The Lost Alliance (The Nihryst Book 3)

by Cait Marie

  “You make it sound like I’m a drunk,” she said with a laugh, crossing her arms, careful not to spill her full glass of champagne.

  They both just stared at her. Shane raised a brow, and the corner of her mouth tugged up.

  “I can’t…” Ada passed her glass back to George, not taking her gaze from her brother and best friend. “I won’t be drinking for a while.”

  Gwyn let out a gasp, and Phillip’s eyes widened in understanding. Without waiting, he rushed toward her, wrapping her in a hug. Beside them, Brienne slapped Lee on the shoulder.

  But none of these reactions were what Ada needed right now. As if reading her thoughts, Phillip released her and turned so they both faced Shane. He took painfully slow steps toward her, an invisible mask shielding his emotions. She placed a hand on her stomach, willing her nerves to calm.

  Noting the movement, her brother glanced down at her hand. He blinked, and then the façade fell. Letting out a breath, he met her eyes once more. And then, his arms were around her. She melted into the embrace.

  He kissed the top of her head. “It’s no longer just you and me against the world.”

  In truth, his reaction was what had worried her the most. Through everything, Shane had been there, practically raising her since she was five years old. Ada sniffed, leaning against his chest.

  Pushing her back, Shane smiled and brushed a loose curl from her brow. “It’s time for you to start your new story, Adalina Rose.”

  Epilogue

  Adalina

  Six months later…

  He rushed through the streets, aware of the guards close on his tail. Shifting the bag higher on his shoulder, he ducked into the nearest alley. Shadows consumed him as footsteps pounded past him. His heart raced in his chest as he waited. He didn’t know what would happen if they caught him.

  When another set of footsteps sounded down the street beyond, he held his breath, listening. Certain it was only one person, he counted to three before reaching out.

  “Then what happened?”

  Ada paused, grinning down at the little girl curled up against her. “He reached out and grabbed the woman, pulling her into the alley.”

  “And they ran away to live happily ever after!” Karey jumped up to her feet. She bounced around on the bed.

  On Ada’s other side, Kal asked, “What really happened next?”

  “No, that’s enough,” a deep voice said, cutting off her next words. “It’s time for bed.”

  “But—”

  Shane walked over and grabbed Karey mid-jump, making her giggle. “Not tonight.”

  “But Aunt Ada is leaving tomorrow.” Kal crossed his arms with a pout.

  A rumbling chuckle sounded from the doorway before Phillip and Lee appeared.

  “We will visit her and Lee soon.” Phillip ruffled the little boy’s hair.

  “Promise?”

  Ada put an arm around his small frame and squeezed his shoulders. It hadn’t really surprised her when her brother said he and Phillip were adopting the young siblings. But she still loved seeing the little family they’d formed so quickly—how comfortable the children had become.

  Scooping the boy up, Phillip said, “Promise.”

  He moved out of the way for Ada to stand, and Lee was there in an instant. Just as he always was. If anyone thought he was overprotective before, it was nothing compared to after he found out Ada was pregnant. When he told her that she shouldn’t travel to Detmarya this week, she’d threatened to find a way overseas with or without him. He’d tried pulling the king card, but she just reminded him that was how they’d met—her sneaking away from a king and boarding a stranger’s ship. She was sure she could manage it again.

  Grabbing his hand, she let him help her up. It was getting harder and harder every day, and he was probably right about not traveling this far along. Though, she’d never tell him that. There was no way she wasn’t returning home for Shane’s birthday. Birthdays were her favorite, and she’d missed his last one while searching for the Heulwen. Not to mention she hadn’t been home for her last two. Besides, there were even more people here for her to visit now.

  It had been a long six months of recuperating in both kingdoms after the fallout. Though the battle only lasted a couple days, thousands had died. So many had lost their homes or shops in the attacks of both capitols. Even before all that happened, Detmarya had suffered under their father’s rule. Shane and Phillip worked hard to distribute resources throughout the kingdom. Lee and Ada worked to rebuild trust in theirs.

  They’d seen how power corrupted leaders. So, after much deliberation, Ada and Lee decided to replant the Heulwen in the forest. Neither telling anyone of its location.

  They had no way of knowing the greatest monsoon Rayerna had seen in centuries would hit months later. A good portion of their crops were flooded. Some of the villages near the river had to evacuate. And that lonesome flower, full of wonder, was washed away. They searched up and down the riverbed, around the lake, through the forest high and low. But it had vanished.

  Ada secretly wondered if it was for the best. No one should have the ability to decide who could be so fully healed of all ailments.

  Saying goodnight and hugging Kal and Karey, the four adults headed out to the hall. With both hands on her large belly, Ada sighed and leaned against the wall beside her old bedroom.

  “You look exhausted,” Shane said, shaking his head. “You should try to sleep if you are leaving with the morning tide.”

  But Ada wasn’t ready to say goodbye again. While working on their respective kingdoms, she’d barely seen her brother and Phillip. Stars, since this all began over a year ago, she felt like she’d barely seen them. She wondered if it would ever get easier to leave.

  “I swear we will visit more,” Shane said, as if reading her mind.

