Chapter 14 #2
I bite my lip. I was worried he might be more difficult in the future after his display in the throne room. I guess we’re about to find out.
A flutter of wings followed by a gravelly caw has me looking away from the city. A large raven lands on my shoulder.
“Ah, that’ll be a guard for your return letter,” Lachlan says, as I stare in shock at the raven gripping my arm.
Without magic here, the ability to shift back is gone.
“And who might you be?” I ask the bird.
Oily black feathers seem to gobble up the remaining light, but there’s a kindness in his eyes.
“Looks like Evander,” Lachlan chuckles. “He’s small.”
The bird pecks at him and I laugh. “Don’t be snide. He’s beautiful.”
Evander tilts his head towards me and flits down to the railing.
“I’ll be right back with that letter!” I throw over my shoulder, heading to the captain’s room for pen and parchment. Dragut beats me to it and is coming up the stairs with our packs and the supplies I need. He hands them to me silently, a knowing glint in his eyes.
“Thank you,” I murmur, and head down the stairs.
A faint glow from the lantern in the captain’s room leads me to it.
The wooden door creaks open, the smell of timber and salt filling my nose as I inhale deeply.
The chair at the desk is worn leather and is soft against my skin as I sink into it.
I stare at the blank parchment a moment, wondering how much I should tell them.
Magic restored to Scota. Lach and I had a moment…Oh, and we’re in Ishtar now.
No news from Mina for me, either. I’ll send her a letter too.
I miss you so much.
How are things now? Did you talk to Tane?
I love you.
I blow on the ink, insuring it dries before folding it in half. How strange my life is now. I remember the years before when all I had wanted were friends and a place to call home.
Standing, I stride across the room and I’m almost to the door before I remember I need to write to Mina.
I sit back down at the desk and rifle around for another piece of parchment.
Sketches of kelpies, sea dragons, and a constellation of stars.
My fingers still and then I tug the last sketch out of the drawer and into the light.
The charcoal drawing is smudged in places as if it has been rubbed over and over. But the constellation tugs at something in my mind. There’s one larger star in the middle and on either side are six descending stars.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a constellation quite like it before, but it’s familiar all the same. A clatter of doors slamming and boots thudding on the stairs has me stuffing the drawing back in the drawer and pulling a blank parchment out.
I bite down on my lip as guilt crawls through me. I shouldn’t be snooping.
Lachlan leans against the doorframe as I write to Mina. His head grazes the wooden beam.
“Ye ‘bout done? We’re docking.”
His arms cross over his chest, and the muscles of his forearm ripple as he relaxes.
A memory of us as children springs to mind.
Him lifting me up high over his head to pick the sweeter berries.
When he had lowered me back to the ground, I had to crane my neck to look at his face.
That was the first time I realized how handsome he was.
I feel myself slipping deeper into the memory, flashes of buttery light, and emerald green eyes.
“Key—ye okay?” He asks, a shadow falling over his face as he frowns.
I shake my head, forcing myself out of the memory and into the present.
“Yeah—just about. I’ll be right up.”
I look down at what I’ve written to Mina so far and sigh.
Mina—
Closing my eyes, I hear Lachlan’s footsteps as he trudges back up the stairs before I try again.
Mina—we’ve restored magic to Scota and we’re docking in Ishtar now.
How are you? Any news on your crystal yet? How is my home?
I miss you and I’ll see you soon.
All my love, Lena
Oh, and if you find the crystal, leave it alone until I get there!
After blowing the ink dry, I fold it in half much the same way I did Mathilda’s, and then head back onto the deck.
Evander is perched on the stack of crates I had my lunch at and he pecks at the leftover berries and cheeses.
Lachlan stands beside him, watching him eat with a humorous expression.
Evander stops eating as I approach and walks to the edge of the crate.
“One is for Mathilda, and the other is for Mina.”
He snatches the letters from my hands, and I chuckle. “Thank you, Evander.”
My heart aches as he flies away with my letters. I miss them all, terribly, and I can’t wait to get back.
Our boat slows even further as it pulls up alongside the wooden dock. Thick ropes are cast off the side to the waiting deckhands below and then tied to the moorings. A gangplank lowers and Lachlan extends his arm in offering.
“My queen,” he murmurs, leaning in close to whisper in my ear. “Ye look beautiful.”
I look up into his face, highlighted by the many glowing lanterns alongside the dock, in time to see it fall.
