Chapter 6 #2
I ignore Rian’s shadows playing at the hem of my dress, brushing the dusty tops of my boots. And I don’t acknowledge the heat of his stare that I swear I feel at my back and cinched waist.
Unlike Erling’s entourage, ours doesn’t attract any additional attention.
I look over my shoulder and lock eyes with Draven. “What did you do back there? To the crowd?”
He has the decency to not pretend like he doesn’t know what I’m talking about. “Nothing I can discuss in the open.”
I frown but don’t press. Draven doesn’t strike me as the sort of male who can be swayed after making his mind up about something.
Not unless doing so suits him, his brother, or the other males he’s loyal too.
We weave through the sea of diverse people, sights, and sounds. Tongues wag, and laughter erupts. Vendors haggle with customers, and women wave bangle-clad arms with bright smiles as they converse with companions.
Gradually, the vibrant colors dull into hues of white, brown, and the blue of sailors’ garb.
The sea-faring citizens speak as many different languages as the people meandering through the city, but their accents are thicker.
Rougher. Hard lines carved from the sun and sea mark faces of all ages, though the straight backs and easy smiles of the younger men make them more noticeable.
Off to the side, tucked between two sea-battered warehouses, two children huddle together. A boy and a girl. They look younger than ten, but it’s hard to tell with their clothes and faces so dirty.
A pang strikes my chest at the first evidence of poverty, dulling the gleam of admiration that hovered over my mind since we stepped into Port City.
My grip tightens around the coin purse still in my palm when the boy steps from between the buildings, holding out his hand at the group of sailors passing by.
Not one man turns his way. The boy retreats back into the alley.
My feet move before my mind gives the order.
“Elara?” Jaxon calls.
I ignore him. Tucking my arms closer to my body, I weave through the street. Shadows trail behind me, their presence both ominous and a comfort. But none of the Fae try to stop me.
I reach the alcove where the children stand. Seeing my approach, they shuffle back.
“Wait.” I hold up my coin purse.
They still, eyes wide with hope mixed with apprehension.
I squat in front of them and hold their hollowed, wary stares as I open Jaxon’s coin purse and take out four gold pieces.
The children’s jaws drop. I tuck two coins into the little boy’s hand, closing his slender, grimy fingers around them.
“What are you doing?” Rian’s voice purrs into the air.
The boy tries to draw back, but I hold his hand firmly and glare over my shoulder. “None of your business.”
Rian kneels beside me, uncaring that his fine breeches become soiled by whatever moisture seeps out of the narrow alley.
He holds the boy's gaze. “Two gold pieces will draw a lot of attention for you and your friend.”
The boy looks at the stringy-haired little girl and swallows. “Sh-she’s my sister, sir.”
“Ah.” Rian dips his chin. “Do you two have a home?”
“The orphanage. Near the eastern road.”
Rian nods as if he knows of it. “What is your name?”
The boy hesitates, but seeing the two coins that remain in my hands, he answers, “Nial, sir.”
“Well, Nial. Gold may draw too much attention in the hands of orphans, but what about silver?” He takes a midnight pouch from his pocket and holds it up for Nial’s inspection.
The little boy's brown brows lift to his hairline as he gazes at the bulging coin purse. I finally release Nial’s hand and stare at the side of Rian’s face.
Uncharacteristically kind eyes focus on the boy, but there’s a serious edge to the prince’s next words. “Will you be able to hide this, Nial? Protect it for you and your sister to use?”
He bobs his head. “A-aye, aye, sir.”
“Very good.” Rian holds out his hand and slips the two cold coins from Nial’s palm before replacing them with the black purse.
Nial’s arm dips from the weight before he clutches the bag to his chest. “A-all of it, sir?”
“All of it,” Rian confirms. “Hide it well, Nial. Use it for food and clothes. Share it as you will, but don’t allow anyone to take it from you. Yes?”
“Y-yes.” His lips crack into a disbelieving smile that he shares with his silent sister.
The little girl bounces on her toes, her excitement momentarily overcoming the hunger and fatigue ravaging her tiny body.
“Good man.” Rian nods, then stands, and holds out a hand for me. “Come, Elara. Our ship awaits.”
I stare at his palm, confused by the actions that contradict the cold, cruel Shadow Prince I’ve come to know. A thin coat of shadows presses against his flesh, flickering under my attention.
