Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ladon
Emilie and Cyrus joined us upstairs, and I tried not to think too hard about the look on her face when I ran to tell them the news.
She looked like she’d seen a ghost, but she quickly brushed it off.
I’d ask her about it later when we had a moment alone.
It was clear that, whatever it was, she didn’t want to talk about it in front of our group.
“What did you find?” my brother asked as he followed me into the upstairs office.
Jade was sitting in a cushioned velvet chair behind a large desk looking quite comfortable. Like she’d made herself at home. She tossed a journal onto the desk, and I picked it up, passing it to Cyrus.
He opened it and read a few pages, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. I saw the moment it clicked. He flipped forward several pages until he found what I had.
“What is it?” Emilie asked, trying to read the journal from Cyrus’s side.
He shifted a little so she could see it too. “It’s a captain’s log. It contains the history of a ship called the Green Tide—everything from its course to its cargo and—”
“Its passengers,” Emilie said, her eyes going wide. She pointed at the journal, to a page dated two days ago, and said, “Reyna was on this ship.”
She looked up, and our eyes met. I smiled wide and nodded.
“So, we just missed her,” Cyrus said, sounding a little deflated. I understood. I was hoping we’d find her in Sage Harbor too, but at least her trail hadn’t gone cold. We could work with this.
Jade stood and headed toward the doorway.
“Where are you going?” Emilie asked.
“I know someone who owes me a favor. They also happen to have a ship. Meet me at the docks around dusk.”
She left without another word, her braided hair whipping behind her.
We made it back to the inn in record time to pack our belongings and check out. It didn’t take long, since we’d hardly had time to unpack. We still had hours to kill before dusk, so we walked through town to take care of a few errands while we waited.
There was a blacksmith where we had our weapons sharpened and a textile shop where Emilie talked a woman into washing our clothes, but only if we bought a few items. Then we visited a bakery and stocked up on a few goods to take with us on the ship.
Cyrus also requested we visit the apothecary for some herbs that helped with seasickness. He had never been a fan of sea travel.
After a bite to eat, it was finally time to make our way to the docks. The setting sun glistened off the waves, nearly blinding us while we tried to search for Jade.
There were so many ships lining the walkway, and Jade hadn’t been very descriptive.
We walked along the water, and I searched for her face in the crowds.
Emilie moved closer when we walked past the spot where we’d discarded Devyn.
In the daylight, I could see that the rain had already washed away the blood from our scuffle.
I glanced at her and offered a warm smile. There wasn’t a body floating around to condemn us for our crimes. She had no need to worry.
A few minutes later, I caught sight of Jade leaning against a post with her arms crossed. A man stood next to her, chatting nonstop while she stared straight ahead. I didn’t know what he was saying, but she wasn’t interested in a word of it.
“You made it,” she said, interrupting him.
He looked at us and looked back at her. “Is this them?”
“It is,” she said, turning and walking across the bridge to the ship before us.
The man watched her, confused by her abrupt departure, but we were used to it by now. He suddenly remembered that we were still standing here, and he held out a hand. “My name is Drip; I’m the chief mate. You must be Jade’s friends.”
“What kind of name is Drip?” I asked. It was rude, but I didn’t care.
He laughed. “Well, technically my name is Samuel, but I go by Drip.”
I raised a brow. Surely there was a story there, but I wasn’t particularly interested in it.
Drip began to tell it anyway. “When I first started working on ships, I was a clumsy kid—twelve or thirteen and still growing into my lanky limbs. Anyway, I had a habit of tripping over things, and I fell overboard more times than I could count.”
He laughed while the rest of us exchanged concerned glances. Was this really the best Jade could find?
Drip caught our questioning stares and waved his hands.
“Nothing to worry about now, of course. I grew out of it, and I’ve been working on ships for decades now.
You don’t get to my position without being highly qualified.
But my crew back then thought it was hilarious.
Each time they pulled me out of the water, I’d walk around for hours, dripping everywhere I went.
So, they called me Drip, and the rest is history. ”
I nodded like I understood, but I still had my reservations about him. I pointed toward the ship. “Should we just—”
“Oh yes, of course! Here, let me grab your bag, Miss…?”
“You can call me Emilie,” she said, letting her backpack slide off her shoulder and handing it over to Drip. “Thank you.”
“So, Drip,” Cyrus said. “What happened for you to be in Jade’s debt?”
Drip shrugged. “That’s a long story. We’ll save it for another time. And what did you say your name was?”
“I’m Cyrus and this is my brother Ladon.”
If Drip knew anything about Osavian’s royal family, he didn’t let on. He simply stated, “It’s nice to meet you both. Watch your step here.”
The bridge from the dock to the ship was several feet wide and plenty sturdy, but I understood how someone with the name ‘Drip’ might struggle with it.
“The captain has some business in town, but he will be back soon. I’m supposed to show you to your cabins.”
Drip led us across the ship’s deck and into the hull. I’d been on enough boats to know they weren’t spacious, but even I wasn’t prepared for my shoulders to barely fit as I walked.
“This first one is for the ladies,” Drip told us. “And this one next to it will be where the men can sleep.”
I peered into the room assigned to Cyrus and me. It was everything I imagined it would be—a small rectangle box that hardly had room to stand and a set of bunk beds I wouldn’t be able to stretch out in. “Thank you. When do we set sail?”
“Captain wants to get moving as soon as he comes back. We should be on our way before dinnertime. Make yourselves at home, and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I have to make sure the rest of the crew is ready.”
Drip left us, and I tossed my bag on the top bunk. Cyrus squeezed by to throw his on the bottom bed, and I was instantly overwhelmed by the lack of space we’d been given. It only seemed to heighten the anxiety I felt over keeping secrets from my brother.
