me like this.
“We found him,” Ferrick pants, ignoring my words. His shoulders shudder with each heavy breath.
I drop the bones into my satchel and cross the floor to him so quickly that my brain can hardly keep up with my movements. “Where’s he now?”
“He’s being held on the ship. We’ve got him.”
I could kiss Ferrick for those words. I nearly throw my arms around him until he flinches back, and I remember the blood.
“I’ll have him brought here—”
“No.” I sheathe my blade, determination straightening my spine. “Take me to him.”
CHAPTER SIX
The docks are a ghost of what they were yesterday.
The skies have lightened during my hours in the prison, and dawn fights to break free from beneath a heavy clot of storm clouds. While the sea kept a peaceful rhythm hours ago, now the tides thrash violently against the docks, misting my face with sea salt. They’re the type of waves that are a threat to the average sailor, but a call of adventure for the rest of us. The kind of waves that were made to be conquered.
The fresh sea mist is a perfume I coat myself in as each wave beckons. I fill my lungs with it, as if to feed the pit of my soul. Though it was only yesterday that my hands last gripped a helm, desire thickens my throat. Sailing around the bay, failing to expand the perimeters of my curse to Bastian, is a far cry from the sailing I long for.
Staring ahead at the docked ships, my body aches for the days back on Keel Haul. For the mornings where I woke with the sun, and the nights I spent counting the stars with a mermaid, a pirate, and a stowaway at my side.
All my life I wanted nothing more than to one day rule Visidia. But now that it’s mine, all I can think about is the day when I’m finally able to pass on the responsibility and have my body returned to the sea where it belongs.
Ferrick climbs up the docks, waving me toward the small cargo ship he arrived on. Having kept the crew as tight as possible, only a few trusted soldiers wait for us, their faces somber and tired. They know nothing of the man I sent them after, or the revolting crimes he’s escaped punishment from for far too long. While all soldiers are swift to bow, several look purposely away from the blood that stains my skin and clothing, while others stare.
“You all did wonderfully.” I grab the rope ladder dangling from the ship and haul myself onto it with practiced ease. “Go clean up and return to your families. You’ve earned a break.”
Some hesitate, surprised I’m dismissing them so swiftly. But they obey their orders, and I wait with Ferrick in the silence until they’re too far down the shore to hear me ask, “Where did you find him?”
“Off the coast of Suntosu. I got a tip from someone who knew him back in Kerost. They said he’s been traveling, searching for someone.”
I clasp a hand on Ferrick’s shoulder and squeeze it, just once, and it’s a gesture that earns his attention. He turns, slow to look me over. Even though I’m covered in blood, he winds his arms around my shoulders and pulls me in close. I don’t fight him, letting myself melt into his body, thankful for his safe return.
Back when I was forced to be his betrothed, I hadn’t always been the kindest to Ferrick. But after our journey last summer, I can’t imagine life without him. I hug him fiercely, letting him be the first to ease away.
“I didn’t mean for it to take so long.” He combs his fingers through loose red curls that are in desperate need of trimming. “How have things been, here? How are you?”
My skin cools, not wanting to consider the weight behind the question. “I’m glad you’re home, but let’s save the catching up for later. I need to see him.”
The skin between Ferrick’s brows wrinkles, but he nods all the same. “We’ve got him tied down below. I can come with you—”
I shake my head. “Stay here and guard the door. I don’t want Vataea finding out about him until it comes from me.”
“She’s doing well, then?” he asks, innocent but hopeful enough that the light in his eyes warms my heart.
“She’s adapted to palace life as well as we expected. And she’ll be thrilled when she finds out who you’ve brought her.”
Cheeks flushed