Page 12 of For the Ghastly and Beautiful

Chapter4

Imryll

DAY TWENTY-FOUR

Ecaeris wasn’t the least bit enlightening after the guys left, much to my disappointment. I had questioned him on this new-to-me power, but he had only stated that he’d had it all his life. Connak seemed to know about it, though Talodus knew less than I did.

Why would he hide something like that from us?

I prop myself against the pillows on Ada’s right side, thinking about the what-ifs of the situation. I have to fight to keep myself from drifting back into a comfortable slumber.

I’m supposed to be observing Ada.

Whatever power Ecaeris used felt as if it had drained my energy. I couldn’t hold my eyes open any longer, couldn’t make my limbs cooperate to stand. Ada’s warmth surrounded us, her floral scent light under the salt water stuck to her skin.

I’m not the first to fall asleep, but I know Ecaeris will wake me if he leaves.

My head bobs as the bed dips. I tense my muscles, startled and hoping that I didn’t disturb Ada. When she stirs beside me, I sit straight up.

Ada leans against the headboard, her knees tucked under her chin as she silently cries. She stares at the wall, lost and unaware that I’m here. Something in her hazel eyes pierces my soul, allowing old wounds to surface.

Later, I’ll reminisce about the pain-filled memories of my past. Right now, there is no way to focus on anything except the heartbreak pouring into the room.

“Ada?” I quietly call. “Are you okay?”

My chest clinches as she sniffles.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”

I shake my head and repeat the question. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She sighs. “No. I’m overwhelmed.”

“I would ask about what, but I think I might know.”

“You don’t.”

I study her profile, feeling perplexed. Tears stream down her cheeks, and as badly as I want to wipe them away, I refrain.

“So, it’s not about being tossed onto a new world filled with strange creatures and unknown dangers?”

I aim for a playful tone. But as she cuts her eyes at me, I see a spark in her irises. She’s not just upset; she’s angry about something.

“Island life is nothing compared to meeting a goddess, having her admit to killing you, and then throwing your most painful childhood memories in your face.”

“I don’t know where to begin—”

“Yeah.” She scoffs. “It’s a lot to unpack.”

“You met Spiran?”

Ada turns her upper body, her right shoulder resting against the headboard as she looks at me. Her cheeks are pink and tear-stained, letting me know she’s been up much longer than I thought.

“Oh, yeah.” She frowns. “But I’m not going to walk around advertising that information. Do you have mental health institutions here? Because, on Earth, that’s where they’d put me if I ran through town saying I’d been speaking to the divine.”

“Spiran speaks, Ada.” I take her hand, thankful when she doesn’t pull away. “We all know that; it’s not a hidden fact. She’s just very particular about whom she talks to and when.”

“I’ve noticed. She wanted to apologize for killing me. How am I supposed to respond to that? ‘No problem. Shit happens.’ Fuck that. She did it to change me; apparently, I’m no longer mortal.”