by Cait Marie
When Phillip stepped back, it was with a smile. “First of all, you were ten. It wasn’t your job to take care of your family, but you did anyway. You practically raised Ada.”
“With your help,” Shane interjected.
“And look how well she turned out,” Phillip continued as if he hadn’t heard him.
They looked at each other for a moment before bursting out in laughter.
“No wonder she ran off with pirates,” Shane said.
Phillip left to take care of some work with the new guards, and Shane made his way up to the residence floor. He stopped in front of his father’s door and took a deep breath. He knocked but didn’t wait for a response before he twisted the key.
“He’s been at it again,” one of the guards outside the door told him before he could walk in.
Shane thanked the man then entered the nearly unrecognizable room. If he hadn’t visited earlier in the week, he would not have understood what he was looking at. Books and papers littered the floor. The mirror in the corner stood shattered. Sheets fell from the bed to the floor in tatters, and chairs had toppled over.
The king sat in one of the armchairs before the fire, a glass of amber liquid hanging from one hand.
“I told you, there is no cure.” King Emyr almost sounded sorry.
Shane walked over and stood one of the chairs upright before taking a seat. He had visited his father several times in the past couple weeks, and it was the same conversation every time. The destruction of his room was a newer development, showing the anger his father had for thwarting his plans and locking him up like a prisoner.
No, he would have been down in the dungeon if he was truly treated as a prisoner. He should be in the dungeon. His crimes were far worse than anyone down there. He spread an incurable plague and almost sent their kingdom back into war. But how could Shane properly punish him without causing panic? The people of Detmarya and the fragile treaty were the only reason Shane kept his father up in his rooms, hidden away and suffering from an alleged illness.
“I’m not here to talk about a cure,” Shane said, pouring himself a glass of the strong liquor his father kept at his side. Every time he visited, he’d tried to get information on the Kald—anything that would help stop it spreading. Anything that would stop it from killing Shane. He took a gulp, letting it burn down his throat.
“Then, why are you here?” His father finally looked over at him.
Remembering the man the former king once was, Shane simply asked, “Why?”
Why did he kill their mother? Why did he have Shane infected? Why did he send an entire navy after his daughter? Why did he want to start a war and kill thousands with a disease that should no longer exist? There were so many whys, but Shane didn’t clarify. He’d take any answer.
“Did you know that I cried the day you were born?” Emyr’s soft voice confused Shane as much as the question itself. His father continued, “It was the best day of my life. A son to pass on my knowledge… my crown. Your mother was pregnant before you, but it did not last. The physicians told us she may never have children.”
Shane didn’t know what to say. His father never talked about the queen. It was an unspoken rule throughout the castle. Shane turned to stare at the fire, relaxing into the warmth and comfort of the chair. Throughout the day, he tried to hide how much the Kald affected him. But there in the quiet, where nothing was expected of him, he could let go a little.
“I was advised to take another queen or a consort, but I couldn’t… I loved your mother more than anything. Elin was my whole world.”
He shifted, and Shane’s eyes snapped to his. Before he could say anything, his father said, “She knew the truth. She saw the symbols change in your sister’s eyes and knew she was the key to breaking the curse. That cannot happen though. I thought Adalina would forget about it and move on if your mother stopped encouraging her. I tried to get Elin to stop, begged her even, but she wouldn’t let it go. Adalina got her stubborn streak from your mother.”
An alarming sadness filled the king’s tone. Shane stood, shaking his head. He’d heard this reasoning during their confrontation, but he still couldn’t fathom it. And he didn’t want to see remorse in his father’s eyes—anything that might prove he was more than the monster he’d become. If Shane did, he worried he wouldn’t be able to do what was necessary. He wouldn’t have it in him to treat his father as a prisoner—as a killer.
One thing stood out though. Something his father hadn’t mentioned before. “Why do you need the curse to stay in place?”
King Emyr sighed and rubbed at his temple with one hand. “There is much you do not know about running a kingdom. I had longed to teach you in time, but now… The history of Detmarya is full of secrets, son.”
Shane waited for more, but the former king took a drink and turned his gaze back to the flames before him. There would be no more answers. With a deep breath, Shane stood and left, locking the door behind him.
“Shane,” a voice whispered as he neared his own bedroom.
He turned around, but no one was there other than the two guards down the hall. They stood at attention, staring straight ahead. Neither looked his way.
“Did you say something?” Shane asked.
“No, your Majesty,” one guard said.
Scratching the back of his neck, Shane faced his door once more. When he reached for the handle, he heard it again. He whipped back around. Still not seeing anyone, he moved to the staircase and peered over the banister to an empty hall.
Confused, Shane shook his head and walked to his room. He closed himself inside, his shallow breaths coming too quick as he leaned back against the door. The quiet voice dredged up memories from another life. He thought he imagined it the first time, but then it repeated. The voice clearly said his name.
The voice of his mother.
“What do you mean he’s lying?” Brienne asked.
“I mean, he was hiding something.” Ada brought her blade up to block her friend’s. Sparring in the empty space of the warehouse had become a daily habit—one Ada loved. She’d trained with her brother and Phillip growing up, but she knew she could learn more from these immortal warriors she now thought of as family.