  When she looked up though, she knew it was simply that he felt the same. He moved to stand at her side, bumping Lee out of the way. Her husband shook his head but didn’t fight it.

  “Things are starting to slow down.” Shane placed a hand over hers on her stomach. “And you know we have to come spoil our niece or nephew as much as possible.”

  “Karey has not stopped talking about how excited she is for the baby,” Phillip added, stepping closer.

  “We decided on names.” Ada glanced up to Lee, who gave her a sweet smile she wouldn’t have thought possible when they first met.

  “Reynold if it’s a boy,” he said in a quiet voice. Brienne had cried when they told her before leaving Rayerna.

  “And Elin if it’s a girl,” Ada whispered.

  Shane sucked in a breath before leaning over to kiss her temple. “Perfect.”

  Choosing her mother’s name had been easy. Both names were, actually. But Ada had a feeling she was going to have a daughter—she kept having dreams of a giggling red-headed little girl. Naming her after the woman that brought them all to this point felt right.

  When she told Lee about the dreams, he’d grown teary. He’d then explained all he saw when the curse broke—how he’d seen the baby. He’d also seen Ada as a child the night her mother died. As she remembered seeing him, she’d started crying. She’d always thought it another dream.

  “We have a few things to take care of still,” Shane said, bringing her back to the present. “But you should really get some rest.”

  “We’ll see you in the morning?” She looked from him to Phillip.

  “Of course. We’re riding down to the docks with you.” Her best friend pulled her into a tight hug before releasing her to take Shane’s hand. Once more, goodnights were said.

  “And then there were two.” Lee smirked, opening their door.

  In the hearth, a fire warmed the room. The drapes were all pulled tight to keep the icy winds of the coming winter out. Though the space was exactly as she’d left it—exactly as it had always been—it felt different. She supposed she was the one who’d changed.

  Arms encircled her from the back. Turning
around, she slid her hands up around Lee’s neck as he walked her slowly toward the bed. He leaned down, pressing his mouth to hers. She smiled against his lips.

  Leaning back, he tucked a strand of her long red hair behind her ear. She stared up into the sea-green eyes she’d dreamed of her whole life. To have this legend help her into bed was surreal. She still struggled to wrap her mind around it sometimes. As she curled up against his side, he lifted the familiar storybook she knew by heart from the bedside table. But she shook her head, pushing it away.

  “I already know the ending of that one,” she said, smiling up at him.

  “Oh yeah?” The smirk she loved so much returned. “What’s that, love?”

  “Loxley eventually escaped, found the princess,” she turned, resting her head on his chest, “and they lived happily ever after.”

  The End

  But not really! Keep going to read the first chapter of the next book, The Missing Crown, about Elin, Kal, and some new characters you’re going to love!

  The Missing Crown: Chapter 1

  Elin

  17 years later…

  “There’s my favorite niece.”

  Elin shook her head with a smile. “I’m your only niece.”

  Phillip leaned over the chaise to kiss the top of her head. Setting her book down in her lap, she twisted and reached up to hug him. He’d been in one of the southern villages when she arrived yesterday, checking in with the new guards he’d stationed there after reports of multiple families missing goods and valuables from their homes.

  “Did they catch the thief?” she asked, crossing her arms over the back of the chair as she shifted to her knees. The book fell to the side with a light thump.

  “No, but they will. They’re sure it’s the same man going from kingdom to kingdom. Word has spread, so it’s only a matter of time.” Phillip glanced around the library. “Where are your brothers?”

  “Kal is teaching them how to throw knives.”

  His brow furrowed. “Your mother didn’t teach them that?”

  “Oh, no, she did,” Elin said, laughing. “But Kal doesn’t know that.”

  Phillip sighed and ran a hand through his pale hair. “Those boys are trouble.”

  “You know, it’s very concerning that the future king is so gullible.”

  “Be nice,” a deep voice said as footsteps neared them. Shane appeared at the corner of the towering bookshelf, eyes narrowing at her. “Stop teasing your cousin.”

  “But it’s so fun.”

  Shane rolled his eyes as his arm went around Phillip’s back. They kissed once before he said, “I’m glad you’re home.”

  Elin rested her chin on her hands with a smile. Seeing their happiness—the way they loved each other after all this time—warmed her heart. Shane and Phillip had been friends their entire lives, and that friendship continued to shine through their marriage. Even though her parents argued and irritated each other, it was plain to anyone how much they loved each other as well. She wanted that so bad it hurt sometimes to think about.

  “What’s that face about?” Phillip asked, always able to read her like an open book.

  “Nothing.” She tried to play off the jealousy and sadness building inside. In a few days, she’d sail home with her brothers and go back to the dull life of a princess. She’d heard about her parents’ adventures, her uncles’ involvement with the war before her birth. They all fought to give her a peaceful life. Well, not her specifically as they hadn’t known her mother was pregnant, but their people in general. Elin was grateful for their sacrifices and hard work. That didn’t make the tutoring lessons, endless council meetings, and talks of a betrothal in her near future any easier though.

  On top of that, she had impossible shoes to fill one day. How was she supposed to follow in the footsteps of the great Loxley and Adalina?

