Chapter Thirteen

All In

Calian

I couldn’t believe how fast a week could go by. Being around Nova has been surreal. The more time I spent with her, the less I wanted to leave. But it was unrealistic for me to stay in this world. I mean, it’s entirely fictional! And despite knowing this was just a construct that started as a seedling of Mom’s bedtime stories, everything felt real.

Too real.

I glanced over at Nova. We walked beside each other as we made our way around the manor grounds. It’s been our little routine for the last few days now. A bit of walking. A bit of conversation in which I was occasionally graced with a smile. It was lovely. Hell, sometimes we didn’t even chat. It was the most comforting silence I’ve ever experienced. The only thing that could have made it better was…

My eyes lingered on her pale hand. I couldn’t stop the intrusive thought of threading my fingers through hers. Of walking, laughing, smiling together. A chuckle passed through my lips, but I choked it down when Nova turned her head in my direction.

“Something funny?” she wondered, an eyebrow raised in question.

“No,” I fibbed, trying to change the subject. “I just can’t believe my week here is up.”

Her face went blank. She looked forward, almost like she was disinterested. Almost. There was the teeniest downward fold of her lips before Nova straightened her features out. I like to think that she actually cared, but honestly, I could just be entirely delusional. I still haven’t completely let go of the theory that I’m just drowning in the lake in Wanderers’ Woods. If these were really my final thoughts before biting the dust, I should consider myself lucky that I could come up with such a grand way to soothe the fact that I may have accidentally unalived myself.

“Right, you’ll be on your way soon.” Nova spoke so softly, it sounded more like she was talking to herself than to me. “Do you know where you want to—”

Suddenly, she tripped over a protruding rock on the ground!

Automatically, my hands reached to catch her, but I stopped. Aside from Nova, I would know best about that curse of hers. And I had to admit that even if this was some grand delusion created by my synapses misfiring, I didn’t quite want it to end yet. So, I clenched my fists and watched Nova fall.

The second her hands touched the grass, a section of it turned brown and brittle. Nova growled and slammed her fists on the ground as she stared at the circle of death surrounding her.

I frowned. I wanted to help her, and before I could let that thought consume me, a realization struck. Despite the fact that Nova collapsed on her knees, it was only when her bare hands touched the ground that the curse activated.

“Nova?” I called.

“What is it?” She was very grumpy as she stood to face me.

“Why don’t you wear gloves?”

Her gaze was blank, and the longer she said nothing, the more I thought I said something offensive.

“Not that you need to or anything! It’s just…” My mouth scrunched up, and my tongue struggled to find the right words. “Well, if things only end because of your bare skin, wouldn’t it be easier if you wore gloves? Then you could be a part of the world again… no?”

Nova huffed out a sigh. “Thank you for your concern, Cal, but no, it would not be easier. Do you really think the thought hasn’t crossed my mind?” I frowned again which only made her look at me in frustration. Nova exhaled, sounding significantly less annoyed as she brushed off blades of dead grass off her dress. “I have tried this method with limited success. When I was a teenager, I longed to journey away from home. So, I had gloves and veils and other pieces of clothes constructed to aid me. However, it was futile. Many fabrics were too thin, causing the curse to leak through, and the ones that weren’t were so thick that it was impossible for me to grip my sword properly let alone not offend those who believed wearing gloves during a greeting was rude. Not only that, but the veil also scared many people. So, I was avoided still.”

My brows pulled together tightly. Why didn’t I know this??

“I’m sorry.” I took a step closer, aware of how wary she stared at the space between us. “That was thoughtless of me to say.”

“It’s alright.” Nova brushed it off, guiding us back towards the manor. “I’m quite used to being ostracized. It’s better to remain here. At least, at home, I don’t have to worry about accidentally murdering someone,” her dark eyes were sad as she joked. “Or their favorite pet.”

As we entered the side door that led to the kitchen, I asked, “Are you really content with that?”

Nova gazed up at me as if she was trying to gauge how serious I was being. “Content?” she scoffed. “What a novel idea.”

I bravely stepped in front of her, preventing her from leaving the kitchen. “Then why don’t you do something about it? Rather, why don’t you keep doing something about it?”

Nova’s eyes narrowed dangerously. She took a step towards me before harshly saying, “You act as if you know me, Calian. How would you know anything!? I have done all I can to end this beastly curse!” she slammed her hand on the wall near my head before moving away to pace back and forth. Her ire echoed in every step. “I have scoured books! Hired inspectors! I’ve tried every conceivable way to end this! All of it was for naught!”

She was breathing heavily now. Nova adamantly tried to collect herself. Her face was flushed, and strands of her silver locks had been moved out of place.

I clenched my fists. How could I convince her to move forward if she didn’t want to? If she’s already given up?

“I just don’t think you should resign yourself to this fate, Nova.” I countered. The look she gave me made me wince, but I refused to back down. “Can’t you just try one more time?”

Nova glowered at me. “Why do you care so much about what happens to me? Cursed or not, you can simply leave anytime. In fact,” she stated coldly. “Didn’t you say your week was up?”

Before I could reply, she hurried past me and into the sitting room. I managed to open the swinging door when someone spoke behind me.

