Page 25

Adelaide

A delaide carelessly threw the door to the sitting room open. Her eyes swept over the room. Breathless, she clung to the solid door, afraid her grip would splinter the wood.

“Adelaide!” Her father rose from the couch in front of the fireplace. Relief swept over his harried features, easing the stiffness of his shoulders.

“Papa!” Adelaide’s lip wobbled. She sucked in a breath and crumpled to her knees. Heaving a sob, Adelaide buried her face in her hands. Overwhelming relief raged like a snowstorm inside her mind. But there was that frost, that chill that came with the flurries. It was the worry that tugged on her heartstrings.

What exactly had she left behind?

Would Gavin be able to subdue Mistress Scrabs and Prince Branigan? Or would the Eye of Behelwer fall into their hands despite all their efforts?

Strong arms wrapped around her. Adelaide returned the embrace and clung to her father.

“It’s all my fault,” she whispered.

Her father shushed her.

“I’m sure the archduke will be all right, Addie,” her mother said. Her voice was hoarse and frail. Adelaide risked a glance at her. Covered in blankets and sitting close to the flames, Adelaide realized she’d failed at providing the medication in time. Her mother’s condition had worsened, and if she didn’t…

Her father squeezed her tighter, as if his embrace could still the trembling in her bones.

Adelaide searched for Ethan’s hazel eyes. A hard look met her gaze. He nodded his head. Adelaide forced herself to take a deep breath and pull away from her father. Wiping her eyes, she swallowed the rest of her tears and fears.

“I’m glad you’re all safe and here,” she said, forcing a smile.

“Addie,” Amber started, frowning slightly as she tilted her head, “how come the Archduke came to save us?”

“Amber,” Papa chastised. Adelaide stared at her sister, struck by the question. Her brain scrambled for an answer, certain Amber wasn’t the only one wondering the same thing.

Well, maybe not Ethan. Adelaide knew without a shadow of a doubt that Ethan had already guessed the reason for Gavin’s involvement. The only thing left to explain was their relationship. The tips of Adelaide’s ears burned.

It had all been real. The only ruse, she realized, was the idea that what was between them was an act at all.

“It’s all right,” Adelaide said. Sniffling, she added, “I’m sure you’d all like an explanation.”

Slowly standing, Adelaide let her eyes fall shut. “I…I haven’t been honest with you.”

“Addie,” Ethan said in warning.

“No.” She shook her head. “I can’t live with this burden anymore.”

Adelaide’s heart kept count of the seconds ticking by. Her parents sat together on the couch. Her father held her mother in his arms, his lips pressed tightly together. Adelaide wouldn’t say they were pursed, but they weren’t necessarily a frown either. Nonetheless, the disappointment on his face was eminent. Amber tried to make conversation, asking questions about Castle Belmont like how many balls Adelaide thought Gavin had held or if there were any upcoming and could they attend them too?

Her mother stared into the fireplace with dull eyes, occasionally dozing off. The only thing she’d said after Adelaide had finished her tale of how she’d been a thief for Mistress Scrabs and how they’d been able to get the medicine was that she was sorry.

Adelaide didn’t know whether she wanted to laugh or cry more. Her mother was sorry? For what, being sick?

What Adelaide couldn’t fully understand was how readily her parents had taken the blame upon themselves. They’d known she was involved in something all along. The only shock to them was how involved she was in the black market. They’d assumed she was merely purchasing the medication. The shock and horror her confession had brought would remain with Adelaide until her last breath. Never once had it crossed their minds that their daughter was a thief for the worst of people, or that she could be considered an accessory to smuggling the medication in from Darshovi—to treason.

All it had taken was one night, and her entire world had shattered. Her secrets, her heart, her treason.

Adelaide clasped and unclasped her hands. Her eyes strayed to the door more often than she’d ever admit to. She tried to placate her mind with the idea that it was because she couldn’t sit and wait in the uncomfortable silence that had descended upon the sitting room in the wake of her confession. But the small voice that dwelled in the shadows of her mind knew the true reason behind her impatience.

