Wind whips at my hair and stings my cheeks.
It’s biting in a way that’s oddly refreshing after the stuffy coach ride between the uncharacteristically quiet brothers.
I’ve never been so close to the sea. Never dared.
Now I’ll be sailing over it.
We stand at the edge of the only rickety dock left in Ilya. Inky water slaps against the long posts supporting each wood slab we stand on. I breathe in the salty air, scan the ever-stretching horizon. It’s terrifyingly exhilarating, this something that finds such strength in the ever-changing.
But what floats atop the water is nearly as breathtaking.
The ship looms to our left, casting an ominous shadow over us. The dark wood spans several hundred feet long, coming to a slight point at one end. Two large sails are bunched tightly against the tall masts, readying to be reunited with the wind.
My gaze travels over the expanse of wood before falling back to the waves lapping beneath. “Is the water always this choppy?” I ask, looking over at the brothers.
“No,” Kai answers dully.
I let out a sigh of relief. “Well, that’s good.”
“It’s usually worse.”
And just like that, my chest is tightening once again.
Kitt claps his Enforcer on the shoulder. “Ever the optimist, Brother.”
The king seems to be in higher spirits this morning, despite our heavy conversation last night. Or perhaps it’s simply Kai who brightens his mood.
“Yes,” I muse, “very comforting.”
The sound of approaching footsteps has us turning. It’s Calum striding down the uneven dock, clutching a small stack of books beneath his arm. To his right, the court’s spokesman resides with a tight smile. Easel steps forward before curtly relaying information. “Your trunks have been loaded onto the boat and brought to your cabins. The crew is ready to depart when you are.”
My stomach churns at the thought of abandoning solid ground, but I force myself to nod convincingly. Noticing my worry, or rather, reading my anxious thoughts, Calum asks, “May I have a moment with Paedyn?”
The brothers oblige, conversing quietly as they head down the dock. Tucking his hands, and the books within them, behind his back, Calum leads me slowly to the end of the dock. “You’re doing well, you know.”
I kick a rock off the wood plank and hear it hit the water with a soft plunk. “It doesn’t feel like it.”
“Respect is earned,” he says softly. “It takes much time. But once you finish these Trials, things will begin to move very quickly.”
I nod, gaze lingering on the crashing waves below. “I’ll be married.”
“You’ll be a queen,” he adds.
“And I’ll still be Ordinary.”
The words have him turning to look at me, blond hair catching in the light. At the feel of his piercing gaze, I wonder briefly what it is he’s gleaning from my thoughts. “Yes, you always have been and always will be. Even with a crown on your head.”
We stand in silence at the edge of the dock, watching the sun shimmer against the water as it tiptoes slowly into the sky. I glance over at him, committing this peaceful moment to memory. “Thank you,” I breathe into the crisp air. “For everything. But mostly for being here with me. You’re a comfort in the castle.” I laugh sadly. “And in this whole new life I’ve been thrown into.”
His smile is reserved. “I am here to help in any way.” He pulls the books from behind his back, presenting the worn covers to me. “In fact, I brought these for your journey. They may help pass the time.”
Reaching out, I run a hesitant finger over a familiar burgundy spine. “Thank you. But I’d hate to ruin your things if we somehow end up in the sea—”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” he cuts in softly. “Well, ruining my books that is. These belong to you.”
My eyes snap to his. “What?”
“When your father died, and you disappeared,” he starts slowly, “I grabbed some of your favorite stories for safekeeping. And I hoped to give them back to you one day.”
With every word, the books seem to familiarize before my eyes. Each faded cover holds a distant memory, a fleeting image of a man in his reading chair, and a little girl sitting at his feet. “He used to read these to me.”
“He did.” Calum gently hands me the four thin books. “I believe you even wrote a few notes in there as a child.”
“I can’t imagine I had anything important to add,” I say, laughing lightly. Quickly flipping through one of the books, I find a small rose sketched onto the inside cover. The words “For Paedyn” are scrolled beneath it in vaguely familiar, looping handwriting.
He eyes me carefully. “You’d be surprised.” With a small smile, he adds, “I’ll have them brought to your cabin.”
I suppose he can likely hear the gratitude in my thoughts, but that doesn’t seem like quite enough. So I emphasize the unspoken words with an impulsive throwing of my arms around him. This makes him hesitate for a moment, stutter in confusion, and finally return the sentiment.
