by Cait Marie
Loxley looked at him, understanding but not trusting the man’s resignation.
“Don’t,” he repeated as he gripped Loxley’s wrist to pull it away. “This is why you freed me after all. My life for my daughter’s.”
Opening and closing his mouth, Loxley could only nod.
“We both know she will never give up until the curse is broken. I’ve always known she’d give everything to save you all…” Emyr gasped, his breath coming in short pants. “If I die, this ends. She lives.”
Loxley glanced up as Ada and Michel’s blades sounded off. They appeared equally matched, but he knew better. The princess was holding back.
“He never deserved her,” Emyr said, his voice rough. “Even when he had us all fooled, I didn’t like him. I knew something was off. She… deserved… better.”
Emyr’s eyes drifted close again, and Loxley wondered if those last words were about Michel or her life in general—if he meant she deserved a better father.
“Yes, she did.” She deserved the world. The selfless princess who showed her strength and love for others with every breath.
“Take care of her,” Emyr whispered.
“Forever,” Loxley said.
Emyr’s chest stilled, his head lolling to the side. With his last breath escaping his bloody lips, a burst of power shot out of the man. It radiated from him, sending a strong wave of wind out in a ring.
Loxley braced himself with both hands as it knocked him backward. He felt the air leave his lungs. His entire body arched off the ground. From his toes to the top of his head, a tingling sensation overcame him. Power thrummed through him, ripping apart the molecules of his very being before putting them back together. A bright white light forced his eyes shut. His mouth dropped open in a silent scream.
He saw the constellations forming, shifting. He saw their world’s creation along with so many others. He watched as the prophecy played out in his mind, reuniting him momentarily with his family. His mother and sister stood hand in hand, waving as he passed by. A tearful Mariella bowed her head in remorse. Ren approached his celestial form, a smile in place. Around Ren were the sisters he’d once spent years looking for, the woman he’d fallen in love with before the curse, and the child he’d never been able to meet.
Go, brother, Ren seemed to whisper in Loxley’s mind. No more blame. I am free. We all are.
Loxley tried to reach out, but he had no control over this body. He soared to Ferda, to a young girl who would one day become queen. She believed in him, she knew how to break the curse, and she taught her only daughter to read the signs. Queen Elin willingly gave her life so that her children would go on to save the Nihryst, for her blood would not do the trick.
And then, she was there. His princess.
Adalina Rose.
His body relaxed, and he realized he was in her room. She was no more than a child, but he’d recognize her anywhere. Gaining control of his translucent limbs, he stepped closer to the sleeping girl. He knelt beside her bed. She was curled up against her mother, the Nihryst cards and book sprawled on their laps. One card was gripped in her tiny hand.
Loxley looked to the queen, understanding what night he was seeing. Elin lay still, her skin already paling. The princess was fast asleep. According to her story, she’d woken up to find her mother dead. She’d never said why she woke up though.
His heart wrenched, knowing what he had to do. Slowly, Loxley reached forward and brushed a red strand of hair out of the girl’s face. “Adalina. Sweetheart, wake up.”
Her eyelids fluttered briefly before she focused on him. She let out a small gasp. “It’s you.”
“It’s me,” he said with a smile. “I don’t have much time, but I need you to promise me something.”
Ada blinked, pushing herself up as she nodded.
“Never stop believing,” he whispered, already feeling himself being tugged away. “No matter what they tell you, keep searching. The stories are true, all of them, and one day, you will find me.”
“I will?”
“Yes, blodau. You will set me free in more ways than one. But you need to promise to never give up. Can you do that?”
“I promise.” She leaned forward, and he wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head.
He started to fade, to move on to the next part of the story, when he saw her turn to her mother. Just as he was yanked away, he heard her first scream. It pierced his heart, but he couldn’t stop. Once more, he was dragged through the stars. He saw images of their adventures together, their time alone in his cabin. He saw them fighting off hordes of soldiers. And then, a flash of him holding a little red-haired girl with Ada smiling beside him as the toddler giggled.
Loxley tried to grasp that last scene—he wanted more—but he was falling too quickly now.
With a thud, he hit the ground of their own world. His heart pounded too hard in his chest as he fought to gain control of his breathing. He stared up at the sky, watching as clouds covered the brilliant blue. The fighting continued around him, but he couldn’t move.
As drops of rain began to fall, he took a deep, shaking breath and tried to process what just happened.
The curse was broken.
After one hundred and thirty long years, Loxley was mortal.
Chapter 37
Adalina
Ada widened her stance, facing off against the man she’d once planned to spend her life with. Michel looked at her in pure astonishment. Her father had jumped in front of her, sacrificing himself in her place. He’d known what his sacrifice would do, yet he’d done it. For her.
Something to think about later.
When she saw the prophecy painted on those far away walls, she’d assumed it was either her or Shane depicted in death. She hadn’t even considered her father because she knew he’d never give his life to end the curse.
A wave of power rushed through Ada. A burst of wind spread from the hill, out through the land—through the world. Taking a deep breath, Ada smiled through the tears. The curse was broken. Lee was mortal once more. She knew he was behind her, but she didn’t take her eyes off Michel.