She was waiting for Gavin to walk through the door. She wanted to see with her own eyes that he was all right. She needed to hear from his lips that he was unharmed. And even more selfishly, Adelaide needed to know what had happened or would happen to Mistress Scrabs.

“The Archduke…” Adelaide’s eyes snapped to her mother as she sat up, coughing. Adelaide rushed to her side, taking the seat on her other side as her father braced her mother in his arms. “He knows of all this as well?”

Adelaide hesitated, glancing down at her hands. Her mother’s boney hands grasped hers in a cold hold.

“Adelaide,” she said, her voice as frail as her grip, “does he make you happy?”

Did he? Was that what she felt? If so, did that explain the restlessness she’d experienced waiting for him day in and day out as he attended to matters of state?

“I…I enjoy his company…” she replied slowly. Her brows furrowed in concentration. “He’s quiet, but…” she smiled softly, “I don’t mind it. It’s natural rather than stifling, and he doesn’t overwhelm my space. It’s like we can just be, and it’s…”

Wonderful.

“You had better sort your feelings out quickly, Addie,” Ethan called from the window. “There’re horses coming up the drive and a carriage.”

Adelaide’s mind came to a crashing halt. Ethan’s words echoed in her ears. The beating of her own heart or the breath in her lungs faded from her consciousness. Relief and terror battled against each other for control over her mind. Adrenaline made her a specter in her own body. A fuzzy static filled Adelaide’s ears. Desperation gave her wings as she jumped to her feet and bolted from the room, past timeless paintings and down winding halls.

The fresh night air brought Adelaide back to her senses. The galloping of the horses’ hooves drowned out the thrum of panic and helplessness in her blood. Adelaide forced herself to a stop on the stone steps leading up into Castle Belmont. The group came right up to the steps, but with their armor and cloaks, they all looked the same in the dim moonlight. Adelaide tried not to look disappointed as each soldier dismounted in turn and Gavin hadn’t been revealed to her. Instead, she fought to appear calm, as if she hadn’t sprinted through the halls of the prestigious Belmont Estate in a strange mix of panic and excitement.

“Lady,” a knight bobbed his head in greeting, “His Grace will only be a moment.”

Before Adelaide could ask if Gavin was all right, the knight had left and joined the tangle around the carriage. Resigned to waiting and watching, Adelaide wrapped her arms around herself and attempted to rub the cold from her skin. The chill in the air had finally sunk into her bones and broke through the chaos of her mind.

Light flickered around the carriage—magic. Adelaide’s breath caught in her throat. A pair of knights broke away from the cluster as the carriage door was wrenched open by another. Caught by the magical illumination, Adelaide took in the disheveled black hair and fur-lined cloak that occasionally adorned her shoulders.

“Gavin,” she breathed.

Without a care for what was happening at the carriage or the position he was in, Adelaide rushed forward. As she came upon them, their soft words disappeared, and the dame Gavin was speaking with returned to the scene surrounding the carriage. Gone was his armor, and with it, all of Adelaide’s fears and the threat against Kordouva.

“Gavin!” Adelaide called, desperate to see him before he could turn away.

He turned toward her sharply. There wasn’t any time for words as she flung herself at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She breathed him in, relishing the comforting scent of his skin. Clenching her jaw to keep the tears stinging her eyes at bay, Adelaide buried her face in the crook of his neck. The fur of his cloak tickled her cheek and bare arms.

Gavin inhaled sharply.

“I’m sorry!” Adelaide gushed, pulling back. “Are you hurt? Do you need help? Can I—”

Gavin gently took her face between his hands. “I’m fine. Exhausted, but unharmed.”

Adelaide sagged in relief and leaned into his touch. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“What are you doing out here, Adelaide?” he asked, slowly withdrawing his hands from her face. Adelaide nearly whined. She wanted nothing more than to keep the contact between them and steal the warmth of his touch. Gavin wrapped his arms around her, drawing his cloak around her as he did and squeezed her tightly. “Please tell me you haven’t been waiting outside for me all this time.”

