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He raises his head and looks at me for a long moment. It’s almost like he is struggling to find the words, but then he smiles brightly at me.
“You are the ghost.”
“That is what the citizens call me. But what does that have to do with anything?”
“It’s you! Get dressed!” He jumps out of bed, grabs his glasses, and digs through drawers. “Hurry, get dressed!”
I still don’t understand what he is trying to tell me, but I get out of bed and follow his lead. Once we are both fully clothed, he takes my hand and runs out of the room with me in tow. I can barely keep up with him. I don’t want to tell him to slow down because he seems really excited. And I haven’t seen him this animated about anything before!
We fly down the giant staircase hand in hand until we get to his office, where he pulls the book back to reveal the secret passageway. It looks different with the early morning light streaming through the small windows, which are almost covered by the snow on the ground.
I steady myself once we reach the junction, but this time is different. There is no pull either way or the feeling of dread deep in my gut. And even as we make our way toward the bundle of violent vines, there is no sticky floor trying to peel my skin off. There is just…nothing.
But then I look at Felix. Sweat drips down his forehead, the muscles in his neck are taut, and his jaw flexes. He is still feeling the effects of the spell.
He doesn’t say a word of complaint, only powers through without so much as a grunt. I don’t know why he chose me, this strong, compassionate, persistent male, but I am so glad he did. I know that even if I show weakness, he will never use it against me. Instead, he will stand by my side and help hold me up when I don’t have the strength to do so myself.
I don’t know how to make him feel the same, to see that I would do the same thing for him. Do I say it in words? Or would actions be better? I don’t have any rupiah, so I can’t buy gifts…I could steal them…but he may not like that either. Maybe if I—
“What are you thinking so hard about over there?” he grits between clenched teeth.
“Nothing.”
“I can practically feel the over-thinking like a physical ache.”
“It is not important enough to be worried about at the moment. We can discuss it when you are not dragging me toward a bunch of cursed vines determined to drain me dry.”
Shit! Is that what he is doing? Was this his plan all along?
His hand slips into mine, and our fingers intertwine. Sweat pours into his eyes as he brings my hand up to kiss the back of it.
“We are in this together. No matter what,” he grits out.
“Together,” I confirm, despite every instinct screaming that we don’t need anyone and that I am better off alone.
Can I do this alone? Of course. But I don’t have to anymore.
“So, you feel nothing?”
“Nope.” I pop the p to rub it in his face. Just because I am starting to love the male, I don’t have to stop giving him trouble. “What are we doing?”
“I have a theory. When the Forgotten King…your father…was being—”
“Drained dry? Killed? Murdered?” I supply.
“Drained dry, it is written that he pointed at my father and said: You tore a house apart in the name of your greed. Because of that, the shadows will bring forth the light needed to show the truth. And once the blood of a vengeful ghost is found, then this kingdom will finally be free of you.”
“And you believe I am that ghost?”
“Yes.”
It doesn’t make any sense to me, but if it does to him, I will follow his lead.
“Well, it’s worth a try. Is the spell still affecting you?” I look him over. He is still sweating but doesn’t look any worse for wear.
“It is, but not nearly as bad as it has in the past. My guess is because I have your blood in me now. Your father made the curse, so maybe his daughter can undo it.”
We stop and stare at each other for a moment, unsure what will happen on the other side. But like we said, together. We both nod once and then push the door open, the floor still thick with blood on the other side.
