Page 30 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

After all, what was the difference between the two? Sure, Kalani held me at knifepoint, but Keanu took my days.

“I’m sorry, Oliana,” Keanu said before I could continue. “I wish things were simpler. It’s a complicated time right now, but I wouldn’t have let anything happen to you.”

“He held a dagger to me,” I shot back. “I’m nothing more than a pawn to you, is that right?”

“Is that what he told you?” Keanu asked.

“It doesn’t matter what he told me.” I felt so silly standing there, with the extravagant dress, a nobody in a world of somebodies. But I told myself I could get through this.

“I am determined to break your curse, Keanu,” I said. “But I’ve already wasted another day because of you. If you want something from Kalani so badly, why don’t you get it from him yourself instead of using me?”

With that, I marched down the hallway.

“Wait, Oliana!” Keanu came after me, grabbing my hand. I yanked it away.

“I’m exhausted,” I admitted, which was the complete truth. “And I don’t wish to talk to you.” But I had nowhere to go. Except home, which was his palace.

Someone turned the corner of the hallway, and we both turned to see Malakai. He looked between us and hesitated. Keanu rubbed his face, his shoulders hanging lower than I’d seen him in all the time we’d been together.

“Malakai,” Keanu motioned to his cousin. “Is the carriage ready? We’re leaving.”

Finally.

Keanu offered his arm, and I glared at him before taking it. When we got to the carriage, he helped me in, then stepped in after me. I opened my mouth to protest, but changed my mind and sat on the opposite side of him, as far to the end of the carriage as I could sit, with as much distance from my husband as possible.

Keanu looked like he wanted to say something, and he even leaned forward a few times, as if he wanted to engage in conversation. But I closed my eyes and ignored him, pretending to sleep. The ride was rocky and uncomfortable though, and, much to my annoyance, I knew we’d be in here for a few long hours.

At some point, I felt Keanu move next to me. I gave him the look. “You can rest on my shoulder,” he offered. “You’ll be more comfortable.”

“I prefer this wall.” The carriage hit an exceptionally large bump, and my head slammed against the side. Annoyed, I sat straighter and tried to tip my head back, but it was to no avail. I looked again to find Keanu watching me.

“Look. Whatever you say or do tonight will not make up for your abandonment of me to Kalani,” I said.

“I’m on your side, Oliana.” He didn’t seem to hear what I said, drowning in his own thoughts.

“If you were on my side, you’d tell me why you fed me to Kalani, like chum to the sharks.”

He sighed. “I need your vision, Oliana. I need your discernment. Is Kalani someone you would trust?”

I frowned. “I trust him as much as I trust you, Keanu.”

The hurt reached his golden eyes and, for a moment, I felt guilty for being so harsh. He avoided my gaze and sat back, reflective. I closed my eyes once more, exhaustion finally overwhelming my anger and frustration towards Keanu. My head slowly rested on his shoulder, and I fell asleep.

CHAPTER NINE

TWENTY DAYS LEFT

When I awoke, I found myself in bed. The night before, I recalled being half-asleep, though I was unsure if it was night or early morning. Keanu scooped me into his arms, tired as I was, and carried me to the room. I remembered sleepily preparing myself for bed in the washroom and finally asking Keanu for help with the corset. He was gentle as he unlaced the back, and I recalled the way his fingers ran through my hair after he took out the flowers and let it down.

And then I was here, in bed.

Keanu’s side was empty. How could he function on so little sleep? We went to bed so late and woke up so early. Even now, the sun had not yet risen. Perhaps he was used to the lack of sleep?

I slowly got out of bed, relieved to be barefoot as I made my way to the window. Yesterday, wearing boots I was not used to, had worn out my heels. Even my legs felt achy from the shoes.

The sky was a pinkish-purple, and the ocean looked dazzling. The way the light bounced on the waves played on my heartstrings. I had less than a month to live, and already I missed swimming in the ocean.

A breeze moved through the room and rustled the leaves of the plants within. The sound of pages flipping caused me to look down at the chief’s desk.