Chapter 22
DRAYA
In retrospect, Hazel had every right to be infuriated with me. But I felt no remorse for my actions in the hot springs. She wasn’t as helpless as she thought she was, and her lack of confidence was bothersome.
I understood that she’d had a difficult life, and that she likely would never be able to use her magic the way I could, but she wasn’t completely useless. With some more time spent under Cordelia’s care, as well as some more determination on her part, she would learn to become much stronger.
For the time being, however, I did owe her an apology. Or rather, I thought she might appreciate an apology, despite the fact that she should really be thanking me. She’d still be rotting away in that prison of a bedroom had I not paid her a visit and gotten her some fresh air.
At any rate, I gave her a day of peace before trudging to her room following her session with Cordelia.
Hazel was alone when I entered, and although she looked better than the last time I found her there, she had clearly experienced a strenuous few hours with the doctor. Sweat glistened on her forehead, her cheeks were flushed, and pale wisps escaped from her messy braid.
Standing in the doorway to her washroom with a towel in hand, she rolled her eyes at me before turning around and walking towards the pool.
I was frozen in place for a moment, the air thickening as tension pulled between us, and my eyes locked on her soft skin. I longed to move closer, to touch her once again, but I pushed the thoughts from my head as abruptly as they’d appeared. Why did the sight of her like this make me ravenous?
“Let me heat the water for you,” I blurted out, trying to fill the silence as I realized I had forgotten to tell Cordelia to fix that.
“It’s the least you could do,” she muttered. “But then you have to leave. I’m not going anywhere near water with you.”
“Such a shame that you’re currently existing in an underwater volcano, miles under the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, Hazel,” I retorted.
“How do you speak English, anyway?” She whipped around, her braid smacking against her shoulder as she huffed an angry breath.
The question caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help the smile growing at the corner of my lips. After all she’d been through in the last twenty-four hours, and she was concerned with my language?
“We speak many languages, including that of our people,” I answered, though her scowl persisted. “But when your kind infested the seas, it was in our best interest to learn your language fluently.”
“I’d like to hear your language sometime,” she said, finally relaxing in her stance.
“You already have,” I said, letting out a chuckle. “Our language is our song, and I’ve sung to you plenty of times. It typically puts you to sleep.”
Her frown returned, though my answer seemed to satisfy her.
She cocked her head towards the pool in the middle of the washroom, and I grinned as I knelt beside it, her small frame remaining a few strides away.
Shoving my hands into the water, it only took about thirty seconds for steam to rise from the top, and I shook my hands dry as I stood.
“Before I go,” I said, drawing her attention back to me. “I’d like to apologize.”
“How kind of you,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest and still refusing to move closer.
“I’m serious, Hazel. I’m sorry for attempting to drown you. It was a rash decision and I could have severely hurt you. For that, I apologize.”
She eyed me up and down and took one step closer.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
I stayed on my knees at the edge of the pool, my eyes level with her hipbones.
It took everything in me to refrain from reaching out to touch her, but I dragged my gaze up to meet her inquisitive eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I said again, unsure what else to say. Catching me by surprise, she placed her palm against my cheek, and in that moment I realized I’d happily get on my knees for her any time she asked.
Instead of indulging the thought, I stood abruptly and brushed a stray hair away from her face. “I also have some questions about your father,” I said. “How much do you know about his specific routes?”
“Like I told you before, I don’t know as much now as I did years ago, but he only travels on one of three ships.
As you’re already aware, he’s been converting most of his fleet to steamships, but he only sails on the most extravagant ships he owns.
It's typical for one to be underway at any given time, so if you can locate it, you’ll likely find him. ”
This was exactly the information we needed.
We’d tried for decades to figure out the rhyme or reason behind what ships Emerson was on, and what routes his fleet took, but as technology grew more advanced he became harder to track.
If we could locate his personal ship, we could potentially raid it and steal a map detailing the trade routes, allowing us to intercept the ships before they harmed more of our habitats.
“Thank you!” I exclaimed. “I’m meeting with the Queen and my Commander later today, and I’d like you to come. I have an idea, and I think you’re going to play a key role in my plans.”
She sighed, still frowning. “I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
Smirking, I turned around and left her to bathe.
I retrieved her an hour or so later, and her mood had seemingly improved. Though she wasn’t exactly happy about plunging into the ocean right after she’d taken the time to wash. What a silly thing to fuss over.
This time, she didn’t need my direction in greeting the Queen. We entered the dark, extravagant throne room and she floated across the tile without my assistance. The Queen sat on her conch shell, looking regal and bored, and Commander Adri stood in his usual position to her left.
Hazel reached the foot of the dais before me, bowing her head at the perfect time, then standing up straight to face the Queen with a newfound sense of confidence.
It warmed my heart, just a little bit. Something had awakened inside her, and that listless look in her eyes that longed for the release of death was gone. Instead, there was a glint of hope, an ember of determination, and seeing it brought me a strange sense of satisfaction.
“What brings you here together, I must ask,” The Queen started, eyeing us both with amusement.
“I’d like to propose a mission, Your Highness,” I said. “Based on information provided by Miss Emerson, I believe we have a new angle with which to weaken Emerson’s fleet.”
“I’m listening,” she replied, and Commander Adri nodded for me to continue.
“For as long as I’ve been a part of the Talassi Warriors, we’ve struggled to pinpoint where Lord Emerson is at any given time.
Miss Emerson has knowledge of what specific ships he sails on, and she believes she knows the general routes he takes.
According to her, he should be passing through waters south of us in a week or so.
With your blessing, we’ll call on The Nayte Brigand and ambush his ship.
Once aboard, we’ll raid his quarters and steal the routes for the rest of his fleet, which may lead us to Prince Inaki. ”
“This is valuable information, indeed,” Commander Adri mumbled, and the Queen nodded.
“Have at it, Captain,” she said with a grin. “You can take a team of Talassi, but you must bring Miss Emerson with you.”
“Pardon?” I asked, confused. She’d only learned how to use her gills yesterday.
She’d be a hindrance to a team of trained Talassi warriors!
Not to mention she’d be in danger, especially if we were involving the Naytes.
They were our allies in a way, as our mutual dislike for the humans led us to build a tenuous respect for each other, but as a band of pirates who resided amongst the depths, they weren’t exactly known for being kind or welcoming towards newcomers, especially humans.
“She may be lying, so bring her along. That way, she has every reason to tell the truth,” The Queen finished, and unfortunately, she was right.
“You’re right, Your Highness,” Hazel said, her voice louder and clearer than I’d ever heard her speak. “I’m not lying, but I’m happy to prove my allegiance to the Talassi.”
I sighed, trying not to show my irritation, but there was nothing left for me to say. The Queen dismissed us as quickly as she’d received us, and we exited the throne room in a haste, en route to plan an extraction.