“Yes, but I’m going to miss you and Tanith so much.” She pulled away and looked at the castle longingly. “I hope I don’t get homesick.”
Avret squeezed her shoulder as the coachman took his place, adjusting his top hat to block the sun. “You’re going to do so well. I have no doubts about that, and don’t worry about me. Princess Breene and Princess Lidia of Ograboden will be interning right here. They arrive in four days, and I know they’re hoping to be able to greet Prince Ekko after his return from the island.”
Meelah’s light dimmed as she considered that she might miss Tanith’s homecoming. “It’s a shame I won’t be able to spend the Summer here with the twins. Even more unfortunate that we couldn’t kingdom swap for a few weeks so I could spend time with little Garan and Amery in their absence, but something tells me that going to Shadow Hunt to keep King Bristowe company will be far more rewarding. He has two sons on the line after all, and I think he could use someone to teach so he can take his mind off all that.”
Tanith stilled, her gut twisting violently as she let her sister’s words wash over her. Shadow Hunt. She hadn’t really said that, had she? No. She was torn between Ograboden and Larune. That was what she’d said earlier in the week, at least.
Their mother nodded sadly. “I agree. If only you’d come to this conclusion two days ago. You could have traveled home with him and saved a trip.”
“Well, we didn’t know Vaere Shaw wasn’t really dead when I was leaning towards Ograboden, did we? This is a necessary change, I think.”
“It’s your choice to decide who you want to learn from, dear. I support your decision either way,” Avret assured. “Do write to me, won’t you? I’d still like to hear from one of my girls until this is all over and we’re a family under the same roof again.”
Meelah nodded obediently. “Of course. I’ll write to you every week. I love you.”
“I love you more, my dear. Take care now, and journey safely.”
“I will,” the young princess assured, kissing her mother’s cheek and lifting her skirt before entering the carriage. She closed the door behind her and called to the coach. “Ready!”
Then the sound of the horse’s hooves clacking echoed all the way down the street as their mother waved goodbye. The entire time, Tanith stood dull-eyed and breathless, her chest heavy—ceased in a panic that she couldn’t control. No, she wanted to scream, shaking her head. Don’t go to Shadow Hunt. Stay away from King Bristowe. Save yourself.
Leevi pulled the cube away and delivered it home, snapping Tanith back to reality with a sharp gulp of air. What could she do? Nothing. The answer was nothing because her sister was already gone, already off on her travels, and Tanith was on the island, unable to leave.
She could go, theoretically. She could try to leave, but they would erase her memory. She wouldn’t know she could return if she ever changed her mind. She wouldn’t know what she’d seen in the cube. It would be pointless.
“It’s more serious than we thought,” King Riven said with a sigh, and Tanith wondered how he knew about King Bristowe. Surely Shaw would have mentioned his father’s vile ways, but he’d never divulge the details. “Three weeks,” he said then, mouth creased in displeasure.
They were on different wavelengths, she realized, because she was worried about Meelah, and he was worried about international affairs. “Three weeks?” she asked hesitantly, unsure where his thoughts had taken him since hers were so clearly far away.
He nodded. “We thought we had time, but not if your mother is preparing an attempt to steal immortality by force. It’s a call to war, but she’s starting small. With guns, she’s sure to make an impact. Even with our advanced healing, many lives could be lost.”
“Then you’ll have to make the island invisible again,” Leevi answered simply. “Don’t wait for the firstborns to decide. Just send them through the secret passage in the barrier if they decide to leave.”
“Then the myth of the island fails,” the king countered. “Humans are meant to believe there’s no way in our out when it isn’t visible. If we debunk their theory, they’ll question everything. They’ll come in hoards when the island is visible again. We can’t take that chance. The royals may have started a lie for their own gain, but it benefits us both. It keeps us safe.”
Tanith shook her head. “What about Meelah?”
Riven frowned, turning. “What about her?”
She didn’t even know what to say. She could beg him to let her leave and talk sense into her sister. She could promise she’d return and hope he trusted her, but could she explain why? Was it worth outing the true extend of Shaw’s abuse, even if it was in vain? Was she already too late?
She couldn’t live with herself if she didn’t try. “She’s going to Shadow Hunt. You must know King Bristowe is vile, but I don’t think you know the extent of it.”
The king’s lips turned down at the name. “Nearly all ruling royals are vile in nature. The Admiral’s father more than some, but what concern of it is yours?”
Clenching her teeth at the memory, Tanith watched Leevi excuse himself as though he’d already known her answer. He probably did. He’d probably stalked all the human royals with his gift. For what other reason could he be walking himself down the stairs if not to give her some much-needed privacy.
Swallowing her pride, Tanith reached for the laces of her dress, pulling them apart and loosening the dark green fabric. Riven watched her wordlessly with curious eyes until she grew too embarrassed to hold his stare, turning around and shrugging out of the shoulders.
She let the garment slide down her body, all the way past the base of her spine where the remaining scars peaked upwards. She wasn’t comfortable going any lower, but it didn’t take a genius to know they marked her further down.
Riven didn’t make a noise, but she watched his fists tighten in the window reflection. Watched him lower his head and shake it before redressing herself.
