Page 74 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

“We need to get out of here!” Alohi had followed, but kept a distance so as not to disturb my prayers. I was a mix of emotions. Was this a bad response from Kāne? Was he telling me that my husband would forever be a night marcher? That my selfless plea at the rebuilt heiau was not acceptable?

“But he did his part!” I exclaimed to the sky. “Give him one last chance!” But the thunder only rumbled louder and the waves grew larger.

“Come on!” Alohi grabbed me just as a wave exploded over the edge of the heiau, even the sea becoming torrential.

We rushed back to the palace, both of us soaking wet, but my lantern was still lit. I was crying again. Alohi gave me a look of pity, and I wondered if he had heard my prayer.

“Kāne works in mysterious ways,” he said as we walked the lonely halls. I should’ve gone to my room to change out of my wet clothes, but I was too distressed. I didn’t–couldn’t–go in that room. Not when Keanu was still gone. Not when lighting the eternal flame had not worked.

Ginger tea would haunt me for the rest of my life if he were gone forever.

I stopped at the library and stood by the window overlooking the kingdom. Rain fell down the stained glass panes, and thunder rumbled softly in the distance.

I lit the eternal flame, I thought, looking up at the dark sky. Could Kāne hear me?

I cracked open the window, allowing a few raindrops to trickle onto the sill. A chilly breeze wafted through the crack.

I remembered how Kiki always used to pray… and how I did not.

She was right. I had stopped believing. Stopped turning to him in gratitude for the life I had, imperfections and all. Relying on myself became my survival.

But there was so much more to life than survival.

Memories resurfaced, the few wonderful experiences I’d had with Keanu in our brief month together: his apology after the ball, the court room and his confidence in me, the aftermath of helping the men in the field, our first mutual kiss, the way he laughed and played with the children…

Oh how I miss him!

A tear streaked my cheek.

Please, Kāne, I begged. Take me instead. I had lit the flame at the heiau, the place that Keanu had rebuilt to repent of his wrongs. He deserved to live.

So do you.

I blinked. Had I heard something? It certainly was not my voice in my head.

And then it dawned on me. It was him–not Keanu. Kāne.

Please, I prayed once more. Please, I was as wrong as Keanu. Please let me take his place.

You would live an eternity as a cursed ghost? You would sacrifice yourself for him?

I nodded and wiped my tears. I’d never been so certain in my life. This was not the practical thing to do. But it was the right thing.

And the right thing, acting out of love and hope, was always more important than anything else. I had somehow missed that along the way.

I would, I said, speaking from the deepest part of my heart.

Lightning flashed in the sky, so bright and striking, I gasped and stepped back.

You have lit the eternal flame. Well done, Oli.

Kāne?

Silence. Was I going to turn into a night marcher? Had he accepted my plea this time?

The rain continued to patter. The thunder rolled away in the distance.

“Your highness?”