Chapter 38
The streets are a bit quieter near this inn. I spot Enver hovering a few paces away and descend from the porch to meet him.
“Zaira,” he breathes, smiling.
“Hi, Enver. Thank you for arranging the lodging for us. I was hoping we wouldn’t have to stay overnight.”
“Yes, well, it’s better to have somewhere to rest your head. There is no telling how long it will be before Captain Solyen returns.”
“Hopefully soon. How long do you think it takes to get to The Shallows from here anyway?”
“About two days’ journey on a regular boat, but since Captain Solyen has a speedship, you’d probably be there in a matter of hours.”
“Okay.” Hours, I can do. “That’s good.” I smile and look out at the sea, as if the captain will be returning any minute.
“So…listen. I hate to pester you about this, but I’m deeply worried about you. Why are you traveling with that crew of random people to The Shallows?”
I sigh. “Because Analla is cursed.”
“Cursed?” His brows pucker in the lamplight. “How?”
“She got mixed up with a Grim sorcerer near Meriva.”
“Oh.” Enver’s face is stricken with concern. After all, he was Analla’s friend, too.
“Long story short, no decent sorcerer in their right mind is willing to go against this evil sorcerer, so I found another way to lift the curse…but it requires a trip to the Temple of Elphar.”
“Ah,” Enver says, as if things suddenly make sense. “What is it that you need from there, exactly?”
“There are prosperity stones in the temple. I just need one of them.”
“I see.” He frowns, staring at the cobblestones under his feet. “That seems a bit risky, don’t you think, Z?”
“It is risky. Life-threatening, actually. But it’s the only way I can think of to save her. That’s why Thane, Rynthea, and Algar are with me—well, it started with just me and Thane. I paid him to be my guide and protector, so he can help me get through Thelanor and reach The Shallows in one piece—”
“Wait a minute.” Enver throws up a hand, pausing me. “You paid him to protect you?”
“Well, yeah.” I shrug. “I was willing to pay anyone who agreed to protect me on this journey. So far, he’s done a great job. We’ve been through some insane situations, and miraculously, I’m still alive. You wouldn’t believe the half of it.”
“So prior to Analla’s curse, you didn’t know him at all?”
I hesitate. “No…”
“You’re traveling with a stranger.” It should be a question, but it isn’t.
It’s a solid statement. Enver is no longer smiling.
“Look, I didn’t want to say this around him, Z, but there is something about him that I don’t trust. Knowing you paid him, and that he’s agreed to a journey so dangerous, makes him even more suspicious to me, I won’t lie. ”
“Thane just has that look about him.” I shake my head, hoping he’ll back off.
“You mean the look of a cold-blooded killer?” Enver counters.
I stifle a laugh. If only you knew.
“Listen, I can help you find another way to save Analla. I know many sorcerers who might be able to help.” Enver sighs. “I just don’t think it’s wise to be traveling to such a dangerous place with a man you’ve only just met.”
“We’re too far in, Enver, and too close to stop now.
We plan on finding a boat and going tomorrow, regardless of if Solyen arrives.
Do you have anyone who can help us that soon?
Anyone who will agree to risk their lives facing one of the strongest sorcerers in Meriva?
One who uses black magic, might I add, to handle most of his affairs? ”
“I…” Enver’s throat bobs as he looks out at the watery horizon. “No, I don’t.”
An awkward silence swells between us.
“Do you like him?” he asks after a few seconds.
“What?” I sputter.
He stares at me, waiting for an answer.
“He’s— It’s complicated.”
“I suspected as much.” He shakes his head. “I mean, the guy has not just two but three swords, and don’t think our guards missed the countless daggers when they checked his bags. He doesn’t seem like the kind of person you’d normally associate with.”
“He’s only around right now so we can reach The Shallows. Once he helps me get what I need, we’ll part ways. It’s as simple as that.” Saying it out loud feels like a lie. In fact, it hurts my heart a little to admit it.
Enver scoffs. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t believe that a person like him would willingly risk his life for coins just to get you to the deadliest place in Thelanor. Either he has a death wish, or there is something else in it for him.”
I drop my chin and wring my fingers together.
“Look, Z.” Enver grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze. When I meet his eyes again, he places his other hand on top of it, sandwiching it. “I only want the best for you.” He pauses to choose his next words carefully. “I mean, if I’d never left Meriva, maybe none of this would be happening.”
“What do you mean?” I have the urge to pull my hands away.
“There is so much that could’ve happened between us. I hate that I had to leave you.”
“I hate that you left, too. I lost a really good friend.” I emphasize the last word. “But you seem to have made a great name for yourself here. You’re on the Gadonian council. I’m sure that was no easy feat.”
“Yeah.” He finally releases my hand, smile fading. “Just…promise me something, Zaira.”
“What?”
“Promise you’ll reconsider going to that island.”
I stare into his brown eyes as I shake my head again. “I can’t promise you that, Enver.”
“I figured you were going to say that.” We fall into another awkward silence. “It’s just kind of hard to accept,” he says, half laughing. “It’s like accepting notice of your death.”
“Enver, promise me you won’t do anything to hold us back.”
“Anything like what?”
“Like send inquiries out to other kingdoms about my group—especially Thane. I don’t want any of my crew getting distracted or detained. As long as you keep the peace, they will, too.”
He gives me a hard look. “I would never do that to you.”
“Promise me.”
He lifts his chin. “I promise, Zaira. You’re all safe here.”
I bob my head. “Okay. Thank you.”
A balmy breeze drifts by, making me want to stick outside just a few seconds longer, and a sigh escapes me. “I can see why you stayed here.”
“Yeah?” He tucks his hands into his pockets. “It’s a beautiful place, isn’t it? Almost reminds me of Ember Coast…just with more light.”
“Yep. I get that same feeling. All that’s missing are the pearls.
” I look past him to the glittering waters in the distance highlighted by the moon.
“I miss it every day. Life felt so much simpler there. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Meriva is nice, and I appreciate them for giving us refuge, but nothing can ever replace our home. ”
He nods in understanding, then leans in closer as I take a minor step back. “Anyway, I should go inside and get some rest. Whenever you hear from Captain Solyen, will you let us—”
I don’t get the chance to finish my sentence.
Enver has leaned in completely to press his lips to mine.
Shocked, I pull away with a soft gasp. “Enver.” My cheeks burn as I shift backward. “Why did you do that?”
“I— Zaira, I’m sorry,” he stammers. “I just… It’s been so long since I last saw you, and all of these old feelings are rising up again. I’ve always felt something for you. I never thought I’d see you again and…well…”
I keep quiet for a few seconds, unsure what to say to that. “I’m…going to go in now,” I murmur. “To get some sleep.”
“Yes.” He nods quickly, taking the hint and stepping away. “Yes, of course. I’ll, uh…I’ll let you know when I hear from Captain Solyen.”
“Thanks.” I warily look him over once more before turning a fraction. “Good night, Enver.”
“Good night.”
I give him my back before he can say anything else, and hurry to the porch. Gripping the door handle, I glance over my shoulder to watch him walk away with his head hung and his shoulders sagging.
I didn’t give him the wrong impression, did I?
No, I’m positive I didn’t. He kissed me without permission. I’m sure his intentions were good, but still…
He’s just a friend. He’s always been a friend and nothing more. I suppose Gadonia has made him bolder.
“Now I see what he is to you.”
Startled, I gasp when I hear another deep voice come out of nowhere. Emerging from the shadows at the farthest end of the porch with a furrowed brow is Thane.