Chapter 1 Marino
Marino
Captain Marino Pegasi could not remember the last time he had spent so much time on land.
He was at his fourth ball in as many weeks and had been introduced to countless ‘eligible young ladies’, who had all started to look the same after a while.
It was not that Marino didn’t love to dance. He enjoyed a party as much as anyone, maybe even more than most, but where some might become seasick after weeks bobbing above the waves, he found himself becoming waltz-sick after weeks bobbing around the dance floor.
The constant spinning round and round and round, the faces changing but the conversation ever the same.
He stayed courteous, bowing to each partner at the end of the dance, even as he heard the whispers from the nobles and royals of Eana, wondering who, if anyone, Captain Marino Pegasi would dance with a second time.
He knew he made a striking figure in the ballroom, standing taller than almost all the guests in his perfectly tailored burgundy frock coat and fitted black trousers, with an embroidered waistcoat over his starched ruffled collar and rakishly tied cravat.
And of course, he wore his earrings, three simple gold studs on one earlobe, and two small pearls on the other.
At these events, Marino had his tightly coiled black curls tied into a knot at the nape of his neck, but a few always managed to spring free, brushing against his cheekbones as he danced.
And dance he did, with partner after partner. Until the evening came to an end, and he could collapse in a luxurious bed in his guest room at Anadawn Palace, wishing that he was in his own bed on his ship instead.
But he knew that would be rude not only to Queen Rose and King Shen, who were graciously hosting him at Anadawn until his next voyage, but also to his sister, Celeste, who expected to see him at breakfast where they could regale each other with tales of the evening before.
Marino feared he was becoming more proud by the day, increasingly unimpressed with the ladies paraded in front of him.
He would never admit as much to his sister or to Rose, who was almost a sister to him.
He knew they were trying to help him. And he had learned long ago that when they teamed up they were a force to be reckoned with.
They were certain that this time spent on land, away from his ship, was the perfect opportunity for him to find his match, someone to keep his bunk warm.
Someone to care for him, they claimed. So, he kept smiling and laughing and made sure they only ever saw the charming Marino they knew and loved.
How could he tell them that for him love was complicated? Marino had his sights set on a life of adventure, and that meant he was always going to be at sea, looking to the horizon. He was far too much of a gentleman to make any false promises of settling down to the ladies presented to him.
In his heart, Marino dreamed of a romance greater than any he could find in a ballroom. It wasn’t that he didn’t want love, the opposite of it, he wanted the kind of love that inspired grand gestures and epic adventures. The kind of love those closest to him had found.
It felt like everyone around Marino was starry-eyed and love-drunk. Everyone but him.
Queen Rose and King Shen had wed several months ago, but Rose was still the blushing bride.
She could not stop looking at Shen. And when he looked back at her, well, the heat in his gaze was enough to raise the temperature of the entire room.
It made Marino feel oddly … lonely, in a way he never felt when he was on his own in the middle of the sea.
And nothing had surprised Marino as much as Celeste finding, and keeping, love herself.
Celeste had always sworn off true commitment, saying there were too many fish in the sea for her to ever choose only one, and yet here she was, canoodling with Princess Anika of Gevra.
Celeste shunned propriety and only danced with Anika at the balls, and the two were a liability on the dance floor – twirling and prancing around with no regard to what song was playing, only dancing to the tune in both of their hearts.
At least Rose’s sister, Queen Wren, and her beau, Tor, were away, spending the summer in Ortha, where Wren had been raised. As much as Marino liked both Wren and Tor, he was relieved not to be entirely surrounded by loved-up couples.
Finally, it was the last ball of the summer.
It was nearly autumn, but the night air was still warm and inviting enough for the ball to be held outside in the grand Anadawn courtyard.
Queen Rose had enchanted the candles to float in the air and garlands of flowers were strung overhead.
The musicians played the favourite songs of the season, songs Marino had heard so often, he knew he would never forget them even if he tried.
His back was straight as he twirled Lady Sophie, a petite blonde noblewoman visiting from the northern coastal town of Norbrook.
