Chapter Twenty
Salt clung to me like a second skin, the breeze cool and gentle as the burning sun shone down, bright and all-consuming. All around me there was nothing but the crystalline blue of the ocean, the ebb and flow carrying us on our journey and I basked in it.
It was a feeling unlike any other I had ever felt.
And it would have been peaceful, if it wasn't for the woman practically half-overboard, green in the face. We had left port nearly a week ago now and Rena had yet to find her sea legs.
"Goddess, this is miserable," she groaned as I rubbed slow circles upon her back. "I loathe sailing." I stifled the laugh that threatened to spill as she once again leaned over the wooden edge of the ship that prevented her from falling into the sea below.
We had all needed a few days to adjust, however, Rena had it the worst out of everyone. All except Roan, who took to a life at sea like a cat basking in sunshine. The rocking and swaying beneath our feet like a balm to his starved soul.
"Still feeling sick, ReRe?" Bran called from across the vessel, a teasing note in his voice.
He was tying a knot in a rope for one of the hired crew we had chartered to sail the small ship.
There were four, though they mostly kept to themselves, occasionally joining in for conversations, but only really speaking when giving out directions.
Rena gagged as we rolled over another wave, a motion I was now accustomed to and one I found I rather enjoyed. It was almost like weightlessness, as my body moved in time with the sea beneath, a calling that sang deep in my bones and had me reacting as if on instinct.
"Tell him that if he keeps calling me that I'm going to cut out his tongue and feed it to the sharks," she groaned, too weak to snap back, as she laid her head upon her forearms and screwed her eyes shut.
Lips quirking, I shot Bran a look. “Keep talking and you’re going to lose a precious organ, cousin.”
I didn't feel the need to clarify which organ it was, and the paling of Bran's face had a laugh falling from my lips.
"Only two more days and we'll be on solid land again," I soothed, my hand still moving in comforting circles. "I'm sorry I didn't think to pack anything for sea sickness."
Various potions were stored away in my carrier bag, numerous common ingredients, as well as a small travel-sized potion set that Merle had purchased for me years ago as a gift.
Yet space had been slim and I had been so focused on potions that would aid in the travel, that sea sickness hadn't even been a thought that crossed my mind. The most I’d been able to provide Rena was a bit of peppermint to chew.
"It's not your fault, I had no idea it would be this bad," Rena sighed, turning so her back rested against the siding as she slid to slump down upon the deck. “Just leave me here to rot for the next two days, I'll survive."
Grinning, I smoothed back her tangle of golden curls and pressed a fresh peppermint leaf into her palm before stepping back.
My eyes roamed over the deck, spotting that head of white standing at the hull speaking animatedly with Antoni—the Luanthian with amber eyes.
The crew consisted of three Solerians, two men and a woman, and one Luanthian.
They only really seemed to speak comfortably around Roan.
I couldn't help but wonder if it was because he, like their crewmate, was Luanthian born.
Even with the golden tattoos of a Solerian soldier, there was an air of familiarity and understanding between them. I envied it.
My braided hair swung in the warm breeze as I approached the pair. The weather had grown significantly hotter the further south we travelled, and the heat warmed me to my very soul. After such a long, cold winter in Amori City, it felt revitalizing.
"I've never met a Luanthian who was water-blessed," Antoni mused."That kind of blessed magic is incomparable for a life at sea."
"I would say being air-blessed is just as valuable," Roan responded, his eyes searching the endless horizon.
Antoni shook his head, a grimace twisting his mouth. “It's useful to turn the winds to our favor, but in a storm it is as useless as not being blessed by any Goddess."
Antoni noticed my approach first, his amber eyes narrowing distrustfully.
I had been attempting for nearly the entire week we had been aboard this small ship to build some favor with the crew, but it was slow going.
They at least liked me better than Prince Kairen, who they wouldn't even speak to unless directly asked a question. Even then it was merely curt responses.
My lips tilted in a playful smile, fingers drumming against my leg. “Are you attempting to poach Captain Delmar from us, sir?”
Roan turned at the sound of my voice, his eyes finding mine. He looked almost radiant, a sheen of saltwater coating his skin, his white hair wind tousled, but the most breathtaking thing was the smile that seemed to shine brighter than the sun could ever dream of.