I stand without his help. When I turn back to the children, they’re already racing away.
I watch them go, my heart squeezing, unable to stop myself from imagining me and Ferria in their place.
So many Kinless children in Verdanthia live lives similar to Nial and his sister. It’s criminal. No child should be subjected to poverty. Especially not in Port City where evidence of wealth gleams in every shining window and polished street lantern.
“Let’s go.” Rian’s voice breaks through my depressing thoughts.
When I look back, he’s already walking away.
I have no choice but to follow.
The docks stretch before us. Rian strides down one that leads to two ships.
One is small, barely taller than the one-story shacks that sit at the southern edge of Verdanthia.
The other is three times that height and just as long.
The wooden vessel sports three masts with each sail wrapped up with dark-brown rope.
Seagulls squawk and soar above. I shield my eyes against the bright sun and marvel at the large ship. I’ve seen drawings of ships but never imagined how small I’d feel next to one.
What adventures has the vessel taken? What waters has it sailed through?
Silas stands at the ship's railing, speaking with one of the sailors whose long, brown ponytail whips in the breeze.
“Elara?” Jaxon calls.
I lower my gaze. He’s the only male remaining on the dock. The others are already walking up the gangplank of the larger ship.
He extends his hand. “Let me carry your things while you climb on board.”
I grip the satchel’s straps tighter and look down. The sea’s rhythm turns my stomach, every crash of water against the dock echoing in my ears.
The last thing I want to do is fall.
With a dip of my head, I walk over and hand him my bags and wrapped gowns.
Jaxon motions for me to go first.
I take a deep breath and step onto the inclined surface. My stomach drops the moment my second boot lands. I freeze.
The plank isn’t shifting, but the sight and sound of the water below messes with my head, disorienting me. I’m one wrong step away from pitching over the side and plummeting into the water.
“Elara?” Jaxon prompts from behind. “Are you all right?”
No.
“Yeah…” I clear my throat. “Just…give me a moment.”
He doesn’t say anything else.
I try to focus. Sailors call orders to each other, preparing for departure. Seagulls continue to soar overhead. The sun has broken through the clouds, warming the top of my head.
I need to move.
Come on, Elara. You can do this…
But it’s more than the fear of falling that has me rooted in place.
The moment I step onto the ship, I will officially be leaving my homeland behind. I will be traveling to Gods know where with the Fae who are holding me captive until I can fulfill my end of the second bargain I was manipulated into making.
The markings on my arm bristle.
Magic stirs in my chest.
I take another breath.
I don’t have a choice. I can face my unknown future with my head held high, or I can succumb to my emotions under the watchful eye of Rian, whose stare bores into me from the ship above.
Even though I don’t look, I know he’s there. It’s impossible not to feel the power in that stare.
Holding my arms out for balance, I keep my eyes on the wood under my feet and slowly make my way up the gangplank.
My knees tremble. Sweat rolls down my spine despite the cool breeze rolling off the sea. The sailors’ shouts grow louder. The water is farther away.
Up and up I climb until, at last, strong fingers wrap around mine.
This time, I grip Rian’s hand like a lifeline and let him pull me the rest of the way onto the ship.
I jump down onto the deck, locking my legs to keep from buckling, and step away from the Shadow Prince without meeting his eyes. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
I wait for him to walk away—to leave me to sulk. But he just stands there. Staring.
My blood warms.
Jaxon jumps on board, takes one look at us, and veers off to join the others, taking my belongings with him.
The air between me and Rian hums, alive and trembling.
Shadows cling to his shoulders, shifting like smoke, and for one heartbeat, his silver gaze catches mine.
Something inside me falters.
My fingers twitch. I lift my hand.
Rian turns and strides away.
My arm falls to my side.
What am I doing?
With a firm shake of my head, I move to the railing and grip it tightly as sailors pull up the gangplank.
A bell tolls across the harbor. The anchor groans as it lifts, and the snap of the unfurling topsail cracks through the air.
Slowly, the ship drifts from the dock.
Through it all, Rian’s power lingers on the air—warm, dark, familiar. It wraps around me like a ghost, tracing across my neck, down my spine, sinking deep into my skin.
I lose track of how long I stand at the railing, fingers digging into the wood, watching my homeland fade until it’s nothing but a speck on the horizon.
One lone tear tracks down my cheek and falls into the abyss as I sail into the unknown.