Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
From her vantage point near the tree line where the stream emptied out onto the sand, she could see the captains exchanging a few words.
Birdy perched on the top of the captain’s tent, fluffing their wings occasionally.
Her fingers sparked green and she curled them into fists for fear of being spotted.
If luck was on her side, she wouldn’t have to use any of her magic.
But then, as quickly as it had begun, it was over. The rowboat took the other captain and his crew back to the ship and they sailed off like it was nothing.
Soon, the captain was walking through the sand toward her and she found herself stuck, watching the wind tousle his hair and blow his shirt tight against his chest. But then his eyes found hers and her heart did this strange swoop thing.
Ridiculous, she thought. Why all of a sudden she should feel special while he was walking toward her was silly.
The captain was no different to the other men she had been with.
Throughout her adult life, she had taken a pragmatic approach to matters of the heart and body.
Sex for her was a release, an experience of pleasure without any sort of commitment, while still enjoying her mate-less life.
She liked her freedom, her ability to be detached. The captain was only a distraction.
“Your Highness,” he said and dipped his chin in greeting.
His shoulders were less tense but his arms were crossed.
He may look relaxed but something had transpired between the captains.
“We’re returning to the ship to see if we can get to the southern shores of the Salonen Kingdom before the Black King expands his reach.
We’ve had news from the other ship that the human king is on his deathbed. ”
“Expand his reach? Do you think he’d try to conquer the human lands?”
Perhaps this was what her sister had foreseen—a continental war between the fae and humans.
The world swam in front of her and her breath quickened.
If Achill was going to try and conquer the human lands, then no where would be safe for her.
She couldn’t step foot in fae without him knowing and she doubted she’d make it back to her lands and behind wards before she was apprehended.
The only way to keep her lands safe and out of Achill’s hands, and prevent more war, was to appeal to King Alfred Salonen.
If she could get in his good graces, then surely she could help prevent more destruction.
But now he was on his deathbed and she could feel that time was running out.
“Your Highness?” The captain’s voice sliced through her thoughts.
“Pardon?” She asked, realizing she had been lost to her thoughts.
“I said that I couldn’t be too sure but I wouldn’t put it above the Black King to attempt something nefarious while the current king is bedridden and that it would be best if we made our way south today.”
“Mm,” she nodded. She wouldn’t put anything past Achill, actually. It was always best to treat lying snakes exactly as they are. With a renewed sense of purpose, Cariad grabbed the bucket full of water and headed back toward the beach with the captain.
She needed to get in the good graces of King Alfred.
First, she would secure her place in his court, and become invaluable in matters of fae.
Then, she would become intimately involved in all matters of peace-keeping.
Not hard to do at all. Unless something were to happen while they were at sea.
As she climbed aboard, her eyes flashed to Birdy’s and then to the horizon.
She inhaled a sharp breath. Dark clouds formed in the east and she had a sinking feeling that things were about to get much worse.