by Cait Marie
“You’re right, everyone loves him.” She pursed her lips, failing to hide her smile.
“That’s what I said.” He gave her a puzzled look. When she raised her brows at him, he sighed. “Not this again. Ada, you have to let it go.”
“Why? If you—”
“Because he’s the crown prince.”
She leaned against his shoulder, conceding for the time being. “Fine, but if my father has the commanders under his control, it won’t matter how much the people love Shane.”
“It will,” he said with confidence. “We’ll have the numbers on our side if they truly respect him and understand what’s happening. I just don’t know what we will do if the attacks have already started on Rayerna and Prillia.”
“The first thing we do is call for a ceasefire. Pull our men back. Then we offer aid to anyone we can and pray to the stars they want peace as much as we do.”
“Have you ever considered working with the Guard?” Phillip laughed. “All this suits you much better than the princess duties you’re usually forced in to.”
“I think I’ve been spending too much time with pirates,” she joked louder than necessary as she heard the approaching footsteps. She winked at Lee as he joined them shaking his head.
“He’s right, you’re good at all this.” He kissed her once. “We’re making good time. We should arrive the day after tomorrow.”
“Can I have a minute with Lee?” Phillip asked.
She glared at them suspiciously but nodded. Below deck, she ate with Ren, who was an odd kind of silent comfort. He didn’t talk a lot, but she knew he’d fought time and time again for her.
Eventually, Phillip joined them. As he sat down, he told her, “It’s getting late. You should get some rest.”
With a knowing look, she jumped up and kissed him on the cheek. He laughed, watching her try to appear casual as she left. She made her way up to the captain’s quarters, but Lee wasn’t there. While waiting, she changed into one of the nightgowns Brienne lent her and got in the bed. She didn’t remember falling asleep, but as someone climbed over her to lay between her and the wall, she stirred awake.
“Hi.” Her voice sounded groggy with sleep.
Lee kissed her as she rolled to face him. He glanced down, taking in the red lacy garment she wore. “Have you had this nightgown the entire time?”
“No, I borrowed it.” At his raised an eyebrow, she clarified, “Brienne.”
“I did not need that visual.”
He kissed her again as she started to laugh. His lips moved to her neck while his hands roamed across the satin clinging to her body.
“Lee.” What she meant to be a whisper came out in a near moan.
With a hand on each cheek, she pulled him up to look her in the eye. The light teasing mood passed. Lee brushed a thumb across her cheek and moved closer. They breathed each other in. His callused hand slid up her thigh moving the fabric with it. His mouth left a trail of fire wherever it touched. As his hands moved up her sides, Ada pulled his shirt up and off. She traced the swirls on his shoulder while his lips made their way back down her neck.
“Lee…”
He stopped and met her gaze. “Adalina.” Her toes curled at the look that accompanied the sound of her name.
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
Stroking her cheek, he touched his forehead to hers. “I know. But I will be right there, and I promise nothing is going to happen to you.”
“I’m not worried about me… he’s still my father.”
“There’s been a slight change of plans.” He leaned back on to his elbow beside her.
“What?”
“When we get there, I’ll send most of my crew to find your brother, the Duchess of Prillia, and the Prince of Rayerna.” He grimaced at the mention of Michel but continued. “They’ll get them out of the castle and to O’ Chwedlau.”
Ada nodded. The plan had already consisted of getting them to the church to safety.
“You and Phillip will continue to the castle alone.” His words were barely audible through his clenched jaw.
So that was what Phillip needed to talk about. Why hadn’t he filled her in?
“Ren and I will be following at a distance,” he said, cutting off her thoughts. “If you get caught, Phillip will say he found you and brought you home. You’ll have an easier time getting in with just the two of you. Phillip told me about a secret entrance, so we’ll use that to come in after you. That is the only time I will be gone from your side. Do you hear me?”
Ada shifted to meet his eyes. Instead of replying, she kissed him. She didn’t want to ask what would happen if he couldn’t get in—if he couldn’t find her. After a long, slow kiss, Lee pulled the blankets up over them. She curled into his chest, wrapping her arms around him. His breath stirred her hair when she tucked her head beneath his chin.
“Goodnight, my blodau.”
She wouldn’t doubt him. He’d come after her time and time again, just as she had. Something drew them together. And for her brother and her kingdom, Ada had to hold on to the tiny bit of hope she had left.
The final leg of the trip back to Detmarya went too fast. Ada began pacing on deck before the sunrise. They’d arrive soon, and she couldn’t sleep. She worried at her lip with her teeth and rubbed her temples. Light footsteps found her, but Phillip didn’t say anything as he leaned against a post, nor did he stop her. It didn’t surprise her that he’d known she was up so early. He’d walked the halls of the castle with her before the sun came up more times than she could count. Like always, he was there when she needed him.
As the sky lightened, she stilled. In the distance, her kingdom come into view. Phillip took her hand and walked to the bow of the ship.
“This is going to work,” he said.
“You should be going after Shane, not coming with me.” She’d been holding in the words since they first discussed the plan. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“Phillip, I need you to be safe. And I know you need to make sure Shane is too, so it would work in both of our favor.”
