by Cait Marie
Shane closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“You're going to be fine,” Phillip said, brushing a strand of hair from Shane’s forehead. “The Heulwen is making its way through your system. You should feel some immediate relief, but it will take you a bit to feel fully restored. Gwyn’s aunt is working on making large batches to distribute around Ferda. And Lee went to find Ada.”
Find her. Find Adalina. Shane sat upright, ignoring the wave of dizziness that hit him. He looked around the room to find it empty save for Phillip. “Where is she?”
“Lee brought up the flower while Ada, Brienne, and Ren stayed in the village.”
That didn’t make any sense. For all she knew, he was dying. She would never just not come see him. If anything, she would’ve come to say goodbye.
“... to look for the final clue in breaking the curse. She thinks she figured it out,” Phillip continued.
Shane’s chest constricted as memories of his dream flooded him. The rose. The bloody dagger hitting the ground. He gasped and moved to get to his feet, pushing his friend to the side.
Phillip grabbed him before he could topple over. “What are you doing? I told you, it will take some time to get your strength back. You need to stay in bed and—”
“No,” Shane interrupted. “We have to find her. We have to find Ada!”
“Ada?” Phillip’s confused tone held a layer of concern Shane always admired. “She’s fine. I’m sure they’ll be back soon.”
Images of his sister with the dagger flashed in his mind again. The room continued to spin, and his stomach roiled. He silently thanked the stars he hadn’t eaten anything. Then, he prayed to them that he’d find his sister in time.
Phillip’s arm tightened around Shane’s waist when he tried to take a step forward. The door opened behind them, and Shane heard Gwyn’s soft chuckle.
“I told you it was going to be hard to get him to stay in bed,” she said as she approached. “I mean, I’m sure you could come up with something…”
Coming around to the other side of the bed, she trailed off at the sight of them.
Before she could ask, Shane said, “I need to get down to the village—to the clock tower on Rose Street.”
Neither of his friends moved. The low fire crackling in the nearby hearth was the only noise apart from his heavy breathing.
Shane turned and looked to Phillip. He knew desperation filled his features and his voice as he pleaded, “Please, help me.”
Phillip only hesitated a second before going into full-guard mode, ordering Gwyn to open the hidden door then help him on Shane’s other side. Shane leaned into his friends, grateful that he didn’t have to fight his way out of the castle. He would’ve gone with or without their help, but without them, he likely would have had to crawl to the streets.
Together, they made their way through the dark tunnels, down the old stairwells, and into the kitchens. They didn’t stop to answer questions as they left through the service entrance.
Rose Street wasn’t far. Crossing the castle grounds was the longest part of the trek, but he knew it would have taken longer to summon a coach or horse. They didn’t have the time.
At the gate, Phillip relayed a message to the guards to have a coach brought to the clock tower and for some of them to follow on foot.
They continued without waiting for a response, moving slowly as Phillip and Gwyn practically carried him down the street. He begged the stars for the strength to move faster.
The clock chimed the hour, and as if they’d granted his wish, a surge of power coursed through Shane. Turning the corner, they froze. The street was empty apart from two lone figures nearly hidden in the shadowy alcove of the tower. From that distance, they appeared to be embracing. Shane took a step forward and then stopped again when Loxley’s yell echoed through the buildings. His breath left him as his sister fell to her knees.
“Ada!” Phillip screamed beside him. They rushed forward as quickly as possible, watching Loxley cradle the princess to his chest on the ground.
“Ada,” Shane whispered as he fell beside them. He reached out with a shaky hand, brushing her hair from her cheek. “No. Ada, please.”
She didn’t move. Gwyn gripped Shane’s arm from where she knelt beside him. On his other side, Phillip sat close. When he looked up at Shane with tear-filled eyes, he wrapped an arm around the king’s back. Shane leaned against him, sobbing quietly.
“You knew.” Phillip’s whispered words pierced his heart.