Next to them, Celeste and Anika twirled and laughed, and Marino wished he could dance with someone with as much abandon.
Celeste caught his eye and nodded her head towards Lady Sophie, eyes wide with a silent question.
Marino shook his head slightly. No, Lady Sophie was not destined to be the great love of his life.
Celeste rolled her eyes in response and then focused her attention back to Anika.
‘Are you enjoying the evening, Captain?’ Lady Sophie asked, and Marino felt a quick pang of guilt for not trying harder to get to know her.
It was so easy to keep things at surface level, to smile and charm and never truly let his guard down.
Perhaps he should at least make a small effort. It was the last ball, after all.
He rewarded her with a warm smile. ‘I am,’ he said.
He saw how she blushed in response to his smile, which he had to admit was pleasing, even if he had no romantic interest in her.
He knew that dancing at a ball, being seen as the catch of the season, was no true hardship.
He simply missed the sea, and that wasn’t Lady Sophie’s fault.
‘It is a beautiful night. Queen Rose is, as ever, an exceptional host.’
‘This is my first Anadawn ball,’ Lady Sophie said, sounding a bit breathless with excitement about it all. ‘I’ve never seen magic before, not until tonight. It’s spectacular.’
The land of Eana was ruled by witches gifted with a unique magic. For all of Marino’s childhood, witches had been banished and abhorred, and they had only come back into their rightful power when the twin witch queens, Rose and Wren, had been reunited just before their eighteenth birthday.
Rose had been raised in the palace, with no knowledge of her true heritage nor the existence of her twin.
Meanwhile Wren had spent her whole life living with a hidden sect of witches far on the western coast of Eana, preparing for the moment when she would take Rose’s place and usher in the reign of the witches.
Back to their rightful place, ruling the land that had been created by, and named for, Eana the first witch.
And while things had not gone exactly to plan for either twin, the result had been something even better – two queens working together for the good of their people.
And with the return of the witches to power, and the strengthening of the land itself, many Eanans had discovered their own latent magic. Including Marino.
Marino hadn’t known he was a witch until Rose and Wren welcomed magic back into the kingdom.
He had been surprised, and then pleased, to know he had the gift.
It had once been believed that witches were only able to access one of five distinct strands of magic.
Enchanters could do small magic and minor spells of enchantment or manipulation.
Healers were gifted with the ability to cure those who were ill or injured.
Tempests could control the weather, calling down storms or shifting the wind.
Warrior witches had tremendous strength and agility and were unparalleled on the battlefield.
Seers could glimpse the future, usually by reading the movements of flocks of beautiful starcrest birds that were unique to Eana.
When Marino had first discovered his witch heritage, he realised he was a natural tempest. It was a joy to sail on the sea and practise his gift – catching a strand of wind in his hands and then sending it to fill his sails so his ship practically flew over the waves.
Now, since Rose and Wren had freed all five strands of magic, Marino could access all his gifts. Every witch still had a dominant power, but with practice, they could master all five strands. Marino’s power was growing stronger all the time.
Hearing Lady Sophie’s awe made Marino feel a twinge of guilt for being so immune to it all.
‘There is nothing quite like an Anadawn ball,’ he said, and he meant it.
Then he turned his attention back to Lady Sophie.
‘And what do you like to do in Norbrook?’ She was a beautiful dancer, but he felt no draw towards her, nothing made her stand out from any of the many others he had danced with all summer, but he should give her a chance.
Lady Sophie held her head high. ‘I am quite an accomplished pianist. And I paint as well.’ She sounded unbearably smug, and Marino had a sneaking suspicion that she was exaggerating her talents.
He nodded, trying to muster more interest. ‘What do you like to paint?’
‘Horses, mostly. We have quite the impressive equine collection, you know. And the occasional self-portrait, of course.’ She fluttered her lashes coyly, as if even she was immune to her own charms.
Marino cleared his throat. ‘And do you like the sea?’ Perhaps she painted seascapes. ‘I’ve not been to Norbrook, but I’ve sailed past it before. The coast is quite dramatic.’