Chapter 37
After eating, Enver leads us out of the dining hall and through the city, where the shops, taverns, and merchant stands are still very much alive.
Each building is adorned with brilliant glass bulbs of light humming with magic—a Gadonian invention that only their citizens are able to produce.
Gadonia is charged with life, light bathing exterior walls and gold trails.
Ivory-and-green sails are draped from roof to roof like canopies between the buildings.
I think they might reflect and amplify the light from the bulbs at night.
Riders on trikes with wooden boxes attached whiz past us on the cobblestone streets.
“Fish,” Enver says, as I watch one of the riders descend a hill. “There are fish in the baskets. They deliver them to the families. We like to make sure everyone is fed, no matter how much coin they have.”
“It’s getting late.” I watch a woman offer a beaded bracelet to Rynthea, who gratefully accepts it. “I’m surprised to see it so busy.”
“Ah yes. Gadonia, the city of daydreams and light,” Enver replies, indulging me.
We continue down the hill the trike riders took moments earlier.
The dark-brown roads are slightly damp but likely not from rain.
I can imagine all the families coming back and forth from the coast, their hair and clothes drenched, sand sticking to their skin, and exhausted laughs as they find their way home.
I make out the ocean ahead. The water stretches far beyond the never-ending horizon, soft waves rippling silver beneath the crescent moon.
At the shore are rows of docks with bobbing boats, where merchants likely sell items, too.
Some are built with stands that are now covered by thin sheets to protect them.
It reminds me of Ember Coast—the idea of sellers leaning over the edges of their boats to offer freshly caught seafood. The nostalgia is hitting me so hard right now. No wonder Enver moved here.
I look at Thane, Rynthea, and Algar. Algar and Rynthea are absorbing the ivy-wrapped buildings, but Thane is studying Enver with a frown. When his eyes find mine, they’re filled with…curiosity? Jealousy? Both? He tears his hot gaze away and clenches his jaw before I can decipher what it is.
“How long do you all plan on staying?” Enver stops in front of a two-story inn with light pouring through stained-glass windows.
Music trickles out of the swinging front door, along with laughter and other joyful noise.
The vibrancy of the stained glass reflecting on the streets is inviting enough for me to want to join.
I stand next to Rynthea, whose eyes bounce between me and Thane.
“If you’re not sure, we have several inns you can use with wonderful accommodations,” Enver suggests.
“Actually, Enver, we don’t plan on staying too long,” I tell him. “We were hoping you could help us with something, though.”
“Of course. What is it?”
“We’re looking for someone who can sail us to The Shallows.”
Enver’s eyes widen, and the color drains from his face. “I believe that is the first time anyone has ever asked for my help getting to The Shallows.” He gives Thane a solid once-over. “Does this have something to do with him?”
“What? No!” I counter.
Thane chuckles darkly.
“So why on Thelanor would a girl like you ever want to go to The Shallows? There is nothing for you there.”
“There is, and it’s very important that I get it,” I reply, slightly annoyed by his remark. I don’t like how he makes it seem like I’m a child incapable of making my own decisions. He’s literally only a year older than me.
Enver narrows his eyes at Thane.
“Look, are you going to help us or not?” Rynthea demands, clearly fed up with his questions. “We can always find our own way. We’ve worked through situations much more difficult than this.”
“I—I want to help, I do. It’s just…” Enver sighs and drops his head. “I assume you’ll need a ship?”
We all nod.
He eyes each of us carefully. “There is only one captain I know who travels anywhere near The Shallows, and he doesn’t come cheap.”
“Coin doesn’t matter.” Thane’s voice is raspy. “Where is this captain?”
“His name is Captain Solyen Terrick. He owns a speedship. He lives here, but right now he’s likely on his way to Junsho ports. He handles many of our overseas trades.”
“When will he return?” Thane asks.
“That depends.” Enver drags the pads of his fingers over his forehead like he’s riddled with unfathomable stress.
“Sometimes Solyen makes stops at other cities for leisure before he returns. Could be within a few hours. Could be a day or two. I’ve not known him to be away from Gadonia longer than three days at most.”
“Damn it,” I mutter as Rynthea curses under her breath and Algar sighs. “Three days is a long time, Enver.”
