A Curse of Shadows

I once promised Isobella that I would always find her and it’s about damn time that I followed through.

CHAPTER EIGHT

ISLA

Dinner with Grayson was incredible. There was something about the food tonight that made me wonder if maybe the chefs have woven some sort of enchantment into their recipe. Or maybe it was just the company. Either way, everything tasted rich with bursts of flavor unlike any meal I’ve ever had back home. So much so, I opted for dessert, even though I felt as though I was going to explode.

“It’s your turn to help me with the stairs,” I tease, groaning and rubbing a hand over my stomach as we prepare to go back to our rooms.

Grayson’s laughter is deep and comforting, a sound that’s become pleasantly familiar over the course of the evening. Although I’m still unsure of our relation, his presence has an undeniable ease to it, soothing yet poignant, especially as he fights to keep his eyes open.

“I’ll do my best.” He yawns. “Sorry. It’s been a long day for me.”

Concern flickers within me as I notice his weariness and place a hand over his on the table. “I can’t believe Asher won’t heal you.”

He looks down at his lap, then back up at me with an expression I can’t identify, but it’s almost tortured. “King Asher is doing what he believes is best and I won’t lie to you, Issie. I agree with his choice since it means getting more time with you. I know this is all a lot for you and there are so many things that you don’t understand yet, but I hope before you make your final choice to leave that you’ll consider all the facts before deciding to go back to Earth.”

He speaks as though there could be a single thing to keep me here. As much as I want to save Grayson, I can’t and won’t choose him over Elodee for more than the promised four weeks, especially when he’s agreed to leave with me. I need to go back to her. Outside of that, there isn’t anything in this place that makes me want to stay and I can’t see that changing.

“You’re partly right,” I concede, squeezing his hand. “There’s a lot I don’t understand—like how I could possibly be someone from centuries ago, or why I’m even here. But I know where I belong, and it’s not here. Hell, I don’t even want to know how any of this is possible. I just want to save you and get back to the family I left behind.”

He grimaces. “You have a family?”

Well, this is awkward.

“I have a person,” I say. “Elodee. She was my foster sister and has been my best friend and soul sister since I was a toddler. I can’t abandon her. Not for any reason.”

His previously tired eyes start to brighten and he nods. “No, you can’t and we won’t let that happen, I promise you. Now, if you don’t have any questions that I can answer for you, then how about we head to our rooms? This old man needs his rest.”

As Grayson starts to stand, I move to help him, but he pushes his chair out on his own this time. He at least takes my offered hand and loops an arm through mine. As we ascend the stairs together, I marvel at how naturally our movements synchronize, his steps steady beside mine.

Pausing at his door, Grayson’s voice lowers to a whisper. “Issie, I know we’ve just reconnected, and this may be too much to ask, but…”

The unexpected vulnerability in his voice sends a shiver down my spine. My intuition screams that this connection, however inexplicable, matters deeply.

My hands squeeze his and my skin gets goosebumps. Maybe I should start asking questions because there has to be more at play here than me having some sort of doppelgänger from the past. Feeling this connection to this stranger, even if it’s not as intense as it was the first time our eyes met, isn’t normal.

I’ve never allowed my walls to come down with anyone so fast, but I can’t deny that I want to give Grayson anything he wishes for. Well, as long as it’s not staying in this place past the four weeks that I’ve agreed to.

Which is why I find myself smiling warmly at him and saying, “You can always ask.”

He hesitates, emotion warring in his eyes as he looks toward the wall on our left. “I’m sorry. Your moth—my…wife used to say that same thing. I wasn’t expecting that.”

Without thought, I hug him because regardless of how unreal all this is, my heart breaks for what this man has lost. A daughter, a wife, and who knows what else.

He accepts the embrace, his body tensing before relaxing and pulling back to look at me. “About that favor. Please, keep an open mind and when you’re ready to talk, don’t be afraid to ask any question that comes to mind. There is nothing you could ask that I won’t answer as long as it has nothing to do with King Asher. Any curiosity you might have about him needs to be handled between the two of you.”

I scoff before he’s even finished speaking. “I assure you, I know all I need to about that man and there will be no reason for questions where he’s concerned.”

“Sometimes we don’t always make the best first impression,” Grayson adds, his lips seeming to be fighting a smile. “You might change your mind.”

Doubtful.

“Well, goodnight, then,” he says, offering me another smile that has deep lines forming around his eyes.

“Sleep well.”

He steps into his room and I head the short distance to my door. Inside, my bedroom is quiet and I throw myself onto the mattress, stretching my body out and groaning. Not only because I’m ridiculously full, but because Grayson has made my mind begin to churn.