The doors at the front of the dining room opened as a staff messenger sauntered through, walking over to Nicholas and me before announcing that we had a visitor.
“Two in one day. My, we’re popular today,” I said. “Who is it?”
“Miss Alaina, Your Majesty.”
The lightness in my chest turned leaden. Of course, she was welcome, but she and Evenita seemed to be a pair. And the last time Evenita came to the castle, she revealed danger. A knot in my throat tightened. I reached for Nicholas’s hand instinctively and squeezed.
“Please, bring her in,” Nick said, firmly securing my hand in his, as if being my anchor.
Marco moved abruptly. “I think it’s time you take your seat back, cousin.” He scooped his wine before spinning around effortlessly, walking behind me toward Nicholas’s chair. Nick didn’t move quickly enough for him apparently, as Marco added, “Wouldn’t want other guests to think I run this kingdom, would we?”
In Nick’s classic way, he chuckled, shaking his head gently before rising. He was well versed in the ways of Marco, a language I often still had a hard time deciphering. The abrupt act seemed oddly…respectful. Nicholas clapped a hand on Marco’s arm before moving behind me to the head of the table like a game of leapfrog. My husband wasted no time reaching for myhand again in his correct chair. I placed mine in his, though I was certain it must have felt more slick than minutes prior.
My heart picked up speed with each passing moment until Alaina entered through the doors. I rose, unable to remain fastened to my seat. “Alaina, is everything ok?”
The scope of her gaze ran across the faces present before returning to me. She dipped in a curtsey. “Your Majesties.”
I noted how she included Marco in that formal greeting, her eyes lingering in his direction before Nicholas spoke.
“Please, join us.” Nick gestured to one of the many empty chairs that ran along the absurdly long and formal table.
She moved with grace to the chair next to Tio as a staff member pulled out her seat. Since last I’d seen her, she’d changed her hairstyle. Countless braids cascaded from her head, among a mix of curled pieces draping alongside them. And without Evenita by her side, her once brown eyes now mirrored the sky.
“Lovely to see you again, Miss Alaina,” Marco said, reclining in a casual position against the back of his chair beside me, wine swirling in his cup. No one could miss how his own piercing eyes raked over her. I now saw the strategy of his abrupt chair switching idea—closer to our newest guest.
“I don’t mean to intrude,” she said timidly.
“After your bravery last month, you are always welcome at Highcrest, Miss Alaina. What brings you to us this evening?” Nicholas asked, the ever poised royal.
“Evenita sent me,” she began, and my lungs seized. My stare bore into her, waiting for her to connect with it, to reveal why she’d come. Instead, her eyes drifted to Marco. “For you, actually.”
My eyebrows met in the center, confusion taking hold. “Marco?”
“Well, that’s very interesting.” Marco’s statement was goading. He adjusted in his seat, leaning forward against the table. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” A little too much suave poured from his lips with the rest of us in their company.
“We are to depart for your kingdom. Like, immediately.” She took the glass one of the staff had just filled with burgundy liquid and drained half of it.
“Are we?” Marco’s smirk could have stretched from one end of the table to the other. I wondered how many people spoke to him in such a way, besides Nicholas. Titleless people didn’t dictate the actions of royalty. Very much my style, though.
“Why?” My question came out more demanding than I intended, but at least it stole her attention.
“It’s regarding the curse in the north. Evenita says that years ago, records were kept and taken overseas. A place far enough away that, in the event of dark magic returning, they wouldn’t be destroyed,” she said.
“That’s good planning,” Tio chimed in, eyes widening.
“Indeed,” Melody said under her breath. “Do you think they kept record of how to stop it?”
A pop from the fire was the only sound brave enough to break the tension we all seemed momentarily suspended in.
Alaina replied, “That’s the hope.”
19
Melody
Alaina and Marco wasted no time. Just after sunrise, they’d gathered his small band of Duski soldiers, hired some crew, and set sail for his kingdom.
Despite what my sister may have assumed, I slept soundly in my bed last night—alone. I think the absence only served to amplify the sensation of his hand currently on my lower back, the heat of it spreading through me like a summer sun. It made the breeze of ocean air off the pier non-existent.
