The Lost Alliance (The Nihryst Book 3) Read online

  Shane pulled him into his arms.

  “She made me promise to always look after you two,” Phillip whispered, his voice shaky. “Just like she gave you the scepter and Ada the cards.”

  “Which means you were right.” He brushed a hand through Phillip’s hair. “She knew everything, and she left us the pieces to end this once and for all.”

  “I don’t understand though,” Phillip said. “If she knew it would take a sacrifice, why would she set this all up? I can’t imagine she was just willing to let one of her children die for this. She loved you both more than anything.”

  What he said made sense, and Shane feared he might never get those answers. He wished he’d known to ask when he was seeing her ghost, but he still wasn’t sure if that was actually her or hallucinations brought on by the Kald.

  “She did, but I think she planned all this before having us,” he said, trying to piece together everything he knew. “I don’t think she counted on loving us so much… maybe that’s why…”

  His words trailed off. It pained him to think his mother stopped trying because she’d loved them too much. Phillip tightened his hold on him. “Why what?”

  “Maybe that’s why she didn’t protect herself from my father. Maybe she let him kill her because she couldn’t live with herself…” He hated even thinking it, but the more he did, the more he thought it might have been the truth. Clearing his throat, he said, “I don’t know… Regardless, I think that dagger you carry is more than just a weapon.”

  “But… Ddadwneud…” Phillip moved to lay on his back. “Don’t you remember the stories?”

  “Not really,” Shane admitted.

  As if reciting from a book long forgotten, Phillip whispered, “Only to whom the stars deem worthy shall the dagger appear.”

  Despite the dark, despite the gruesome night they’d faced and the worse day to come, Shane smiled. He shifted closer to Phillip and draped an arm across his waist. Leaning in close, Shane kissed his cheek. He’d been aiming for his mouth, but he couldn’t see anything in this tent.

  He did know that part of the story. Lee had told him on the ship.

  “And as I said earlier,” Shane said, “you are the worthiest man I’ve ever met. You are selfless and brave, kind and generous. You genuinely care about people.”

  “So do you.”

  “Phillip, you were nine years old when my mother died,” Shane went on as if he hadn’t spoken. “Which means you promised her sometime before that to always look after Adalina and me. And you have kept that promise over and over again, but you know what?”

  “What?” It was barely more than a breath, but Shane heard it.

  He inched his hand up to rest over Phillip’s beating heart. “You once told me you’d give your life to protect us with or without your oath as a guard, and I know you would’ve protected us even if you hadn’t promised her to.”

  Phillip turned, burying his face in the crook of Shane’s neck. The faint wetness from tears met his skin, and Shane wrapped his arms around him tighter. He wanted to hold him forever, but too soon, the sun would rise. They’d go into battle, facing an army nearly twice the size of theirs. There was no telling what would happen.

  “I love you.” If they made it through this war, Shane would remind him every day. He would tell him over and over until Phillip believed him, and then he would keep telling him.

  He kissed the side of Phillip’s head. The previous night had been theirs as newly married men, but tonight… Tonight, Shane just wanted to fall asleep with his best friend in his arms.

  Chapter 31

  Adalina

  Ada all but collapsed in their tent. The ground was unbelievably hard, but she was so tired from walking across half the kingdom and fighting her way through so many soldiers that she didn’t care. She also wanted to be close to their crew, so she hadn’t requested better sleeping arrangements she knew she could have.

  Lee chuckled as he lowered himself through the mouth of the tent. He gently lifted one of her feet at a time, removing her shoes before his own. When he shifted up beside her, he began unstrapping sheaths and weapons from her body. As if it was the most natural thing in the world to take care of her.

  The nearest fire just outside flickered beneath her closed eyelids. Unarmed, Lee laid down next to her. She immediately moved to curl up against his side, resting her head on his shoulder. His fingers brushed through the hair that had come loose sometime in the last couple hours.

  She had so many questions, but she could only ask, “Was it her?”

