“I’ll stay here tonight. Call if you need anything, yes?” Jackson said to Ainsley.
She squeezed his hand, and he exited the room, giving me a small nod.
“What can I do?” I questioned as I moved to sit on the end of Ainsley’s chaise. “What do you need?”
“I need magic to be gone.” Her stony voice was full of a sort of hatred that didn’t seem like her.
I didn’t respond. Instead, I lay my hand on her arm, gently massaging her shoulder. The tension was so thick, I wouldn’t be surprised if her pain was both physical, as well as emotional.
“Magic did this,” she said. “Magic is the reason my parents are gone. Magic is the reason I wasn’t here. I should have been here. Where my duties lie. Not on some ridiculous adventure.” Her jaw clenched a few times as she spoke, and her cheeks flushed as her breathing quickened.
“But then you could be dead, too,” I said.
“Good!” Her shout echoed throughout the room. “Good,” she repeated. “Then no one else would be at risk because of this stupid power inside of me.”
“Don’t say that,” I said as softly as I could. “This isn’t your fault, Ainsley. These were the actions of a madman. And he will pay.”
“Perhaps he will, but most likely, he won’t. I have been traipsing around all over the country to collect keys for a woman, who abandoned me once as a child, and then again for some top-secret mission. She turns up when it is convenient, and we’re playing her game. And Bash’s. And I am done, Killian.” She faced me and took my hands in hers. “I’m done.”
“Ainsley, this is your grief talking. And you have more of a right than anyone now to stop for a moment. But love, that’s all we have. Bash will come for you. We need to remain on the offensive. Hattie has been doing this for years—”
“And what does she have to show for it? Getting two people murdered because they knew me.”Ainsley rose from the chaise and paced in front of the fireplace. “Someone else can locate the keys. Jo. She is better versed in magic, anyway. Hattie will return to obtain my key, I’m sure, when it suits her, and they’ll be set to finish whatever grand final battle they’ve got in mind.”
I sat as still as I could manage, desperate not to startle her. She would break again. Scream again. The pain welling inside of her was so great, I was shocked her magic hadn’t emerged yet. But if she’d chosen magic to hate, perhaps she’d found a way to push it down and control it after all.
“Rest tonight, love. Just rest tonight and we’ll talk in the morning.” I moved my hands toward Ainsley to try something, anything to get through to her.
“Killian, rest will not change my mind. My responsibilities are here. I am the heir apparent. There is far too much to do to continue my quest.” She was so angry, she practically spat out the last word.
And there was nothing I could do. Nothing I could say again. And the feeling of helplessness added to the devastation of watching her go through this.
“I’m staying here. My decision has been made and nothing will change my mind, so please, do not try, Killian. Please.”
I rose, standing before her. A soft knock at the door sounded before her maid peeked her head in to let her know the bath had been drawn.
“Take the bath, and the tea they’ve made.” I cupped her face and kissed her cheek, caressing my thumb over the spot as if to seal it. “I’ll ensure everyone makes other plans. I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you.” She didn’t question me. She didn’t hesitate. Whether this was her grief or something she’d stand by, right now she wanted this over with.
Ainsley walked out of the room and into her private chambers, giving me a small glance with the best smile she could manage before disappearing behind the door.
I stared at the flames raging in the fireplace and could taste the hatred for Bash rising in my throat. But hatred and emotions wouldn’t help. No. Whatever happened next must be calculated.
Jackson was sitting outside the door when I opened it. “Will you do as she says?”
“For now, if it’s what she needs. I said I’d tell the others, and I will.” I paused for a moment. “I’m sorry for your loss,” I said to him, placing my hand on his shoulder before moving to the stairs. “I’m taking the ship back to Silverthorne and the rest of our crew. I’ll be back by the time she wakes.”
With that, I tore myself away from Ainsley as she grieved. Just for a few hours so that I could regroup with everyone else.
I’d give Ainsley the night to sleep, and then together, we’d find a way to honor the duchess and kill Sebastian James for good.