Chapter 45
Roderick Bryson
Roderick’s heart nearly leapt out of his chest when he saw Anya emerge from the shadow of the portcullis.
He’d lost track of how many times he’d paced the perimeter.
It was nearly dark now. The warm glow of torches filled the courtyard, and he swore the guard assigned to him had even nodded off once or twice.
“Anya!” He jogged to meet her on the cobblestone path and enveloped her in his arms. She immediately melted against him.
Divine Almighty, she fit so perfectly there.
He inhaled deep and slow, allowing the scent and warmth of her to unwind his anxieties.
“I was about ready to bust my way back in. What happened to not being long?”
“The Prince is very thorough,” she answered, still not loosing herself from their embrace. That was fine, though. He enjoyed the sensation of her cheeks moving against him as she spoke. “But we reached a deal. Six chests of mana stones are being delivered to the Lupus Star right now.”
Those words released all the weight from his shoulders. The children would be fine. More than fine. If famine or disaster struck Valeria, every region would be prepared to weather the storm.
He pulled away to see her face. “Why didn’t you start with that!?”
Anya chuckled weakly, but oddly, without a true smile.
He’d filed away her expressions since Annette told him to make her smile.
When she was truly happy, the corners of her eyes would scrunch together.
Her eyes would sparkle, and her pupils would blow wide.
No doubt the negotiations had drained the life out of her.
He caressed her cheek, sweeping a thumb up and down her soft skin. “Oh, my darling diplomat. How did you do it? What did he want?”
Anya opened her mouth, then coughed. Her eyes flashed with fear for a moment, but as quickly as it happened, she recovered. A dry throat from all the talking, perhaps. He could fix that.
She cleared her throat. “He turned out to not be entirely heartless to the suffering of the children. His only term was that we never return to Aquillas.”
“Oh. I know you wanted prolonged trade, but this is better than returning empty handed. I’m proud of you. Your parents will be, too. I know it. This is a victory, Anya.” A sly smile crept to his lips. “And I think we should celebrate.”
“What did you have in mind?”
He hooked an arm with hers and started back toward the city center. “Dinner, dancing, stargazing…And a night spent in our cabin.”
“Our cabin?” She canted her head and smiled.
“Unless you want to sneak around like a squire and a lady. I’m not opposed to a little roleplay.” He sent a puff of air toward her ear, relishing the color that climbed up her neck.
“Only if I get to be the squire,” she said.
“Then I’ll be the best damned lady you’ve ever been with.”
With Anya’s mood noticeably lifted, they found a vendor selling roasted turkey legs, a welcome change from their usual fare.
He’d eaten them before with his knights during town festivals, but it was so much easier with his fangs to rip and tear the skin.
By the time his was down to the bone and the base of the mountain was upon them, Anya’s was still hardly touched.
“Are you not hungry?”
Anya shook her head. “Not really. I think I’ll feel better when we get back to the ship and make sure the crew is all right.”
Roderick tossed the bone into the woods, then whistled for Yomira and Isen. In no time, they were in the air on their way back to the Lupus Star.
Anya held him tighter than usual as she directed Yomira where to go.
He didn’t realize that was even possible.
He cherished her warmth as they cut through the clouds.
When they crested the sea of white, the stars were more magnificent than ever.
Some sparkled, some pulsed, a few even seemed to drift so close he swore he could reach out and grab a handful. If only.
If anyone deserved to wear a necklace of stars, it was Anya.
He turned to whisper over his shoulder, but was surprised to find Anya’s eyes already open, glistening with moisture as she stared up at the stars.
“They’ve never been so close,” she whispered, daring to reach a hand out. Where had this boldness come from? The rarity of the sight? She spoke like she’d never be this close to them again.
“I’m sure Yomira will be happy to abduct us from the palace for a date like this. Right, Yomira?”
Of course, the wyvern answered, bobbing her head.
“And me! Don’t forget me!” Isen chimed, swooping to the other side. “I’m going to stay with you.”
“You are?” Apparently Roderick had missed something.
A low, rumbling laugh came from Yomira. Someone has to keep an eye on you.
“But Isen’s your mate. How can he live on Eteross with us? Won’t you miss him?”
Isen spoke up. “Mates, for kinds like us, often live apart. We crave space and freedom, to forge our own way in the world. For some it’s a hoard, for others it’s family, like Yomira has with her sister.