With his arms circling my shoulders, I whisper one last “Thank you.”
We stand in the ship’s shadow, all staring at the vessel meant to carry us across the treacherous water.
A crowd has formed on the rocky shore where hundreds of eyes hope to get their last glimpse of the hated Ordinary. Imperials barricade the dock, halting anyone who dares push their way toward us. But no one makes a move, content on letting the Shallows have their way with me.
In their eyes, I’m as good as dead.
The king glances over at his Enforcer. “Changed your mind yet, Kai?”
“Unfortunately not,” he sighs. “But do try not to miss me too much. I’ve stationed extra Imperials with you while I’m gone, so you certainly won’t be feeling lonely.”
“Oh, yes, I look forward to not a single moment of privacy.” The humor in Kitt’s voice dissolves quickly. “Please come home, Kai. I can’t have you dying on me too.”
I look away, as if that could save me from this awkward intrusion of their conversation. Still, I hear the Enforcer’s earnest response. “I’ll be back. Death fears me, remember?” I can hear an inkling of that cocky bastard slipping into his voice when he says, “And when I return, we’ll celebrate with another dance between the three of us. So long as Paedyn doesn’t purposely step on my toes this time.”
“I have no recollection of that,” I state defensively. “It must have been subconscious.”
Kitt laughs, and the sound bleeds into his next words, all of them aimed at his brother. “Well, she kept trying to jump onto my back, remember?”
“And then blamed her failed attempts on the ‘constricting dress,’ ” Kai adds with a punch-worthy smile. “Trust me, I remember. The moment replays every time I close my eyes—”
“All right, that’s enough,” I huff. “Remember this conversation when I suddenly push you overboard.”
“Oh, you can try, Gray,” Kai mocks with a crooked grin. “But don’t blame your constrictive sleeves when you aren’t able to.”
Kitt’s laugh nearly drowns out my words. “That’s it. I’m getting on this damn boat.”
I step out onto the plank, forcing my gaze ahead and not on the raging water beneath me. The voices behind grow muffled by the lapping waves, but Kai’s stands out, even among the sea. “Take care of yourself while I’m gone. Get some rest. Promise me.”
“I promise,” Kitt returns quietly. “I would ask you to ensure Paedyn does the same, but I already know you will.”
My heart quickens its pace as I step onto the ship’s deck. Several seconds pass before the Enforcer follows, wood groaning beneath his boots. As I lean over the rail, Kitt’s gaze finds mine from the dock below before he offers a mouthed “good luck.”
“Kai!”
The shout rings through the air, carried on the wind. Kai whips around, scanning the wall of Imperials on the other end of the dock where a tangle of limbs attempts to break through.
“Kai! Wait!”
But he does nothing of the sort. Instead, he’s striding toward that familiar voice, shoving Imperials aside to reach the lanky boy.
Even from this distance, I can see the tears brimming in Jax’s eyes. He stands there, panting before his brother. And when he opens his mouth, the choked sob that escapes it makes my breath catch.
“Don’t go,” he begs Kai. “Please don’t go. I might never see you again—”
A hiccup cuts off his words at the same moment Kai wraps his arms around the boy, holding him tight. He’s saying something I can’t hear, something that is likely meant to be a comfort.
Jax squeezes his eyes shut as he grips the back of Kai’s shirt in his fists. “My parents never came back,” I hear him say, voice breaking.
A piece of me shatters at the sound of it, at the grief already filling his voice. Jax has lost so much, so young. And I am watching him beg Kai not to be the next person he mourns.
Sniffling, Jax lets himself be pried away from his big brother. More hushed words are exchanged before Kai ruffles the boy’s hair for what may be the last time. Then he turns slowly, solemnly, and strides back to the ship.
Shoulders tight and silence heavy, Kai joins me on board.
The Enforcer nods to the awaiting crew while I manage to muster up a smile. Chaos ensues shortly after our acknowledgment of them, as men and women begin bustling around the ship. Orders are shouted suddenly, setting every person into motion with a different task to complete.
With a subtle hand at my lower back, Kai guides me to the head of the ship where we watch the sails unfurl above us. Just the sheer amount of cloth would have Adena gawking. And I cling to that thought, that image of my smiling A.
