Chapter 56
Ryder
“Come, Prince. We have much to discuss.”
It must be the middle of the night when I wake up with a racing heart. One minute I was dreaming of her and the next, I’m standing in front of the Oracle. That last part wasn’t a dream, though. I’m not sure how I know that, but I do. Without a second thought, I spring from the bed and get dressed.
When I land in the Dread Woods a couple of minutes later, it’s completely silent.
The lack of monstrous sounds should put me at ease, but instead, the forest feels just as unsettling as it did when the deadly beasts lived here.
Despite knowing they’re all back in the Shadow Lands or in the realms, I still scan the fog for good measure.
By now, I know the path to the portal well enough to not get lost. Once I reach the blue ring buzzing with magic, I hesitate for just a moment before stepping through the threshold.
“I knew you would come.”
The iridescent figure floats underneath the inverted, star-filled dome just as it had before.
“What am I doing here?”
“Much has changed since you last visited.”
“It has,” I agree. “But you already knew it would. That’s why you said that immortality was one hell of a loophole for death.
You knew Reign was going to die and be reborn.
Why couldn’t you just tell us that?” I do my best to keep a steady voice but there’s still a bite behind it that I’m sure the Oracle won’t appreciate.
“That’s not how this works, Prince. And it was you who I said that to.”
“Me? Her? What’s it matter?”
“Come on now… I know you’re smarter than that.”
“How about you stop with the tricks?” My patience is growing thin, and it’s getting harder to play along.
“It’s not a trick. You’re just not connecting the dots.” I clench my fists, holding back my power that I want to let tear through this room. “Would you like a hint?”
“Sure,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Her immortality is the loophole.”
It takes every ounce of control for me to not lash my shadows out.
“You’ve already said that.”
“No, I said immortality is a loophole for death.”
I scoff. “What’s the difference?”
“Think about it, Prince. I know you’ve grown used to the idea of your curse, but really think about it.”
All of a sudden, I go still. My thundering heartbeat pounds against my head as the pieces come together.
“What are you saying? The curse won’t affect her because she’s immortal?”
“Seems kind of obvious, doesn’t it?”
“But she’ll still die,” I argue. “Even if she’s reborn, it took over a month for her to come back last time.”
“And what if I told you that’s not what happens? What if I told you I saw it for myself? A future where your kiss doesn’t kill her but instead it awakens her.”
“This is just one of your tricks. You wouldn’t tell me this without a price.”
“This is true. And a price will be paid. But I’m not yet ready to collect.”
My mind is spinning but I can’t stop myself from believing that what I’m told is true.
“What if you’re lying? What if I cross that line and she never comes back? What if the curse is a loophole to her immortality? You and I both know magic loves a balance. Could someone truly be immortal?”
“My dear boy, you just answered your own question. True immortality would not allow one to die and yet she does. The curse is not the loophole to her immortality. The loophole is the death she must endure each time she is to be reborn.”
“Even so, how can I risk it?”
“Perhaps, if I show you.”
Just then, an image of Reign and I appear on the Oracle’s drifting cloak.
We’re in her room at the house in Zentria.
She’s wearing a gold dress that splits down both of her legs.
The space between us grows smaller and smaller until every part of our bodies touch.
And that’s when it happens. Our lips collide and every bit of caution ceases to exist.
I watch the moment as if it were my own memory.
When we finally pull away from one another, she’s fine.
She’s more than fine, actually. She’s perfect.
There’s no death dragging her under. No curse threatening to take away the one good thing in my life.
It’s just us, standing there, lost within one another.
Somehow, every bone in my body knows that it’s not some illusion or trick.
It’s real.
Once I got back from seeing the Oracle, I spent most of the night replaying every word. It all makes sense. I know it does. But her life is too precious to gamble.
Am I really ready to risk everything? That’s the question I keep asking myself, but I can’t seem to come up with an answer.
My heart seems to want one thing while my head wants another.
The back and forth of it all is too much, which is exactly why Ion’s invitation to spend time with the military units this morning is just what I need.
A break from the madness swarming my mind.
Working with the Infinite Sea units is refreshing. I’ve grown used to the training back in the Shadow Lands, but theirs is different, yet equally impressive. I’ve already taken a mental note of which drills I’d like to start implementing when we get back.
The morning hours pass by too quickly and before I know it, it’s already time to get ready for the Armada Social.
When I get back to my room, there’s a gold suit waiting for me.
I quickly shower and when I start to get dressed, I realize how perfectly made it is.
Every part of the suit fits to me just the way I like it.
Gold, metal plated feathers run a few inches down my arm, almost resembling armor.
The collar of the outer jacket falls just under my chin and small, gold chains drape down the lower half of the tailored vest. White swirls break up the gold and add beautiful detailing to the outer coat and pants.
If I had to take a guess, I would assume Anthony is the one behind this brilliant design.
I’m one of the last to arrive downstairs. Everyone looks incredible and although we each have different attire, we still look uniform.
“Where’s Reign?” I ask Amaya when I don’t see her.
“She’ll be right down. You know her and heels,” she says with a chuckle.
A second later, Damien’s eyes light up and I turn around to follow his gaze.
My heart nearly falls out of me when I see her.
Not because she’s jaw-droppingly beautiful, which she is, but because she’s wearing the dress.
The one with two giant slits that leave her legs bare except for the gold chain that connects to the fabric on each side.
The corset bodice with swirling gold, metal plates hug her top half perfectly.
The heart-shape neckline only makes it harder to keep my eyes up.
Everything about this dress is a dangerous temptation.