  “El?” Shane moved around as if to sit beside her, but she stood abruptly, knocking her forgotten book to the floor.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled, swiping it up and setting it on the chair.

  Shane put a hand on both of her shoulders, making her stop. Like he knew she was about to run. “What is it?”

  “You can talk to us,” Phillip said in a soft tone as he joined them.

  She knew she could. If anyone understood how she was feeling, it would be them. They’d talked about it before—Shane sharing about his dark days and Phillip not feeling worthy of his place in this family when he was younger. But she couldn’t do it. Not again.

  Despite the wide-open space of the library, she felt the walls closing in. She was trapped and needed out. Glancing up at Shane, she managed to say, “I’m fine, really.”

  “Elin—”

  “I said I’m fine.” She broke from his grasp, dodged Phillip, and raced down the stairs to the main floor. When her feet hit the marble, she didn’t stop. She ran out of the library and through the halls as familiar as her own across the sea.

  Within minutes, she was out of the castle, escaping the guards and prison-like feel of the large stone walls. In the heart of Ferda, she slowed. She hadn’t meant to come so far, but she needed to get away from that place—from the pressure of becoming the perfect heir. The only person who understood that was Kal, but she didn’t feel like seeking him out just yet. He’d find her eventually, like he always did. Despite constantly teasing him, he was the only one who seemed to truly know her. Not even his sister, Karey, who was undoubtedly Elin’s best friend, fully understood.

  Checking over her shoulder to confirm she hadn’t been followed, Elin let out a long exhale. The streets were full of people going about their daily lives. None paid her much attention. Though, when the occasional set of eyes snagged on her and widened, she merely lifted a hand in greeting and continued on her way.

  She thought about going to O’ Chwedlau—to the peace it always offered—but she didn’t want to risk running into Gwyn. Her cousin would be just as insistent as Shane and Phillip. Instead, she meandered through the western part of the village, heading toward the hills in the distance. Perhaps she’d wander into the forest for a little while to clear her head.

  A warm summer breeze drifted through the street, lifting her auburn waves around her face. Wind chimes tinkled, and Elin turned as she tucked her hair back. From the window of the small shop on the corner, a pair of eyes watched her. Elin looked around, but the rest of the street had gone mostly quiet. Only a handful of people lingered outside a few buildings away. She glanced to the shop again and found the person had vanished.

  Curiosity got the better of her. With a deep breath, she strolled toward the open door and into the darkness beyond.

  “Hello?” she called out, reaching for the dagger that wasn’t at her side. She silently cursed herself. The kingdom might be calm right now, but she still shouldn’t be wandering into dark shops alone and unarmed.

  The door slammed shut behind her, and she whirled around with a short squeak.

  “Who’s there?” She tried to instill the demanding tone she’d heard her mother use a few times throughout her life, but it came out weaker than planned and shaky. Swallowing, she continued walking toward the faint light coming from the closest room. She stepped inside and saw the window she’d spotted from the street, but that wasn’t what held her attention.

  At the center of the room sat an old lady at a round table. Candles and lanterns of various sizes were strewn around the room, as were plants and jars and vials. Books lined the shelves of one wall. But still, it was the woman Elin took another step closer toward. She had her eyes closed, her hands resting atop the table palms up. Something burned in a bowl on top of the stand at her back, sending a small stream of strongly scented smoke into the air. Elin didn’t recognize the smell, but it was pleasant—soothing.

  “Princess,” the woman spoke without opening her eyes.

  Elin jumped and placed a hand over her pounding heart. “How did you—”

  “I see all.”

  “Through the window,” Eli
n said, more to herself than the woman.

  “No, my dear.” Her eyes snapped open then, causing Elin to still. They were as silver as her tightly curled hair. Nodding to the chair across from her, she said, “Please, sit. No one will harm you here.”

  Elin knew she shouldn’t. She should run out of there back to the safety of the castle walls.

  “Thank you,” she said instead, taking a seat.

  The woman turned to grab a deck of cards and began shuffling them. “How about a reading?”

  “I didn’t bring any coins with me.” A lie, but she wasn’t about to spend her small amount on someone pretending to see the future. Her family had dealt with real seers and witches in the past, so she had no choice but to believe in them. But that didn’t mean this one was authentic. Besides, she knew what her future held.

  “You’re wrong,” the woman said.

  Elin opened her mouth to insist she truly didn’t bring any coins, but she was cut off.

  “Your future is not as you think.” The woman spread the cards out in front of her. “The reading is complimentary. Run your hand slowly over them, then select the card that calls to you.”

  Holding back a sigh, Elin reached forward. She did as she was told, pointing to a card at random when nothing happened.

  The woman grabbed it, flipped it over, and slid it toward the princess. “The Great Thief.”

  This time, Elin couldn’t stop the snort from escaping. Staring up at her from the card was a poorly painted version of her own father. Of course the woman was using a deck of Nihryst cards. They weren’t the real ones. Those were back home, safe and sound in a glass case, though their images had all faded after the curse was broken. Elin had seen imitations throughout the various kingdoms, but never had someone tried to read her fortune with them.

  “Yes, you have strong ties with the thief,” the woman said.