“I’m so sorry,” he breathes.
My face twists in confusion as his falls deeper into shadow.
“Your Majesty,” Ashur calls as he drops into a sweeping bow. “It’s an honor to have you here.”
Lachlan leads me to where he waits, his steps rigid and tense. My own legs feel stilted, growing accustomed to steady land. I cast my eyes around us to better understand Lachlan’s trepidation, but I see no reason for his apology.
“Ashur,” I reply. “Always a pleasure. Thank you for having us.”
The smell of the city erupts around me. Fresh spices like turmeric, cumin, and saffron wash over me and I inhale, enjoying their aroma. The buildings are a collection of smooth clay and large red stones with arched timber doorways.
It’s as beautiful as I thought it would be. Bells toll in the distance and the collective sounds of a crowd can be heard down the street. It’s massive and by far the most luxurious of all the islands in my realm.
Ashur steps to the side and sweeps an arm out, almost knocking over the stunning woman who had been standing directly behind him.
Her dark eyes are made even darker by the kohl surrounding them.
And her lilac skirt is cut low over her wide hips.
A golden weave top frames her ample chest and narrow waist. Numerous gold necklaces sparkle with amethyst and sapphire clasped around her slender neck.
A slow smile spreads across her plump lips and I’m struck mute by her sultry beauty.
“Oh my apologies, Neva, I didn’t see you there,” he says to her. She responds with a dip of her chin, but her gaze never wavers from Lachlan. I turn my head, following her line of sight to see his face pale. His attention shifts to me and he takes a step closer, brushing against my side.
My eyes slide back to Neva to see her stare at his proximity to me. He splays a hand on the small of my back, a subtle inclination of my place in his life. Her smile falters, slipping into a frown that mars her perfect face. The moment happens in slow motion before time speeds up again.
“Your Majesty, may I present to you, Neva? She is one of my assistants.”
I force a smile onto my face as she dips her head, a reluctant acknowledgment of my title. Ashur’s brows raise high at the disrespect before he steps in front of her and clears his throat. “Now—if you’ll follow me.” He whirls on his heel and walks towards the city.
I follow him and Lachlan keeps pace beside me as we pass Neva. She follows behind us without a word, but I feel her stare piercing my shoulder blades with each step.
Ashur, seemingly oblivious to the entire strange interaction, walks ahead of us, describing the purpose of each building we pass, or waving to people.
“Ishtar is known for its goods. We sell spices, ceramics, jewels…” His words carry on, but my attention shifts to Lachlan.
“Who is Neva?” I whisper to him between clenched teeth.
His jaw flexes, but before he can answer, Ashur turns around. “Would you care for dinner before I take you to my pal—home?”
I give him a bland, closed-lip smile. “That would be lovely, thank you.” He whirls back around and continues on.
When Lachlan doesn’t respond to my question, I elbow him in the ribs.
He grimaces, clutching his ribs. “She was a lover of mine before I left to retrieve ye.”
A lump forms in my throat and I swallow it down. I had already known the answer, but to hear it confirmed is still rather painful.
“I see.”
“It wasna anything serious. Both of us knew where we stood with each other,” Lachlan explains.
But I’m already shaking my head and pulling out of his grasp. “You don’t have to explain.”
I call out to Ashur, “Where did you say we were going to eat?”
I walk closer to him so that we’re side by side. Lachlan murmurs my name, but Neva is already sliding into my vacated place. I turn back to Ashur quickly to avoid seeing anything that would split my heart wide open.
“Well, there’s a restaurant called Istanbul that has the best pita and hummus. I had planned on taking you there.”
Surprisingly, my mouth waters, pita and hummus sound absolutely wonderful right about now. “That sounds excellent.”
He walks quicker, sensing my urgency to eat, but still continuing to point at various red clay buildings and describe their uses. Crystal shops, spice vendors, bakery, art suppliers, clothier, and many other things. This city is as vibrant and teeming with activity as the capital.
“All of this was just sand. Our city began booming nearly fifty years ago,” he explains. I’m assuming that’s when the imposter took over the throne.
“I had no idea Eridu was so beautiful…”
Ashur beams with pride. “I’m glad you think so. Odessa seemed to share that opinion as well…” His voice trails off, clearly realizing the gravity of that statement.
“I’m sure the asphidra would have enjoyed the heat and sand,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood. But Lachlan’s earlier words ring through my mind. Ashur benefited greatly under the imposter’s rule.