Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Yaltia sits at a perfect intersection amid the routes between the permanent islands, which means a significant amount of traffic. Its position makes Yaltia an invaluable stop for supplies on some of the longer voyages.
I almost take the bag from Kit, but common sense gets ahold of me at the last moment. I have a ship to run and a crew to manage. As much as I want to lay eyes on Evelyn and see for myself that she’s recovered from the burst of magic that saved us, there are other things that require my focus.
Like the sea monster menacing Sarvi. According to the updated report that appeared on my desk last night, it’s killed several more people. Teenagers who were swimming on a beach that should have been safe. There’s no escaping the guilt that haunts me. We couldn’t have sailed through that storm, and yet our delay feels like a failure. People died because of it. Kids died because of it.
Additionally, the deaths seem to suggest it’s settling into a hunting territory, rather than attempting to go back to whatever realm it came from. Not that fleeing would save it. Once a monster garners enough attention, it requires the Cŵn Annwn to go hunting outside of Threshold. Even if it never crossed into our territory. I’m sure my little witch will have something to say about that on the rare occasion it comes up.
“Take it to her, please.”
Kit raises nir eyebrows. “You sure you don’t want to hand deliver it yourself?”
I almost choke. Only years of Kit’s ribbing have given me the practice not to react. “I hardly think that’s necessary.”
“Necessary isn’t any fun, Captain.” Ne grins. “We all see how you look at her. How she looks at you. A gift from the handsome captain wouldn’t go amiss.”
I will not blush. I will not. “I am the captain of this ship and fraternizing with any of my crew would be highly inappropriate.” It’s a good thing Kit is human. Ne is without a lick of magic, so ne can’t see the memory of Evelyn’s mouth imprinted against mine from a mere twenty-four hours ago.
“You know that’s not actually a law, right?” Ne shakes nir head. “Live a little, Captain. We might be named for the Cŵn Annwn, but none of us are immortal. Life’s too short to pass up what little joy it has to offer.” Ne turns and walks away before I can come up to a response to that, which is just as well.
The next few hours are a flurry of motion as we cast off and head north around the perimeter of the island. Then there’s only the open sea from horizon to horizon. Out here, I feel like I can finally breathe.
It’s an illusion.
Threshold is peppered with islands, both permanent and traveling. We’re never more than a few days from one of them. Not all are inhabited, or even contain fresh water, but they serve as a reminder that we’re never really free.
I pause. Where did that thought come from? If I didn’t know better, I’d track down my witch and accuse her of planting it right in my head. It’s a false accusation. She might be partially responsible for the strange thought, but it’s not magic at its source. It’s her incessant questions. Why do we do things the way we do? It’s her grief over the harm she caused a vicious beast intent on our deaths.
I never expected that from her.
She hasn’t done much that I’ve expected since we fished her out of the sea.
“Good winds.”
I watch Miles walk up, my mood souring. “We’ll make good time to Sarvi despite the delay.” I haven’t seen much of my quartermaster in the time we were trapped in Yaltia’s bay by the storm. He went ashore with a good portion of the crew. No doubt he used that time well to continue to gain favor among them.
The vote is coming. I can sense it the same way Dia can sense weather patterns. I do my best to operate above reproach, but I’m only human, and the code of honor that Ezra instilled in me doesn’t sit well with some people. It will take only one moment, one bad choice, and Miles will have his victory.
The thought should fire me up, but I’m so fucking tired. I want to blame it on being worried about Evelyn sneaking out again, or on the hundred other little details and concerns that go with running a ship and keep me up at night.
I’m starting to wonder if this exhaustion isn’t years in the making. Evelyn’s presence on board didn’t cause it. She only revealed what was already there, simmering below the surface.
Miles stops next to me and turns easily to face the same way. I nod to Sarah and she gives us a little boost with her magic, filling the sails and sending us skimming across the waves away from Yaltia. I tell myself I don’t breathe easier with each league between us, but it’s a lie.