When she turned to face him again, there was a question in her eyes. “Can we stop her?”
The king licked his lips. “I fear it’s too late. Her ship’s already left, but I can send spies to Shadow Hunt. If nothing else, they’ll keep an eye on her and intervene should King Bristowe step out of line.”
Tanith nodded quickly. “Please. I can’t let her go through the same thing. There’s no one there for her to turn to.”
At least she’d had Kent, and for the years afterward, he’d had her. She didn’t want to imagine what it was like for him to go through it alone after Shaw disappeared. It made her chest ache, the thought of him returning to Shadow Hunt and facing his father alone. It was no wonder he was so upset, betrayed by her hesitance to leave.
“I’ll send two of my men,” he promised. “But I have a condition. You and the other firstborn’s decisions need to be made in three weeks’ time. We can’t afford for them to be made any later.”
She nodded in understanding. “I’ll speak with them.”
“Then I’ll send my men.”
After a moment, Riven reached out his hand. Tanith shook it. “What’s this for?”
He shrugged. “I believe we’ve built a mutual respect. My physical scars have long healed, and eventually, should you choose to stay, yours will too.”
The corner of her lips perked up slightly at the thought. She was worried they’d never heal. That every time a maid dressed her, they’d pause and stare in horror. At least there was hope that the souvenir could be erased. There were people that needed their scars as a reminder but given her love for history and events of the past, Tanith had a very long memory, so she simply wasn’t one of those people.
“To be frank, I’m both surprised and glad you aren’t making such a macho deal about the markings. At least you understand what’s too late to be changed.”
Neither of the Shaw brothers had that trait. Kent Shaw apologized years after the fact. Vaere Shaw threw his own brother overboard and stalked her across the island because of it. King Ri
ven looked ahead to a future not yet written, promising better days to come. It was something she could use more of.
“Did you expect me to threaten the life of the man who did that to you?” he mused, smiling slightly.
“Maybe. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve heard it.”
The king shook his head. “There’s no need for me to make such threats. Bristowe is human. He dies a little more every day, and something tells me neither of his sons will be inviting him to Wickenvare.”
“Certainly not,” she agreed. “I appreciate someone who understands the long game. Let him wonder if each day will be his last. Let him rot as he lives until he’s nothing more than a corpse. He deserves it.”
“He deserves worse,” Riven corrected. “And worse will come. It’s every king’s nightmare to watch his kingdom fall, and without and heirs, Shadow Hunt and Xeres are the next in danger of doing so.”
Tanith frowned. “Kent and Ward would have to decide to stay for that to happen. You already know that at least one of them wants to go back.”
“Yet, something tells me his brother will sway him. As for Ward, when he arrives here, it would do well if he were reminded that there’s nothing but a broken kingdom for him to go back to. Unless he stays, his line will die out.”
“Not if he has children.”
“Even if he does. Like I said, humanity won’t prosper. Not forever. The Ghods never intended it to.”
Tanith mulled over his words. “Then what will become of all that history? All those stories and books… They’ll be worthless with no one to read them.”
“The fae will,” Riven corrected, tapping her chin lightly as though to tell her to keep her head high. “To immortal creatures, every work of art is cherished. Especially after carefully crafted words are all we have left when those lands and everything on them have diminished. Should you stay, you’ll see it all happen. Should you choose to record it, your work will be cherished too.”
“Even if I leave?”
He nodded. “Even if you leave. I have no doubt about that.”
Tanith felt lighter, like the world wasn’t crushing her anymore. In less than a week, she’d gone from thinking she could die in a matter of days, to knowing that she had the option to never die at all.
“You don’t need to decide now,” he reminded her as though knowing where her thoughts had drifted off to. “Let me take you back to your room. I’m sure your maid will be arriving shortly to help you prepare for bed.”
“So, I have a bedtime now?” she asked in amusement, following him down the stairs. This time, he walked much slower.
“I wasn’t aware you had anything better to do,” he countered. “What exactly have you prioritized over your sleep?”
“That’s my business.”
He rose his brows. “I’m the king. You have to tell me.”
“Princesses are entitled to their privacy,” Tanith insisted.
“Are not.”
“Are too.”
They argued the whole way down, jesting at one another through the hallway and pulling rank, Riven insisting his was higher and Tanith insisting that his title meant less since he wasn’t on the official royal roster in the human lands.
She was eager to take the last word and slip into her room when she arrived, not realizing how wide she was smiling until she passed the mirror.
A wave of sadness washed over her. She didn’t know when the last time she’d flashed a carefree grin like that was. She didn’t even know if she’d ever see it again should she return to Ellesmere. Her life was split into two very different paths, and it was impossible to know which one to take.
While she waited for her maid, she let herself stand by one of the long windows, casting a glance towards home where Ellesmere’s coast was visible far in the distance. She frowned at the sight of a ship close by. One from their own fleet with purple sails. It had to be Meelah’s ship, taking off and sending her on her way to Shadow Hunt where horrors waited. They had to pass by the island on their route, and Tanith wondered if her sister was looking for her, blocked by the barrier.
