Page 44 of When the Wicked Sing (The Leruna Sea #1)

The silence that greeted Dax the moment he entered the med bay was peaceful, and he welcomed its calming effect on him. He spotted the white-robed female holding the hands of a crying male and could barely hear her soft words.

Ophelia’s eyes were black, starry orbs. Her heart-shaped lips uttered soft words to the distressed male. She was deep in the spirit realm.

“She’s at peace and pain-free,” Ophelia murmured. “She says to take care of the children. Watch them grow up, she says, and enjoy every moment you can, and know that she’ll be right there the entire time. She loves you.”

The male’s head dipped, his dark hair falling over his wrinkled eyes. “Oh, Celia,” he sobbed, his body shaking with grief. Ophelia winced as her eyes turned back to their pale rose hue, and she put a gentle hand on his shoulder, staying with him until the tears stopped.

Dax recognized the servant, though he’d never spoken to him. He considered how fortunate the palace workers were to have access to the royal med bay and that Ophelia offered her services to those grieving. Despite the minor pains it caused her.

“Thank you, Seer. What you’ve done for me …

I cannot thank you enough. My dear Celia never deserved to suffer.

The cancer consumed her before we had any chance to stop it.

I was so angry, and now, I see that she’s in a much better place.

” The male sniffed and wiped his eyes with the tissue she handed him.

“She is,” Ophelia assured with a small smile. “And one day, when your time comes, you will be reunited once again. Until then, enjoy being with your children. Do as Celia asked and watch over them.”

They both stood, and Ophelia kept a steadying hand on his arm as they walked to the entrance, passing Dax, who kept his head down.

“Seer.” The male paused and gazed at Ophelia with hope. “Is it true that Celia’s spirit will be with us? If I speak to her, will she hear me?”

Ophelia nodded. “Yes, the spirit world is kind. For those who wish to remain close to their loved ones, the Eternal Sands holds their place for them in the desert until they are ready to rest. Your Celia will remain close to you within the Veil for as long as you and your children need her.” Ophelia squeezed the male’s hands and gave him a reassuring smile.

He sniffed, thanked her with a relieved smile, and exited the med bay.

Ophelia turned to Dax and clasped her hands in front of her.

“Strange seeing you here. I thought you hated the clinic,” she said with a lifted brow and a curious smile .

“On the contrary, it’s the doctors I don’t like. I prefer the healers outside the palace.”

“Ahh,” she said and crossed her arms. “So why are you here, then?”

Dax rubbed his neck and stared at the floor for a moment. “Have you seen her?” He hesitantly lifted his eyes to see Ophelia’s amused gaze.

“Yes, I have.” She took the seat beside him. “She’s strong, brave. I like her.” Her gaze turned curious as she inspected him. “You should go see her.”

Dax bit the inside of his cheek. “If Halia wants the location, then it’s best that I stay out of Ma—” He cleared his throat, just barely stopping himself from mentioning Mari’s name in a public space. “It’s best I leave her be.”

The Seer hesitated, like she wanted to ask him to spill everything on his mind, but to his surprise, she didn’t. Instead, she nodded.

“I understand. It’s easier to run away into the night than face the challenges that dawn brings to light.”

Dax’s brows dipped. Did she just call him a coward? “I’m not running from anything.” He cared about Mari—far more than he should have. If anything, he was saving her by staying away. He couldn’t have the darkness infecting him tainting her life.

Ophelia placed a gloved hand on his arm, her eyes going soft. “Maybe not, Dax. But sometimes, we don’t realize we’re running until we’re out of breath. The hardest paths often lead to the most worthwhile destinations. Trust yourself to face the dawn.”

~

He repeated Ophelia’s words over and over in his mind as he walked down the hall toward the forbidden wing.

Not even the king visited the place. Queen Cybele had resided in her private wing whenever she visited the kingdom.

That was before Dax worked for the royal family, before he became their servant—their dog to order around.

He nodded to the guards stationed at the door, then took a deep breath. He placed his hand on the knob and had to work up the courage to step inside.

Darkness greeted him, the only light coming from the fire burning in the ornate hearth. Did Mari not know how to turn on the lights?

Closing the door softly behind him, he glanced around for any signs of Mari, but found none.

He reached a hand up toward the switch that would turn the lumen chandelier on, just as Mari said from the darkness, “You shouldn’t have come here.”