“How do you know?” Brienne grunted as she pushed the princess back.
“She doesn’t know,” Lee said. They stopped as he approached with Ren. Behind them, the crew began carrying supplies out the large door made for shipments.
“Where are they going?” Ada asked, distracted by the sight. She put her sword on top of a nearby crate and picked up a canteen of water they’d brought down with them. She passed it to Brienne and then faced Lee with hands on her hips, fighting to catch her breath.
“It’s time to go,” he said.
Ada’s brow creased. “What? No, we can’t yet. We don’t have a cure.”
“And we’re not going to get it here.” Lee stepped closer, grabbed the sword she’d borrowed from him, and slid it into its sheath at his side as he walked away from her.
She stared at him in disbelief then looked to Brienne and Ren. The latter gave her an apologetic smile. Ada took off after the captain with the other two following. She heard them shut and lock the door as she headed toward the ship.
Already working to set sail, the crew bustled around the deck. Ada caught up to Lee before he could walk up to the helm. She grabbed his elbow, and he turned toward her.
“We need to get these supplies to your kingdom,” he said.
Brienne stepped around them and up the stairs. Ren joined the crew preparing to leave. The tide rolled in, making it the time to go, but Ada still didn’t think it right.
Lee placed a hand on her cheek. “The flower isn’t here, love.”
“But that’s just it,” she argued. “I think it is. I remember that clearing in the forest. Didn’t you see the ground? The dirt in the center wasn’t packed hard like the rest. Someone dug there recently.”
“Ada.” Lee dropped his hand an
d walked up the steps.
She followed, standing beside him at the wheel. “I’ve known Michel since we were children. I’m pretty sure I know how to read him a little better.”
He whirled around to face her. “I have been alive for over a century and a half; I know people better than you.”
Ada crossed her arms, her voice rising. “Yes, but I was the one who was going to marry him.”
Silence encompassed the ship. The creaking wood matched the sound of the soft waves. Ada clenched her teeth. Closing her eyes, she exhaled through her nose. The crew hadn’t known how involved she was with the prince. She’d only shared that bit of information with Lee during a late-night chat. The night they’d agreed they were done going back and forth and that they’d stop arguing. Clearly, it hadn’t truly ceased. Not for long.
“Get back to work,” Lee yelled out to the crew.
Ada opened her eyes. She met Brienne’s sympathetic look before her friend left them alone. Lee stood with his hands braced on the inner spokes and his head tilted down. Guilt struck her as Ada noticed his short breaths. He’d once voiced his thoughts on her moving on so soon. He’d told her it wasn’t possible to just throw those feelings—all that history—away in such a short time. And as much as she hated it, he was right. Seeing Michel reminded her of their shared past and how much she had loved him. But it wasn’t the same way she felt about Lee.
He made her feel alive and brave and happy. He made her feel whole in a way she never had before. She’d already made her choice, but she didn’t know how to stop him from worrying. Even when they were fighting, she wanted—needed him beside her. Maybe it was just the curse, but what if it wasn’t?
“Loxley,” she whispered, stepping closer. She gently pulled on his arm to turn him. Standing on her toes, she brushed her lips against his cheek. “I’m sorry.”
His arm went around her waist naturally—like he had done it for years, not months. He kissed her brow. “I am too. But Ada, we need to go. Surely you can see that there is nothing more for us here. Not right now.”
The ship rocked as the tide slowly tugged it out to sea. The crew worked in sync, making it possible to leave any harbor as quickly as they needed. Ada moved with Lee when he turned back to the wheel. He held her close to his side.
“We need more answers.” Ada held one of the handles, matching his pose.
“I know, but—”
“No,” she interrupted. “Not here. I think we should go back to the Sannwyn Isles.”
“To Nayani?”
Ada nodded. Thinking of the night they spent there talking had her considering the witch. Nayani knew about the curse and prophecy, maybe she knew about the Heulwen too.
Ren joined them to take over for Lee when they cleared the docks. They stepped out of the way, and Lee yelled down for Brienne. She came to stand on the steps.
“Ada thinks we should go to Sannwyn.” Lee’s tone mirrored his grin. He laced their fingers together.
“Well, she knows about the prophecy,” Ada said. “Maybe she knows how to find the flower. Or at least how to stop the Kald. You can ask her about breaking the curse while we’re there as well. Maybe she didn’t share everything?”
Lee smiled down at her while Brienne said, “Exactly what you were saying last night.”
Ada looked to Brienne. “Wait, what?”
Lee sighed and muttered, “Thanks, Brienne.”
“Unbelievable.” Ada snatched her hand away and stomped down the stairs. She was tired of the secrets and sneaking around. She didn’t even know when they spoke last night without her. Slamming the door to the captain’s cabin behind her, she wondered if he’d ever include her in the plans.
A cool, damp cloth patted Shane’s forehead. Dark blue eyes met his as he blinked through the intruding light. The familiarity sent a pang through his chest.
“Mother?” he whispered.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Her voice was the same, but it sounded distant. Almost like the remnants of an echo.
