Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
My boots slap against the cobblestones as I rush to the docks, cloak flowing behind me as I weave through the crowds that fill the streets. I’m almost there. Just a few more blocks to go.
The sun is already well into the sky, and there’s a boat waiting for me. I can be late to my own departure—especially since I’m paying for it—but I don’t like to be late or waste time.
I take an alleyway that cuts between two buildings. It’ll spit me out onto the main road, close to the docks, and get me to my destination faster.
“You twisted the truth.” Erik’s voice booms along the narrow alley.
I stop mid-step and pivot to find Erik storming down the road, fury written in the lines of his face.
This is not happening right now.
Tension crackles in the air, and my strides match his. My magic surges, responding to my emotions. Some of the occupants in the alley slink away, not wanting to get caught in the potential crossfire of whatever is about to happen. By the time I reach Erik, the alley is empty.
“How exactly did I twist the truth?” I snap, loud enough to showcase my intensity, but with enough reserve to not shout.
“He’s on a boat at the docks, apparently waiting for something—or someone.” Erik’s tone is dark as he looms over me, even though he’s only a few inches taller.
Shadows darken the alley as he puffs out his chest, pulling his shoulders back and straightening his spine. He’s attempting to intimidate me.
And he is intimidating.
But anger can be more powerful than intimidation. “As I said, it’s been taken care of.”
“Tromping around with your ex isn’t taking care of it. What are you even doing with him?” Erik grips my biceps, sneering.
“I’m trying not to die,” I say through gritted teeth.
Erik’s shoulders slightly cave and his grip loosens as his brows knit, processing what I said. His shadows flicker in hesitation. He’s assessing me, eyes searching mine, questioning me without saying a word. Trying to determine if there is any mistruth behind my words.
I said it as plainly as can be.
Before he can say another word, I remove myself from his hold. “Now, I’ll be on my way. I have business to attend to. Don’t follow me again, or you’ll regret it. I’m not one to be controlled, Erik.”
I turn my back and leave him standing there, reeling and cursing. I don’t have time for a male’s fragile ego when I have something more serious to deal with. He just needs to find someone else to spend his nights with.
Maybe I should be more concerned about him, but I also don’t have time to waste. I’ll give Peylin permission to silence him any way she sees fit if he’s betraying my company.
“Where have you been?” Mikael shouts the moment he sees me. He rushes over, expression shifting from irritation to concern. “Whose blood is that? Are you hurt?”
He runs his hands over my body, twisting me around, looking for wounds. He’s fawning over me like I didn’t just storm up the gangplank.
I shake him off and look down at my tunic. Crimson is splattered across the front of it, staining the shimmery light-gray fabric. I always ruin my favorite ones. “I’m fine. I was already late, and what, you want me to waste more time freshening up?”
“No, of course not. It was just unexpected. What happened?” Mikael motions toward the blood on my clothing.
“City business.” Peylin steps away from the captain and around Mikael. I toss her the bag of coins I retrieved from Korin this morning.
“You’re not the only one who’s turned dark.
” I tell Mikael, then address Peylin, “I stormed into Korin’s shop, tossed a dagger into his shoulder, and held him with an enchantment.
Once I yanked my blade out, I snatched one of his hands, stretching it out on the counter and started stabbing between his fingers.
He was more than willing to part with the money before I cut any of his fingers off. ”
“Good. I’ll get this sent out right away.” Peylin starts down the ramp.
I grab her arm and pull her close. “I know you said you would, but please, watch Erik. He confronted me in the street. I want to know who he has tailing us, and if he has any other motives or plans.”
“Already on it. We hadn’t seen him yet this morning. It won’t be easy with his shadow magic, when he can meld into them and slip away undetected.”
“Just do what you can.”
She gives me a hug and presses a piece of paper into my hand. “I’ll see you soon.”
When she reaches the dock, the ship lurches, even before the gangplank is pulled all the way back.
A gust kicks up and teases the paper in my hand, trying to steal it from me.
I grip it tighter and have to fight the wind to open it.
It’s the riddle she wrote down last night.
I shove it into the pocket of my cloak and turn away from the railing.
“Are you okay?” Mikael’s sitting on a barrel, slicing an apple.
“No.” I shake my head. “Do you know where our room is?”
“Down the stairs, third door on the left.”