Suddenly I felt too off-kilter, as if the waves rolling beneath were stealing my balance. Roan's steadying arm slid over my shoulders as I stumbled towards the two men and I felt a flush creep up my neck as I cleared my throat. “Sorry, I'm still getting used to the feeling."
Antoni gave a disdainful look before shrugging. “Aye, not everyone is made for a life at sea."
My cheeks grew warmer and when I subtly cast a glance towards Roan, I saw his gaze sharpen upon the man he had been friendly with only moments before.
"I wouldn't underestimate her, Antoni," he mused, his words too casual.
"She may not be water-blessed, but I have no doubt she could make even the ocean bend to her will through sheer stubbornness. "
Huffing, I shoved an elbow into his side causing his arm to fall from me as he let out a laugh. Swiping a few stray hairs from my eyes, I muttered, "I'm not that stubborn.”
"Stubborn enough to make a life of whatever you wish or dream of, little menace."
Leaning against the siding of the helm, I reached my hand down to catch the spray of saltwater against my palm. Glancing back at the two men, I met Roan’s smile with one of my own. "I do rather like the idea of a life at sea.”
If my statement surprised either of the men, neither showed it.
"It feels," I hesitated, my head falling back to bask in the warmth, "liberating, to be out here, away from the city, with nothing but the sea for hundreds of miles."
Antoni snorted. “Tell me how liberating it feels when you have hundred foot waves at your back and a raging storm threatening to wash you overboard."
I met that cool assessing gaze with contempt of my own, I had tried to be as pleasant as possible to the crew for a week and my patience was beginning to fray.
“Perhaps you're right," I said, my smile was saccharine.
"Although, maybe l'd rather take my chances with the beasts of the sea than the beastly attitudes aboard this ship. "
"Feral as ever." Perhaps I was imagining it, but I almost thought there was pride in Roan’s tone.
We turned as a voice called out to Antoni. Malika—a woman of few words with sharp, dark eyes—was waving him over, her sleek braids swinging with the motion.
Antoni clapped Roan upon the shoulder and leaned in a bit. “Think about it, will you? The girl isn't entirely wrong.” His shrewd stare landed on me for merely a moment before swiveling back to Roan. “It may not always be sunshine and open sea, but it is a freeing life."
With that he took his leave and I raised a questioning brow, heart sinking the slightest bit as I examined the man before me. His shoulders were tense with those parting words, his jaw set as he kept his attention fixed firmly on the horizon.
This last week had been the most relaxed I had ever seen the Kinslayer.
At first I had thought it was leaving Amori City, being free of the palace grounds and perhaps a part of it was.
However, I had seen him over the last few days.
The smile that had seemingly etched itself into his face, how he jumped at the opportunity to help wherever he was needed aboard the ship.
Even Bran had commented on it, his voice low when he had asked if the Captain had been possessed by some charming demon.
His happiness had been contagious, even when I myself had felt sick at the rocking of the vessel.
"Do you want to take the offer?" My voice was soft, curious. I stepped carefully up beside him, resting lightly against the siding of the deck.
His lips pursed. "Does an answer matter when the outcome will be the same regardless?"
My brows furrowed as my nails picked at a callous on my palm. “You speak as if you yourself have a prophetic blessing, Captain."
Green and silver fixed on me so quickly my spine straightened a bit on instinct, my hands dropping to my sides.
"They would never allow me to leave my position, even coming on this quest took significant persuading from Kai." The bitterness in his tone had me taking a hesitant step closer.
Chewing my lip, a sigh escaped as I looked out over the vast ocean.
Squinting against the sunlight, I chose my words carefully.
“A king is never a king forever," I reasoned, rocking on my feet as a wary smile formed.
“And from what I hear, Prince Kaemon seems a reasonable man, do you think he might allow it? "
Roan glanced sidelong at me, muscles rippling as he crossed his arms. His black shirt was unbuttoned, revealing his tattooed chest, and I glanced at the whirling, gilded symbols inked into his skin, making my breath catch.
"It's an honor to be Captain of the KingsGuard," was his only response, his voice distant and cold.
A non-answer. How annoyingly typical of him.
I shrugged as I met his gaze once more. “Perhaps, but pursuing a dream takes courage and there is honor in that too."