9. Everett
Everett
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the brave captain himself, reporting for duty.
” The familiar, charming drawl met my ears before I saw him.
I looked up, my hands still latching the strap of my travel bag, to find Nox and Devora striding toward Kieran and me across the dock.
They struck an imposing silhouette against the sun, with his tall, broad frame, and her bright red waves flowing down her back.
I gave him a wry grin. “Tessa has you beat with the captain jokes already. So far, her favorite is Captain One-Eye.” I pointed to the scar over my left eye, which I’d gotten last year in a battle against Scarven’s men.
Nox scoffed as they reached me. “Oh, I can do better than that.”
Devora swept forward to give Kieran a hug, then wrapped me in one. “Fates, I can’t believe you’re actually going to get her.”
I patted her back. “I know. It’ll be dangerous, but I—”
“No, not that.” She pulled away. “I’m just glad you had the balls to say yes.”
I snapped my mouth shut and shook my head with a chuckle. She fit in perfectly with Tessa and Arowyn ever since she joined the Ashen Order a little over a year ago.
“Devora, wait,” I said, remembering what I’d brought.
I dug in my pockets for a small notebook.
“These are some notes on a few of the children I’ve been working closely with.
A couple of them have been having trouble lately.
A little bit of sleep regression because of their nightmares. Just…keep an eye on them, yes?”
Devora’s expression sobered. “Of course. Thanks, Ev. I promise I’ll work with them.” She smiled and took the notebook, then patted Kieran’s arm. “Both of you, be safe. I’d love to go with you and see what else is out there, but, you know…” She trailed off and hitched a thumb back at Nox.
I nodded. “Did he play the whole ‘I’m a big, scary dragon, and I’ll tear the entire world apart if you ever leave me’ card?”
“Every time.” She crossed her arms and sighed dramatically. “Shifters, am I right?”
“Excuse me,” Kieran interjected, straightening his jacket. “We Shifters are not all as territorial as dear Nox.”
Nox’s eyes twinkled. “That’s just because you haven’t found the right mate.”
Kieran bristled. With a sly grin, Nox took Devora’s hand and kissed the knuckles. “We should show them to their ship. Well, my ship.”
We followed them into the fray of the port, swallowed instantly by sounds and movement.
Deckhands swept across the wood, carrying cargo to and from massive ships docked ahead.
Sails snapped in the afternoon wind, and seagulls shrieked above us.
I pushed through the knot of sailors and merchants, the air thick with salt, sweat, and the thrill of the sea.
When the crowd thinned, I looked up into the hull of a massive ship.
Giant green sails with the Veridian Empire’s crest flapped in greeting as crates of supplies were being wheeled up the gangway.
On the side of the bow was a name painted in gold lettering, with a snarling dragon draped over the words.
I squinted. “The Grand Dragon of the Sea? We have to sail around in a ship called the Grand Dragon?”
Nox’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong with that?”
Devora got on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Nothing. It’s a perfectly good name.” When she took a step back, she looked at Kieran and me with an exasperated expression and mouthed, Don’t get him started.
“I’m a Shifter, darling. I heard that,” Nox said.
Before I could respond, another voice came in from behind us. “I know you think it sounds majestic, Noxy boy, but it just makes me think of you with wrinkles and a bunch of grandbaby dragons flying around you.” Tessa jumped up between Kieran and me, propping an elbow on each of our shoulders.
“What are you doing here?” Kieran asked.
“And why are you wearing that?” I pointed to the tricorn hat fixed atop her black braids.
“Because I’m coming with you, Cap.” She gave me a proud grin, then pulled something from her pocket. Before I could stop her, she slapped an eyepatch over my left eye. I batted her away with a grimace.
“You are not coming with us,” I grumbled, ripping the eyepatch from around my head.
“Oh, come on. It’ll be fun. And you’ll get lonely without a friend.”
I pointed to the stoic stag Shifter. “I have Kieran.”
“I rest my case,” Tessa said.
Kieran sighed. “Unlike the rest of you, Everett and I actually relish the peace and quiet.”
“I can be quiet,” she said with a pout.
“Tessa, you couldn’t be quiet even if you swallowed your own tongue,” Nox said.
Tessa rolled her eyes. “You know you love me.”
“Why do you want to go?” I asked, no longer messing with her. “What about the Keep and all the work you’ve been doing? I thought you loved your job.”
I was surprised she would want to leave her life here, even temporarily.
She was so at home in Drakorum. Out of the entire Ashen Order, she was the best at fostering relationships with others, and she’d set up several shelters in the province for those who had nowhere to go and needed to get back on their feet.
She met my gaze, and her teasing grin faded slightly. “I do. But sometimes…” She licked her lips. “Somtimes you just need to get away, you know? Besides, I want to help you get Vera back.”
I narrowed my eyes, trying to read past her facade.
There was more to the jaguar Shifter’s sudden desire to leave the empire, but I left it alone for now.
For all the grief we gave each other, I had to admit it would be nice to have her with us.
Kieran was steadfast and trustworthy, but Tessa brought a certain life to the group.
“I worked it all out with Nox,” she continued. “He and Devora have a tight hold on the Keep, and Arowyn will step in to help with the shelters we’ve set up. It’ll be great.”
I looked back up at Nox, who nodded. “Don’t worry about us. We’ll get by until you three return. Just do me a favor,” the dragon Shifter said. “Don’t die. It would be a headache to replace you.”
“Yes, Governor Duma,” I responded mockingly. Kieran and Tessa said their goodbyes and made their way toward the gangway. I readjusted the strap of my shoulder bag and took a step to follow them.
“And, Everett?” Nox called again. I glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. The side of his mouth lifted, those navy eyes now full of both sadness and hope all mixed into one. I knew how much he missed his sister, and how desperately he wished he was the one stepping onto this ship.
He put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Bring our girl home.”