CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

LAST DANCE

“Attack!” Ronin’s voice cut through the thin morning air. He’d returned weeks ago from Xanheim with the king’s Shadows, and since then, Ivy sensed something different in him. She assumed it must be that he failed in his mission from King Mashu. But Ivy knew that Ronin would never fail at a task and wondered what truly happened in the city.

King Mashu seemed disappointed in Ronin but was otherwise content with the outcome of the mission. His Shadows were able to push out the raiders they encountered or kill them where they stood. Ronin was quiet when Ivy and Finn asked about the mission, and he insisted they get back to training as he was sure Ivy would be leaving soon.

In the past few weeks, Ronin had sped up his training and even interrupted Ivy and Finn’s nightly practice with his presence. He made them fight more often, strike harder, and even wrestle with no weapons. But today was different.

Finn stood in front of Ivy, hesitant to obey Ronin’s command. Their trainer put a real blade in Finn’s hand and took the wooden one from Ivy’s. He ordered Finn to attack Ivy, who held no weapon, and she was to dodge his blows.

“Attack!” he commanded Finn again, but still, he didn’t move. Ivy thought Ronin had lost his mind when he walked up to Finn, knocked him to the ground, and took his sword before coming after Ivy. Her eyes widened as she realized he wasn’t stopping.

Ronin swung the sword, and Ivy heard the whistle of the blade cutting through the air as it almost sliced her ear off.

“Ronin!” Finn called from behind, getting to his feet. Ivy shot a look to Finn that said she was alright. Ronin stepped forward again, and Ivy narrowed her gaze on her attacker. She quickly slipped around him as he jabbed the blade forward. Finn’s hand gripped her waist, pulling her back to where he stood. Ronin said nothing to him, keeping his eyes on Ivy. Finn stood in his path, and Ronin quickly twisted the blade and threw it up, smacking Finn in the cheek with the broad side of the sword.

Anger rose in Ivy’s chest, and she charged her trainer, ducking under the sword as it cut the air above her head. She slid in the sand and kicked her leg out, striking Ronin in the ankle. He stumbled but didn’t fall. She threw her legs up and pushed her hands into the sand behind her head, flinging herself up to a crouching position. Ronin’s sword came down where her hand had been only a moment ago. She thrust herself forward, grabbing his wrists. She twirled under his arms, twisting them over each other and jerked her elbow at the back of his. He barely winced, but let go of the hilt with one hand as Ivy reached for the one still holding the sword. She grabbed it and drew her other hand back before sending it flying into his wrist, and he dropped the sword. Ivy dove for it as it fell, catching it by the hilt and stood before her trainer, blade to his throat.

Ivy’s chest rose and fell with her rapid breath, but Ronin gave no approving look.

“Again,” was all he said, forcing Ivy and Finn to square up and fight, this time with Finn unarmed. They went at it all day, fighting one another, squaring up with Ronin and wrestling in the hot sand. Ronin didn’t say much, only giving them direction and commands when needed. When the sun fell behind the buildings, Ronin decided they had enough and retreated to his little house on the hillside.

Sometime later, Ser Osmund came looking for Ivy and found her holding hands with Finn under a tree just outside the sandpit. He watched Ivy and Finn talking in hushed tones; her smile was as bright as he’d ever seen it. It broke his heart to see Ivy so happy with the young man, whom Ser Osmund had disapproved of not long ago.

He knew it was time to leave, but he was hesitant to tell Ivy. Ser Osmund took in a quick breath and approached the couple.

“My lady,” he called to her. Ivy released Finn from her gaze and looked up to meet Ser Osmund’s. He struggled to get the words out, not wanting Ivy to lose her beautiful smile, but finally he said, “It’s time to go home.”

She said nothing, only nodding her head that she understood and let the smile slip from her face. He looked at the ground beneath his feet, feeling Ivy’s stare bore into him.

Ser Osmund broke the silence. “The king wants to throw a feast for our departure. Tomorrow night will be our last on Kame Island. We’ll leave the next morning and catch the first ferry out.” He turned to leave but stopped just out of sight.

Ser Osmund watched Ivy turn back to Finn, whispering his name but no more words came out. Ivy looked as though she wanted to say more, her eyes searching. Finn smiled, though Ser Osmund thought it looked sad. He wrapped Ivy in his arms and cradled her to his chest, rubbing small circles on her back. The knight looked away then and left the couple alone where they sat in each other's arms under the tree.

The feast was filled with music, food, and wine. Everyone around Finn wore a smile and danced happily around the room, but all he felt was a hole in his heart. He’d kissed Ivy the night before and then retreated to his room, even after she told him he could stay. Finn fought every impulse in his body as he declined her offer and went to sleep alone. He’d been avoiding her all day, not wanting to speak about what would happen after tonight.

Finn already knew he would lose her; the only woman he’d ever cared for was being pulled from his grasp. He didn’t sleep at all the night before, frequently getting up to look over the balcony, hoping to see Ivy out there waiting for him. Finn thought he could hear her sobbing through the wall sometime during the night, but still, he stayed away.

