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I had seen him like that many times. It had never affected me, not until now, realizing that this was the last time I’d see it.
And that this would be the last time he’d seeme.
I wished there was something I could give him. But all I could do was offer him some peace.
“I’ll look after him,” I said.
Adrian looked at me for a moment, then looked down at his shoes.
“I know you will,” he said with a nod. “Henrik’s better off here than with me, anyway. I didn’t even notice that anything was wrong. He started slipping, same as our uncle, and I thought it was nothing more than his bitterness toward me. Had I known the reality, perhaps…well, I don’t know, but maybe…”
He trailed off, without finishing a complete thought. I already understood his turmoil and put my hand on top of his.
“It’s not your fault,” I said firmly.
He flipped his palm over and squeezed my hand, giving a small but genuine smile.
“Is there any chance we’ll cross paths when this is over?” he asked.
His hair caught the wind again as he stared at me. It was a genuine question—a vulnerable one—and I wanted to answer in a way that gave him hope.
But I couldn’t.
I looked at the entrance of the den, remembering what Jacques has said about getting my wings. Adrian wouldn’t know my face even if he saw me. This would be the last time we ever saw each other as we fully were. Perhaps he never even saw me as I was. He was under a spell, wasn’t he?
He squeezed my hand for an answer, and I stumbled over my words for a bit until I could find them.
“I’m needed elsewhere,” I finally said. “But for what it’s worth, know that I thought about it.”
He took a deep breath as he took both my hands in his, holding them thoughtfully.
“You were quite the adventure, princess,” he said. “I can’t think of another that will measure up to you.”
He raised the back of my hand to his lips and kissed it softly. I tried to smile through my embarrassment.
“Yes, well…” I muttered, blushing. “I’m sure there are plenty of women who will curse you as well.”
He caught the joke and laughed, interlacing his fingers in mine as he swung our hands together. There was a boyish playfulness in his eyes, one I had never truly seen before. It was no longer the arrogant, prideful smirk of the captain of theQuetzalcoatl. It was the pure, enchanting smile of a man.
There were a few surprised murmurs that made both Adrian and I turn our heads.
Boarding the ship was the King of Sirens himself, along with Hugo and Vito, a cool disposition on all of their faces as they stood tall among pirates.
Adrian nodded his head in respect.
King Melchior smiled and approached us, while Vito nodded to all the pirates. Hugo ignored them completely.
“Did you come to make sure we’d leave?” Adrian asked the king.
The king looked around and shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d trick me. But you couldn’t even if you wanted to, honestly.”
The king smiled at him. Adrian sheepishly scratched his ear.
“I brought you extra supplies,” the king said, motioning to the sirens flying above us.
The sirens landed on the ship, leaving piles of spices, food, and wine on the deck.
“And also,” the king said, waving Vito forward, “for your family.”
