Page 431 of Alchemised

“She deserved to die after what she did to you.” His voice was unrelenting, unapologetic. “I couldn’t leave her once I knew where she was hiding.”

She shook her head. “You shouldn’t have looked. You should have left it alone.”

She glared at him for a moment longer and then burst into tears. “I’m so glad she’s dead.”

Kaine took two rapid steps and caught her before she could back away, her fingers curled, gripping his shirt.

“I hope she suffered, but I didn’t want it to be you—why is it always you?” She buried her face in his chest. “I hated her. I hated her so much. I’m so glad she’s dead.”

“I know,” he said, his arms wrapping around her. “She’s gone now. There won’t be anyone else.”

Ten Years Later

THEY STOOD, FINGERS ENTWINED, AS the last cloud of smoke from the steamship vanished.

“It’s just the two of us now,” Helena said wistfully.

Kaine was silent, silver eyes trained on the sea, as if he could still make out the ship over the curve of the horizon.

She squeezed his hand. “You realise why she’s going, don’t you?”

Kaine winced. “Yes …”

Helena rested her head on his shoulder. “I suppose it was inevitable. Letting things go isn’t really a trait of ours.”

He snorted. “I’ve had my moments at least. You, on the other hand …”

She laughed, looking up at him. His hair was still dyed brown, and she was surprised by how often she missed the silver-white. A few more years and he could probably stop dyeing it. However, his eyes were still the same. No matter how long she studied them, there always seemed to be nuances in the way the colour shifted, the glimmers of emotion that showed through.

When he looked down at her, the world around them faded away.

Her stomach flipped. “So, what do we do now?”

The corner of his mouth curved into a smile that had only ever been for her. “Anything. Whatever you want.”

Epilogue

Julius 1808

THE RIVER FERRY CHURNED UP THE WINDING river, reaching the final bend and revealing Paladia to those aboard. The audible gasps gave away those who had never seen the famous city before.

It gleamed like a giant crown laid in the river, framed by towering mountains.

At the front of the ship, a young woman with large silver-grey eyes watched the city draw near, barely able to tear her eyes away as the ferry made port and passengers began to disembark.

She paused at the top of the gangplank, searching the crowd for a familiar face.

“Enid!” called a voice.

Several people turned to see former paladin Lila Bayard running towards the ship, her son Apollo behind her, and a few guards all trying to keep up.

Lila reached Enid first and crushed her into a hug before stepping back.

“Look at you. It’s been too long.” Lila dropped her voice down. “I was afraid I wouldn’t recognise you, but you look so much like your mum.”

Enid smiled. “Yes,” she said in a faint Etrasian accent. “Father always says that.”

Lila shook her head. “I can’t believe they finally let you come. I thought they’d want you to keep studying in Khem, but I’m so excited that we’re going to have you in the program.”