Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
Rosalina
“C orsa Tuga!” Dayton exclaims as we step off The Deathly Sky Dancer and onto the dock. “I’d tell you some stories of when I came here when I was younger, but I really don’t want you looking at me differently.”
I smack him in the chest. “I’m not sure there’s much that could surprise me now.”
He turns around, walking backward. “It’s only because I haven’t told you my best stories of the Byzantar Isles.”
A gust of salty breeze courses over us. It weaves through his hair, and, with the broad smile on his face, he’s never looked so beautiful. I stumble, and he quickly helps me regain my balance, throwing an arm around my shoulder and leaning down to whisper in my ear, “This story involves a mischievous parrot, a treasure map drawn on a napkin, and a daring escape aboard a makeshift raft made of rum barrels. One of which Farron was stuck inside.”
A laugh bubbles out of me, and I find myself leaning closer into his embrace. “I can’t believe you brought Farron here.”
“I brought Farron everywhere with me when he visited Summer. Though he complained, he always followed.”
“I think that smile of yours can compel people to do just about anything.”
Suddenly, that smile falters. He steps away from me before pulling his hood up. “Cover your face. We don’t want to draw too much attention here.”
I nod, following his instructions. We fitted ourselves with cloaks before disembarking the ship. It makes the heat even more relentless and beads of sweat cling to my brow.
“We’ve got some rooms at the Salty Kraken Tavern,” Delphia says, coming up behind us. “There’s an alley beside it. Might be a good place to grow your thorns.”
I nod and follow the group into the city. Beyond the docks, the town is alive with bustling markets. The breeze is thick with the scent of spices mingling with the briny sea air.
“It’s crowded here,” I whisper.
“Kairyn hasn’t expanded his reach to the Isles yet,” Wrenley says, coming up beside me, silent as a cat. “They’re small and difficult to navigate to as they’re left off of most standard maps.”
Delphia falls into step with us. “Many fae escaped here when Kairyn attacked. Some of the pirates are smuggling weapons and supplies to the underground resistance in Hadria.”
“Hadria and Corsa Tuga are usually at odds, but the two cities have formed an uneasy alliance in the last few months. Nothing like having a common enemy to bring people together, right? The pirates don’t want Kairyn in charge any more than the citizens of Hadria do,” Dayton explains.
There is a certain way of life here, one that feels vibrant and alive. As we meander deeper into town, my gaze is drawn to the colorful array of shops lining the cobblestone pathway. THE MYSTIC EMPORIUM is written on a flapping wooden sign, but I can’t see anything beyond the dust-covered windows. Another sign reads T HE B UCCANEER ’ S B LACKSMITH , where an artisan hammers away at molten steel, forging weapons.
Farther down the street, S IREN ’ S T REASURES catches my eye with its sparkling window display. Pearls glisten like moonlight on the waves, while intricately carved coral pieces seem to whisper secrets of the sea. I linger for a moment, enchanted by the otherworldliness of it all.
Dayton comes up behind me, resting a hand on the small of my back. “It’s said that a long time ago, the sirens used to come to Corsa Tuga all the time. They’d walk among the fae and swim in the canals.” He gestures to the waterways that run up and down the city streets.
“Wait, they can walk?”
“Sure. Sirens lose their tails if they step on land, but you can always recognize one by the dusting of scales on their cheeks in the sun.” His thumb brushes my face, and the only thing I feel there is a blush.
I saw a siren once, down in the Below. She had sung at Caspian’s birthday party, and Ezryn said she was likely there due to a bargain. It makes me sad, perhaps because once I had been trapped myself due to my fae bargain with Kel. But I found my way to something better. Maybe she can, too.
Suddenly, I remember I still have Dayton’s token tucked in my pocket. Up ahead, it appears Nori, Delphia, and Wrenley are engaged in a conversation with a vendor, and Nori is trying to purchase some sort of cursed-looking charm.
“This is yours.” I take out the token. He still wears his other necklace, the one strung with seashells. My gaze catches on one shell in particular. A nautilus shell, gifted to him by the acolyte for saving her in the river.
I quickly press the token necklace into Dayton’s palm and look away.
“How did you get this?” Dayton asks.
“Long story. The Turquoise Knight tried to touch the Bow of Radiance, and it turned him into dust. But it left your token … and the Trident of Honor. Day, it’s inside the necklace.”
“So, it’s true. I was never sure. As Protector of the Realms, Kel was the only one with a sacred weapon, and he preferred to keep it as far away from him as possible.” Dayton moves to unstring his necklace.
“Wait.” I grab his wrist. “Kairyn doesn’t know I have this, and he asked me about it every day while I was captured. They want all the weapons, and now, this is the only one they don’t have.”
“This is why you’re the smart one.” He smirks. “Though, how did you get the trident inside of the necklace?”
“It’s because—”
“Hey, you two, hurry up!” Delphia calls from up ahead.
“I’ll tell you later,” I say. I still haven’t told Dayton what I’ve learned about myself, that I’m daughter to Queen Aurelia … and I can wield her bow.
“Thank you, Rosie. I mean it.” He leans toward me before straightening and tucking the token into his pocket. “I can’t believe you got this back.”
We quickly catch up with Delphia, Nori, and Wrenley.
The five of us finally make it to what must be the tavern district. The air takes on the distinct tinge of alcohol. Even though it’s still morning, laughter echoes out of the buildings, followed by slurred shanties.
“We’ll be stationed here while we wait, resupplying the ship,” Delphia says, stopping in front of the Salty Kraken.
“Three days,” Dayton says. “Then I’ll be back.”
“Better be,” Delphia replies as she lets herself be pulled into a tight hug.
“Give these to my brother. I’m sure he’ll find you at Castletree.” With an eerily straight arm, Nori holds out a heavy black bag to me.
Gingerly, I take it. The contents seem to be an odd mixture of firm and squishy. “Uh, thanks.”
“Just some things I found on my travels. They may be useful to him.”
I smile. Though I haven’t been able to spend much time with Nori, I know from Farron’s stories that she’s not exactly what one would call expressive. This gift to Farron must be her way of saying, “I miss you and I love you.”
Before she can walk away, I snatch Nori in my arms, squeezing her as tight as I can. “Now I can give Farron a hug from you.”
Nori’s body stiffens, then relaxes. “Yeah. Whatever,” she says softly.
I pull away from her, and she scuttles over to Delphia’s side.
“Are we ready to go?” Wrenley stands by the entrance to the alley.
“You’re coming?” I ask.
“Of course I am,” she says.
We head down the alley, slinking into the shadows, and I take a deep, steadying breath. Out of the edge of my sight, I catch Delphie and Nori peering around the corner of the alley, watching intently.
“Hold on to me. I haven’t done this that many times before,” I say to them.
“Are you sure this isn’t dangerous?” Wrenley asks, a knot creasing between her brows.
Very dangerous. You should probably stay here so you’re not accidentally impaled by a thorn , I think before I shake my head and reach out to grab her hand. “It’ll be okay.”
She snatches her hand away the instant I touch her, lips curling back, panic flaring in her blue eyes.
“Rosie will take care of us, Wren. She’s very powerful.” Dayton grips me around the waist and reaches across to grab Wrenley’s shoulder.
She takes a deep breath, then twists her hand in my cloak.
“All right,” I say, golden briars rising around us. “Let’s go home.”