“So, you are a Verity witch then.” I turned, only now noticing that Bailey was in the kitchen.

Was she always in the kitchen??

“Excuse me?” I replied, confused.

My eyes scanned the room, finding Nova heading halfway through the dining room now.

Dammit. I wanted to chase after her, but apparently, that wasn’t an option.

“Don’t deny it.” The head maid said sternly. In fact, it was practically an accusation.

Feeling I had no choice, I turned my attention to Bailey. As usual, she was impeccably dressed. Not a stitch out of place. Her hair was pulled back into a harsh bun, and she adjusted her oval lenses as she examined me. For some reason, she seemed furious with me.

“I can’t deny what I haven’t a clue about.”

“No clue, you say?” Bailey was aghast.

Actually, so was I. I’ve never seen her be outright disgusted with me this entire week—though I got the feeling she didn’t care for me; it was never to this level. But now that I’ve caught a glimpse of this nasty number, I was a bit irked. What the hell is her problem!?

“It was your family that cursed Lady Nova. Yet you haven’t an inkling?”

Wha-what? My mouth dropped. What is this woman on?

“Your family did what?” Nova's words were practically a whisper.

She charged forward, forcing me back. Bailey took several steps away, the loose strands that framed Bailey's face swayed in Nova's wake as she came towards me.

Suddenly, my back slammed against the wall just as Nova placed her hands between my head. Her arms were so close, I felt her loose sleeves lightly graze my cheeks. Nova’s nebula eyes were ablaze with fury.

“Your family cursed me? Is this why you insisted on staying here!? You just wanted to see the beast your clan created!?!” The rage in her eyes slowly subsided until she gazed at me in agony. As if I betrayed her. “I thought…” She shook, her silver hair moving gracefully with the gesture. “Bailey,” she called pointedly but never removed her eyes from my face. “Explain yourself. You know of his lineage and yet, you said nothing?”

Nova’s gaze finally broke free of mine as she snapped her head towards the maid.

“M-my Lady, I meant no harm by it.” The old servant stammered for a moment before composing herself accordingly. “I was simply trying to ascertain his true motives before bothering you with the matter. It’s true that it was a Verity witch that cursed you at birth. However, it was not the man before you. He wouldn’t have even been born yet. Still, I needed to be cautious on your behalf in case they came to harm you again.”

What the hell is she talking about? Verity witches? I've only ever known my mother. I haven't a clue who my father is, and mom never mentioned any other family. But somehow, in this world, someone with the same name as mine did this to Nova?

Now that I think about, Mom never said how Nova was cursed…

Was my mind just trying to fill in details I didn't know about the story? Or was something else happening here?

I pushed the strange thoughts aside as I tried to wrap my brain around my current predicament. “Nova,” I called, swiftly earning her frigid expression as she silently raised a brow at me. “I don't know anything about witches, but if you want to know the truth about me, then… here it is.” I took an anxious breath just as I raised my hand to one of her loose sleeves. Gently, I grasped the fabric.

Her eyes watched the way my fingers rubbed the thin sleeve together, nearly touching her bare skin.

“I’m… I’m not from your world. I’m from a place called Oakheart.” The more nervous I got, the faster I talked. “I know! It sounds insane, but it’s true! I swear it. I was walking through the woods when I got swept into this lake portal that landed me on the outskirts of your home. Th-that’s how I ended up here.”

Nova didn’t even blink. “If that’s true, why did you know who I was when we met?” Her tone was icy. It felt like I was being stabbed with her saber with each cold word.

Well, I guess I’m all in now, aren’t I?

“I’ve known who you are for as long as I can remember.” I gave her a weak, small smile. “My mother would tell me stories about you. She talked about the way you looked, the things you did in your childhood. Your curse…”

My grip tightened on her sleeve as I dragged it slowly towards my face. I stopped just before her open palm could touch my cheek. The heat of her body felt scorching. Just a bit more and we’d be touching.

I swallowed, aching to make it happen, but then that would be it. The last memory she would have of me is thinking I betrayed her. That my family ruined her life. And I refuse to let that be the way we end things here.

Nova’s brows were pinched. Her rage and befuddlement evident. Her arm tensed near my head, locking it in its place so I could move it no further.

“I’ve always been your fan. In fact, I want you to be happy so much, I’ve tried to think of solutions to your plight, and back then, you were just a story to me. But now, here you are, in front of me, and I can’t help but feel that I could help you be happy again. That together we can find a way to end your curse, and you could finally live.”

She looked skeptical. I mean, how could she not be? I was basically still a total stranger. Someone she’s barely known a week. Why should she trust some loon spouting off about other worlds? Still, Nova tilted her head ever-so-slightly, and while adorable, I found the gesture to be hopeful.

“I’ll be fully transparent. I haven’t a clue about being a witch or if there are witches in my family, but if that’s true, and my family cursed you, then I will gladly be the Verity that helps you end it. But if you don't believe me, then—” I turned my face towards her palm, pushing the boundaries of our space to the brink. “—kill me."

Almost instantly, Nova snapped her hand back and took two steps away from me. She was conflicted. Her expression morphed several times over before Nova soundlessly stamped out of the room. A panicked Bailey at her heels.

Once the ladies were gone, I slid down to the floor with my head between my knees.