Page 40 of The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter

It would be easy with the pain of the news so fresh. Death waited. The world bustled around them, unaware that its very existence hung in the balance.

“No,” she said, lip trembling. “I won’t let you take anyone else.”

Death smiled. He stood closer as he made his final point. “I don’t say this to be cruel, Nella, but more loss is to come. Joy, happiness, and a little peace, but pain and loneliness will always follow. If you haven’t learned that by now, you will.” Death tapped the table. “This is the game we play. That’s how I know I’ll win.”

“No, you won’t. I won’t let you,” she said, her eyes hard, mouth tight.

“Well, we shall see,” he said, more invigorated than he had been in eons. He wondered how long it would take before she finally gave in to him. Before she learned that death was inevitable. Thathewas inevitable.

He glanced out the window at the man named William, who waited in the carriage, the horses pawing the ground.

Yes, she’d learn that soon enough.

Eleven

Istumbled into the blinding sunshine, dazed by the news.

The world marched on, unfazed and unscathed. Horses clopped by, wagons rolled past, andmarchandescalled, enticing passersby with their wares, the melody of the city a discordant cacophony of contrasts. I had succeeded, for now, but none of it mattered.

Silas was dead.

I gripped the doorframe on my way out, needing to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other, trying not to faint in front of all of them.

All other sounds drained away, replaced by a piercing whine emanating from the center of my brain. I jostled forward until I reached the doors that opened to the veranda. The humid air closed around me, squeezing all the breath left in my lungs. I clutched the nearest post, dragging in deep heaves of air.

It was over.

I’d spent years searching for him, the purpose anchoring me, driving me forward. I had no family left.

William hopped down, concerned. “Are you all right?”

I would never be okay again.

“The meeting ... It was about Silas.”

“What happened?”

I swallow, wishing the words weren’t true. “He’s gone.”

“But how?”

I shook my head. “I have it on the firmest authority that it’s too late.”

William’s face wore anguish. “I’m so sorry,” he said, taking my elbow. “Let me help you in the carriage.”

I sat inside, reeling from Death’s revelation. I squeezed my eyes shut, the powerlessness a vise snaking around my core. William paused, holding me for a moment. I wanted to cry into his jacket but couldn’t find the tears. We just sat in the back of the carriage until my heart slowed and I could breathe again.

“I’m here.” William kissed my forehead.

He lifted my chin. “You could stay? We could stay?” His eyes brimmed with promise. I could almost see what our life could be in this city: a cozy house beside his blacksmith’s shop, my very own study built by him and filled with endless paper and ink, a garden spilling over with our friends. “Don’t go to Paris.”

A single tear streamed down my face. “I only came to this city for Silas, and he’s no longer here.”

A knock rattled the carriage, and an angry voice barked about moving out of the way.

William planted a gentle kiss on my mouth before slipping out. He hopped up, took the reins, and turned the carriage down the street toward the docks. I pushed back into the seat, inhaling the strong breeze through the open window, the scent making everything more real.

My brother was dead.