  Lee stilled, and she had her answer. “I didn’t lie when I said I couldn’t remember. So many memories are blurred together. It wasn’t until later that I realized the truth.”

  “She gave it to Phillip,” she said in a hushed tone. “He has the dagger we need.”

  It was a long moment before Lee sighed. “No, Adalina. The only reason we’d need that dagger is if you were planning on sacrificing yourself to free me, and I don’t want that. I don’t want the curse broken if you’re not by my side.”

  Ada let out a shaky breath but held back her retort. That was it then. They had the dagger and could end everything. The only thing left to do was pay the price. For so long, she’d promised to break this curse no matter what it took. Since she was a child, she’d made that vow.

  Now that the time was here, now that she knew what it was like to sink a blade into her own skin… Ada hugged an arm around her middle, no longer fighting the tears. She didn’t know if she could do it again. But the prophecy showed her or Shane dying. It had to happen one way or another because they saw the paintings, and she wouldn’t let it be her brother.

  “Tomorrow, we will fight alongside your men,” Lee said, pressing his lips to her temple. “Then, we will figure out the rest.”

  She stayed quiet, unsure what to say.

  “You promised, blodau.”

  “I know.” She rubbed a hand across her churning stomach before putting her arm over him. She did promise, but she’d made an earlier vow. How did she decide which to break when so much was at stake? “I love you.”

  “I love you too, Adalina. More than anything.”

  The tears continued rolling down her cheeks, but she tucked her head down, willing her breathing to calm. She felt Lee’s chest rise and fall slower and slower. Outside their tiny canvas shelter, the fire continued to crackle. In the distance, she heard the faint sounds of people whispering. Their crew surrounded them, and she wondered if Merta still sat at Theo’s side.

  She laid with Lee for hours, sleeping in short spurts. But each time, she woke from the same nightmare full of blood. Silence settled over the camp like the calm before a storm, and Ada opened her eyes. She peeked out of the tent to peer up at the stars. Those stars that determined her fate before she was even born. Studying them, she found her favorite constellation—the great ship, which marked the nearing dawn.

  She ducked back inside. She could just make out Lee’s silhouette in the dark, but it was enough. Leaning down close, she pressed a feather-light kiss to his cheek.

  “I love you,” she whispered under her breath. “I’m sorry.”

  He stirred but didn’t wake. She began arming herself again, lacing her boots, and crawling out of their safe little world. Standing, she sucked in a deep breath of crisp, early morning air. She looked up and down the quiet row of tents as she re-braided and tied off her hair. With her sword hanging from her hip and her daggers strapped to her thighs, she began walking, her footsteps crunching over the grass that was still dead from winter.

  The sun would soon rise, and the sleeping men and women would face the impossible. Their numbers were no match for Rayerna with half their forces still in the south. The only way this could end in favor of both kingdoms was if Michel was taken out, and Ada was one of the few people who might be able to accomplish the task.

  She made her way to the large war tent in the corner of the camp nearest the shore. It wasn’t until she reached it
that she thought Phillip might not be inside. He’d wanted to keep his relationship and marriage a secret, but she had to hope. Otherwise, she’d have to search him out or wait until everyone was awake. The latter was not an option.

  When the guards recognized her, they stepped aside without a word. Nodding to them, she grabbed one of the lanterns and slipped inside. She crept around the long table to the cot on the other end. At the sight of two sleeping figures, she silently thanked the stars. She knelt, reaching for the gear on the ground.

  A hand grabbed her wrist, and she nearly screamed.

  “Shh, it’s me.” Phillip brushed his thumb over the back of her hand. He glanced over his shoulder to Shane, but her brother hadn’t stirred. After a brief moment, as if waiting to make sure the king stayed asleep, Phillip slid out of the cot to the ground beside her. He shuffled through his things and pulled out the sheathed dagger. The symbols she’d seen in the tower glinted on one side of the handle, a rose on the other. “Here.”

  Ada met his eyes in the dim lantern light. Understanding and sorrow filled his gaze. She didn’t know what to say, so instead, she set it down and wrapped her arms around his neck. Phillip held her tight, rubbing her back with one hand.

