Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
FINLEY
Finley took a long swig from the bottle of rum then set it back down on the table between her, Ai, and Myra.
She’d been needing a good drink for days, and after the accusations and questioning from Eira, and now finding out they might not be able to help Rafe after all, she needed it more than ever.
Maybe it would do something to help the pounding in her head that had slowly been growing ever since Dusan took her magic.
The three of them had gathered in the guest room being used for Myra and Alvis, making her think of when they had spent time together in the Golden Palace.
Myra sank back into the chair and tipped her empty goblet back and forth as she absorbed everything Finley and Ai had updated her on since they last saw her in the spring. “You certainly know how to get yourself into trouble.”
It wasn’t only a headache, but the world grew fuzzy around the edges. Finley blinked a few times and shook her head. “It is my job to be sure your lives aren’t boring.”
Ai took the bottle from the table and filled her goblet. “I wouldn’t mind mine being a little more boring.”
“But I’ll talk to Eira and try to convince her we can trust you. At least in that you aren’t teamed with Amelia,” Myra said. “I’m afraid Alvis will be a challenge for you as well. You’ve scared the people of Oxare for many years.”
“And the Chalice?” Finley asked and rubbed her eyes, but it only made things look even more blurry.
Myra looked at her goblet as though it held all the secrets of the world inside.
With some rum perhaps it would. “I’ve been doing a lot of reading and so has Alvis.
This library has more resources than we would have ever dreamed.
But I’ve mostly been reading that ancient book we showed you and it speaks of the Chalice and how it was made.
It was only to be used in the most dire of circumstances and by one of Gallis’ restorers, not random people and royals who want a fast cure.
Eira was incredibly fortunate that it worked the way she hoped it would.
Even if Amelia did tell you the proper ingredients, there is no way of knowing if it’ll work the way you wish.
And, you are part sorceress, aren’t you? ”
Finley stiffened. Her words echoed the ones Rafe had said when they were under the lake, captured by Amelia. She was so close now and just had to push through this exhaustion. She just needed to focus. “I’m mostly human. The sorceress blood in me is slight. I have to at least try, Myra.”
Myra released a heavy sigh. “I knew you would say that. And as for Rafe, he’s an immortal without affliction or curse. The Chalice wouldn’t do anything for him at all. But what does that have to do with Rose?”
“He’s been commissioned to kill her,” Finley said darkly then leaned back so her head lay on the top of the back rest. It felt so heavy.
The color drained from Myra’s face, and she covered it with her hand.
“When Death’s Prince has been commissioned to do something, he has no option.
He may be able to avoid it and fight against it for a while, but in time he will lose the strength and must give in.
” She took the bottle of rum and drank straight from it.
“There must be a way though. Perhaps that book will give some insight. It has all sorts of legends and history of Stula. If there’s anything that can share how he can break the bond it’ll be there, I’m certain of it. ”
The gesture was kind, but it didn’t remove the knot that had formed in Finley’s stomach. It shouldn’t have mattered to Finley this much.
Ai leaned over and patted Myra on the arm. “I’m sure Rafe will appreciate it. I don’t think he enjoys being Death’s Prince as much as he lets on. I can imagine it would be exhausting work after such a long time. Have there been more than just him? I’m sure there were others before Rafe.”
“Rafe has been it for so long, but even so Death’s Prince’s identity is one of Stula’s most mysterious servants. I never knew his identity until now and only heard rumors and stories. I won’t deny that I want to talk to him more.”
Finley closed her eyes while they spoke and it felt so glorious as though it was what her body had been born to do.
To close her eyes and succumb to the darkness and pace of sleep.
Her whole body ached, and it was wonderful to sit for a few moments.
Maybe just for a little while they would be fine without her…
“Finley? Are you all right?”
She bolted upright at the sound of Ai’s voice and the feel of Myra’s touch on her arm. The room spun around and her body felt like an anchor being dragged down to the depths of the ocean. “What? Yes, I’m fine.”