It occurred to her then, that even though Meelah wouldn’t be able to see her, the barrier was one-sided. Tanith could see everything.
Turning on her heel, she sprinted out the door and back to the library, taking the spiral steps two at a time and hoping Leevi had turned in for the night. The burning in her hamstrings was secondary to her need to reach the top. She had to see Meelah before she left, and not through the cube. She needed to see her sister without the help of magic.
The observatory at the top was still empty, the sun almost completely set. Tanith ran straight for the brass telescope pointing it towards the ocean and turning the small knob on the side.
Purple. It was definitely a ship from Ellesmere, and with a few additional adjustments, Tanith could see Meelah in her orange dress standing on the closest edge of the ship. She was looking out over the island, no doubt scanning for any sign of the firstborns, but little did she know there wouldn’t be any. The barrier wouldn’t allow it.
She wished there was something she could do. A firework she could set off to let her know that she was being looked out for, but there wasn’t. She had only a silent wish that she sent into the world: that Riven’s spies would protect her from Bristowe.
Tanith pulled away from the telescope and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. If she stayed, this would be her life. Watching Ellesmere from a telescope or from Leevi’s glass cube. There would be no more baking classes with Meelah or horseback rides on the beach. There would be no more days with Kent. No chance of ruling side by side.
She couldn’t stay. She felt it in her heart, felt the realization course through her veins. She couldn’t remain on Wickenvare, even if she had to give up everything that came with it. Not when she just knew that her calling was to be there for Meelah. It was her duty, not just as a firstborn, but as a sister.
Leaning, down, she peeked back through the telescope to see Meelah on the move. A man was dragging her along the deck, shoving her down into one of the cargo holds and closing the door behind her. Everyone on the deck was in a frenzy, running one way or another and Tanith’s breath caught as she tried see what was going on. She moved the scope slowly, surveying the ship to see where a group of the sailors had gathered at the stern.
Tanith turned the knob, zooming out slightly and putting the image into perspective.
There were two of them. Two ships and one was chasing the other. Not the spies Riven was sending. They would have been discreet.
She zoomed in again on the second ship, black sails blowing in the wind. At the port looking onward was a man dressed finely, his men preparing for a hostile takeover. There was no mistaking that arrogant stance. No mistaking that fiery hair. Tanith knew it the moment she laid her eyes upon him.
It was Shaw.
CHAPTER 18
It hadn’t been part of their agreement. She hadn’t asked Riven to send Shaw after Meelah. Hadn’t asked him to commandeer her ship and… and what? What were they going to do with her?
Tanith looked through the telescope again, watching in horror as Shaw’s men took charge, clearing a way for their captain. Very few men fought, but there was some struggling. Enough for a handful of men to be thrown overboard, not to her surprise.
Shaw walked across the deck like he owned it, opening the cargo hold and extending his hand. Meelah popped up after a minute, following the once prince without any trouble. When Tanith realized what was happening, she dropped the scope and backed away, shaking her head.
“No. No, no, no. Dammit!”
He was taking her. Bringing her to Wickenvare. He was stopping her from reaching Shadow Hunt altogether, but that meant… It meant Meelah would face the same choice, despite the fact that Tanith already knew what her answer would be. She’d be forced to forget if she wanted to go home. She… Both of them would have to have their memories erased.
No. No.
Tanith
peeked again, watching Shaw, Meelah, and his men return to their ship. The last fae to leave faced the crew from Ellesmere. He was a man with skin so dark it almost seemed blue, and he merely snapped his finger before taking his leave.
Tanith watched the human crew collapse. Dead. Passed out. She wasn’t sure, but she knew she had to stop Shaw from bringing Meelah through the barrier because there was no going back.
She glanced towards the stairs, but there was no time. No time to run down them and find Riven. No time. He had to come to her, so after taking a deep breath, Tanith closed her eyes and she screamed at the top of her lungs.
She screamed so loudly her throat was raw, her ears nearly unable to register the high pitch as she let it roll off her tongue, lasting as long as she could before letting the sound die out.
It was mere seconds before she heard shouting, the library doors swinging open and guards filtering through. She watched four of them enter through the net in the middle of the floor, their heads looking around, turning upwards in search of a threat.
Then he arrived.
Riven stepped through the door, gray eyes sharp, and he paused for only a moment, assessing the fact that Tanith was in the observatory before turning towards the stairs.
He was a blur and nothing more for the following seconds. Tanith didn’t even have time to register how such a speed was possible before he was in front of her, hands on her shoulders.
“What is it?” he asked quickly, searching the top floor. “What happened?”
She shook her head, betrayed. “We had a deal.”
She watched confusion cloud him, his mouth parting. “What are you talking about?”
Pointing out the window, she redirected his attention. “Shaw. You can’t let him bring Meelah here. I don’t want her to have to make an impossible choice.”
The king let go of her and took two large strides towards the window facing the ocean. He didn’t even need the telescope to see what was happening; Shaw’s ship sailing towards the barrier with Meelah on board, the other one abandoned with sailors passed out on the deck.
Tanith & Shaw (The Fealty of Firstborns Series Book 1) Page 15