For me…well, I am not sure. But I think I will find it if I stick with you, Roderick.
Besides, being mates is more than just being near each other.
It is something in our hearts, something distance cannot take away. ”
And I don’t think I could handle Isen all day, every day, Yomira chuffed.
Isen swooped beside Yomira. “You love me.”
I do. Great Mother help me.
Yomira and Isen glided beside one another, just above the puffy line of clouds. Roderick smiled as Isen dipped a claw into the clouds, running a thin line through it.
He breathed a sigh of relief as the claw print flag of the Lupus Star came into view. The ship floated just beyond the mouth of a limestone cove, where it must have been hidden. They’d passed by here on their way to Solenergi and would have noticed it otherwise.
Yomira puffed out her wings to slow their descent, narrowly avoiding the main mast as she touched down on the stern deck.
The boards creaked and groaned at the sudden weight.
Isen landed gracefully on the center deck, then slinked up to meet them.
His long, limber body was made for tight landings, like cliff sides and small sandbars.
He would be an advantageous addition to the crew on their return trip.
When the rocking of the ship settled, Roderick slid down Yomira’s shoulder and helped Anya dismount.
His jaw nearly fell open when Anya went straight for Yomira’s snout, resting a hand on it as she thanked her for everything.
After flying, Anya was usually too busy worshiping solid ground to even look the wyvern in the eye.
The smell of damp canvas and wood made him feel right at home. It was a little eerie, though. Not a soul was topside, and it wasn’t that late. The Prince’s sleep spell must not have worn off yet. Though it was a relief the crew hadn’t been struck into slumber wherever they stood.
Abandoning their bags on the stern, they made their way to the belly of the ship to check on the crew. Anya was oddly quiet. Worried, probably, about the state they’d find their friends in. So he took her hand in his and kissed the backs of her pale fingers.
“They’re all fine. I’m sure of it.”
She nodded weakly and smiled up at him as they reached Octavio’s door, the first on the starboard side. Just in case, Roderick rapped on the door three times. He didn’t want an accidental eyeful. When no answer came, he opened the door.
Anya gasped at the sight of Octavio sitting up in bed, asleep with Lady Rowan beside him, her head resting on his shoulder.
They were still wearing what they had on the night of the storm, with a map spread out between them.
If Roderick hadn’t lived through the last week, he’d think only an hour had passed.
“Blackbird,” Anya murmured, kneeling beside the bed and grasping Lady Rowan’s hand. “Blackbird…” Tears rolled down her cheeks, unable to contain her relief, he supposed.
Roderick stood beside Anya, checking Lady Rowan and Octavio’s pulses in turn.
He rested a hand on her shoulder. “She’s all right, Anya. They both are. I’m relieved too. But don’t tell Octavio that,” he said with a chuckle. She didn’t move. “So…when do you think they’ll wake up?”
Anya sniffed and wiped her eyes. “Probably in the morning. The Prince arranged for kelpie to tow us out to sea, so the crew doesn’t need to be awake until then.”
“So what you’re saying is we can be as loud as we’d like tonight,” he crooned, desperately trying to make her smile again, even if she smiled and shoved him away for his shameless flirting.
But she merely stood and nodded. He swallowed down embarrassment and scrubbed the back of his neck with a hand.
Maybe that was tone deaf. But why wasn’t she more relieved, elated, even?
Their mission was a success, the crew was alive, and the Lupus Star was in one piece.
They were bound for home and the rest of their lives together. This called for celebration, not tears.
“Anya?”
“Hm?” She blinked a few times, finally looking away from Lady Rowan. He took her hands in his and fixed her gaze. “Let’s go check on the others.”
“Right. Yes, of course.”
One by one, they checked each cabin. Most were laying down like they were preparing for a normal night.
Gail, beguilingly, was on the floor. Ornella and her children were cuddled in one bunk.
In the last cabin, they found Bernard cradling Annette and little Olivia in his arms. The steady rise and fall of their breaths made his own come a little easier.
“That’s everyone,” he said, exhaling as he checked off his mental list.
Anya wanted to make sure the promised mana stones were in the stern storage, and sure enough, six hulking chests were lined up. He went to open one, but an iron lock kept it securely shut.
“How do we know the Prince didn’t fill these with rocks?” Roderick huffed, clanking the lock back against the chest.