He turned her with a hand on each shoulder and bent down to her level before repeating, “I’m not leaving you.”
Shaking her head, she hugged him.
“Shane will be fine. He has a team of immortals going to rescue him.” Phillip chuckled as his arms tightened around her. After a moment, he sighed. “Yes, I need to see him and know he’s truly safe. It’s killing me not knowing… not being with him. He’s the most important person in my life.”
The admission stunned her into silence. For years, she’d been trying to get him to say the words.
He pushed her back and gripped her chin. “But you’re just as important to me. You’re my best friend too, and I will not let you face your father alone. It was hard enough seeing you leave the first time.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He hugged her again, then turned them back to Detmarya. With the wind on their side, they approached in no time. She could soon see the stone buildings and ships in the port that looked the same as when she left. The sun glinted off the sea around them.
Lee and Brienne joined them and went over the plan one final time, making adjustments as they noticed the Prillian flags on a ship docking before them. After some debate, they decided the crew would split up. A handful would go directly to the ship to look for the duchess while the rest went to the castle for both princes.
Ada just hoped she would be brave enough to do what was necessary once there. Once she found her father.
It was late morning by the time they docked. The crisp fall air had cooled in the past couple weeks as winter neared. Ada pulled a borrowed cloak around her with the hood up to avoid people recognizing her. Just before she reached the gangway, a hand pulled her to the side. Lee pushed the hood back enough to see her face. The rest of the crew continued, and Phillip waited for her at the bottom.
Lee’s sea gree
n eyes bore into her. “Remember, you won’t see me, but I’ll be following until you reach the gates.”
“I know.”
She took a deep breath, but he stopped her from turning. A hand slid to the back of her neck as his lips met hers. The kiss felt different. Desperate.
When they parted, he whispered, “Be careful.”
She walked down to the dock and looped an arm through Phillip’s before heading through the familiar streets of Ferda.
“You know,” Phillip began, “most people don’t even believe the story of the Nihryst is true or that they still exist. But you did, and you found them. You believe in the impossible, Ada. Hold on to that, and we’ll be fine.”
“Maybe.” She was scared, but she couldn’t stop the small kernel of hope taking root inside her.
Phillip patted the top of her hand. “And who knows, maybe after all this they’ll need jobs, and you can hire them to work with the navy or something.”
At that, she laughed. The amusing image of the Nihryst taking orders or working for their navy was quickly cut off by a pair of strong hands seizing her from behind. Phillip turned, unsheathing his sword in one swift movement. Someone held a knife to her throat as guards surrounded them.
“Take one step, and you’ll both be killed,” a gravelly voice said. “Nice of you to bring our princess back, Mr. Lavens.”
Ada sneered at Markus when he came into view. He gripped the edge of her hood and yanked it back, letting her red hair spill out. She looked around but not for a way out. Lee and Ren were nowhere to be seen. She met Phillip’s eyes and nodded. He dropped his blade to the ground, then raised his hands in surrender. Another guard stepped over to bind his hands behind his back before moving to tie her up. She thought she could see the regret in the guard’s eyes as he followed the orders though.
They were brought to the castle without a struggle. It wasn’t until they were pulled in different directions inside that they put up a fight. The fear of being separated had them both yelling.
“No, stop!” Phillip tried to break free and reach her. It took three guards to stop his bucking.
“Please,” Ada begged them. “Please don’t do this!”
They looked at her with sympathy but continued pulling Phillip out of sight. A hand yanked her back around. Markus stood before her with a wicked grin as he trailed a finger down the side of her face. Disgusted, she turned her head away with as much force as she could muster.
“Don’t worry,” he said as they began walking again. “I’m sure he’ll be treated well down in the dungeon. After all, he’s only being charged with kidnapping the princess.” He laughed to himself before adding, “Oh, and treason.”
She blanched. She knew what happened down in the dungeon to people accused of treason. The various torture devices that she’d tried so hard not to think about growing up flashed through her mind. While she’d had never been permitted to go down there, she explored the cells with Shane and Phillip as children. They used to go down to see where the Nihryst had been kept all those years ago. She saw the devices and didn’t understand what they truly were until she was older—until she heard the screams and Shane dragged her away crying.
They reached the throne room, and she was surprised to see it so empty. Her father sat on the throne waiting. Shane stood to the side, looking regal with his hands clasped behind his back. The Nihryst wouldn’t be able to get him out with the others.
There was something off about him. He didn’t say anything as they entered, but he met her stare with a mixture of relief and concern. Markus held a firm grip on Ada’s arm, tugging her toward her father. The other guards waited outside the large wooden doors.
A few feet from the raised dais, Markus cut Ada’s bonds. He shoved her forward, and she fell to her knees, barely having time to catch herself. Shane flinched and took a step forward. Glancing up, she shook her head. She needed him to keep up the act of not knowing anything for his own safety. Her father’s dark laugh filled the hall.
“Adalina, it’s so good to finally have you home.” The king’s voice had changed. He seemed overly calm now, and it frightened her.