They hadn’t been quick enough. Shane simply nodded. Gwyn picked up the dagger, turning it over in her hands. Blood soaked Adalina’s shirt and began to pool beneath her.
“I don’t understand,” Gwyn said. “She did this to herself?”
Loxley looked up and met Shane’s gaze. Tears streaked the man’s face, and he looked as if he struggled to breathe. He still held Adalina to him, rocking slowly back and forth.
“To break the curse,” Shane whispered. He remembered the prophecy Loxley had told him months earlier—that his mother told him as a child. “Only when forgiveness is fully given and the other half found will an act of true love set their souls free. The curse shall be paid for and lifted where it all began.”
Footsteps closed in around them as guards arrived from the castle with a horse-drawn carriage following shortly after. Someone cursed, and two people ran closer. Shane watched the color drain from Ren’s and Brienne’s faces. The latter covered her mouth, shaking her head.
“Where were you?” Loxley’s calm tone held a deep anger. His jaw clenched, and he didn’t look away from Adalina.
“She said to meet her a street over,” Brienne started. “She said there was one more clue here, and then we needed to find the place on Ruby Street.”
Loxley gently shifted Adalina to the ground. He moved so slowly, like he was afraid to hurt her more, and then kissed her forehead. As he stood, he said, “You were supposed to be with her.”
Ren dragged a hand down his face. “We didn’t know.”
“You said you wouldn’t leave her!” Loxley shouted.
“Lee,” Phillip said, standing.
“You were there,” Brienne said. “You heard her telling us about Ruby Street.”
Loxley didn’t listen. His red face held an anger Shane had rarely ever seen in others. Shane reached for Phillip’s hand, and his friend helped him to his feet. He didn’t let go once standing. The clouds grew darker above them, the wind increasing. A storm was building, mirroring the tension in the street.
Loxley and Ren slowly moved in a circle. Shane held onto Phillip tighter, not wanting him to get in the middle of the warriors.
Ren held his hands up in front of him. “I’m not going to fight you, Loxley.”
“You left her!” He charged.
Ducking out of his path, Ren grabbed Loxley by the arm and shoved him backward. Brienne shouted for their captain to stop and calm down, but thunder drowned out her words as it crashed over their heads. Not that it would have done any good. The anger rolled off Loxley in tangible waves. The intensity in his dark glare reminded Shane of the man’s past—of the stories.
The smirking pirate captain was long gone. Before them stood the immortal warrior of the legends from the great war.
“Lee, please,” Brienne begged. “Don’t do this. She made her own choice.”
“One that clearly made no difference!” Lee held out his arms as the rain began to fall.
“How do we stop this?” Phillip asked quiet enough so only Shane could hear.
Shane looked to his guards who’d followed. Half a dozen stood armed and ready to interfere at his command. But what could they do against immortals with over a century of fighting experience? His men had never seen true war. Most were too young to have seen much of anything at all in the world.
Phillip angled his body in front of Shane—ever the valiant protector. He still held Shane’s hand, but his other sat on the pommel of his own sword.
Loxle
y and Ren’s feet kicked up rainwater as they moved to grab each other. Shane glanced down at his sister’s still form. Gwyn had covered her with her cloak, and the sight made his tears fall again. She needed to be moved.
A loud grunt caught his attention. He looked back up to see Ren holding his side.
“Enough,” Shane shouted. When Loxley didn’t stop his assault, Shane yelled to his men, “Stop him.”
Two men reached Loxley first. As soon as they grabbed him by the shoulders, he shoved them away. Two more made an attempt and failed in the same manner. They got up and tried again, but his attacks turned toward them. He punched one in the jaw, kicked a man in the stomach, and continued fighting his way through them. Half stayed on the ground after his hits, while the others staggered to grab hold of him.
Brienne moved in as they distracted him. But Loxley was an unstoppable force. Ren was thrown to the side near Phillip’s feet. Shane winced as he heard the man’s head hit the ground. Gwyn stood and placed herself in front of Shane, similar to Phillip’s stance. Rain continued to fall, making the cobblestones slick. Thunder rumbled closer and closer.
