Chapter 18 #2
That seemed impossible. No life or situation was ever perfect. She’d be trading one set of problems for another.
The only question was if they’d be better.
Or worse.
While better was the fluff of her dreams, the worse was what terrified her. As bad as her mother was, she knew there were even greater monsters out there.
I can’t let go. And that was her fault. She’d never have the courage to leave. Her mother would always anchor her to the hell that was her life.
Because at the end of the day, she knew that while Xaydin may care about her now, it wouldn’t last. She’d be on her own, and when that time came, she’d rather be on her own in her own kingdom than make an enemy of her mother who would banish her forever.
As wonderful as Xaydin appeared at present, he wasn’t worth everything she knew and what little she had.
Ronan paused as he neared the Vaskalian border with Tenmaru. Even though he was disguised as a peregrine falcon, he knew better than to cross into their kingdom. While Tenmaruns were exceptionally polite and had rigid rules regarding hospitality, they hated shifters as much as other kingdoms.
Perhaps more.
And just because he was friends with the Tenmarun princes, it wouldn’t guarantee his safety if he were caught by certain oni or yokai who didn’t follow etiquette. Rather, they ripped the wings off creatures such as he.
So he glided away from the current that was carrying above the treetops, down toward the docks that were just south of Tenmaru.
Gaharah was a bustling Vaskalian port. From here, it was easy to catch a boat to Cosaria, Umara or Oath Island. Each was within two days’ reach from here.
Or for those with more courage, they could sail to any of the other kingdoms.
It was what made this port city one of the most important territories in all the kingdoms. News, supplies and goods from all over were brought to this port.
So it was here he’d ask after a certain mer prince who had an unorthodox relationship with a land-based creature.
He circled over the ships, then felt his heart lighten as he saw a familiar vessel. A small sloop flying Marauder colors.
What luck!
Ronan made straight for it.
For the most part, the boat was devoid of crew. So much so that he almost flew away.
But a flash of gold caught his eye.
Sitting with her back propped against the mast was the one he’d hoped to see when he spotted this vessel.
Dressed in brown leather and a black pirate hat, she was carefully peeling an apple with a knife far too large for the task.
Leave it to Mischief. She never did anything the easy way, hence her name.
Ronan flew to the deck and landed just a few inches from her booted foot.
She stared at him curiously, then shook her head. “Better be good news, Ronan. I’ve no use for you otherwise.”
Same old Mischief. And she was a woman of great beauty.
Dark skin that she painted with a large gold star on her forehead.
Gold lines ran down from her dark eyes. He’d never understood why she painted her face like that.
She was exquisite without it. And maybe that was why.
The paint added roughness to her delicate features so that others wouldn’t be numbed by her beauty.
Whatever the reason, he’d always found her fascinating.
She held an apple slice out toward him. “Polly want an apple?”
Laughing, he transformed into his human body, then used his powers to clothe himself. “You never change.”
“I do not.” She gave him a pointed stare, letting him know how she felt about his shifter skills. “Are you here to recruit me for another Dash mission?”
“Not this time. I’m more curious about what you’ve heard on your travels these last few weeks.”
“That is a long and mighty list. Care to narrow it down?”
“About a certain Ningyoan prince who’s gone missing.”
She paused, then put an apple slice in her mouth.
He knew that look. She was hiding information. “You’ve heard something. What is it?”
She sliced another piece while she slowly chewed the one in her mouth.
Aye, she was doing this to be annoying. He knew her tricks well and they always irritated him.
He reached down and took the new slice from her grasp before she could shove it into her mouth to keep from speaking. “What do you know?” he repeated before he ate the slice.
“Why are you asking?”
“Why are you being evasive?” Even for her, this was a new level.
Mischief shrugged. “I may or may not know much depending on your reasons for asking.”
“It’s for Xaydin. Mardyth wants his son returned. Enough so that he was willing to hold Masakage prisoner.”
That caused her eyes to flare. “The king took Masakage prisoner?”
“Never said he was bright. Only desperate to get his son back. What do you know?”
“That the king might not get his wish in this. Did he tell you who the prince was in love with?”
“A land dweller.”
She shook her head and laughed.
“What do you know that I don’t?”
“He’s in love with an Umaran prince.”
