A Pirate’s Life for Tea (Tomes & Tea #2)

30. Kianthe

Chapter thirty

Kianthe

R eyna blinked awake, and Kianthe told her, “Next time you crave adventure, I’m going to slap you upside the head.”

Her fiancée’s lips curled into a wry smile, and she pushed herself into a sitting position. They were on Serina’s ship; this time she’d claimed the captain’s quarters. Serina’s crew was safe—Dreggs’ had a few injuries, but nothing major. Once Arlon fled the warehouse mid-fight, his constables surrendered to the pirates rather quickly.

Well, everyone but Tyal, who insisted on a rematch with Serina. He’d wanted Bobbie, but considering she took off after Arlon, Tyal couldn’t be picky.

His rematch went about as well as expected, considering Serina had the might of a very loyal crew and Dreggs’ mages behind her. His blood still splattered the deck of the Knot for Sail ; he was tied in the corner, bandaged and gagged, awaiting judgment.

On the shoreline, Keets, the constable who’d threatened Kianthe alongside Tyal, had been the first to surrender.

Reyna surveyed her surroundings, Kianthe’s relieved expression, and landed on the dragon eggs perched in the corner of the room. She pushed upright with ease, stretching. “Then I gather we were successful?”

“Well, we kept the eggs. That’s something.”

It was late evening now, so far into the night they’d nearly reached sunrise again. The room had a cozy glow, warm with Kianthe’s ever-flame, and was blessedly empty. That gave Reyna all the time she needed to orient herself.

Kianthe watched her carefully, but Reyna didn’t seem to be struggling. Satisfaction spread in Kianthe’s chest. “Looks like the alchemists helped. We had two of them working in here for half the day, eliminating any trace of that spell. Apparently, the alchemy wouldn’t have lingered if I hadn’t intervened, but—well, then you actually would have died, so I stand by my actions.”

Reyna chuckled, flexing her hand into a fist, testing her dexterity. “I also stand by your actions.” She paused, offering a charming smile. “I must say, it’s nicer for the unconscious person. I wake up and everything is fixed. Saves me quite a lot of stress.”

Kianthe might kill her all over again.

“Don’t get any ideas, Rain. We’re avoiding mortal peril in the future, remember?”

“Mmm. I’ll take that under advisement.” Reyna swung her legs off the bed, pushed to her feet. She moved with her usual easy grace, although Kianthe still surged closer to help steady her. Their hands touched, their eyes met, and Reyna’s gaze softened. “Thank you for saving me.”

Kianthe’s cheeks burned under the attention. “Well, if he’d tried taking you captive any other day, he’d have earned a knife to the stomach. I’m not even sure this counts as saving you.”

“I wasn’t in any physical state to intervene, much as I hoped I could.” She paused, her cheeks coloring. “It’s nice, knowing I don’t always have to save myself.”

“If anyone else presses a knife to your throat, I reserve the right to kill them slowly.” Kianthe wasn’t joking, and her magic responded to the promise, swirling in sparkles around them. “Turns out Queendom citizens aren’t the only ones with a penchant for murder.”

Reyna’s fingers ghosted over Kianthe’s arm. “Anyone can kill under the right circumstances. I’m just glad I found them with you. Now, please tell me we’re finally ready to go home.”

“We’re ready to go home.” Kianthe paused, wincing. “Almost. Feo came back while you were under.”

“Already?” Reyna blinked in surprise, starting for the door. It was such a relief to see her moving like usual—this time, when she tied her sword to her hip, it was with deft fingers and practiced motions.

Kianthe followed, as always. “Well, Visk isn’t a slow flier. And you know Feo. Their case couldn’t be argued, not by the time they presented the evidence.”

The two of them emerged onto the deck to a party.

Reyna paused, arching one eyebrow. “Pirates waste no time celebrating, do they?” Her tone was wry.

The deck of the Knot for Sail had been transformed—long buffet tables lined the railing, to which Squirrel was bustling past, stacking more food. In the distance, similar revelry was happening on the Painted Death ’s deck. The massive ship loomed, crimson sails yet again tied tight, anchored behind trees flickering gold and red in the firelight. Several pirates were on the shore, too, milling among the captured constables.

Any constable not glowering in fury had been released to enjoy the party. Kianthe wasn’t sure who’d overseen that decision, but as the night wore on, no one could argue they were having a good time. Without Arlon making terrible decisions, the constables were simply normal people doing a job.