The imposter king’s own eyes widened, and then they zeroed in on the two men behind her. Darkness filled his glare as he took a step forward. Ada lifted her daggers—Ddadwneud and the spare she’d snatched up to face him.
“It’s over, Michel. Stand down,” she said in a soft, pleading tone.
But he shook his head and pulled out his sword. “I can’t.”
Ada swallowed past the lump forming in her throat, clenching her jaw. When he took another step, she moved too. Their blades met in a clash of steel that mirrored the echo of thunder rumbling overhead. Rain splattered around them, making the grass slick. Ada fought to keep her balance as they went back and forth, neither keeping the advantage for long. But Ada was holding back. She didn’t want to kill him. She didn’t think she could, not after everything.
Ada blocked a downward strike by crossing both blades over her head. She threw one foot back, using it as leverage, but Michel was physically stronger than her. He reached up to grab her wrist and leaned in close. “Your precious prince is mortal now.”
Her heart thudded in her chest. By the sneer on his face, she understood what he was saying. The first chance he got, Michel would go after Lee. Her stomach lurched, but it was the rising rage she let control her. She would not let this man take another person she loved. She’d lost her mother. The King and Queen of Rayerna—his parents who’d treated her as their own. Lady Saundra. Ren. At least ten other members of the Nihryst. And now, her father.
She’d almost lost Shane because of him. An entire village had burned to the ground because of him, leaving two small children without a home or family.
He would not touch Lee.
Ada pushed out of Michel’s hold with a renewed anger and strength. Strike after strike, she blocked his sword, but he was wearing down. And she was gaining the advantage. Her blade came down on his outstretc
hed arm, slicing his forearm. He shouted and gripped his sword with both hands. Back and forth they went, the ground becoming muddy with rain beneath their feet.
Michel slipped slightly, giving her an opening. She ducked to the left, and when he moved to follow, she twisted the other way, knowing the slick grass would give her an extra second before he could catch up.
The blow seemed to surprise them both.
As they each looked down to her blade piercing the side of his chest, the world slowed around them. One beat passed, then another. When Michel began to fall, he dropped his sword.
Blood seeped through his clothes, coating her hands. Tears fell down Ada’s face as she slowly lowered him to the ground. The man who was once one of her closest friends. The man who was once her future.
Michel gasped, trying to form words. The resignation in his eyes gutted her.
“I told you to remind me not to fight you in a real war,” he whispered, the ghost of a smile on his lips.
She let out a soft sob, remembering that warm day in the sun, practicing in the gardens. When he raised a hand to her cheek, she closed her eyes and leaned into the familiar touch. He’d become a stranger the last few months—someone determined to take power at any cost. But as he lay in her arms struggling to keep his eyes open, all she could think about was their past.
“This was supposed to be ours,” he said. “The kingdom, the glory, all of it.”
Shaking her head, she looked down at him. “No, it was never meant to be ours.”
A deep sadness filled his fading gaze. His breathing slowed. “I did love you, you know?”
She did know that. Even through everything, she’d known there was still a part of him in there that loved her. He’d offered to save Shane with the Heulwen if she stayed by his side. Though, she now knew he’d never had the ability to do so. But he’d said it to have her with him.
Realizing she still held the hilt of the dagger buried in his side, Ada let go and leaned forward to press her lips to his brow. Not for the man—the monster—he had become, but for the boy she knew. The prince who’d comforted her after her mother’s death and held her through the nightmares.
“I loved you too.”
With a sigh, his eyes drifted shut and his breathing ceased. His hand dropped from her cheek, and she didn’t fight the sob clawing its way up her throat. Ada released him and sat back on her feet. Soft footsteps approached. She didn’t need to look to know it was Lee who knelt beside her. As his arms wrapped around her, she leaned into the embrace. The overwhelming emotions of the last several months flooded her.
Lee held on, rubbing soothing circles on her back, stoking his fingers along her messy hair.
“It’s over,” he said. “It’s done, love. You did it.”
Letting him help her to her feet, Ada started toward her father but stopped. She glanced from his still body to Michel’s. Both men she’d loved. Both had betrayed her in every way possible.
As if sensing her impending breakdown, Lee’s arms went back around her. She buried her face against his chest as they stood in the rain.
“He did it for you,” Lee said in a gentle tone. “He came here for you.”
Ada shook her head as she sniffed. Lee led her toward the decline of the hill and pointed out to the battle below. Detmarya was no longer outnumbered.
“He brought the rest of the fleets…” she whispered. “How?”
Lee squeezed her hand. “I helped him escape before we left.”
Her eyes snapped to his. “You what?”
“Later,” he said. “Let’s end this war first.”
She nodded and followed him down the hill. Brienne stood with those they’d met at the cannons the night before. They all looked haggard. Some were injured, explaining why they hadn’t run back to the main fight. Brienne pulled Ada into a hug the second she and Lee reached the group.
“It’s over?” her friend asked.