That was the last thing he expected out of her mouth. “Pardon?”
“You heard me.” She ate another apple slice.
Ronan sank to his knees as he digested that latest bit. There was so much to that, that he didn’t know where to start.
“How did they meet?” he asked her.
She shrugged. “But if it makes it any better, the Umaran queen is offering quite a bounty on their heads, herself. She’s no happier about the union than Mardyth is.”
Especially since her son had been engaged to a princess. He imagined all of them were furious.
“We’re talking Prince Evar, right?”
She nodded. “Marstyn and Evar. They’ve made quite the scandal everywhere.”
Aye, they had. Especially given the hatred between their kingdoms. The merfolk hated nereids almost as much as the centaurs hated unicorns.
“Wow.” He shook his head. “Where did you hear this?”
She gestured toward the dock. “Everyone’s talking about it. How have you not heard it?”
“I guess news doesn’t make it to my rock.”
“Apparently not.” She wiped her knife off on her breeches before she returned it to the sheath at her waist. “Are you really going to be so heartless as to break up a love match?”
He leaned back on his arms. “I would never be so cruel. Xaydin…”
“Needs to leave them alone and find his own happiness.”
If only she knew how close to the truth she was.
Ronan touched the tip of his boot against hers. “How have you been, Missy?”
A hooded darkness descended over her eyes, making him ache for her. “Been a little rough. My father died and no one bothered to tell me.”
He winced at the news. She’d always had a…capricious relationship with her father. Much like his own. It was hard to explain to those who didn’t understand. The love you could have for someone who betrayed you. It was complicated always, but when it was a parent…
Hard to cut those ties.
“Anything I can do to help?” He didn’t really expect an answer from her. She never needed anything from anyone.
So when she slid across the deck to embrace him, he was stunned. Closing his eyes, he held her against his chest and savored this moment. Mostly because he doubted it would ever come again.
I love you. Those words hung on the edge of his lips because he knew better than to say them out loud.
Mischief believed she was unlovable. That no one would ever be able to care about her. But the truth was, he’d been in love with her since they were kids.
For him, there had never been anyone else.
There never would.
If only she felt the same. But he knew better. They were friends. Nothing more.
It was all they’d ever be.
Gisela had just finished rinsing her hair when the door behind her opened. Without looking, she knew it was Xaydin. She could feel his presence like a physical touch.
They were heading to some northern dock city that she’d never heard of before.
But she, Candara and Masakage had all agreed that he didn’t need to push himself.
Mostly because his wounds were taking longer to heal than they should given Candara’s magic.
Apparently, the blade Garyn had used to harm him had also been charmed.
Magic healing magic always took longer than normal. It was also why they didn’t dare portal. Candara wasn’t sure if the magic still in his body would harm him or how it would react to going through a portal.
So against his protests, they’d stopped at an inn that was about a day’s ride from the docks.
Irritated at them for “bullying” him, Xaydin had gone off to run errands while she’d stayed behind to bathe. His pouting demeanor had been strangely adorable to her.
Even now, he appeared peeved.
“Did you have a nice time?” she asked.
He answered her question with one of his own. “Are you trying to anger me?”
“Never.”
Xaydin wanted to be mad at her. At all of them. They’d made him feel like a child as they’d gathered forces to make him stop when he wanted to get to the docks as soon as possible. He was even willing to risk a portal.
But they had insisted.
And it was hard to stay angry while she was dressed in a chemise that showed off every curve of her body.
Worse? Her hardened nipples stood out from the thin linen, begging him to taste them. She was irresistible.
And if he had to rest…then he had no intention of resting alone.
Gisela watched as Xaydin took a commanding step forward and then faltered.
What the devil?
His gaze dipped to her lips and in that moment, she knew what he was after.
It was the only thing that ever made him hesitant. Her giant troll was fierce and steadfast, until it came to her. He was still bashful about them. How she loved that about him.
Closing the distance between them, she tilted her chin up and smiled. “Something you need, my lord?”
His eyes darkened as he pulled her against him and claimed her lips.
Gisela moaned at the strength of Xaydin’s kiss. And to think she’d actually feared for him earlier this very day. But there was far too much power in that kiss for him to be seriously injured.
Her brave troll was going to be fine.