My gaze travels to the large man at the helm, his hand gripping one of the many spokes adorning the massive wheel. His hat, attire, and shouted commands tell me that this is our captain for the journey to come. He looks weathered by the sea, and that alone is a comfort. Perhaps we have a chance at survival after all.
Thick ropes dangle from every corner of the ship, swaying from the masts towering over us. I’m in awe of such structured mayhem. It takes every scuttling crew member and their seemingly unimportant tasks to persuade the vessel into gliding across the water.
Of course, the Gusts on board certainly aid in the ship’s quick pace. They guide chilling blasts of air into the sails, all while Teles hold down ropes and rigging with nothing but their minds. My gaze wanders over each soul attempting to coax the sea into something tamer, right down to the Hydros leaning over the railings, trying to smother what waves crash into the hull.
When the ship starts moving, my attention falls to the dock that slowly begins slipping away from us. My knuckles grow white around the wooden railing with each second the wind takes me farther from solid ground.
“You’re going to be fine, Pae,” Kai murmurs beside me.
“Right,” I say distractedly. “I know.”
“Is that why you’re giving yourself splinters?”
Dragging my gaze from the distancing dock, I look down at the hand I’ve clamped around the railing. “I’m just… nervous.”
He leans his forearms on the rail. “You usually are around me. Don’t hurt yourself over it, darling.”
I turn to face him with a scoff. “I’m nervous about the journey, you prick.”
“Not even twenty minutes on the sea and you’ve already come up with a new nickname for me.”
“I’m sure many more will come to mind in the days ahead.”
His eyes roam over me, and I’m reminded how much I enjoy the feel of it. “I missed you,” he finally murmurs, voice low.
Something flutters in my chest, and it might just be those nerves he determined I feel around him. “I never left.”
A shake of his head. “And yet, I felt the absence of you all the same.” He looks out at the water, his gray eyes mirroring the sea before us. “I suppose that is my sentence for the rest of this life.”
I scramble for words, fight for the strength to speak them once they’re found. But the moment shatters when a figure approaches.
The captain extends a hand to Kai, shaking it sternly. “Enforcer, sir. It’s an honor to be sailing with you.” When he turns to me, his greeting is far less enthusiastic. With a nod of his head, he offers a soft “My Lady.”
I nearly jump when he claps his large hands together. “Now, I’m Captain Torri, and this beauty”—he smacks the railing beside me—“is the Reckoning.”
The long brown hair beneath his hat ripples when he shakes a thick finger at us. “I haven’t sailed in nearly a decade because of that damned decree to stay out of these damned waters.” His dark eyes flick to me. “Excuse my language, miss. But, shit, if you ask me, this voyage is long overdue. We need to take back the Shallows.” He all but caresses the railing. “And she is our reckoning.”
“Of course.” My tone has Kai’s lips twitching. “Now, what was that about not sailing for nearly a decade?”
“Well,” Torri stutters, “the Shallows has been legally off-limits, so this will be my first crossing in some time. But I assure you,” he booms, “that the crew and I are up to the challenge.”
Kai nods to the captain. “Well, we greatly appreciate your willingness. It’s not easy to find sailors in Ilya anymore.”
My stomach churns at the reminder. Ilya’s experience with the Shallows is as limited as it is alarming, and the countless shipwrecks are a testament to that. No one of sane mind has set sail on this sea in nearly a decade, which would make this crew incredibly out of practice.
Any hope of survival has severely dwindled.
“Well, you won’t see me running from these waters, sir,” the captain practically yells with a puff of his chest. “Not even the creatures could keep me away.” He points to a thin scar slashing across his weathered cheek. “Oi, but the devils have tried!”
He laughs, belly shaking beneath his buttoned coat. An uncomfortable sound climbs from my throat while Kai manages a polite laugh with the man. After taking a moment to recover, Torri continues with a wheezing cough. “Now, let’s get you acquainted with the Reckoning, eh?”
After an incoherent shout from the captain that makes me flinch, a man hurries over to his side. “This,” Torri says nonchalantly, “is my first mate, Leon. He will be showin’ you to your rooms and around the ship.”
