Page 91 of Cursed Evermore

I inched back into the room, leaving the door ajar.

My heart sped up with anticipation. If I left the room, what should I do?

Gods… how I’d love to escape but that wasn’t going to happen.

Free as I was to leave the room, there was no way Wolfe would allow me to roam the ship with the risk that I might escape. Even if that meant jumping overboard.

If I walked around, would I see the others? Like Arielle? Or the other Fae onboard.

I didn’t want to speak to anyone. I couldn’t imagine what I’d talk about. And how would they treat me? To them, I was the daughter of the man who murdered their king. They might treat me no differently than if I’d killed him myself.

Light footsteps suddenly filled the hallway. I braced my heart for another battle. Things happened in threes, right?

Wolfe and Arielle's visits had left me as drained as a candle burning at both ends.

The footsteps were too light to be Wolfe's, but that didn't mean it wasn't him. Earlier, he'd appeared in front of me like a ghost.

I held my breath, waiting for whatever torment would walk through that door. When it swung open, relief flooded through me as the woodland sprite glided in, balancing a tray laden with delicious-looking food.

Unlike yesterday, when he barely looked at me, his pixie features softened when he caught my gaze, his lips curving into what might have passed for a smile.

“My lady, your food as requested by Lord Nightblade.” The squeaky voice matched his delicate features.

Lord Nightblade. The title struck me anew, giving me glimpses into Wolfe’s nobility and highborn power.

“He asked me to prepare some food he'd observed you enjoying back home.”

My stomach clenched. When had Wolfe watched me eat?

The answer sprawled before me on the tray with dishes from my engagement celebration. Strawberries drowning in clotted cream nestled in a crystal bowl, surrounded by an array of meat-filled sandwiches.

Mother had prepared most of the celebration food herself, filling the tables with my favorites to calm my nerves about Thayden.

Memories of home carved an ache in my chest. Mother and the others felt worlds away already, though I'd barely left them behind.

“My Lady.” The sprite’s voice pulled me back. “Lord Nightblade cautions that you'll need your strength for the roughwaters ahead. The crossing between realms devours those with empty stomachs.”

“I've… never crossed realms before.” I spoke in a mindless rasp, the comment more to myself than to the sprite.

Sympathy softened his otherworldly features. “It’s quite the experience, I promise. I've crossed a few times myself. By ship proves the most spectacular. There’s something magical about sailing through the Veil.” His enthusiasm sparked despite his formal demeanor. “You'll see.”

His gentleness soothed something raw inside me. “Maybe.”

“I am Sirril, my Lady. I'll serve as your assistant while you’re under Lord Nightblade's care.”

He made it sound like Wolfe was my guardian. Did he not know my true status here? Surely, he must have.

“Nice to meet you.” My attempt at a smile felt foreign, the muscles straining from disuse. After everything, I'd forgotten how to form one.

“Please.” He lifted the tray with fluid grace. “Eat.”

“Alright.”

He set the fresh tray beside this morning's untouched offerings. Before I could apologize, he snapped his fingers, vanishing the old food in a sparkle of fairy light.

“My Lady.” He bowed and glided out, leaving the door open, another reminder of Wolfe's calculated mercy.

I waited until his footsteps faded to echoing whispers before approaching the food. The savory aroma of roasted chicken made my mouth water traitorously, my stomach rumbling with need. I took a bite, and it broke through the wall of defiance inside me. Hunger crashed through my defenses like a tidal wave, unstoppable and raw. Then I devoured the sandwich in my next mouthful. The rest was gone within seconds.