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ADELAIDE
DAY FIFTY
“Madigan?”
I want to control the shock in my voice, but I can’t. We stare at each other in bewilderment, her deep blue irises reflecting my stunned expression. Gobsmacked briefly crosses my mind, though I don’t need to say it aloud. Between the two of us, it’s clear.
“You know the Shade?” Ecaeris snarls from behind me, stepping away from my back to see my face.
“The Shade has a name,” Madigan grinds, turning her attention to the Mongrel prince. “And she’s sick of you throwing The Shade around as an insult.”
Tension flows through the throne room like smoke from a doused fire while Isolde simply smirks at the looming argument. She lives for live entertainment. We’re her own personal soap opera, filled with drama and romance, secrets and…murder.
And Days of Our Lives: Spiran Edition is filming right in front of her.
“Yes,” I answer quietly, not ready to process the turn of events. “I know her from Earth. We grew up together.”
“Then you won’t mind telling the Shade from Earth to get the fuck out of our village,” Ecaeris snaps, his ire building, pointing in the wrong direction.
I glower at the ceiling, but this one offers me about as many answers as any other ceiling on this island. Exactly zero.
“This Shade’s name is Madigan,” Madi corrects, giving Ecaeris a taste of his own medicine. “And they’ve just offered me sanctuary and training without your input, so why don’t you take your commands somewhere else? I’m sure there’s a deep hole in the ocean just begging to be filled with shit.”
“Fuck my life,” I mutter.
Ecaeris takes a step forward, and I wedge myself into his path until I’m stuck between him and Madi.
Talodus sighs so loudly, I feel his exhale tickle the side of my arm from feet away.
And Isolde wiggles in her throne, getting comfortable, as a dazzling smile causes her amber eyes to sparkle.
I know firsthand how much she loves her son, but that woman loves nothing more than watching me push his buttons. Now, there are two of us doing it, and Isolde has added to her roster of court jesters.
“It’s where I’ll take your body the second you fuck up,” Ecaeris murmurs, whispering words sharp as a blade. “You may fool my mother into thinking you’re here for help, but I won’t be swayed by sobbing pleas and empty promises. I’ll treat you like every Shade who’s been sent here on a mission; I’ll feed you to the—”
“Ecaeris,” I caution. “That’s more than enough. We knew she was coming. Spiran told us both.”
He turns his attention to me, mismatched eyes brimming with anger. “You knew?”
“Of course, they knew,” Madi quips before I can reply. “What? Did you think I just showed up out of the blue, completely unprepared for what I was walking into? You’re the reason Lyell sent the letter with me. He already warned me you’d act like a snot-nose brat when you found out I was a Shade.”
“Jesus, Madi,” I say quickly, trying to decide if I want to stay between them or duck for cover. “This isn’t going to help him—”
“I’m not trying to help him, Ada,” she interrupts. “I’m trying to stay alive. He doesn’t need to like me, or even tolerate me, to uphold Lyell’s word. The Shade prince seems to think this Mongrel has some integrity. But all I’ve seen of him since I’ve been here are sobbing complaints and empty threats.”
Talodus pushes Ecaeris backward with a firm hand against the prince’s shoulder. “Careful. She’s baiting you.”
“I’m not baiting him. What I’m doing is informing him that his actions are a stark juxtaposition to his reputation,” Madi interjects. “So, either Lyell was grossly exaggerating the truth when he spoke so fondly of you, or you’re bluffing. Take your pick, Water Prince, but understand a fiery path straight from hell is heading your way. I can’t stop her on my own, and neither can you. You’ll need me to survive as much as I’ll need you.”
Ecaeris growls under his breath. “You led Nesta straight to us?”
Madigan rolls her eyes. “No. I’m not an idiot. But eventually, she will find me, and when she does, I’d like to be strong enough to kick her ass all the way across the fucking ocean to where she belongs.”
“Wait.” I hold my hand up, turning so I can see them both. “Why did you say he’ll need you to survive?”
“We’re all going to need each other, Ada.” Madi shakes her head, eyes wide as she whispers, “Nesta is wicked and ruthless. The first chance she gets, she will kill us all.”
“And you’ve brought her here,” Ecaeris shouts, his accusations too loud to contain the conversation within the throne room.
