Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
Rosalina
I t’s him.
Dayton stumbles across the ship as if he’s drunk, but I don’t think he is. His eyes—blue as the water surrounding us—are too bright.
His lips form my name, though I can barely hear his voice over my bounding heart.
“Day,” I say.
He pulls me against him.
The embrace is crushing in the best way, forcing all the air from my lungs. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he lifts me up, my face burrowing into his bare chest. After months and months of fear, in this moment, everything is okay.
I’m safe here in his arms.
“Rosie, Rosie, Rosie.” His large hand fists in my hair, and he murmurs frantic words. “Stars, I was so worried about you. Are you all right?”
“I’m with you. I could fly.” I look up at him. The glittering sun makes his hair shine like gold.
Dayton’s breath is still ragged as he looks down at me, and I know it’s not just my imagination. Every part of him missed me the way I missed him. He thought of me just as much as I thought of him.
“Kiss me already,” I whisper.
His turquoise eyes narrow, full lips parting, but then he pulls away.
Something is different. The last time I saw Dayton, he and Kel were being imprisoned and the Nightingale was stealing me away to the monastery. Before that, he’d used his bargain with Farron to give his strength to save me. What’s changed?
“Rosalina?” A chirpy voice breaks between us.
I step away from Dayton to see Wrenley walking over with cat-like grace. She wears a pair of cropped breeches, a fluffy white blouse, and a green cloak. Her curly brown hair has grown just below her jaw.
“We were all so worried about you.”
“What are you doing here?” I know the words are rude, but she worked for Kairyn, the man who imprisoned me for three months. Kel said she rescued them from Keep Hammergarden, but I didn’t think she’d stay .
Dayton looks between us. “Wren’s been a big help. She’s working for Kairyn undercover to get us information.”
A bout of nausea courses through me at the use of the nickname. Wren. Why is he calling her that? For a moment, I think I’m going to be sick over the edge of the boat. “Yet your sister was still the one to rescue me,” I say, regretting it immediately.
Why do I feel so upset all of a sudden? He’s been out here looking for me and so has this girl. Wren .
“I’m sorry,” I say before anyone can reply. “It’s been a long few months.”
“You don’t have to apologize for anything,” Dayton says. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Where’s Farron? He feels far away.”
“He went back to Autumn for help, but if you can feel him, he can feel you. I haven’t seen Kel or Ez since Spring, but I’m sure it’ll be the same for them. They’ll try to find you, I’m sure of it.”
“Ezryn is coming?” Wrenley asks, eyes flashing. “He’s a monster—”
I shoot her a look. “It’s Kairyn and his soldiers who are monsters.”
“Hey, let’s all calm down.” Dayton steps between us.
Tears pool in Wrenley’s blue eyes. “Excuse me if I’m not as used to death and violence as all of you. I joined the monastery to serve the light of the Queen and he ravaged it—”
“Look, a lot happened in Spring,” Dayton says, raising his hand as if to touch her, but then lowers it. “When Ezryn finds us, he’ll explain everything.”
“Ezryn would never hurt the innocent,” I snarl. “Why would you even question that, Dayton?”
“I’m not. I’m just trying to have a little compassion, okay?”
I curl my hands into fists. “He’ll come to me soon enough and you’ll see.”
“Look, as much as I love this little conversation, we’ve really got to get going.” Delphia stomps over and eyes us with raised brows, as if seeing her brother surrounded by arguing women is not an unfamiliar sight.
“Hey, Del.” He smirks at her then pulls her into a hug.
It’s there only for a flash: the fierce captain who rescued me turns into a little girl in her brother’s arms. But then she pushes him away, still smiling. “We can talk later. For now, we have to get out of here.”
“Aye, aye, captain,” Dayton says.
“All hands on deck! Prepare to weigh anchor,” she says, a new pride to her words. “Hoist the sails and trim them tight!”
Within a few moments, the crew has us sailing again, heading away from Dayton’s small ship. Dayton joins in the work naturally, and everyone around him brightens. Whispers of the High Prince of Summer filter through the crew.
Soon, Dayton, Wrenley, Nori, and I find ourselves in the captain’s quarters, a map spread out on the desk before Delphia.
“We have to keep moving,” Nori says, index finger trailing across the map’s blue ocean. “Kairyn’s airships travel quickly and can see for great distances.”
“There’s a rumor the Huntresses of Aura took one down,” Delphia says.
“The Huntresses are a myth,” Nori responds in her dry monotone.
“No, they’re not! My grandmother was a Huntress.” Delphia glares. “Tell her, Day!”
“Indeed, she was. Right now, my priority must be returning to Castletree. I can’t summon any magic if I don’t,” Dayton says.
“I’d like to return to Castletree, as well,” I say. “It’s the first place my mates will look for me. We could use the other High Princes’ help.”
“But how will we get there? Going back to Hadria is out of the question,” Delphia says. “It’s Kairyn’s primary base in Summer and swarming with soldiers. Plus, the way from Keep Soltide is closed. It can only be opened by the High Prince, but there’s no way we could make it past all those guards.”
The token of Summer sits heavy in my pocket. I need to give it back to Dayton. But even now, it’s useless without his magic. “I can summon thorns to bring us back to Castletree, but I can’t do it in the ocean. I have to draw them from the earth.”
Delphie’s smile widens, and she gives a sidelong glance at Nori. “Then we make land.”
“Somewhere beyond the laws of Hadria,” Nori agrees.
A laugh bubbles from Dayton’s chest. “Never did I think I’d be going there with my little sister.”
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“To the Byzantar Isles.” Delphie moves the token of the ship across the map. “A hive of scoundrels, pirates, and outlaws. We’re heading to Corsa Tuga.”