She shook her head. “I haven’t been. Ethan saw you coming from the window, and I…I had to see you.”

“Let’s go inside. It’s been a long night.”

Adelaide peeked over his shoulder. A litter leaned against the carriage. In the distance, she could just make out six figures walking toward the archway that led to the estate’s back courtyard.

And Castle Belmont’s barracks.

Gavin rubbed her back, a vain attempt at soothing the tension that had seeped into her muscles.

“It’s over, Adelaide.” His voice, despite being soft and comforting, didn’t allow space for any argument. “You and your family are safe. Mistress Scrabs and the Den of Thieves are no more. Prince Branigan will be dealt with, and Sir Maxwell will recover from his injuries.”

“And then what?”

“Well,” Gavin smiled faintly, “I was thinking we could sleep in and have a quiet breakfast and…oh, you meant for them?”

A laugh crackled up from Adelaide’s chest. Quickly catching herself, she stifled it behind her hand.

Gavin’s smile turned into a grin. He gently pulled her hand away and pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles that made her cheeks warm.

“If I may say so,” Gavin said, pulling her impossibly closer with a slight tug on their joined hands. The arm around her waist tightened, but only for a moment. “I think your heart has been burdened enough. Don’t worry about them any longer, Adelaide. As of tonight, your life is your own again.”

Adelaide stared up at him. A glint of sadness swept over Gavin’s eyes. Slowly, his hand slipped from hers, and the arm around her waist began to retract.

“What would you like to do now, Adelaide? The choice is yours.”

Adelaide caught his arm and grabbed at his collar. “I want to kiss you. I want this to last, to be real. I want you , Gavin. All of you, if you’ll have all of me…even though I…I think I committed treason—to save my mother.”

The beat of silence pounded ominously against Adelaide’s chest. Gavin’s clear blue eyes held hers, indiscernible.

Nearly driven to madness, Adelaide’s grip began to falter.

Her heart sank. She’d been wrong. No matter what Gavin felt for her, it wasn’t enough to save what could be. Her treachery was too big of an obstacle to overcome.

“I know,” he said quietly.

“You…you do?” Adelaide blinked. Her mind and all her heart’s intentions stilled.

“The day you went to visit your family,” Gavin explained, slowly taking her hand in his, “I followed you. I saw your mother, and I realized how badly the illness had run its course and knew the only way she could survive it was if she had the medicine from Darshovi.”

Adelaide shook her head. “If you knew all this time, then…”

“I didn’t care.” Gavin cupped her cheek. The night’s chill rushed through the break in their defense as the cloak shifted with his movement. Adelaide shivered. “I would have done the same thing, if not more. I would’ve waged a war against the gods if doing so would bear even the slightest chance of saving someone I love.”

“So what happens now then, if you already knew?”

“This.” He smiled, bringing his other hand up to hold her face between his hands.

Adelaide tilted her face up. Her heart fluttered. Gavin’s lips hesitantly met hers. Adelaide pressed herself closer, desperate to feel him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Adelaide parted her lips. Warmth spread through her, washing away years of fear and doubt. She hummed, playing with the short lock of hair at the nape of Gavin’s neck.

Gavin groaned and nipped at her bottom lip. His hands squeezed her hips.

Panting, Adelaide pulled back. Gavin rested his forehead on hers, and Adelaide was tempted to kiss him again. Her mind nagged at her. There was still too much to talk about, and far too much to sort through before she could wholly indulge herself in moments like this.

“Stay here,” Gavin begged.

“I want to,” Adelaide breathed. “but what will people think? What am I supposed to do?”

“Damn them.” Gavin stroked her cheek with his thumb, parting just enough to look deeply into her eyes. “All that matters to me is if you’ll be happy here…with me. You can do as you please, whenever you please. Just…stay?”