Dax dropped his hand and exhaled slowly, turning to face her. She stood by the fire. The flickering light danced along her features, casting shadows that sharpened her frown.

“I know,” he murmured and stepped toward her.

“Stay where you are.” Her voice was as cold as an ice storm ready to tear him apart.

“I just wanted you to have this.” Slowly, he placed her bone dagger on the table beside him next to a vase of dead, shriveled-up flowers. He was surprised they hadn’t dissolved into dust.

“My dagger,” she breathed. As she stepped forward, her scent filled his lungs as though he was finally breathing fresh air. Lifting it into her hands, she inspected the weapon with fond eyes.

“And I wanted to say I’m sorry,” he said, his voice catching unexpectedly.

Face the dawn.

Mariana didn’t look at him as she sheathed the dagger in its place against her hip.

“I couldn’t tell you your sister was gone and risk everything.”

Finally, she lifted her glare to him. He saw the violent storm surging within her deep turquoise eyes and held himself still, preparing for her wrath to be unleashed.

“Why are you so devoted to her?” she asked, her gaze unwavering.

Dax reached up and squeezed his tightening neck. “I have no choice.”

She sighed and closed her eyes. He took that moment to look her over.

Her mouth was tight, and the skin around her eyes was puffy with exhaustion.

She blinked but kept her gaze averted. With drooped shoulders, she wrapped her arms around herself as though searching for comfort.

Something he found himself wishing he could provide her.

“After I saved your life from that toxin, I kept asking myself why I’d done it.” She spoke softly, as though she was talking more to herself than to him. “Why did I save the same fae’s life that took me away from my home? It would’ve been so easy to leave you there to die. Then something happened.”

She stepped toward the fire and stared into the flames with glassy eyes.

“Something inside me said that I couldn’t let you die.

For some reason, I wanted to trust you. And yet, when we were in that river together, I knew …

” She peered over at him, and his heart constricted at the pain evident in her gaze.

“I knew you couldn’t be trusted. So, I tried to go home, but my mother—” she sniffed and looked away.

“She shoved me back through that portal after sealing my fate as a fae, and I landed in your arms. And for some reason, I felt safe.”

“Because I will always keep you safe, Mari. I never lied to you about that.”

She scoffed and looked away. “It was foolish of me to think I could trust you. Especially when I have no reason to trust anyone.”

He opened his mouth to object but stopped himself when he realized she was right. She couldn’t trust him. He’d lie to her in a heartbeat if it meant protecting his family. Yet he’d risked everything to save her life, taking her to the only place he knew she would survive.

“When I carried you to my home and showed you everything and everyone I care about. That was my deepest truth. And now, you hold the power to burn it all to the ground, just as Halia does.”

“And you think that’s enough for me just to forgive you?” Mariana scoffed. “I shouldn’t have to worry about what else you’re keeping from me, Dax! I shouldn’t have to fear that everything I’ve ever felt for you was built on lies!”

“Fine! Yes, I lied, okay. I get it. But I never meant to hurt you!” he yelled back, then winced. This was not going the way he thought it would .

“You didn’t just hurt me—you betrayed me,” she said with a threatening darkness in her eyes. She turned, but he couldn’t let her just walk away. He reached out to grab her hand.

“No!” she shouted, and a blast of air slammed him backward. Dax hit the wall with a grunt, barely catching himself from falling over.

Her hands shot up to her mouth, eyes going wide.

Dax stared at her. Had she just done that?

“That was sky magic,” he muttered.

“It wasn’t anything,” she said with a tremble in her voice.

Dax studied her. “When did that start, Mari?” he asked softly.

She didn’t say anything, instead just staring at her hands in disbelief.

“Mari?”

“You need to leave now,” she ordered, her voice hollow.

“We shouldn’t end things like this. Talk to me.”

She brought her eyes up to meet his, and he saw the warning stirring within them. “You betrayed me and made a fool out of me. And for that, I will never forgive you.” Turning, she began walking into the darkness beyond an open door. “Leave, Dax. And don’t come back.”

As he watched her disappear, he resisted the urge to go after her.

With his hands clenched at his sides, he looked up at the vaulted ceiling, shrouded in the dust and shadows of the neglected palace wing.

“Godsdammit,” he muttered .

He was trapped. Neck-deep in the quicksand of his life. And the one person he thought could pull him free had just walked away, her footsteps a fading echo in the cold, dark corridors.