Page 56 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

He lived one month, and then died. My fingers felt all tingly. The note on Keanu’s desk regarding the first bargain was about my father.

“I’m truly sorry, Oli. I was selfish. I should have told you sooner too.” There he stood, vulnerable. Completely apologetic. Sincere. My throat burned.

“Why?” It was the only thing I could think to say at the moment.

“I, well…” Keanu ran his fingers through his hair and took a breath. “I judged him. Just thought he was a man squandering his life. Figured I would be doing our islands a favor. I thought my position as king and what I do has greater significance than what he was doing.”

“So you decided whether his life was worth living or not? And you made a deal when he was inebriated–completely incapable of making a sound decision?” Disgust filled me… at my father and Keanu.

“I was desperate to get back.” Keanu rubbed his face. “You know the night marchers are bound to the paths of the ala hele, so I saw an opportunity when he was in my path. I’m so sorry, Oli. I was a fool to think I knew better.”

I turned away, trying to think. How could I forgive him for such a thing?

“Keanu!”

We both jumped as Peter came running down the path. “Keanu!” He was out of breath, but his attention turned to me. “I have an urgent message for the queen.”

My mind was a mess but for whatever reason, my eye was drawn to the sword hanging from his belt. The hilt of it looked similar to…

The hilt of the dagger. Except Peter’s hilt had a blue gem, not violet. Urgency coated Peter’s voice.

“What’s the message for the queen?” Keanu asked and my stomach filled with more dread. I knew the words that would come out of Peter’s mouth before he even said them.

“Milady.” He bowed to me, his blue eyes sorrowful. “I have grave news.”

Keanu squeezed my hand, as if he were bracing himself too.

Peter bowed his head. “Your mother is dead.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Mother’s health had deteriorated for so long, I had expected her death at any time. But now that it actually happened, I was not prepared.

I stood there, numb. I didn’t cry or even scream. Every hair on my body was standing on end, and the entire world went silent for a moment.

It took me a minute to realize that Keanu had taken my shoulders and was saying, “Oli. Oli, are you alright?”

I stared past him, as if he were invisible, the same as the night we met.

“How did she die?” I asked Peter instead. “Was she in pain?”

“The doctors said she finally succumbed to the sickness. Many of the people in the kingdom have grown immune to the illnesses that spread from the foreigners that come to the ports, but, unfortunately… your family is new here and… your sister sent word that she passed peacefully.” He quietly finished with, “She was already so sick.”

Mother didn’t stand a chance. She was already sick when we arrived, and Peter was right. There were many foreigners here, and many traders at the port.

“Where’s my sister?” I asked, feeling a fog blur out all of my thoughts and emotions.

“She is preparing the body for burial.”

Burial… Mother was going to be buried. She was gone. Gone. Gone.

I tried to console myself with her last words to me: Thank you for bringing us here. I feel very peaceful in this kingdom.

She died peacefully, I tried to reassure myself of that. But all I could feel was a gaping hole inside of me.

It was then I collapsed to the ground and broke into sobs. I felt Keanu holding me, his skin warm, my face against his scarred chest. I fell into him.

Mother was returning to the ‘aina. She was going home to Kāne.