“I’m not understanding the rush, Zaira.” His face is drowning in concern. “No one is ever this eager to go to The Shallows. Literally, no one.”
“Never mind.” I step closer to him, sighing. “We’ll take a room for the night. If the captain isn’t back by morning, we’ll find another way.”
Enver raises his chin with a mild flare to his nostrils. “Very well,” he says tightly. “This way.” He walks away from the boisterous inn, leading us to a smaller one that has potted plants and rocking chairs on the porch.
Entering the building, he greets an older woman with blond hair who stands behind the front counter. She blinks at all of us, surprised. Mostly by Rynthea, of course.
After a few minutes, Enver returns to us with three keys in hand.
“If you truly want rest, this is the best place to stay.” He blows out a weary breath. “The other inns closer to the city are loud and usually packed with travelers. Irina has three rooms available for the night. Will that be enough?”
“It’s fine.” Rynthea takes one of the keys from him. “But just for the record, I don’t share rooms,” she says, eyeing our crew. “I need my privacy.”
“What?” Algar’s mouth hangs open. “Well, if you need privacy, so do I!”
“No. No fucking way,” Thane growls, grabbing both keys out of Enver’s hand before Algar can. “It doesn’t make any sense for me to share a room with Zaira.”
“I agree,” I add rapidly. I couldn’t even imagine that. My stomach flutters at the mere idea of it. “If anything, the men should share, and the women should have their own rooms.”
“Let me tell you something. Zephra will literally bite through or burn those fancy swords and weapons of his if Thane is in the room with us. I’m telling you, she hates other people in her space for too long, and she especially doesn’t like him. She won’t make it comfortable for him.”
“Then let her sleep outside where she belongs,” Thane says with a smirk. He’s trying to rile Algar up.
It works, because Algar’s jaw drops as he pulls Zephra from his shoulder to cup her head and shield her ears. “How dare you! She is an indoor sleeper.”
“I also beg to differ about Zephra’s tantrum. She’s starting to adore me.” Thane reaches forward to scratch Zephra’s chest with a finger. “Right, girl?”
Zephra chitters a noise of pleasure.
Algar raises her in the air to look her in the eyes. “You little traitor.”
“Okay, you know what?” I sigh. “We don’t have time for this. I’ll just hang out with Enver around the city. I’ll take a quick bath here and then properly catch up with him.” I turn to Enver for approval. “If that’s okay.”
Enver eagerly nods his assent. Thane looks between me and Enver before gesturing to the lounge area. “You can have the room, Zaira. I’ll stay in the lounge, sharpen my blades, or have a drink at one of the taverns. Doesn’t matter.”
“No.” I wave a hand at him, dismissing the offer. “You need rest, too. It’s fine, really.”
Algar plucks one of the keys out of Thane’s hand and hobbles after Rynthea. I watch both of them disappear around a corner before putting my attention on Thane again.
“We can share the third,” Thane says suddenly, shifting on his feet. “I’ll take a spot on the floor. Shouldn’t be any different than the time we stayed in that shabby hut bordering Ruvain. Just promise you won’t snore this time.”
I can’t help smiling as I playfully bump against his arm with my shoulder. “No guarantees.”
“Z, can I have a word with you outside really quick?” Enver steps forward, slicing through our conversation.
“Sure. Be there in a second.”
Enver smiles at me before glancing at Thane again. His features harden for a split second, then he presses his palms together, nods, and strolls out of the inn.
Thane sits on a worn brown couch across from a hearth, dropping his rucksack on the floor between his feet. “I don’t like him.”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t like anyone.”
“Well, I really don’t like him.” He plucks a dagger out of his bag, then takes out an angular rock. “Who is he to you?”
“He’s a friend from Ember Coast. He was one of the kids that was rescued alongside me and Analla. He lived in Meriva for a time with his parents until one day they moved.” I let the information soak in for him. “Anyway, please feel free to make use of the room. You need rest.”
He starts sharpening the blade of the dagger. “Fine.”
As I begin to trot off, I glance over my shoulder, not missing the way his gaze lowers to my butt and lingers before shooting up to my face again.
Smirking, I saunter toward the exit with an extra swing in my hips.