A Curse of Shadows

The darkening of his eyes makes me think he wants to say something more, but he seems to stop himself, lowering his gaze and taking a deep breath.

“I’m not the princess you want me to be,” I add, not comfortable with the silence. “Even if there is some possible way that I once was, that woman isn’t me anymore. This place has apparently managed just fine without me for the last five hundred years. What does it matter if I go?”

He mutters something that I don’t catch before finally meeting my stare again. “What if you had a reason to stay?”

Again, my chest constricts, making my throat feel as if it were closing up. “I guess it would depend on the reason.”

What the hell is wrong with me? Why would I say that? Literally nothing could make me stay here and never see Elodee again.

“I found your father.” The moment those four words leave his mouth, it’s like a bolt of lightning strikes me, leaving me breathless and exposed.

My heart hammers once again as emotions that don’t feel like mine grow. The tendril of hope I felt before also returns and I do my best to ignore it. Though that doesn’t work for long.

Does this information change anything for me? The tightening of my chest says yes, but my head is still fighting against the possibility that this place is somewhere I should be.

Yet my father—a complete stranger and likely not really mine—he’s here. Knowing there’s a chance, even the smallest one, that he’s my blood family…

Damn it! I close my eyes, turning away from Asher. Why couldn’t Elodee be here with me? This would be so much easier with her support.

I have no clue if these people are lying to me or if any of this is possible, but I can’t deny that my reactions and emotions are very real.

A warm hand covers my shoulder. “What do you need, Isobella?”

“Quit calling me that. My name is Isla!” I snap and while I feel bad for my outburst, I know right now what I’m supposed to do. “And I want to go home.”

Even if this man Asher has found the father of the young woman in the photo next to the bed, I am not her. He’s not my father and I can’t replace the one I never knew with him.

Elodee, however, is my family and I need her now more than ever.

Turning back around, I look up at Asher. I expect to find compassion on his face that matches his previous words, but instead, he seems more furious than he was even last night.

“He’s your family. That used to mean something to you,” Asher says through tightly clenched teeth.

“It still does,” I murmur as tears drip slowly down my cheeks, “but he’s not my family. He doesn’t even know me.”

“You’ve left me no choice.” He stands and once again leaves me in the wake of his fury.

More confused than ever before, I decide it’s time for me to take back control of my life, even in a world I don’t understand and don’t really want to believe is real. I’m going to get out of here. No more waiting on Cain or anyone else. This has to end right now.

Except before I can decide on the best escape route, my door is reopening.

Asher enters first, practically dragging an older gentleman with him. Asher’s fingers grip the underside of the man’s frail arm and his hold appears to be the only reason the stranger still stands.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I demand, my eyes narrowing on the king.

Except it’s not Asher who replies.

“Isobella?” The man says with an air of shock. His light-blue eyes widen and his hand clutches at his chest, bunching up the fabric of his wrinkled, black cotton shirt that seems three sizes too big. “I can’t believe…” He looks up at Asher. “I’ll take your offer now.”

Asher’s voice comes out harsh. “That option is no longer available.” Then he narrows his gaze on me. “If you want to save this man, your father, then you’ll stay, honoring the contract you made before to be part of this kingdom. Otherwise, his death will be on you.”

His threat and malice wash over me, but they don’t weaken me. Instead, his words light a fire within my core unlike anything I’ve known before.

“Excuse me?” I snarl, quiet yet deadly. “From the sounds of it, you offered to save his life and now, because you’re not getting your way, you want to blame me for your choice? I don’t think so. I’m done?—”

Before I can continue with my tirade, I make the mistake of giving the unnamed man another glance. This time, our gazes lock and a burst of light explodes behind my eyes, much like the one I saw when I was brought here, only it’s not as blinding or long lasting.

I blink several times and lick my dry lips, trying to comprehend this sudden…connection. One that feels as if my soul knows the frail man before me even if I’ve never seen him before. “You’re…”