I checked the room next to us to see how the women were doing. Jade had already settled into the bottom bunk, reading from a tattered journal, and Emilie was climbing into hers, giving me an excellent view of her ass in her tight pants.
I quickly wiped the grin off my face and cleared my throat. They both turned to face me.
“I’m going to go for a walk around the deck if anyone would care to join me.”
Jade turned back to her book without giving a response, but Emilie nodded.
“Give me one second,” she said, searching through her bag. She found the hair tie she was looking for and quickly braided her hair. Then she climbed back down and followed me back into the fresh air.
We found a spot to lean against the railing and watch as the sun descended into the sea.
“Are you going to tell me what happened back at the townhouse?” I asked, moving close enough to Emilie that our arms brushed.
“Hmm?” she said, distracted by the beauty of the rainbow of colors—from the pinks and oranges that feathered out in the sky to the blue and purple waves that rocked against the boat. It was exactly the kind of scenery I would’ve loved to paint once upon a time.
“You looked rattled back there. Did something happen?”
“Oh,” she said, her cheeks flushing like they always did when she was nervous or she’d attracted too much attention. “It was nothing.”
“Come on, Emilie. It’s me you’re talking to. You don’t have to hide anything from me.”
She turned to face me, biting her lip, and I resisted the urge to pull it free from her teeth and caress it with my own. “There was a moment…” she started and then frowned. “I don’t know how to explain it.”
“Try,” I encouraged.
She sighed. “I think… I think Cyrus might believe there is still a chance for him and me.”
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t that. I thought we had put this specific issue behind us. “What do you mean?”
“He said something about courting me and how he wanted to try again after I’d had enough time to heal.” She chuckled darkly. “As if I’ll ever be healed enough to play the role of his adoring wife.”
“You’ll heal, Emilie. We both will. I don’t know how long it’ll take, but we won’t carry this with us for the rest of our lives. I refuse to. And I know you’re too stubborn to carry it too.”
She nodded half-heartedly. “You’re probably right about that.”
“I am.”
Rolling her eyes, she looked like she might smack me. Good. Then I’d know she was returning to normal.
“So, what did you say to him?”
“I didn’t say anything. You appeared, and that was the end of it.”
I clicked my tongue and stared back out at the sea.
The sound of the waves put my mind at ease, even in our predicament.
I should’ve been more concerned about my brother’s words and intentions, but all I could think about was how much I wanted to wrap Emilie in my arms and hold her while we watched the sliver of sunlight disappear.
It would be okay. I had to believe that.
It wasn’t long before the captain came back. He briefly introduced himself as Bronson before heading off to his cabin. He was determined to set sail as soon as possible, and after hearing that it would take five days to cross the sea, I couldn’t blame him. I was equally eager to reach Wyland.
In the lounge area, a few crew members set out some sandwiches for us to eat and a pitcher of ale. I took a seat at a table near the kitchenette, and Emilie slid in next to me. It wasn’t long before Jade showed up too.
“Where’s my brother?” I asked. The last time I’d seen either of them, they were both in their respective rooms while Emilie and I had gone for a walk.
“I don’t know. He’s not my responsibility.”
“Isn’t he, though? That’s why you came to Renoa and why you’re with us now. To keep an eye on us.”
She glared at me, but I didn’t back down.
“Can we just have a nice, peaceful evening for once?” Emilie sighed. “Jade found us an entire ship and crew to sail to Wyland. She might not be the most charismatic companion, but she has been useful.”
“Thank you,” Jade said, taking us all by surprise.
“You’re welcome,” Emilie said, gracefully picking up her sandwich to take a bite.
I supposed I could be nice for five minutes. I grabbed the pitcher and poured myself a glass of ale. “Would either of you like some?”
Jade nodded, but Emilie shook her head. I poured another glass and handed it to her. She immediately brought it to her lips, setting it down again after she swallowed. “I actually wanted to apologize for my behavior last night.”
I nearly spat out my drink, my eyes bouncing between Emilie and Jade. Were my ears working properly? It wasn’t possible that this hardheaded woman, who’d been following us around like a grumpy watchdog, knew how to admit she’d been unkind.
Jade continued, “I said some things that I’m not proud of. You’re right, Emilie. I don’t know you that well, and that’s mostly my doing.”
I narrowed my eyes at her.
“Well… it’s all my doing.”
Much better.
“I shouldn’t have assumed anything about you or your relationship with Cyrus… or Ladon.”
“Why the change of heart?” I asked.
“I can admit that I don’t know either of you very well, but you don’t know me either. I may have an affinity for pushing boundaries, but I know when I’ve crossed a line. I’m not stupid.”
No, it was much more likely that she was conniving and calculated.
“Plus, I know the best way to serve Murvort and ensure this alliance sticks is by making sure that your little affair remains a secret.”
“Is that so?” I asked. “And if we decide it’s time for everyone to know the truth about our feelings?”
“Frankly, I hope that never comes. No offense to either of you, but we all know that will cause turbulence within the royal family. And turbulence is not good for my family and our needs.”
I scoffed. At least she was honest. “Well, Jade, I am very sorry to disappoint you. I will do everything I can to keep my promises to Murvort and make sure our treaty holds. But there is going to be a day in the very near future when Cyrus knows the truth about Emilie and me.”
“And what truth might that be?”
I felt as though I’d just been dumped into the icy water that rocked the ship. I spun in my seat. “Cyrus.”
My brother met my gaze, hurt and resentment clear in his expression. “What secrets are you keeping from me, brother?”