Lightning streaked through the sky as Loxley unsheathed his sword. He charged at Brienne, who quickly twisted away, pulling her own sword free in one swift movement. It surprised Shane to see the woman move so fast—her years of training evident in her stance.
Metal clanged in the air as their blades met. Shane yelled for his men to fall back; he wouldn’t risk their lives. Not until he had to.
Back and forth Loxley and Brienne moved. Equal in skill, neither kept the advantage long.
Phillip took a step forward, but Shane wrapped his free hand around his arm. “Don’t.”
Their eyes met briefly, and Phillip nodded. A loud thump and a groan caused them to look back at the situation at hand.
In the center of the street, Brienne laid on her back. Her sword sat feet away, out of reach. She slowly pushed herself up onto her elbows. Loxley stood eerily still before pointing his sword at her. Rain glistened off the steel. Shane held his breath. It needed to stop.
He opened his mouth to yell for Loxley to stand down, but he couldn’t get the words out fast enough. With a fierce cry, Loxley moved to attack. His blade pierced flesh. Loxley stumbled, as if trying to undo his movement. But it was too late.
Having stepped between them at the last second, Ren looked down to see the blood seeping through his shirt—Loxley’s sword buried deep in his gut. His eyes widened, and he slumped to the ground.
Loxley cursed, shoving a hand through his hair. Brienne moved to her knees and gently pulled the sword out.
“Lee,” Phillip whispered, letting go of Shane’s hand. Gwyn took his place, wrapping Shane’s arm around her shoulders to lend her support. She alone knew how hard he was fighting the exhaustion that threatened to consume him at any second.
Phillip slowly stepped closer to the man, as if he feared his anger would be turned on him. Shane knew it wouldn’t though. Loxley was done. Grief replaced the anger as he took in his surroundings. A few guards were still working their way off the ground.
“He’ll be all right in a minute,” the immortal said with his hands clasped behind his neck.
As quickly as it started, the storm faded. The lightning and thunder ceased. The rain slowed to a soft pattering as the wind died down.
They stood, watching—waiting—for the man to come back. Shane had seen it firsthand with Loxley a couple months earlier. Otherwise, he wouldn’t believe it possible. But blood continued to pool beneath Ren, and minutes passed without anything happening. No one made a sound.
Loxley shoved Phillip’s hand away as he tried to assure him everything would be fine. He crouched down and placed his fingers against Ren’s throat. The guards stood by, hands on their swords, forming a barricade in front of Shane. He pushed his way through them, staring in disbelief.
“Why is it taking so long?” Shane asked quietly.
Loxley stood and shoved a hand through his hair, mumbling under his breath. He looked from Ren to Shane to Adalina just behind them. He shook his head, covering his mouth. Brienne got up and moved beside him. With a hand on his shoulder, she told her captain their friend was dead.
The road was silent. No one moved or spoke for a long minute.
“She did it,” Phillip whispered. “She broke the curse.”
“We need to get them up to the castle.” Shane reached for Phillip as he walked back over to him. “If we use the flower…”
“It’s too late,” Phillip whispered, taking the king’s weight from Gwyn.
“No.” Shane looked down to his sister. “No, it has to work.”
Phillip met Gwyn’s eyes, and she moved to speak with the men who approached with a carriage. They helped the other guards to their feet, checking for severe injuries, then lifted Ren’s large frame into the coach. When they headed toward Adalina, a shout rang through the street.
“Don’t touch her!” Loxley fell to his knees at her side. He pulled Gwyn’s cloak down to see her face and whispered again, “Don’t touch her.”
Pain seared through Shane’s chest. An agony he’d never before experienced ripped through him as the truth drilled into his heart. His sister was dead. He shook his head, tearing his eyes off her and turning into Phillip’s arms. His friend didn’t hesitate to hold him, and Shane knew he was hurting just as much.