I didn’t pay any attention to what I was wearing in the vision, but I made sure to memorize every detail of her. If what the Oracle showed me is true, then this is definitely the dress she’s wearing when I cross that line that can’t be undone.
The weight of that thought makes it hard to breathe and Reign must notice.
“Are you okay?”
I nod, trying to collect myself. “You look radiant.”
“Thank you,” she says, blushing slightly. “You look nice yourself.” The smirk she’s fighting tells me she’s struggling just as much as I am. I wish I could just kiss her and take her hand in mine, but even if I could, she wouldn’t allow it. Not in front of Damien.
“You guys ready?” Danielle motions for us all to gather in a circle. “The brothers are already there so we don’t need to wait for them.”
She releases the vial of blue mist and a moment later we reappear in the middle of one of their ships. All around are guests dressed from head to toe in gold. Some have extravagant jewelry while others have opted for stunning headpieces.
“There you are!” Ion turns around and calls for Zaro who comes waltzing up hand in hand with whom I can only assume is the husband-to-be. He’s tall and lean with a rich complexion that compliments the gold cape draped around him.
“So glad you guys are here! Everyone this is Anthony, Anthony, this is everyone.” We take turns individually introducing ourselves and he seems to have a decent idea of who we all are.
“Let’s get you all something to eat and drink.” Ion escorts us to the highest deck in the back while Zaro and Anthony are whisked away in the opposite direction.
From above, I’m able to get a much better look at the fleet. It truly is impressive. Each ship is filled with people, creating a sea of gold within the black. It’s inspiring how their people come together. It’s the kind of life I wish to have for the Great Six Realms one day.
“Come. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
Ion drags me off to meet one of his lieutenants but I’m barely present in the conversation because my eyes keep drifting to her.
I could watch her all day. The way her deep crimson hair blows across her face.
The way she picks at her fingernails when she’s nervous.
The way her eyes light up when Amaya smiles at Zane. Everything about her makes me weak.
The truth is, I could spend the rest of my life silently worshipping her and I would never grow tired of it.
I’m so lost in her allure that I almost didn’t notice Damien reaching for her hand.
A wave of anger takes over my body and it’s enough to decimate this entire fleet in the matter of seconds.
But if I let my power take control, it would only feel good for a moment.
Instead, I have to remind myself that she’s not mine.
If anything, he has more of a right to hold her hand than I do.
No matter what kind of relationship she and I have built, they’ve had more time.
History is hard to compete with, even if it wasn’t all good.
“Stop torturing yourself.” Amaya holds up a glass of champagne. “Here, you need this more than I do.”
“I’m fine,” I say with a sort of grunt that doesn’t make it very believable.
“Fine, huh? Is that why your palms are dripping blood all over the nice deck?”
I look down and instantly unclench my fists.
“Maybe I will take that,” I say, reaching for the champagne.
“That’s what I thought.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I take a quick glance around the crowd, looking for Zane. “Did you just come over here to make sure I don’t do anything stupid?”
She laughs. “Oh, I know you wouldn’t. Believe it or not, I actually just enjoy your company.”
I don’t even attempt to mask the shock. “That’s not something I’m used to hearing.”
“Yeah, well, you’re a bit of an acquired taste that I just so happened to have grown fond of over time.”
“Oh, yeah?” I ask with a raised brow. “Well, the feeling is mutual.” I nudge her with my elbow, and it feels so normal.
I’m used to playing the role of king or mentor, but with her it’s strictly friendship.
Even when I train with her, it feels different.
Maybe it’s just the special effect she has on people, but I find myself cherishing our time together. A truth I will surely take to my grave.
“Oo, I think they’re starting the tattooing ritual!” She grabs onto my forearm and starts pulling us through the crowd to the main deck.
Once we get close enough to get a good view, we’re quickly joined by the others. When Damien and Reign walk up, they aren’t holding hands but there’s still a tinge of jealousy seeing them together.
“Thank you all for joining us for this momentous occasion!” Nio says to the crowd.
“Today is the first day my brother and Anthony begin their journey to eternal love. Their unwavering love for one another is inspiring to us all. I can only wish to someday experience the kind of love they have found in each other.” Nio motions to two seats nearby.
“Before their day of union, they must first take part in the tattooing ritual. Zaro will bear the mark of the sea and Anthony, the moon. Where my brother is ever changing like the waves, Anthony is constant—always there during the high tides and low tides of life. The two balance each other. Where one is weak, the other is strong. Where one is dark, the other is light. These tattoos represent the unbreakable tie that bonds their two souls beyond this life.” He nods to Zaro and Anthony. “Amora!”
“Amora!” The crowd chants around us.
Once the tattooing is complete, the two of them raise their hands up together.
On the left hand of Zaro is the image of three waves and on the right hand of Anthony is the full moon in matching gold ink.
The guest cheer and applaud the couple before dispersing into conversation.
Ion informs us that we will all be having dinner together later, so I don’t bother bombarding Zaro and Anthony.
Instead, I slip away to the front of the ship that seems to be left unoccupied.
It’s chilly on the water but not cold. When I run my hand through my hair, I can feel the texture the salty air has added. There’s something refreshing about being somewhere that isn’t all dirt and ash.
“Hiding from someone?”
Her sweet scent hits me before I turn around and see her.
“I’m not much for crowds.”
“Me either,” she admits, reaching for the railing with both hands so that she can lean back without falling. She closes her eyes and inhales a deep breath as if she’s exhausted from the day.
“You, okay?”
“Hard to say.” She doesn’t even look at me when she says it. “I will be, though.”
It makes me sick seeing her like this. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not right now. Right now, I just want to be.”
I don’t have to ask her what she means. I already know. I always know. Because I know her.