A Curse of Shadows - Page 108

Right after sunset, Estee, Asher, and I lead a procession of people through the town and toward the beach. My dad’s body has been prepared and blessed and now it’s time to say goodbye.

Estee hasn’t stopped crying since we left the waterfall. Even when she’s yelling, there are still tears. Her grief weighs down on me along with Asher’s guilt at what’s been lost and the mess that still needs to be cleaned up, but I keep reminding him that we have time and we need to be thankful for what did go right.

Aurora followed through on her part of their deal. The dark objects are all gone, the vault empty of anything sinister. Plus, our pack isn’t in an uproar over the betrayals from Gideon, and the threat against us is gone. At least for now. Of course, once word gets out about the duplicity within our own kingdom, the others may talk and someone might think we’ve weakened, but that’s the farthest thing from the truth.

Our sadness doesn’t show how vulnerable we are—it shows how fiercely we love. And we will fight to the death to protect our family. I hope that’s what anyone else sees when they hear about what happened here. If they think otherwise, they’re in for the fight of their lives.

We arrive at the shoreline where we will give our father the sendoff he deserves. My hands shake and there is a pain in my chest unlike anything I’ve ever felt, but there is also peace. I don’t know how I know, but everything is going to be okay.

Somehow, we’re going to get through this hardship and we’re stronger because of it. Maybe it’s shock from everything we’ve been through, or just an overwhelming desire to no longer worry, but I’m choosing to believe this sense of unity is only the beginning of what’s to be the best life I’ve yet to live.

Asher steps in front of the platform that’s been created for my father and faces those who have traveled with us. When I turn around, I’m rendered speechless.

Nearly the whole pack is here to honor his life, and they’re here for us. That’s a kind of loyalty that can’t be forced and proves my mate is more of a king than Gideon ever gave him credit for.

Noen and Declan move to stand next to us with Mali and a few of the other council members opposite to Asher as he speaks.

“Today has been a day of tragedy, but we end it in celebration,” he says, his voice rough with unshed emotions. “Grayson Blackwell was one of the best of us. He served this pack well, always putting others before himself, even when life wasn’t kind to him. This king never lost his way.”

Asher pauses and looks at me, tears in both of our eyes as he continues. “Grayson will never be forgotten and, if he chooses not to return, his essence will live on through those he’s left behind. Tonight, we honor him, we celebrate him, and we set him free.”

Sorrowful cheers erupt through the crowd of our people as Estee and I step forward. Asher hands us the torches before lighting them and I sob uncontrollably for the first time that day. I can’t hold in the pain any longer.

I nearly fall, but my sister grabs my hand and holds me up. “I’ve got you.”

I thought earlier that I was going to need to be strong for everyone else, but this loss isn’t on any one person. We’ll bear the weight of this together, picking up the pieces as needed.

“Are you ready?” Asher asks through our bond.

“As much as I can be.”

Only then does he ignite his own torch, signaling for us to say our final goodbyes.

Closing my eyes, I picture Dad’s warm eyes. I remember that first day back when it was him who made me feel something for this place. Without that moment, I don’t know what may have happened.

I love you more than I ever got to show you, Dad. Give Mom hugs from us every day.

Maybe that’s why this is so hard because there’s a part of me that doesn’t believe he’ll choose to return. More so, that part of me doesn’t want him to. He deserves to be with his mate, resting, even if that means we’re left missing them both.

Together, Estee and I set fire to our father’s body, giving him the freedom to be at peace. Noen and Declan move to the end of the platform and begin pushing it into the water as we step back.

Asher steps in to help as the flames get bigger, enveloping the body without hesitation.

When the pyre is officially in the water, I hug Estee tightly and we cry together, mourning more than just the loss of a great man.

Asher is close by, continually reminding me how much he loves me through our bond, while also giving me space to be in this moment. At least that’s what I sense until his love turns to fury, and I hear him snarl.

“What are you doing here?” he says, his chest rumbling at a stunning woman with long, red hair and wearing a slinky, blue dress.

“Is that the way to treat the goddess who saved your mate’s life?” She clicks her tongue, then turns toward me, her violet eyes bright with delight. “I’m sorry about kissing him, but it was the only way to gift him the power that would save your life. I figured you’d understand.”

“I don’t think you’ve ever been sorry a day in your life.” My canines beg to extend and I’m tempted to punch her in that smug, perfect face, but Estee’s grip remains tight on my wrist, holding me back.

I don’t stand a chance against a goddess and we both know that.

“Down, girl. Good puppy,” she taunts, then she addresses me and Asher together. “Maybe it’s from the bite, or the two of you have managed to catch me on a good day, but I have a present for you.”

“We don’t need anything from you,” Asher says stiffly. “We made our deal and it’s finished.”