  “If there’s another way,” he whispered against her ear, “find it. Do you hear me?”

  More tears fell, and she nodded. “Take care of him.”

  “Until my last breath.” He kissed the side of her head. “I don’t want you to go alone. You shouldn’t have to face him on your own. This shouldn’t have fallen to you.”

  She leaned back to take his face in both hands, knowing he was getting too worked up. If he woke Shane, she’d never make it out of this camp. She couldn’t tell him goodbye too. Shane would never let her go, especially with the dagger. Sniffing, she wiped her tears away and traded one of her daggers with his. “Tell Shane I love him. And Lee…”

  “This isn’t goodbye, Adalina Rose.” He squeezed her tight. “I know you need to face Michel, but don’t use the dagger on yourself when you’re done. We’ll find another way.”

  He’d always been able to read her easier than anyone. He knew her thoughts, her reasoning. But he didn’t know about the prophecy, and she wouldn’t put that burden on him. She wouldn’t make him choose between her and Shane’s death.

  “Make sure Lee knows this was my decision and that I am sorry. He has to know I did this for you all as much as him,” she said. “There’s enough guilt weighing him down already.”

  Phillip put a palm against her cheek and repeated, “This is not goodbye. You will tell them both how much you love them yourself when you come back.”

  She nodded but couldn’t agree. When he pulled her into one final hug, she held him just as tight. Her best friend her entire life. He’d been there the day she was born, and he’d stayed by her side, protecting her, ever since.

  “You’re coming back,” he choked out. “We’re supposed to grow old and raise our children together, remember?”

  Her eyes closed as a sob escaped her lips. Before he could say anything more, she kissed his cheek and stood, grabbing the lantern and storming toward the tent’s flap with one hand on her stomach. At the opening, she paused and looked back to find Phillip climbing onto the cot. Still sleeping, Shane immediately rolled over and put an arm around him. She was glad they had each other. They’d worked things out, and if they made it through this battle, they could spend the rest of their lives together. Now, she just needed to make sure that could happen.

  Stepping back out into the cool morning air, Ada handed the lantern over to one of the guards and began walking toward the hills in the distance. She wasn’t going to stop for any more goodbyes or explain where she was heading. She couldn’t handle it. This was going to be hard enough without them knowing.

  Above her the sky began to lighten a fraction at a time. Soldiers stirred, some already sitting around the dying embers of the fires. None spoke. Birds chirped from the nearby trees, oblivious to the destruction about to rain upon their lands.

  Wrapping her arms around her middle, she glanced down. Tears pricked her eyes, and a lump formed in her throat. Those last words Phillip spoke played on a loop in her mind.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. She meant it when she told him she’d try to find another way. There wouldn't be a sacrifice this time—there couldn’t be. Not with…

  She tightened her arms around herself, around her stomach that had felt queasy for days.

  Turning down the final row of tents, she stilled. A lone silhouetted figure stood at the end, waiting with crossed arms.

  “Did you really think I’d let you face him alone?”

  The tears she’d fought so hard spilled down her cheeks as she approached. Without hesitation, Lee put a hand on either side of her face and brushed them away before kissing her.

  “I thought you were asleep,” she whispered when he released her enough to meet his gaze.

  He winked. Shaking her head, she let out a soft laugh.

  Growing serious, he asked, “Do you have the blade?”

  “Yes. It really was Phillip. He was the one foretold in the story—the one worthy of carrying it.” She pulled it out. “You’re not going to try to stop me?”

  He blinked, his head tilting to the side as grief filled his eyes. “Would it do any good?”

  “No,” she whispered. “I don’t plan on using it. But if it comes down to me or Shane, to fulfill the prophecy, I…”

  “I know.” His quiet, relenting voice matched her own. “But we’ll wait until the last possible moment. Promise me.”

  Standing on her toes, Ada brushed her lips against his. “I promise.”

