by Cait Marie
“What are you doing here?” he asked, putting her down. He brushed her hair back and held her face.
Instead of answering, she tugged on the front of his shirt, pulling him down close enough to kiss while the crew went back to work around them.
“You were willing to stay cursed,” she said when he pulled away.
He smiled and held her hand. “Come with me.”
They walked up to the wheel. Everyone below them scurried about, preparing to take off. Lee turned and caught her attention.
“Phillip told you?” When she nodded, he averted her gaze and asked, “All of it?”
Ada reached a hand up to his jaw. “All of it.”
His eyes found hers, and her stomach fluttered at the intensity she found there.
“Ada, you don’t have to—“
“I want to,” she interrupted.
“Captain,” Brienne yelled up to them. “We’re ready.”
He didn’t respond. He continued to stare at Ada. She gulped and added quickly, “Unless you don’t want me here.”
Lee still didn’t say anything, just stared at her. As he smiled, she began rambling. “You need me to break the curse, so I just thought you would be fine with me joining a little longer. If you’d rather I didn’t… or if you want me to come but want nothing to do with me—“
He kissed her, then pulled back laughing. “Of course I want you here. Even if you weren’t the key to breaking the curse, I would want you here.”
“Really?”
“Really.” He brushed his lips against hers again. “I—”
“Captain?” Brienne called up once more.
Lee sighed and looked to his second. “Raise the anchor.”
“You’re sure?” Lee asked Ada when they were alone again.
“Yes.”
The ship bobbed and began drifting away from the docks. The princess looked at her kingdom as they headed out to sea and set sail. Birds flew overhead, and the wind picked up. The sky was clear save for a few puffy white clouds. It looked like it was going to be a perfect day.
“So,” Lee started once they were in open waters. Ada stood at the wheel with his arms around her waist. “Should we talk about the other part of the prophecy? About us...”
“What other part?” She couldn’t resist. He stiffened behind her, and she couldn’t hold in the laughter.
At that moment, Ren joined them to take over. Lee thanked him, then grabbed for Ada. She backed away, but he was faster. He grabbed her around the middle, and she squealed as he hauled her over one shoulder. She swatted at his back, yelling to put her down. Instead, he carried her down the steps and into his cabin. He kicked the door shut behind him.
“That was not nice.” He grunted as he flopped her down onto the bed. She laughed again, and he lunged for her.
Their lips crashed together, cutting off her laughter. After a few moments, they broke the kiss. They lay on their sides facing each other, their legs still entwined. His arm draped over her side, and he rubbed her back.
“You knew?” Ada asked. “You knew who I was the whole time?”
“Not the whole time.” He kissed the wrinkled spot of her brow before continuing. “It didn’t make sense for you to have the cards until you told me you were the princess. Then I knew for sure. I really thought the witch would be able to break the curse, but she confirmed what had become my worst fear.”
“What?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“That we couldn’t break it without you. That there will be some price to pay…”
“We don’t have to talk about that part right now,” she whispered. She couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eye.
His hand stilled for a second before moving to her chin. “Fine,” he replied as he tilted her face up and kissed her gently. “But we’ll figure it out together, I promise. And when you’re ready to, I will tell you how happy I am that it’s you, Adalina Rose. Regardless of the rest, I am so happy you ended up being the princess—the descendant.”
Her cheeks heated at the honesty in his words—at the use of her full name, which she’d ask how he knew later. There was more to her being the descendant—the prophecy explained the pull toward one another. They both knew how dangerous it was but left it all unsaid for the time being. Instead, she pulled his lips back to hers.
There was a knock, and Ada laughed as Brienne called through the door, “Is everyone decent in there?”
Lee rolled his eyes and yelled for her to come in. They untangled their limbs and got to their feet, then moved to the map on the table. As Brienne joined them, Ada slipped her hand into Lee’s.
“So, where are we going?” Ada asked, looking down at the various islands painted on the table.