“You were asleep,” Myra said gently. “Maybe you should go to bed. We don’t have to decide anything at this moment.”
The jolt of adrenaline at being awakened faded as fast as it came and Finley’s head grew heavy once again. She rolled her shoulders and grasped the armrests. “I’ll go find Rafe and tell him about what we’ve discussed.”
It took more effort than anticipated to get to her feet, but Finley pushed herself up and stumbled to the door.
“Finley, let me come with you,” Ai suggested and moved to get out of her seat, but Finley waved a hand behind her and stood straighter.
“No, you stay here. I’m fine.” Then she staggered out before either of her friends could follow. She could do this. It wasn’t that late, and she could push through and find Rafe. It would wake her up.
But darkness was so appealing. Especially here in this castle built by the moon goddess. The glimmering starlight lanterns taunted her with the way they flickered in and out, making the hallways fade and flash around the edges of her eyes. This place was made for sleep and rest.
Moonlight flooded the halls through the tall windows, and white puffy clouds floated past. Finley leaned against one of the walls and watched the stars and moon outside.
The clouds were so thick, like pillows. How lovely it would be to lay on one of them and let Luana’s stars embrace her.
Her lids fluttered open and shut a few times.
She reached out toward the bed of clouds. It looked so comfortable.
“Finley!”
Her toe caught on the floor and it felt like she was floating down… down… down… until her body hit something hard yet still soft. Firm. Strong.
“Finley, you almost walked out the window.”
She groaned and forced her eyes to open to find herself looking up at Rafe. His dark hair fell across his forehead, and he propped her up before she collapsed to the ground.
“I was going to my cloud bed,” she mumbled then smiled. “Oh, I found you! I was looking for you.”
Rafe wore a bemused smile and helped her to stand again with little success. “Yes, you found me. How about we get you to bed?”
Finley groaned again and tried to push him away. “Everyone keeps saying that, but I have things to do. No one else is sleeping.”
She wiggled herself out of his grip and took a couple steps forward, but her limbs were too heavy and everything spun. “Well.. maybe a quick nap…”
Finley couldn’t keep it up and felt herself collapse, but before she hit the ground was swept into someone’s arms. Rafe’s arms. He slung one arm under her shoulders then the other beneath her knees, making it impossible for her to walk away.
For being a bringer of death, he was so warm.
She nuzzled into his chest and draped her arms around his neck.
He smelled so good. Like the forest in the morning.
Rafe chuckled. “You don’t smell bad yourself.”
“I didn’t say you did.” Did she? She couldn’t remember.
“All right, let’s go.”
Before she knew it, Finley was being deposited on a plush mattress that was far finer than anything to be found on a pirate ship, and she grabbed a pillow to snuggle with.
Oh yes. This was much better. Except… she was in the bed alone.
That couldn’t be right. With her last bit of strength Finley propped herself up and twisted to see Rafe attempting to sneak out without a word.
“Where are you going?”
“To my room.”
Finley shook her head and outstretched an arm. “Come back here.”
He paused and looked like he was debating what to do, then he did as she asked.
He kicked off his shoes then climbed into the bed in the space next to her and she discarded the pillow like it was rubbish and used his chest instead.
The steady rhythm of his heartbeat eased the pounding in her head, and her breathing slowed and muscles loosened. “This is nice.”
Rafe nestled deeper into the mattress and put his arm around her. “Yes, it is.”
“Will you still like me even though the Chalice won’t work on you?” She asked in a big yawn then let out a big groan once she realized what she said. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you that the Chalice won’t work on you. Whoops.”
He rubbed her back. “I already knew.”
“Oh.” Finley knew she should say something more, but her brain wasn’t functional enough to figure out what. This didn’t make sense. He knew? It was too much. This day was too much already. “All right I guess.”
He placed a soft kiss against her head, and Finley closed her eyes again. The gesture sent a warm calming sensation through her, and she clung to him tighter.
“We’ll talk about it in the morning,” Rafe said.
Yes. In the morning.