t cry, you’ll mess it all up!”
Ada laughed and looked to the ceiling in an attempt to stop the burning in her eyes. The door opened behind them, and Lee walked in.
“Ah, Lee, perfect,” Brienne called out.
His steps halted as his eyes met Ada’s in the mirror. He looked the same as always— gaping black shirt, snug pants, and long coat. His role didn’t need to change for the night.
Brienne grabbed Ada by the shoulders and turned her around. “Please tell Ada that she looks great.”
Lee took a step closer. Ada felt the heat rise in her cheeks as he looked her up and down. When he met her gaze again, it suddenly became difficult to breathe. He nodded and swallowed once. “You look beautiful.”
“See? Now, stop worrying.” Brienne rushed from the room to prepare their departure.
Ada started after her slowly, and Lee followed. While walking through the doorway, she could feel his breath on her neck as he leaned closer. “You might want to get that blush under control though.”
His words didn’t help. In fact, they only made her face burn more. He moved beside her and glanced down with a laugh before heading toward the ramp. She rolled her eyes and let out an irritated sigh loud enough for him to hear. Lee turned and winked over his shoulder. She cursed him under her breath as she caught up.
“Such a filthy mouth.” Lee stopped to look at her, and she thought she could see a glimmer of approval.
“Well, I’ve been spending too much time with pirates.” Ada pursed her lips.
“All right,” Brienne interrupted before Lee could respond. “Look, I know this isn’t going to be easy, but for this to work you are going to have to at least pretend to like each other.”
“This is a horrible plan,” the captain mumbled, and Ada laughed as she gave Brienne a pointed look.
“You two are ridiculous,” Brienne said. “This plan will work. Together, you’ll be less suspicious, and they’ll let you in without question.”
“Brienne…”
“No.” She looked at the captain. They stared at each other, seeming to have a silent conversation. “This is going to work. If you can just pretend to like each other. It’s one day, that’s it. Then, I promise, you can go back to being at each other’s throats.”
“Fine,” Lee muttered, surprising them both. “You’re right. It’s a good plan.”
He looked to Ada, waiting. She nodded in agreement. If that was what it was going to take to get to Cyfrin, she would do it. Lee extended an elbow in her direction. Reluctantly, she put her hand around it and stepped closer.
“There,” Brienne said, smiling. “Was that so hard?”
“She has no idea,” Lee whispered as they began walking down to the dock.
Ada couldn’t help but laugh again.
“I heard that!” Brienne yelled behind them, making her laugh even harder.
Tugora was almost exactly how she imagined it. The dingy streets were littered with people of all kinds. Though she expected an uncivilized town, Ada hadn’t fully anticipated the number of fights, drunks, and unconscious people she saw along the way. She also hadn’t expected the smell.
As they neared the Rosy Inn, a brawl tumbled into the street. People cheered on as the two men took blow after blow. They stumbled farther into the street, almost taking Ada down with them. Before she could fall, two hands were around her waist, pulling her out of the way. Lee all but carried her toward the closest building.
“Thank you,” she said, looking up at him.
“You’re welcome.” His hands were still on either side of her.
She took an unsteady breath as they stood together. “You can let go now.”
He backed up, immediately releasing her. Clearing his throat, he said, “Come on, we’re close.”
She slipped her hand around his arm, and they made it the rest of the way to the inn. An elderly man stood behind a counter. He took their coins without asking any questions and handed them a key before telling them dinner would be served soon in the attached tavern. Ada thanked him, but Lee kept quiet.
At the end of the second-floor hall, he unlocked the door. Ada stepped around him and took in their surroundings. The sun was already lowering behind the buildings, forming deep shadows. Lee latched the door and started lighting lanterns. She stared at the large bed that occupied most of the room. When he finished, he turned to find her nervous glance.
“It would have been suspicious if I asked for anything else.” He lifted a hand to rub the back of his neck.
Ada nodded and reached for a pillow. “Fine,” she tossed it at him, “but you’re sleeping on the floor.”
Lee shook his head. “Whatever you say, Princess.”
Dinner consisted of stale bread and stew with a mysterious meat she was too afraid to ask about. They sat together in a back corner, trying to keep to themselves.
Ada had hoped they would make it through the night without being confronted. But when the drinks started flowing, a group of rough looking men approached and joined them. Beneath the table, Lee put a hand over Ada’s, as if he could sense her fear. She moved closer to him.
“So,” the apparent leader started, “how did someone like you end up with such a pretty, rich thing like this?”
Ada’s breath caught as the man moved a finger through one of her curls. She leaned into Lee, who entwined their fingers and squeezed. He tilted his mug up, draining a portion of his ale.
“Funny story, actually,” Lee said with a laugh.
“Why don’t you tell us over some cards?” another man suggested.
“Yeah, looks like at least one of you has money,” the leader added.
Ada bit at her lip, worried. They hadn’t planned on this much interaction. Lee held up a hand to the barmaid to signal more drinks and agreed. Ada glanced at him with wide eyes.
“Trust me,” he whispered in her ear while the man dealt the cards and introduced himself as Theo.
Lee kissed her cheek. At her surprise, he winked. They needed to keep up appearances. She narrowed her eyes but tilted her head in the barest of nods.
“Ada here, decided she was bored of the privileged life,” Lee began the story Brienne created. At their confused looks, Ada lifted her shoulders and reached for Lee’s ale. She drank the rest of the contents and smirked at his shocked look. He cleared his throat and went back to his
cards. “I found her stowed away on my ship.”
“So, you kept her?” Theo asked as he raked in the coins from winning the first hand.
Lee signaled another round of drinks, this time getting an extra for Ada. “Well, I was debating between throwing her overboard and ditching her at the nearest port, but then she made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
The men waited, fully intrigued. Ada continued for him, finally finding her voice, “My father is extremely wealthy. It wasn’t that hard to convince Captain Lee to use me as leverage to get money from him. All he had to do was let me stay with his crew for a while.”
“And this worked?” one of the men asked incredulously. “Why not really just keep her hostage and ditch her after the money?”
“We don’t have the money yet,” Lee answered after a beat.
“Yet, you’re still not treating her as a prisoner,” the man rebutted.
“Geoff.” Theo gave Ada a look that sent shivers down her spine. She picked up her drink again to avoid his gaze. In a sinister tone he said, “There’s obviously more going on between them.”
Ada choked and sat her mug down. The blush returned to her cheeks. Lee put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side, kissing her temple in an attempt to mask her reaction. She could hear the amusement in his voice though.
“It’s that obvious, huh?”
“You’ve barely been able to keep your eyes off her,” Theo said. “And who could blame you.”
His words held an intense undertone that worried Ada. Lee’s arm tightened around her.
The crowd grew as the night went on. As did the noise of the tavern. Drinks were continuously brought to their table. The men playing cards were drunk enough not to notice Lee stopped drinking his own. When no one looked, he’d spill some on the already filthy floor. He began teaching Ada to play poker, having her hold his cards and telling her what to lay down.