Finn now watched Ivy sitting up on the dais with Ser Osmund and the king’s family. Prince Kal kept his eyes down at his food while his Shadow lingered in the background. He’d kept his Shadow close after the fight on the road a few weeks back, and Finn noticed that Kal hadn’t talked to him or Ivy since that night. He remembered the feeling he got when he realized Ivy had feelings for him. Finn thought that he’d never lose her, but perhaps he was naïve to think such a thing. Finn would lose everything tomorrow when the ferry departed.

Finn barely touched the food that sat before him, instead, filling his stomach with ale to drown out his thoughts. The feast went on late into the night; King Mashu gave a speech on what an honor it had been to have Ivy and Ser Osmund and how the island would be empty without their presence. Finn drained his cup at that, slammed it down on the table, and got up to leave.

He went to the sandpit and pulled out a straw man and began striking it with his fists. He let his anger fuel his punches and beat the straw man as if it were at fault for Ivy leaving. Tears begin to burn his eyes, and Finn let his arms slump to his sides, defeated. He let the empty hole eat him alive as the tears ran down his cheeks and wet the sand around him. Finn didn’t know what he would do without Ivy in his life. He’d been alone for so many years after the death of his family. He’d never loved anyone since, that was until—

“Finn?” His heart slammed to a stop. He quickly wiped his cheeks before turning around to face Ivy. She wore her hair down, and it seemed to glow in the pale moonlight. She looked radiant, and he desperately wanted to reach out and pull her in and never let go.

Instead, he said, “You should be celebrating,” his tone emotionless. “The king has worked hard to prepare this feast for you.”

“I don’t care,” she answered as she closed the distance between them. Ivy tilted her head up to look into his eyes, which were shiny with tears. She put her arms around his neck and began to rock back and forth. “What are you doing?” Finn asked.

“This is our dance floor, remember?”

Finn recalled the first night she came to him in the sandpit. He’d been watching her dance with Kal with jealous eyes all night. He had wondered what it would feel like to hold her like that; to be close enough to see the gray in her purple eyes or feel the softness of her hair. She was here with him now, and that should be enough. But it wasn’t. Finn pushed his negative thoughts away and snaked his arms around Ivy’s waist. They danced to the music of the wind and crickets chirping in the grass.

They moved through the sand soundlessly; the only noise was the beating of their hearts. Finn looked down into her eyes and placed a hand to her cheek. He leaned in, and kissed her softly, and she returned it, placing her hands on his chest. The ale swam in his head, and his heart pounded against his ribs as her hands trailed down his side. His breath came quicker as Ivy slid her lips over his, her hands resting low on his hips. He wanted her; he wanted to be with her and never to wake up alone with only the memory of Ivy to warm him at night. But he couldn’t do it. He gently took her hands away from him and brought them to his lips instead, kissing her knuckles.

Finn walked Ivy back to her room, and she paused outside her door, twirling a lock of hair. “You… you can stay, Finn. If you want.”

He knew he couldn’t do it. If Finn stayed, he would only give in to his desires, which would make her departure even more painful. Ivy begged him with her eyes, and he felt his stomach turn at the thought of hurting her.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, trying to force a smile that wouldn’t come.

“Do you promise?” Ivy asked.

“I promise. I’ll come and see you off, my Ivy.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head before going to his bed, alone.

That night Finn didn’t dream. Not of Ivy or her soft hair, not of her electric touch that made his blood pump. Not of the way her eyes paralyzed him with their sharp violet hue. Nothing, only blackness. When he woke up, he stayed sitting in his bed for a long time, watching the sun climb into the sky.

Ivy led Cass down the road toward the docks, constantly checking over her shoulder for Finn. She’d already said goodbye to the king and his family. Kal seemed cold toward her but forced a smile and waved to her as she started down the road. Ivy stopped at Ronin’s little house on the way to say goodbye. He came to the door at the sound of her approach and handed Ivy a small basket with food for the ride. She thanked him for everything he taught her and assured him that she’d be back to visit.

“Stay safe and give my good wishes to your father,” Ronin said in a low voice.

“I will,” Ivy told him. He seemed strange toward her, but she brushed it off as other things were on her mind. They shook hands and said goodbye before Ivy started down the road again.

Ser Osmund was waiting for her. He’s already put their bags on the ferry and somehow tricked Eclipse onto the boat. Ivy tied up Cass next to Eclipse and got back off the ferry to search the road ahead of her. She’d struggled not to blurt out the question to Finn last night when he refused to stay the night in her room. Ivy knew this was the only home he’d had since his own was destroyed, and she couldn’t bring herself to ask him to leave it behind and come with her.

The sun reached up higher in the sky, and the man who owned the ferry was growing impatient. Ser Osmund came up behind her and rested his hand on her shoulder. “Ivy.” Her name sounded strange on his mouth. She was so used to him calling her “Lady Ivy” or “My lady.”

“We have to go,” he continued gently. Ivy felt a tear roll down her face and quickly wiped it away as she realized Finn wasn’t coming. She couldn’t blame him. Ivy knew her leaving was painful for both of them and didn’t want to see him in pain. She got to her feet, wiping off the sand that she’d been sitting in for the past hour. Ser Osmund put a strong arm around her shoulders and led her away to the waiting boat.