“Well, the prophecy said we needed to go where it all began, but that could mean a number of things,” Brienne explained. “Where the curse started, where we were born, where your ancestors were born… It’s hard to know.”
“Here,” Lee pointed to Rayerna. “We’re starting here.”
“Rayerna?” Ada looked up at him confused. “My mother was born there.”
“So was I,” Lee said, surprising her. “I think we should go there to look for a cure for the Kald too. Gwyn told me about a rumor when she was younger of a yellow flower with healing abilities.”
“I’ve heard that rumor too, but there’s never been any proof of the Heulwen’s existence,” Brienne said.
“All the more reason for us to go.” Ada laughed. “Besides my mother and Phillip, everyone told me the Nihryst didn’t really exist my entire life. Yet, here you are.”
A memory flashed in her mind. Like when she looked at the book and cards, and then things started clicking into place. She wasn’t sure what it meant, but she knew there had to be some significance.
Her eyes widened as she gasped. “Where’s my book?”
Lee grabbed it from beside the bed. She smiled at its location, then placed it on the table. They looked at her with confusion while she flipped through the worn pages. With a sudden intake of breath, she stopped and grinned up at the captain.
“What?” he asked, stepping closer. His hand went to her lower back, and he looked over her shoulder.
“Tell me how much you all love me,” Ada teased as Brienne raised a brow.
Lee pinched her side. “We’d love to know what you just realized.”
Ada pointed to the book. A small symbol was drawn over Rayerna’s name on the center map. In her mind, Ada saw it shift and reform. Beside it, a yellow flower was painted. She had mistaken it as part of the gilded decor on the pages, but there it sat, completely clear and visible now.
“I think you’re right,” she told them. “We need to start there. That symbol… it’s like a compass, right? And look, the flower.”
They stared at her in wonder. She hesitated, her sudden doubt turning her next words into a question, “Going to Rayerna will lead us in the right direction?”
“So, that you can decipher, but you mixed up sunrise and sunset in Tugora?” Lee asked with a laugh.
Ada elbowed him in the side. “Well, if you hadn’t been so secretive, you could have just told me.”
“How was I supposed to know?” he argued. “I didn’t know what you were looking for. You didn’t even show me the book until we escaped. After I rescued you, I might add.”
Brienne shook her head at their banter but smiled. Before Ada could retort, she said, “I’m so glad you’re coming with us.”
Their arguing ceased. Rolling her eyes, Ada wrapped an arm around Lee’s back and leaned into him. He chuckled as he pulled her closer to kiss the top of her head. She could feel his chest vibrate against her. With both arms around him, she said, “Let’s go break this curse.”
Birds chirped overhead as the sun streamed down through the branches. A faint babbling could be heard in the distance, but it was otherwise quiet. Surrounded by nature, he smiled. It was good to finally be home.
He took a step forward,
careful of the flowers littering the ground, to the one in the center of a bare patch of land. Sunlight beamed down directly on the golden petals, almost making them sparkle. Gently, he reached out and brushed their softness. As if it could sense his presence, it shuddered slightly.
Turning, he walked away from the flower. The last Heulwen known to exist in this land.
“Grab it,” he demanded without looking back to the men standing nearby.
After everything that happened the past few weeks, he was happy for the peace, but he knew it wouldn’t last. He’d be sure of it.
I know I’m going to forget someone. I’m overwhelmed with the amount of love and support I’ve received in all this. So, if you’re not listed here, know that I appreciate you!!
First and foremost, thank you to my family. Through the good and the bad, you have been there. Thank you to my mom for literally being my rock and the Lorelei to my Rory. I would not be able to do any of this without your love and support. My grandma, who encouraged me from the beginning and helped me reach my dream. My dad, for always encouraging me to embrace everything I am. You’ve told me my entire life that I could do anything I set my mind to other than go up steps, and I’ve kept that with me. Becky, for your love of reading and for the countless books from the library growing up. Macy, for being my best friend and “therapist” throughout the years. Megan, we might not always get along, but in the end it’s always you and me. Also, thank you for all the music suggestions that made my writing playlist what it is today. Eric, for being the best big brother and always having my back. John, my mini-me in so many ways, you are always the best at cheering me up and making me laugh. Polly and Alegra, for simply being amazing and sharing my love of Disney. I love you all.