Tyal notwithstanding. He looked murderous, but no one was undoing his ties anytime soon.

In the distance, Ponder was taking her father on a tour of the Painted Death . Visk was too big to fly between the lines like she did, so he perched on the crow’s nest, his wings spread for balance as she flitted among the masts.

Serina stepped up to them, pulling Reyna into a big hug. The pirate was still limping a little bit, but it didn’t seem to slow her down. “You’re awake! Ah, you look so much better. I’m glad the alchemists could help.”

“Me too,” Reyna replied, gripping her forearms when they separated. “I suppose this means Arlon’s reign is over. Now that you’ve toppled the King of Shepara, what’s your plan?” Her eyes roamed Dreggs and Mister Mom, currently having a drinking contest across the deck. Mister Mom was winning, and Dreggs seemed increasingly annoyed about it. “I’m certain Dreggs would let you keep sailing, if you chose.”

“Dreggs couldn’t stop me if they tried.” She raised her voice when she said that, waving to catch the infamous pirate captain’s attention.

Dreggs paused mid-drink and flipped her off.

She cackled. “They’re fun. I’m not sure what my plan is yet… it’d be awkward to pirate the same river my girlfriend supervises.”

Kianthe rubbed the back of her neck, embarrassed she didn’t mention it before. Of course, the look of shock on Reyna’s face was priceless, so she didn’t feel that bad. “Ah, that’s the other thing. The Council asked Feo for recommendations on who to replace Arlon. Someone local, with extensive knowledge of the towns here. They put forth Bobbie’s name, with my ‘full endorsement.’” Kianthe grumbled, “Not that I gave them explicit permission for that, but—”

Reyna cut her off with a squeal. “Bobbie is the Nacean River’s new diarn?”

“One of them.” Bobbie had stepped up beside Serina, winding her arm around the pirate’s waist. Although her wounds were healing, it was a slow process; she still moved gingerly. Despite that, her eyes were bright, her tone pleased. “The Council agreed that a diarn’s power should be limited. A few towns, not entire regions. Feo advised them to truncate Arlon’s land, so there will be three new diarns. I’m responsible for Lathe, Oslop, and his old estate.”

Serina snorted. “Viviana’s going to love that oversight.”

“You didn’t get the vineyards,” Reyna said sadly.

Bobbie stared at her, exasperation lathering her tone. “ That’s your takeaway?”

“Is Koll up for grabs? Because I feel like we could make a good… case… for it.” Kianthe paused. “Get it? A case of wine? Wine is transported in cases, right?”

“Crates, dear.”

“Ah. Well, this is embarrassing.”

Bobbie pinched her brow, then reached into her pocket. The crocheted toy she pulled out this time was brown and black, a perfect representation of a tiny griffon. She’d spent a painstakingly long time getting every stitch right, and it showed.

“It’s Ponder. She modeled for me.”

That was a stretch; the baby griffon had formed up for about three breaths, and then got distracted. But she did stay close while Bobbie crocheted on deck for half the day. The woman tried to teach Kianthe—stress relief while the alchemists worked on Reyna, she’d said—but the Arcandor also had trouble focusing. Eventually Bobbie gave up.

Still, when she handed it over, Reyna was the one squealing in delight. She clutched the toy to her chest, adoration in her gaze. Kianthe couldn’t tear her eyes away, her own heart swelling at Reyna’s happiness.

“It looks just like her!”

Bobbie shifted, clearly embarrassed. “Thanks. I thought you’d like it.”

Reyna lovingly tucked it into her pocket, a bright smile on her face, and turned to Serina. “Then what’s your plan, if not pirating?”

Serina beamed. “I might switch into the family business. Not farming—Stars know I’m terrible at that—but my father already has the books set for merchant work. Transporting food up and down the river sounds relaxing.”

“You mispronounced boring ,” Dreggs called. How they even heard this conversation over the din was shocking.

Serina flipped them off.

“Her crew’s staying on regardless,” Kianthe told Reyna. “It was a whole thing. Lots of tears.”

Serina bounced on her toes. “Even Pil and his kids! Although Dreggs made me promise to let them visit from time to time.” Behind them, music began, a bouncy jig that competed with the music echoing off the Painted Death . Serina gasped and, without warning, towed Bobbie towards the area cleared out for dancing.