“Not quite.” Lee clapped a hand down on her shoulder while facing the men. “You all know the truth. You believe I am the lost prince?”
“Yes, your Majesty,” Thomas said, inclining his head.
Lee flinched at the title. Straightening her shoulders, Ada released Brienne and moved closer to Lee. “How do we stop this battle?”
They all looked out at the chaos beyond. So much death and destruction covered the once beautiful fields.
“The horns,” one of the men said. “If we blow the horns, get as many people’s attention as possible, we can wave the white flags.”
“On which side?” another asked.
Ada met Lee’s eyes. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Both,” he said, enveloping her hand with his as he looked back to the men—his men. “You said it yourself, we need to get as many people’s attention as we can. The quicker we stop the fighting, the better. Thomas and I will take Rayerna’s side; Adalina and Brienne, take Detmarya’s side.”
They all agreed and began heading out. Lee turned and pressed his lips to Ada’s before she could go. His kiss was short but held so much love and gratitude that she felt it all the way to her toes.
“I’ll see you on the other side,” he said when he pulled away.
“You better.” For the first time, she realized she could lose him, and it terrified her. The battle was still ongoing. “Be safe.”
The smile that lit up his face nearly took her breath away. “It has been a really long time since someone has told me that.”
Chapter 38
Shane
Sweat pooled under Shane’s armor, burning his eyes. Though they still had months until the warmer season, the chainmail over his clothes led to a toasty battle. Every muscle in his body ached. He felt as if he could collapse at any minute, but he didn’t dare slow, even as the additional soldiers joined them and they gained the advantage.
Then, the rain started, making the already soft ground worse. No longer was it only slick with blood. Mud splattered as soldiers fought, fell, and slid in the mess. When a random gush of wind nearly toppled them over, Shane looked around. It wasn’t part of the weather—there was some sort of power with it. He felt it in his core. But none of the others seemed to notice.
Fighting his way out of the chaos, he tried to see the hill to which Brienne ran with some of the rebels and Rayernans who’d switched sides. She’d claimed she’d found Lee. And Shane knew if Lee was there, so was Adalina. He spotted the group in the distance, but there was no sign of the pirate or his sister with them. At the top of the hill though, he could just make out two figures fighting. The rain blurred his vision, making it too difficult to distinguish who they were, and his heart hammered away.
“Shane!” Phillip’s voice called out, and the king turned in time to block a man coming at him.
He threw himself back into the battle, praying to the stars for his sister’s safety. He hadn’t seen his father with those who joined, but it was impossible to tell with so many. Somehow, that burst of power had been the end of the curse. Shane didn’t doubt that. He just wasn’t sure if that meant his father had found his way to Adalina and taken her place, or if… He couldn’t bring himself to consider the alternative.
Before long, Rayerna’s horns were sounding. Shane pushed the man he’d just taken down away from him and whipped around, searching for the cause. He feared it meant more soldiers were joining the fray, but then more horns went off on their side.
“What is happening?” Shane shouted to Phillip.
“Look!”
He didn’t know the soldier who pointed over his shoulder, but Shane turned. White flags began going up. On both sides. He let out a breath of relief before whirling back around.
“Retreat!” The word ripped from his throat as he grabbed Phillip and hauled him back. “Retreat!”
Like a slow wave, the word repeated—shouted down the lines. Inch by inch, the fighting dissipated. They began falling back, pulling the injured away as they went. Shane took in the sights around him, searching for
any sign of his sister. There was so much death, but it was over.
Turning to Phillip, he let out a heavy, shaking breath. Phillip’s sword fell to his feet, and then his arms were around Shane. They made it through. Both of them. Shane gripped his husband as tight as he could, kissing the side of his head, careful of the blade still in one hand. After a moment, he released his husband. “I need to find Ada.”
“We will,” Phillip said.
Shane sheathed his sword so they could begin helping the others. The battle might have ended, but they had a lot of work ahead of them.
Together, Shane and Phillip limped toward the hill they’d last seen their friends running to, exhaustion deep in their bones, but no one stood at its base any longer. They turned around, looking out at the destruction. The rain slowed to a stop, as if the world understood they needed the sun to return. Clouds dispersed, lighting their way. A flash of red caught Shane’s eye, and he stilled for one heartbeat. Then, he was running.
As if sensing him, Adalina turned, relief filling her features. She moved toward him with a sad smile. They crashed together in the middle, Shane lifting his sister off her feet as he held her close. Her arms tightened around his neck.
“You did it,” he whispered over and over.
When he finally lowered her, she had tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Lee?” His stomach sank, but she quickly shook her head.
“He’s fine. He’s… mortal.”
Shane brushed away her tears as he had her whole life. “And you.”
“Yes, I’m mortal.” She looked away, but not before he saw something flash in her eyes.
When Phillip joined them, she all but tackled him in a hug as well. Putting an arm around each of their shoulders, Shane led them toward the tents in the south.
Somehow, the stars had spared them.
Somehow, the two people he loved most in the world had survived these terrible, terrible few months.
