A Curse of Shadows

I don’t know, but the thought of the answer being yes doesn’t make me feel any better. Isla might not be as feisty as her sister, but she still doesn’t like to be told what to do and I have no intention of rushing her. Though even my wolf grumbles at the thought of that meaning we’ll possibly be waiting years for her to be ours again.

She’ll be worth the wait—that much I know for sure.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ISLA

Well, this isn’t awkward at all. A lie I tell myself as I get dressed in jeans and the nearest sweater I can reach from the rack inside my closet. Without shoes, I go back into the room and Estee is standing there with a shit-eating grin on her face.

“He’s hot,” she says, nodding toward the door. “Have you, uh, jumped his bones yet?”

My glare could cut through glass. “He can probably hear you and no, we’ve only kissed.”

“Bedrooms are soundproof,” she says confidently. “That I do remember from being here before.”

“What?” How did I not know this already? “When did you live here? With me?”

She shrugs. “I might have stayed here with you, but I don’t remember. And I only visited before, I didn’t live here. I don’t think.”

These multiple lifetimes are going to screw with my head possibly even more than my feelings for Asher already do.

“Right.” I glance at the door. “We should probably let them in.”

Estee licks her lips. “He’s got a cute friend with him. Supposedly, I knew him before and I’m not surprised.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Okay, you were wild back on Earth, but this is a whole new side of you, my friend.”

She flicks her long, brunette hair back over her shoulder as she sashays toward the door. “Remembering who I am…you’ll understand soon. I’ll make sure of it.” She turns back to me, her face more serious. “But all of this is right, Isla. I know you’re confused and maybe even scared, but don’t be. We’re right where we should have always been. I feel it in my soul.”

Little does she know, so do I, which is what scares me.

I can’t remember who I was, and I have no clue who I’m supposed to be, but the longer I’m here, the more I connect to this place and these people and now, having Estee here… I can’t imagine being anywhere else. There’s a peacefulness that overcomes me at the thought of staying forever, yet not understanding why is what still has me hesitating.

Maybe I’m overthinking this. Maybe I just need to embrace all that’s around me, including Asher, and let the rest work itself out, but with the way I disappeared—or was murdered—before, I can’t seem to allow myself to do so.

Estee opens the door and three men enter. Asher and two I don’t recognize. They’re dressed more casually than their king in black jeans and blue, collared shirts, but the way they keep their heads held high and shoulders straight, it’s as if they’re used to being two of the most important people in the room.

The one nearest to Asher with blond hair and hazel eyes stares at me like I mean something to him. His gaze is wide and shimmering with unspoken emotions. When the stranger steps forward, Asher’s chest lets out a quiet rumble and the two share a tense look.

Only a second later does the third man speak up. “I’m Declan, a royal ambassador for King Asher here and his best friend.” His smile twists with a hint of mischief and the way his blue eyes spark beneath his dark brows makes me believe he’s the one Estee hooked up with before. Just her type. “Next to Asher is Noen. We share the same roles, but not the same women.”

His smirk and open gaze for my sister has me chuckling, especially as she says, “Well, isn’t that great to know. I don’t think I would have survived much longer without knowing that.”

Openly appraising her, he replies, “I had a feeling.”

I leave them to their battle of wits and stares as I look at Asher. He’s no longer glaring at his friend, but looking at me. “How are you feeling? If you need rest, we won’t stay long.”

He’s likely asking because of my run last night, but he doesn’t need to be worried. As jealous as I was that Estee could remember, I’m happy for her. Maybe her confidence within this world will be what helps me figure things out as well.

“I’ll be fine,” I tell him with a smile. “Thank you for last night.”

“Anytime.” He hesitates, then gestures toward his other friend. “Like Declan said, this is Noen. The two of you used to be friends before.”

Noen steps around Asher this time and reaches a hand toward me. “Neighbors first, then best friends. I was a few years older than you, but we hung out near daily for most of our childhoods.”

When I go to accept his shake, I catch Asher watching us closely, making me slightly nervous. Am I not supposed to be friends with this guy? I don’t know, but I quickly decide that it’s going to be my choice, not Asher’s, especially after what Noen just said.

“Well, Noen. It’s lovely to meet you. Again,” I tell him sincerely. “You’ll have to be patient with me, as I have no clue who you are, but I’ll figure things out eventually.”