Bobbie let herself be dragged away, but called to Kianthe, “I’ll get the problematic constables to Wellia for trial, and put the rest to work distributing the food Arlon’s been stockpiling. Don’t worry about us. You guys should go home and relax.”

“You really want us gone, don’t you?” Kianthe drawled, crossing her arms.

Bobbie simply laughed. “Great meeting you two!”

“Don’t leave without saying goodbye,” Serina called, and then they were dancing. Well, Bobbie was more swaying to the music, considering her injuries, but Serina made up for both of them.

It was cute to watch.

Kianthe was already bored.

“Come on. Feo’s prowling around Arlon’s estate, poaching what they can. If we move fast, I bet we can snag those rare books.”

“You really want to test the spellwork in that library again?” Reyna followed Kianthe down the plank someone had set up along the dock.

The mage shuddered. “Never mind.”

“Hang on. Am I worth more than a set of rare tomes?” Now Reyna smirked. “Speaking of, how’s your book coming, dear? You had some time to write while I was unconscious.”

“I was distraught .” Kianthe huffed, digging her hands into the fur-lined pockets of her cloak. “I can’t create under those conditions. Bobbie learned that firsthand.”

“Mmm. How convenient.”

Kianthe started to protest, but just then Feo stepped out of the warehouse and Reyna jogged off to greet them. Tawney’s diarn had deep bags under their eyes, a heavy coat over their shoulders, and a stack of books under one arm.

Rare books.

One-of-a-kind books.

“Hang on. Those are mine!” Kianthe exclaimed.

Feo shot her a smug look. “Technically, they belong to the estate—and as a thank-you for aiding in her instatement, Bobbie has agreed to let me claim them. A professional courtesy between diarns. Surely you understand.”

Kianthe lit her palm on fire. “Feo, I will burn you.”

“And ignite the books? I can hardly trust these priceless artifacts around your temper.”

Reyna stepped between them, holding up her hands to stop Kianthe from doing something stupid—like pulling the ground over Feo’s ankles, grabbing the books, and fleeing. The ex-Queensguard addressed Feo. “We have the dragon eggs, but I need to retrieve my horse from Koll.”

Shit. Kianthe had totally forgotten about Lilac. The horse was certainly basking in the stables’ luxurious care.

She also caught the gleam in Reyna’s eyes; she wouldn’t go home before having one final glass of wine at Judd’s place. Kianthe supposed they could make a stop. Serina would certainly sail them south if they asked.

“I’d feel safest with the eggs in our possession. Are you all right to take Visk and Ponder home, or is that asking too much?” Reyna smiled. “Kianthe and I can follow behind at a more leisurely pace.”

“The sooner I’m back in Tawney, the better.” Feo paused. “Although the Council is debating on a replacement for Arlon’s seat. If you cared to stop by Wellia, the Arcandor’s endorsement would hold a hefty weight in that discussion.”

“You want to be a Council member?” Kianthe spluttered.

Diarn Feo sniffed. “Well, if there’s an opening… We all know I’m capable.”

Kianthe’s eyes dropped to the books in their arm, and a devious smirk tilted her lips. “Then you should know that my recommendation doesn’t come cheap.”

A standoff. They locked eyes, battling in silence. The war behind Feo’s eyes was absolutely priceless—and triumph spread when Feo reluctantly offered the stack of books. “I suppose I’ll still be able to appreciate them in New Leaf Tomes and Tea.” They didn’t sound happy about it.

Kianthe snatched the books, grunting under their weight. “Glad we could reach an agreement.”

“To be clear, she’d have given the endorsement regardless,” Reyna said curtly, shooting Kianthe a stern look. “Don’t manipulate people, dear.”

The tomes were heavy in her arms, and she clutched them against her chest like a child might with a precious toy. “But—but there were books at stake.” At Reyna’s obvious disapproval, Kianthe heaved a sigh and offered the stack to Feo again. “Oh, fine. Fine!”

Reyna heaved a sigh.

Feo stole the books back, expression smug. “A pleasure doing business with you both. Next time, send a note before your griffon abducts me.” And they strolled for the ship, whistling to gain Visk’s attention. It spoke volumes that the griffon abandoned the Painted Death to glide over, then let Feo mount him without any fanfare.

“Traitor,” Kianthe grumbled, although she wasn’t sure if that was directed at Reyna or Visk.

Reyna took her hand. “Let’s get Lilac and say goodbye to Judd. I’m ready to go home.”