A Curse of Shadows

I’m so terrified of losing Isla again that the thought of speaking with anyone who would question our bond, even if for my own benefit… I just couldn’t do it.

Instead, I’ve stood by as rumors have clearly begun to take root and hid away, trying to force everything to be fine when in all honesty, we’re so far from fine that it’s not even funny.

“I hear you, Dad,” I tell him more calmly. “But you need to give Isla time. What’s being said isn’t true. She just needs time to understand. She’s agreed to stay for at least four weeks.”

He raises a brow and grins, instantly lightening the mood within the room. “If you hadn’t been avoiding me since she arrived, I might not have needed to count on the gossip mill of our staff to learn what’s what.”

I chuckle despite myself. He’s not wrong.

As my mother takes a robust sip of wine and sets the glass down with a determined clink, she declares, “Well, it seems I’ve done my job and the two of you are going to talk like civilized beings. I’m off, then.” Her tone is light, but there’s an undercurrent of firmness in it.

Dad’s voice rumbles with a mix of jest and real concern. “And where does my mate think she’s going?” He’s never quite gotten over his old-fashioned belief that she should be within his line of sight at all times.

With a playful flourish, she blows him a kiss. “Wherever she likes, darling. But don’t worry, I’ll still be within the castle’s walls. You might just have to hunt a little harder to find me later.” Her voice carries the melody of their lifelong dance, a mix of independence and affection.

I watch her exit, the lightness of her steps contrasting sharply with the heaviness in my chest. I ache for the easy exchanges I once shared with my own mate. I miss Isobella and as much as I’m trying to respect this new version of her by calling her ‘Isla,’ I don’t know how long I’ll be able to handle having her so close yet so far away from me.

“Sit with me, Son.” Dad settles into the plush couch with his whiskey in hand. I can’t bring myself to sit; instead, I find myself tending to the remnants of the evening’s fire, poking at the embers that are dying out, much like my hope.

“Tell me everything that’s happened since Isla arrived,” he begins, seeming to try to bridge the chasm of my reserve. “I heard she appeared quite disoriented at the portal while Cain was present.”

Without looking at him, I nod and keep focused on the charred logs. “That’s right. Then he brought her to me per my request and I might have let my fury shine more than anything else, sending her to her room and not checking on her until earlier this evening.”

I glance at him and I’m surprised to see both of his brows raised. “I see. No wonder people are saying she wants nothing to do with you and that she’s demanding to return to Earth. How have you convinced her to stay, as you mentioned earlier?”

My face twists involuntarily at the memory. “I sought out Grayson, hoping he might sway her. But even his presence couldn’t deter her desire to leave. In desperation, I…” I hesitate, the words tasting bitter, “I used his lack of wellbeing as leverage to keep her here for a moon cycle.”

He gasps, dropping his glass onto the coffee table in front of him. “Asher Josiah Cromwell, you did no such thing.”

“I know it was wrong,” I tell him, finally meeting his stare properly. “Hell, it’s the worst thing I’ve ever done, but she was going to leave me, Dad. Without answers. After all this time, I was desperate to make her stay no matter the cost.”

“And what has it cost you?” His voice is tinged with a mix of worry and curiosity.

“She declined dinner with me tonight, so I’m certain she hates me, but I’d rather her be here hating me than back on Earth, pretending I don’t exist.”

My father gets up and comes to stand at my side. His firm grip clasps my shoulder and he smiles at me. “You love her as fiercely as ever—that much is clear.”

“That hasn’t changed, nor will it,” I affirm, my resolve hardening.

His grin only widens. “Then, no matter what people say or think, we’re going to find a way to make her see this is where she belongs. You don’t have to be alone in this, Asher. I may have given you the crown early, but I’ve always been there for you and my health isn’t going to get in the way of continuing to do so now.”

His health. I snort to myself. He thought he was dying, but his only issues, even all these years later, are a bum knee and a heart that beats a little faster than normal.

I’m certain he was just tired of his reign and I can’t blame him. Thankfully, he’s right. He’s been there, helping me every step of the way, ensuring our kingdom stays strong and united.

“Have you told Noen or Declan yet?” he asks, the question making my tension return.

Noen and Declan, my two closest friends and also royal delegates. They’ve been away, working on a trade deal with Selaris on my behalf. I’ve been tempted to send word to them a dozen times. Yet…I haven’t forgotten that I once believed Noen had an interest in my mate. I swore I was past that, but now that she’s here, I can’t help wanting him nowhere near her.

Petty, yes, but if I’m going to turn things around with this situation, I have to at least be honest with myself.

“No, you’re the first person I’ve really spoken to.”

Dad loosens his grip and steps away from me. “Well, maybe it’s time you changed that. You’re going to need support to figure this all out, especially if Isla has no memory of her time with us.”

He isn’t wrong, even if I’m not quite ready to admit that.

Still, I’ll do whatever it takes to get my mate back, to find a way for her to remember, to have the love I’ve never been able to let go of reciprocated once more.