Dizzy with emotion, Adelaide couldn’t focus. A single word sat on her tongue, eager and bursting with energy. She wanted to set it free, to have Gavin sweep her off her feet and for the sun to rise, smiling brightly, in the morning. But the ashes in her stomach stirred. She couldn’t dispel the writhing shadows in her gut. For so long…

She’d lived someone else’s life.

Tears threatened Adelaide’s eyes once more.

She wanted tomorrow.

“I’d like that.” She smiled. “I’ll stay.”

Gavin’s face went slack, shocked for a moment, before a dazzling grin painted his features. He lifted her with ease and spun her around. Adelaide laughed. Uncaring of the world around them, she leaned down and kissed him once more.

“I’ll gladly stay if it means being with you,” she murmured as they broke apart and Gavin set her back on her feet. Eyes closed, Gavin bent down and leaned his forehead against hers as if relieved by her words. Clinging to each other, Adelaide let her eyes fall shut. She breathed him in—the scent of him, his sweat, the hint of his soap, and fine leather—content to just be.

“I don’t care what happens tomorrow,” Gavin said quietly. His breath fanned over her lips like a phantom kiss. “I only care about this, you, right here.”

Adelaide smiled, nudging her nose against his. “And here I was finally looking forward to tomorrow.”

Gavin laughed. Pulling away slowly, he unclasped his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. He laced their fingers together. Slowly, he led her from the driveway and up the front steps. “I’ll gladly walk into tomorrow for you.” Adelaide quirked her brow, which only caused Gavin to grin brightly, the corners of his eyes creasing. “I had wanted to freeze this moment.”

Adelaide shook her head, smiling to herself. “That would’ve been okay too.”

Gavin squeezed her hand. Adelaide returned the gesture, letting him guide her through the halls of Castle Belmont. The night’s chill slowly faded from her bones. Exhaustion wove its way through her bloodstream. Her limbs grew heavy the farther they walked. Adelaide looped her arm around Gavin’s to support herself, glad he was there to lean on as they finally made it back to the sitting room where she’d left her family. Gavin stopped, causing Adelaide to follow suit.

“I’ve asked Thomas and Elizabeth to prepare some rooms for your family. We can sort things out tomorrow.”

Adelaide hummed in agreement. “You never did answer me,” she said, slowly rounding on Gavin to face him. “What will happen to Sir Maxwell? To me?”

Gavin took a breath. “I’m not sure. I’ve sent a message to the king to tell him of Mistress Scrabs’s and Prince Branigan’s capture.” Pausing, he grasped her other hand. Grounded by the contact, Adelaide held on to her waning patience. “Jameson is fair, and if I explain all that’s happened…”

“But you’re not sure,” Adelaide interrupted. She nodded her head slowly. Not even Gavin could protect her from the king’s rule.

“No,” he said, “but I know my cousin. I believe he’ll listen to me. You kept the Eye of Behelwer safe. Both you and Sir Maxwell were coerced by Mistress Scrabs. Jameson will see reason, that I’m sure of.”

“Don’t sacrifice your standing for me,” she begged. “I’ve always known the consequences for my actions.”

“I wouldn’t be sacrificing myself. I would be telling the truth to my king as a loyal subject who’s done quite a lot to secure his throne.”

His response darted around Adelaide’s mind. Her brows furrowed. “Do you intend to blackmail the king?”

“I wouldn’t think of it like that,” Gavin said, his voice full of humor as he considered her question. “I would see it more as me reminding him of my service and defending the actions of two Kordouvians subjected to a cruel and horrible illness and the lack of an ethical cure.”

Adelaide shook her head in disbelief. “I’ll wait to pack my bags then.”

“Ah,” Gavin teased, “so you intended to run? I should warn you—I’m very good at finding things and people.”

“Hm,” Adelaide said, “so does that mean you wouldn’t come with me if I’d asked? ”

“Would you ask me?” Gavin countered.

Adelaide’s heart fluttered as Gavin’s eyes darkened with a storm of mystery and a burning intensity that captivated her. Like a vow, she said, “I would.”