She stayed on her knees, trying to avoid Markus’s touch. “Father.”
“How awful it must have been these past weeks being kidnapped by pirates. And then to find out your dear, trusted friend, Phillip, was behind the whole thing.”
“You know that’s not true,” she spat.
“I always had a bad feeling about that boy,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. He glanced at Shane. “He was around too much, getting you both to trust him.”
“Father,” Shane said. “He is our friend—he’s been my best friend since we were barely old enough to walk. You said he was part of our family.”
“Do not interrupt me!” The king stood and faced his son. “Do not defend the traitor or I will have you join him downstairs. It’s bad enough I’m going to have to throw your sister down there.”
Ada’s breathing quickened. She knew it would be dangerous returning, had known she’d be charged with treason, but she’d hoped to be able to talk to her father with some sense of reason. He was losing his temper though and becoming more irrational by the minute.
“Father,” she tried again. “Please, you don’t have to do this. Any of this.”
He stormed toward her and, without hesitation, backhanded her. She fell to the side but caught herself. With her hand pressed to her stinging cheek, she looked up to the man who had once meant the world to her. Shane rushed forward, but the king held out a hand, yelling for him to stay where he was.
“You can punish me all you want, but leave Shane out of this. He doesn’t know anything,” Ada hissed.
“You think I’m that naïve?” The king pulled her up by her hair. “Do you have any idea what you’ve cost me?!”
“Not as much as what this war is going to cost you if you go through with your plans.” She winced at his grip on her hair, but she wouldn’t back down or give up. She couldn’t.
His eyes narrowed before shoving her back to the ground. His attention moved to the man at her back. “Go get them, and send in a few of your men.”
“Yes, your Majesty.” Markus bowed before turning away.
A commotion sounded in the hall as some of his guards came in to replace him, then the closing door’s boom echoed behind her. Ada didn’t turn to see the men. She could tell there were at least a handful of them, and Markus would no doubt bring more when he returned. If she was going to do anything, it needed to happen now.
“For years, I have put up with your nonsense,” the king said as he moved to stand before his throne. “Your fairy tales and friendship with that guard.”
Ada’s heart hurt, but she refused to look away. She shifted into a kneel, with one foot out, ready to stand. Shane locked eyes with her, silently pleading for her to cooperate. She looked back to her father, who clearly noticed them this time.
“Oh, yes,” he said. “I know all about Shane’s involvement. I tried to keep him out of this, but he had to go and work with that little group of rebels. So, I came up with a plan and sent Phillip out to find you. I knew he would know where you went. When I was told of your little mishap in Tugora, I called back the search party. Those who witnessed your escape, who are loyal to me, were sworn to secrecy. The rest were disposed of.”
Ada’s stomach roiled at the memory of all the soldiers who fought for her—who showed her their true allegiance. She took a slow, deep breath and inched her hand toward her foot.
“Why are you doing this?” she dared to finally ask.
“Did you know your mother was from Rayerna?”
She froze and shook her head. How had she not known that? And what did it have to do with anything?
“She was noble-born but didn’t act like it. We grew up together. Her family visited frequently, and I fell in love with a girl who loved sword fighting just as much as dancing in ball gowns.”
Her throat tightened at his wor
ds. She knew she was a lot like her mother ,but hearing it out loud brought another ache to her chest.
“Yes, you are her spitting image,” he said, his tone quieter, softer in the single statement. Then his fist clenched at his sides. “My own mother loved her more than me. We all knew it, but I didn’t care. It made me happy; I knew there would be no argument about marrying her from my parents. She was so close to my mother… She was obsessed with that damn story, and my mother gave her the book when we were children.”
A prickling started behind Ada’s eyes, and she couldn’t stop the tears from falling down her cheeks.
“The cards were given to her as a wedding gift.”
Ada tried to keep her face neutral as he continued, “I knew she was telling you the stories, getting you to believe them. When you were five, I saw you drawing the symbols. I saw you beginning to understand.”
A shadow crossed his face.
“I had hoped that after her death you would drop it. You were supposed to forget.”
Ada couldn’t breathe. Her hand flew to cover her mouth, abandoning any plan starting to form. The other gripped her stomach as she shook her head, refusing to believe what he was implying.
Shane finally broke the silence with a shaky voice. “You killed her.”
“It was a peaceful death. There was no pain or suffering. She just went to sleep.”
Bile rose in Ada’s throat. She remembered her mother’s exhaustion. She remembered screaming and being carried away.
“Why?” she whispered.
“She knew too much, and she was teaching you too much.” The king shrugged as if it was a simple matter. “I loved your mother, but I knew she wanted to find them. I couldn’t let that happen. There is much you do not know. This kingdom is balancing on a thread, and finding them would have ruined everything.”
The door to the throne room slammed open, and a dozen soldiers trickled in, joining those still standing behind Ada. The small hope she’d had of escaping disappeared with their footsteps. Markus brought Phillip to stand by the dais along with three others. One woman had a vague familiarity about her. The other two people made Ada’s heart stop.
