Page 105 of The Bones of the Cursed

Fuck.

Iclas would never take the chance of Paliri or Leena having easy access to her bones. He would have hidden them somewhere and ensured Leena couldn’t enter. He needed Leena on the Isle; it would have been impossible to guard her bones there. But if he found a secure place, then he could place a spell to keep her out.

Leena believed her bones were at a throne. But it isn’t a royal throne.

It’s a dais.

And the blueprint doesn’t show a house at all.

It shows the Hallowed Temple.

40

- ALANIS -

THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT

While I wait for Malakai to finish his meeting with the king, I gather everyone in the parlor. The deep mahogany floors shine from a fresh coat of wax, the bitter chemical smell still hanging in the air. The double glass doors stand open, letting a fresh breeze blow through, and the sound of birds flitting about outside creates such a peaceful happy moment within the chaos that has become my life that I can almost forget what’s in store for me. Basking in the sunshine, I stand looking at my found family and a warmth flows through me that I’ve never felt before. Elion, Hannah, Malakai, and Kailu. All of them have been here through this entire journey, and I wouldn’t want anyone else with me at the end.

At last, Malakai and the king step out of the study, so after I relay the new information, Mal hurries to ready the horses. The king studies me for a moment before coming to stand before me.

“You’re going to do it, aren’t you?”

My eyes burn as I nod. “There is no other way.”

His throat works on a swallow. “I fear that losing you will also mean losing my son.”

Before I can reply, a cloaked figure strides through the front door, unannounced. The guards unsheathe their swords, prepared to attack, only for their knees to abruptly turn to liquid and they fall. My father removes his hood, and the king drops to his knee so fast that I worry he hurt himself.

“Gods’ sake, please stand up,” Viros says, stopping before him. I bite back my smile. My father glances at me and winks. “You have made the realm quite proud with how you lead. The Gods are very happy with you. I am also happy to see how much you care for my daughter.”

The king clears his throat as he gets to his feet. “I care for her like she is my own.”

“I see that.” Turning to me, he smiles. “I received your letter and did as you asked. I have no promises it will work, but they will come to wherever you want. I can’t promise the others will, though.”

“I understand,” I say. “I will take anything I can. Please tell them to meet me at the Hallowed Temple in exactly one day.”

Viros nods. I think he is going to leave, but instead steps forward, pulling me into a tight embrace.

He whispers into my ear so low I’m sure the king can’t hear: “I’m not sure what your plan is, but be careful. You can’t trust the Hell Gods.” Then he steps back, cradling my cheeks. A devious smile takes over his face. “I was told you gave your grandmother my best. I must say, I’m quite impressed. I wish I would have thought of drowning the old bat.”

I laugh. “Don’t worry, you might get your chance. Will you stand with us on the battlefield?”

He tilts his head, examining me as if I’m a particularly interesting butterfly who’s just alighted on his outstretched finger. “I will stand with you always. You are my daughter, whether I had the chance to raise you or not.”

More tears gather in my eyes. I swear I have cried more in thepast few weeks than I have in the past year.

When Malakai returns, Viros leaves to relay my message, but I’m sure I will be seeing him again soon. With Iclas moving his army into battle positions, we don’t have time to make the week-long journey to the temple by horse. Ghoul attacks happen daily. The lives of the people of this realm are in more and more danger every second we wait.

We ride straight through the remainder of the day and arrive at the port around midnight. Kailu sent word to a ship captain who resides in Thornhill Meadow, who meets us on the docks, ensuring we will reach our destination by midmorning.

The crew wastes no time casting off, and before long we are bobbing on the Azian Sea on our way to the shipping dock that sits directly across from the Shivering Lake. Being back on a ship throws my thoughts back to the past, to the last time I was on one with Elion, escaping the Caselian Realm. That ship ride was one filled with the pain of losing our parents and the fear of the unknown; unfortunately, this one isn’t much different. Once we dock, it will only take a few hours to trek to the temple. Luckily, we were able to bring our horses onboard, so it shouldn’t be too hard to make it there before my guests.

Nerves rack my body, making me unable to sleep, no matter how warm I am with Malakai and Kailu at my side. They refuse to leave me, something I appreciate more than anything. Kailu’s arm is outstretched, my head resting in the crook of his shoulder while his fingertips brush lazily over the shaved sides of Malakai’s head. Malakai has one of my hands in his, our fingers aligned, moonlight painting our knuckles in silver. I’m content, and I know they are, too, no matter what we face with the dawn.

As the sun crests over the horizon, we can just barely make out the Isle of Rimoldi through the early morning mist. The Isle creates a frightening picture against the blood red sunrise. The dark silhouette of the castle spires protrudes into the sky, themist from the ocean creating a fog like effect around the cursed Isle. The hair on my arms raises, as if the air awaits a lightning strike.

We dock by noon, slightly later than originally anticipated. We still have plenty of time, though. I quickly double check that my satchel has everything I may need on the journey: a canteen of water, the remedy for ghoul poison, a few food provisions, and of course flint and steel and an extra dagger. We saddle up our horses and take off at a steady canter, unwilling to miss the one chance we have. I need to set Leena free before anyone else arrives.

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