Page 60 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

The corner of his lip turned up as he looked at me, and I realized how unkept and exhausted I must have looked. But it was as if he was memorizing something… memorizing me.

“I’m not sure how it could all work, but maybe a priest at the heiau can help undo the bargain. I would return as a night marcher, and your days would return to you.”

I gaped, and before I could say something, he added, "You can even remain queen if you’d like. I know it’s still all new to you, but you’ve proven yourself a competent queen and I trust you with the kingdom.” He paused, then said, “If you don’t want to be queen, I can make all the arrangements for you and your sister to continue living peacefully here.”

I couldn’t believe he was saying this.

Keanu. Keanu. The man who pressured me into a bargain with him. The man who allowed Kalani to threaten me at knifepoint. Was this really the same man?

“I don’t want to force you into anything.” His cheeks tinged pink. “I know I have before, and I don’t ever want to do that again. Not to you. Not to anyone.”

“You’d really do that?” For a moment, a sense of freedom came rushing toward me.

If we undid the curse, the rest of my days would return to me. I could live with my sister. We could be free here in the kingdom of ‘Anolani. I wouldn’t have to be married to Keanu. Wouldn’t have to figure out this curse or how to rule a kingdom.

And then reality hit.

If we undid the curse, Keanu would return to his life as a night marcher. An eternity as a ghost roaming the night.

But he would do it for me. Did this really mean… he loved me?

Keanu took my hand and met my eyes. It was then I could tell he was trying to read me.

Don’t falter, Oli. I met his eyes back, trying to give off an air of confidence when, inside, I was melting under his bright-eyed gaze. Why did he have such an effect on me?

I don’t give into my emotions.

Right! So why didn’t I want to accept his offer?

Because I do care about him.

“We will figure out the riddle,” I said. “We’re so close.”

“Are we, though?” Keanu sighed and looked down. “I won’t be mad if you want to undo the bargain, Oli. I want you to be free, and express yourself freely with me too. Listen, we know the answer. Fall in love. I die. Your days will return to you, and if you light the eternal flame I will be free from my curse.”

There he was again, being honest. Sincere. It reminded me of the moment he apologized after the ball. He wasn’t flirting his way through this. Wasn’t playing around.

“I think we’re closer to the riddle than ever before,” I said and slipped off the bed. “Let me get ready, and think more about it.” The truth was, I was weak. I really believed he loved me, and when I stared into his eyes, I could feel myself drowning. Drowning. Drowning in emotions and feelings that I shouldn’t have for him.

I headed to the washroom. Keanu stood and looked after me, but he didn’t follow. When I had properly dressed and cleaned myself, I reappeared, only to find Keanu at his desk, writing in his journal again.

I hesitated, then stood behind him and gently placed my hands on his shoulders. Keanu smiled and turned to me. I avoided looking at his open journal, knowing it would be so easy to take a peek and read what he wrote.

No, Oli. And who knew? It could be another trap! He could be writing some adoring notes, pretending that he was in love with me, trying to convince me to fall in love with him, solve his riddle, and break his curse.

But only he can break his curse.

And not only that, he offered to live an eternity with his curse… for me.

“Thank you for your offer,” I said. “Truly. But I think we can figure out the curse together.”

Keanu stood and pulled me into his arms.

“Then tell me again, love,” he said. “How do I become one with the shadow, and light the eternal flame?”

“You must accept your punishment as a night marcher,” I said. “And then you’ll be free. Kāne is teaching you a lesson, Keanu.”

He sighed and nodded, looking to the side, as if contemplating. “If you were in my place, what would you do?”