  He pulled her in closer to deepen the kiss, and she didn’t fight it. They needed to hurry, but she wanted this moment with him—needed it.

  Reluctantly, she broke away and took a step back.

  Holding out a hand, he nodded. “Ready, Princess?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She laced their fingers together and began walking toward the hills. They would go around the open fields at the edge of the forest, but that was as far as her plan went. Looking over, she said, “And don’t think I missed you calling me ‘Princess.’”

  Lee squeezed her hand with a soft chuckle that warmed her insides. They had to make it through this because she wasn’t done hearing that voice. She crossed her free arm back over her stomach.

  She’d prayed to the stars she was wrong when she first suspected, but she knew she wasn’t. It was Shane’s comment about her precautions with Michel that made her see the truth. With the chaos of the last several months, she hadn’t considered seeking out that particular tonic.

  They’d never come up with an explanation of how she’d returned to life. But now she knew. It wasn’t because of anything in the curse.

  It was because she’d had the Heulwen’s healing abilities in her veins. Just as it had stopped Gwyn from becoming infected with the Kald, it stopped Ada from dying on that blade.

  She carried a piece of the flower inside her—a part of him inside her.

  And she would do everything in her power to make sure that wasn’t lost. Destinies be damned.

  Chapter 32

  Shane

  When Shane woke, he knew something was wrong. Not just that Phillip was already up and preparing without him, no. Phillip didn’t say a word. He wouldn’t even look Shane’s way as the king stood from the cot and moved to his side.

  Shane put his fingers beneath Phillip’s chin, turning him. His hazel eyes were rimmed red, and a deep sorrow sat there. Shane’s stomach dropped. He shook his head, not needing to ask.

  “Did you—” He stopped, realizing it didn’t matter if Phillip only knew or handed over the dagger himself. Knowing would only make it worse. Instead, he pulled him into a hug. There would be no arguing this morning, not when their time might be limited. His sister not saying goodbye hurt more than he had words for, but he understood why she didn’t. “She’s braver than a
ny of these soldiers.”

  Phillip quietly agreed. “I’m sorry.”

  Pushing him back, Shane gave him a sad smile. “I know.”

  “She promised to find another way, but…”

  But she would do it to save him. The prophecy showed one of them dying in this war, and she was too stubborn to let it be him. Shane felt as if he couldn’t breathe.

  He kissed Phillip once before looking to the armor someone had delivered. They helped each other, not wanting to bring in anyone else for these potentially last moments together. Shane’s head throbbed, and the familiar despairing darkness threatened to consume him. He couldn’t lose his sister. Not like this.

  Phillip stepped in front of him, placing a hand on either side of his face. “Stay with me. Don’t let it win.”

  He didn’t know about the prophecy, Shane realized. Phillip still had hope because he didn’t know.

  “Ready?” Phillip asked, his tone soft.

  Taking a deep breath, Shane nodded. “Yes.”

  He needed to keep going—to fight for his kingdom and people. Adalina was out there charging after Michel, and then she’d use the blade. He knew her well enough to expect it. The knowledge was more excruciating than anything he’d ever experienced. But he’d make sure her death wasn’t in vain.

  Suited up and armed with their various blades, they strode across the tent and out to the rising camp. Men and women readied themselves in a similar fashion. It was quiet, save for the clinking metal and hushed whispers. As Shane made to head north, Phillip put a hand out to stop him.

  “Wait.” He lifted Shane’s hand and removed his ring. Shane opened his mouth to protest, but Phillip grabbed his other hand. He slid it onto the proper finger. Only then did Shane realize Phillip had already switched his own over. When he was done, Phillip continued holding his hand as he looked up. “No more hiding.”

  “No more hiding,” Shane said with a nod and a smile.

  Together, they began walking toward the northern fields. Around them, soldiers turned to watch their king preparing to fight alongside them. They inclined their heads, bowing with respect and showing their support. Some of the commanders stood on the outskirts of camp, waiting for their men to line up. A few had wide eyes as they noticed his hand still in Phillip’s, but they smoothed their features as the two reached them.