Together, they’d basically raised her. They were all she truly had most of her life. Without Adalina, Shane didn’t know who he was.
Behind him, Loxley yelled for the guards to stay away. Shane heard Gwyn whispering to him, urging him to let them move her.
Taking a deep breath, Shane straightened and turned. Loxley was bent over Adalina’s still form, burying his face against her shoulder. He shook with gasping sobs. Shane squeezed Phillip’s arm before stepping away from him.
He knelt next to Loxley and put a hand on his back. “Loxley, it’s over. Let them move her to the castle. Let them bring her home.”
Pained green eyes swimming in tears met his. “This is my fault. I should have known—should have seen the dagger. I…”
“I know.” Shane nodded. The same guilt flooded him. He’d had the dream. His mother had warned him. Yet, he’d still arrived too late.
Loxley turned back to Adalina. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, lingering as he whispered, “I’m sorry, blodau.”
He kissed her brow then sat back on his heels. Shane looked to his men standing nearby and nodded. They moved over and gently lifted the princess.
As they walked away, Loxley asked no one in particular, “What do I do now?”
“You live,” Gwyn said from her spot on his other side. “She did this for you. Don’t let it be for nothing.”
“But I don’t want this life without her,” he whispered. “She’s the reason I fought so hard to break the curse. I wanted… If I had known this was the price…”
Phillip walked over to help Shane get back to his feet. When Shane went to hold his hand, Phillip pulled away slightly, looking to the others standing around. Shane sighed, understanding. Too many guards surrounded them. While their kingdom had long ago rid themselves of the laws preventing such relationships, he was still the king. There were expectations of him.
He shook his head. A problem for another time. There was only so much he could deal with in one day. And he knew the loss of his sister would hang over them for much, much longer.
Gwyn stood, as did Loxley. Brienne stayed a few feet away with her arms crossed. Anger and grief warred in her eyes as she watched her captain approach. He didn’t say anything. He merely took hold of her wrists to uncross her arms and then wrapped her in a hug.
Loxley whispered something over and over. It was too quiet for Shane to hear, but he assumed it was an apology.
Shane looked from the bloody dagger on the ground to the flower symbol on the wall nearest them. The villagers had stayed indoors, but curtains fluttered around them. He was sure t
hey’d come creeping out soon to see what had caused such a commotion. He wanted to be gone by then.
But he couldn’t look away from the flowers.
When they arrived, he’d barely noticed them. He’d walked by the bell tower countless times and never saw them because of how faint they were.
Except, they weren’t faint anymore.
Before his eyes, the color of the rose deepened. Entwined around it, the Heulwen shimmered ever so slightly for the briefest moment. If he hadn’t been looking so closely, he doubted he’d have seen the difference. At his side, Phillip whispered, “Is it…?”
“It’s glowing,” Shane said as they stepped closer to the wall. “Almost as if it’s—”
“Your Majesty!”
Shane and Phillip whirled to look at the shouting guard standing outside the carriage door.
Death was a peaceful bliss. No pain. Just a quiet stillness that took away all of life’s suffering.
Adalina blinked, slowly letting her eyes adjust to the light. She turned her head and smiled at the sun streaming in through the window. It created a golden glow around the familiar room.
Something tugged at the back of her mind, urging her to remember. Remember what happened—why she was there instead of with the people she loved.
“Ada?”
She smiled and reached for her brother as he walked around to the side of her bed. He grabbed her hand, sitting beside her.
Like a jolt shot through her, memories snapped back into place. Her brother. The curse. She sat up. “No. No, no, no. He said he got you the flower in time. You can’t be here.”
“Shh.” Shane moved closer. “It’s fine. Everything is all right.”
She shook her head. “No, you were supposed to live. Knowing you and Loxley would live is why I…”
“Adalina, I am alive,” Shane said, lifting a hand to her cheek. “So are you.”
“But…” She looked around her room in disbelief. Her eyes jerked back to the end of the bed. To her best friend, standing with tears in his eyes. “I’m not dead?”