“I’ll be back.” I storm off and find my way to our room. I’ve got to shake this mood off. Erik does not get to ruin the rest of my day.
I pass by a sailor who has a goblet in hand. The scent of honeyed wine taunts me. It calls out to my weakness; the desire to feel a buzz circulating my mind. To lower my need to think, my need to care. Circling back around, I grab it.
“Milady, I can get you a fresh one if you need it.” The sailor stands and tries to take his drink back.
“No need.” Golden liquid flows over my tongue and down my throat, pouring out of the goblet that hovers over my mouth. The dry bite is followed by a sweet aftertaste.
The other sailors he’s standing with all pause and watch as I down the drink. They elbow each other and let out whistles. I hand the empty goblet back to the sailor and take my leave as they laugh at their friend and refill his drink.
It’s easy to find our cabin below deck. This ship isn’t large; it’s only a small merchant vessel, transporting people and goods from port to port. But it’s the only one that’s allowed to enter the waters controlled by the sirens and dock at their island.
Some deal the captain made with them, as I’m told. I don’t care how; I just need the passage.
I sling off my cloak, throw it on the bed, and tear off my tunic.
The tunic gets stuck in my hair, twisted strands sending jolts of pain through my skull as I fumble around with it. I finally yank it off my head and throw it. I pick up my pack and set it on the bed, trying to undo the ties. An agitated growl comes out as I struggle with them.
I’m moving too fast and too harshly.
All I’m doing is making myself more aggravated.
Calm down.
Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose and breathe, then try again. This time through gritted teeth, but calmer. I finally undo the ties and pull out a fresh tunic, sliding it over my head.
I slump down on the bed and run my hands down my face. Warmth from the drink finally spreads throughout my body. My nerves ease, and I take a moment to collect my senses.
Grabbing my cloak, I pull out the paper from the pocket and read the riddle again.
Find the bed you wish to keep echoes through my mind.
What perfect warning for me right now. Seeing as I have to figure out which bed I’ll remain in—my own or Mikael’s.
But that’s not why I’m here; there’s something about where we’re going that doesn’t feel like it’s the right location. It hasn’t since last night. My thoughts had been distracted by Erik’s threat, rather than on this riddle.
Here, in the quiet of the cabin, with the gentle rocking of the ship and the slapping of waves against the hull, I have no distractions and can give it my all.
I look over the riddle again, slowly reading each line.
A melody hums within the sea
Within the white marbled veins we stay
Flowing with waters pristine
Only for those who yearn to be unbound
Mirrors are more than what you see
Find the bed you wish to keep
Or never break free.
Tapping the paper against my hand, I consider the meaning. I really hate these plays on words, and loathe whoever created the curse in the first place.
I switch tactics, reading it in two parts, but I’m not sure if Only for those who yearn to be unbound is part of the location or the trial. I realize I’d rather work this out with Mikael than on my own.
I put my cloak back on and make my way to the deck. I find Mikael in the same spot, but he’s entertaining some sailors, waving his arms around and talking expressively. As I approach, I hear the words dragon and ice.
Ah, so he’s already spreading tales of what we’ve encountered. Typical male. But I have to admit, it is a tale worth repeating.
When he makes eye contact with me, I nod my head to the side, signaling I want to talk to him. He excuses himself, promising to finish the tale. The sailors all groan and raise their hands at his departure.
I hand him the paper when he reaches me. “Look over this again. I think you were right. I’m not sure the island makes sense with the line about white marbled veins.”
“You said there’s a temple on the island.” He looks up at me with a brow raised.
“It’s just—I don’t know.”
Shaking my head, I walk along the starboard side of the ship, making my way up to the quarterdeck where the captain is at the helm, looking out at the ocean. The island isn’t far from Varithen, and I can already see the outline of it in the distance, but it’ll still take hours to get there.
Mikael joins me, handing the riddle back to me. “I know which bed I want to keep. That part is easy.”
“Yeah, I know what you want too. But I don’t think it’ll be that simple.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Captain, how long do we have until we’re there?”
“Half turn of the sun.” The captain’s answer is clipped, his voice gravelly.
Mikael leans his forearms against the railing. The wind tousles his blond hair as he squints in the bright sun, looking toward the coastline of Eidrfall. “What is that? Looks a lot like where we should be going.”