Leon nods curtly, his dark skin glistened with sweat beneath the bandanna tied around his head. The loose, white blouse he wears catches the wind like a sail of its own, the fabric flapping against him. Warm, brown eyes fall to me, and for once, it’s not hatred I see within a gaze. Rather, curiosity.
“If you need anything,” the captain continues, “it will be Leon here you go to. I’ll be busy ensuring this damn ship makes it to shore.” He laughs deeply at his own words, even while stepping away with a toothy grin. “Leon will give you a nice little tour of our lovely lady. But don’t get too comfortable. We’ll be docking at Izram in six days’ time. Hopefully.”
With another bellowing laugh, he’s heading for the helm, coat billowing behind him. I glance at Kai before obeying Leon’s gesture to follow him. He leads us toward the stern of the ship, where a pair of wooden doors sit beneath the quarter deck at the rear. I’m forced to dodge bustling crew members as we walk, though they make an effort to steer clear of the Enforcer in front of me.
Two sets of wooden staircases lead to the deck above where Torri now stands at the wheel, conversing with the man who is likely his navigator. Gaze falling back to the doors before us, I watch as Leon shoves them open to reveal a slim hallway. He points to the particularly large doorway at the end of the corridor. “Captain’s quarters. If he invites you to dine with him one evening, you’ll get the chance to see it.” His voice is deep, tone dry in a way that makes me assume he’d rather be doing anything else. “And these are your rooms,” he informs, turning to the left and opening a pair of doors.
I peek inside one, finding a small bed crowding most of it. My packed trunk lies on a rickety dresser that creaks with every rock of the ship. A small porthole allows foggy light to stream in and drape the cot beneath. And there, on a small bedside table, sits the stack of books Calum brought for me.
Leon doesn’t allow much time to examine the cabin before we are walking again. Leading us back onto the bustling deck, I blink in the searing sunlight as he lifts a large grate from the wood floor. “This is the cargo access,” he says simply before stepping down the steep stairs that lead to the ship’s underbelly.
With a reassuring glance, Kai descends first into the dim room below. I’m halfway down the steps when the ship rocks, forcing me to wrap my fingers around the wobbly railing beside me. Leon is talking again before I’ve even reached the floor. “This is the berth deck. Otherwise known as the gun deck.” To emphasize, he gestures to the several cannons that innocently line the room. “This is also where the crew sleeps.”
I stare at the dozens of swinging hammocks, most of which are haphazardly hung between the ominous cannons. “All of them?” I blurt, unable to help myself. “In this one room?”
“Yes, miss,” Leon responds plainly. “Only the higher officers receive cabins. The rest of the crew live and sleep here.”
I swallow at the thought, already feeling nauseous at the sight of each swinging hammock. But the first mate pries my gaze from the assortment of hanging fabric when he points to the right. “The gun port lies that way, along with the caskets of rum and water.” He swivels in the other direction. “Some officers’ quarters and the infirmary lie that way.”
Leon then points down at the deck beneath our feet where another grate rests. “Ship’s stores, cargo hold, spare sails, rigging, and your crate of roses. Oh, and the galley.” At my look of confusion, Leon adds, “The kitchen. That’s all down there where you will never need to go.”
With that, he starts up the stairs again, saying over his shoulder, “That’s about it. Not much of a tour.” Once again, I find myself blinking in the sudden brightness when we reach the main deck. “You’re free to head to your rooms or stay on the main deck. At the front of the ship”—he points toward the pointed bow—“you’ll find the head, or simply put, a place to relieve yourself.” With a glance at me, he continues, “For you, miss, and the other women on board, we’ve added a bit of privacy to one of the toilets.”
I smile thinly. “That is much appreciated.”
He nods, looking slightly apologetic before continuing. “Your meals will be brought to your cabins. Where you eat them is up to you.” Deliberating, Leon seems to find nothing else of importance and concludes the tour with a reassuring string of words. “If you need anything at all, find me. And trust that I will find you in case of an emergency.”
Before I can question what emergency that might be, the first mate is walking away. My doubt forms into a single sentence. “What are the odds we survive this journey?”
Kai runs a hand through his windblown hair. “You tell me, Little Psychic.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m sensing that we may end up in the sea before even spotting land.”
He smiles, and suddenly, the frigid water starts to seem like a good idea. “Then I’ll swim for the both of us.”