Shane pushed himself to a sitting position and took in her form. The queen sat next to him on the edge of the mattress. She looked exactly as he remembered; she hadn’t aged in the last fifteen years. But a soft glow surrounded her.
“I’m dreaming,” he said aloud at the realization.
“Yes, my son,” she replied. “But that doesn’t make it any less real.”
Slowly, afraid she’d vanish, he reached forward to put a hand on her arm. He let out a sob as his finger met flesh, then he moved to wrap his arms around her solid frame. She held him to her, rubbing his back and whispering soothing words. After a moment, she gently pushed his shoulders back to see his face.
She cupped his chin and smiled. “Look how grown you are.”
Something between a laugh and a gasp escaped him. He shook his head in disbelief. “I miss you.”
The corner of her mouth lifted, but sadness filled her eyes. “I know. I miss you too. But we don’t have much time.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll wake up soon, and I cannot stay with you. You need to know there is more going on than your father trying to start a war.”
Shane leaned forward. “Why doesn’t he want the curse broken?”
A knock sounded across the room. He looked to the door then back, but his mother had disappeared.
A soft whisper lingered. “Remember the stories. Remember what I told you as a child.”
“Shane?” Alarm filled Phillip’s voice as he rushed around the bed. He put a hand on Shane’s shoulder. “Are you all right?”
Looking up to his friend, he shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
Phillip sat beside him, taking the place the queen had just occupied. It was clear he hadn’t seen or heard anything. Shane rubbed at his temple. None of it made sense. If she was a dream, why didn’t he remember waking?
“Will you help me down to the dungeon?” He hated admitting he needed anything, but it was Phillip, and he was exhausted.
“Shane, you’re really pale. Maybe you should get some rest.” Phillip stood to give him room to lie down.
Instead, Shane got to his feet and stumbled. Phillip reached for him. “Why is everyone in this family so damn stubborn?”
Shane grinned. “You’re part of this family too.”
“Shut up.” Phillip hesitantly let go of him, waiting to make sure he could stand on his own. He grabbed some clothes and tossed them to Shane.
“Wait, what are you doing here?” Shane asked, pulling on the fresh shirt.
Phillip stared at his fidgeting hands—a trait he’d never had before. He was always stoic and calm. Something was wrong. Fully dressed, Shane moved closer to his friend as he waited for him to speak.
“Something happened,” he finally whispered.
“Yes, I’d gathered that. What is it? Is it Ada?”
“No, no,” Phillip cut off his frantic questioning. “It’s Lady Saundra.”
Shane gripped the bed post, steadying himself. His betrothed had set sail to return home a few days earlier. It was too soon for her to make it back to Prillia. “Is she…”
“Her ship was attacked. We don’t know who did it, but the entire crew was slaughtered. Everyone is accounted for, except Saundra.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s missing.” Phillip crossed his arms over his chest. “They think she was kidnapped.”
“Where is she?” Shane demanded, bursting into his father’s rooms.
Just as he had the night before, Emyr sat in one of his high-backed chairs before the fire. He didn’t look up as he asked, “Who?”
“You know who. Where is Saundra?” Shane stopped in front of his father. Phillip had followed but stood back.
His father shook his head. “How should I know? I’ve been locked up for weeks. If you can’t keep track of your future wife, that’s your problem. I should think you’d have bigger concerns right now. Tell me, have the fevers increased? Have the tremors started?�
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Shane clenched his shaking hands into fists and crossed his arms. “Where is she?”
His father finally met his glare. For a moment, Shane saw that speck of remorse again as he said, “I don’t know. This wasn’t me.”
“Liar.” Phillip charged over to stand beside Shane.
“Lovely to see you as always, Mr. Lavens. How are your mother and sister?” A cruel smile spread across Emyr’s face.
Phillip lunged forward, but Shane quickly grabbed him. He held his friend back, though he wasn’t sure he should. The king deserved whatever Phillip had in mind after killing his father and kidnapping the rest of his family.
“Not like this,” Shane whispered, still holding on to his arm.
Grinning, his father said, “That’s right, listen to your prince as you always do.”
Phillip stilled. He glanced away, preventing Shane from reading him. When he turned back, his face held no emotion other than anger. “King.”
“Excuse me?”
“He’s the king now,” Phillip said. “Not the prince.”
Shane blinked a few times. He knew it was true, and they’d all turned to him as their new sovereign, but it still didn’t feel real. His heart hammered in his chest. Thoughts of ruling Detmarya, helping his people finding a cure—it was too much. It overwhelmed him. He needed to get out of there. “Father, I’m going to ask one more time.”
With a sigh, Emyr said, “I am telling you, I don’t know.”
“You know, for someone who’s terrified of the ocean, you sure do sit out here a lot.”
Ada chuckled from her seat against the ship’s rail. Regardless of her fears, she couldn’t deny the sea’s beauty. She smiled at Brienne and pulled her feet up under her to make room on the bench. Brienne sat down, watching the calm waters below.
“You’re going to have to forgive him at some point.”
Meeting her friend’s stare, Ada sighed. “Not until he talks to me.”
“Ada.” Brienne put a hand on her arm. “Life’s too short.”