Stephanie Wyatt, plain and simple, this book would not exist without you. Heck, none of my stories or writing would exist without you. I cannot express how grateful I am for not only your feedback but your encouragement and positive words. Thank you for reading this book as I wrote it, telling me what did or didn’t work, and for letting me ramble about plot holes at three in the morning. Thank you for always being the first to read everything I write.
Matt Amaro, for nearly a decade now, you’ve been my best friend. You saved me in so many ways. You once told me that no matter where our lives led us, we’d always be friends. Thank you for keeping that promise. I am eternally grateful to have you in my life.
Sydney Chasteen, thank you for saving me from my sink and becoming my friend. I cannot imagine doing any of this without you or our random middle of the night chats. Also, thank you for naming Functionally Fictional and, more importantly, the endless Chris Evans GIFs and memes.
Kesha Jones, Ke-dollar sign-ha, you’ve been my best friend since we were 15 years old, and though we’ve had our fair share of ups and downs, we always make it through. Thank you for always being there for me, even when you’re mad at me.
Brandi Goss, Katie Robinson, and Jenny Gardner, despite living in different states, you three have become my best friends. You’re who I go to first with any type of news, be it good or bad. You’ve kept me motivated and sane through school, clubs, and everything in between.
To my Coffee House Writers family, words cannot adequately express my gratitude toward our community. Jess Knueppel, thank you for creating this wonderful space and letting me be a part of it. Alexandria Pallat, my fellow co-captain and Hufflepuff, thank you for the constant support. A huge, huge thank you to Lisa Mildon for being such an amazing editor and encouraging me to submit fiction for the world to read. It was one of the scariest things I’d ever done, and now here I am with a fantasy book!
Michelle Lynn and Melissa Craven, thank you for adopting me as one of your own. Without you, this book would not be what it is today. I am eternally grateful for your advice, encouragement, and guidance throughout this process. Thank you for taking me under your wing!
Allison Hinkle, for the countless writing sprints and helping me get through what felt like a million rounds of self-editing. I’m so happy to have a writing twin and can’t wait for your own book to publish.
Manuela Soares, AJ Arvia, and Tonya Ramsey, I love that our group chat has continued long past our time in SNHU clubs. You all have been so supportive and encouraging. As well as my Functionally Fictional team, and everyone who’s ever been involved with the website, thank you for helping me live my dream. It definitely wouldn’t be what it’s growing into today without you all.
Leah Em, new beta reader extraordinaire, thank you for being an early reader and being so helpful. Your enthusiasm alone was encouraging, the positive feedback and ability to catch typos were a bonus.
The K1 gang, you saw me through my worst, and many of you are still here with me, supporting me from afar. Your friendship and our fun memories are something I will cherish forever. To see some of your names on the pre-order form, even if we barely speak anymore… It means the world to me.
And to all the different book and writing communities across Facebook and Twitter that I’m in, thank you for making this possible.
Cait Marie has been obsessed with books her entire life. The love of writing didn’t hit until 2017. Since then, she has held multiple positions within Coffee House Writers, including C.O.O., Advertising Supervisor, Editor, and Writer. In 2018, she used her passion for reading to create Functionally Fictional. In 2019, she joined the indie staff of YA Books Central as a reviewer and then Indie Assistant Blogger.
Cait graduated with honors in 2019 from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and she is currently enrolled in their Master of Fine Arts program. She lives in Indiana, where she freelance edits and provides a variety of other author services. When she’s not writing or reading, she can usually be found watching Disney movies or Brooklyn Nine-Nine, creating bullet journal spreads, or singing along to various soundtracks and showtunes.
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