Etania's Calling, page 12
In that moment, looking at his lifeless eyes, Etania had never felt so much compassion toward the man who had forever changed her life. He looked so hurt, for the woman he loved had betrayed him.
I wonder, Etania thought, if that is how Keyel feels.
Jazel was talking to her, and Etania could not understand what she said. Instead, she waited for the inevitable; for the blade from the gauntlet to come and slice her. Just like Damien’s blade sliced her in the junkyard of Gotha.
But wait... was that... light?
The Sword of Zimita gleamed in the room's corner. Etania strained against her bonds and they snapped! She rushed over to the Sword, her hands gripping the handle. She lifted it up, and white light filled the room, dissipating the vision.
She was in Melchizedek’s meadow. He stood in front of her, smiling.
Trust in me, and this will come to be.
With that, Etania awoke, resolved that she would do as Melchizedek requested...no matter what lay ahead of her.
Chapter Eleven
The days of travel passed more easily now that nightmares no longer plagued her. Etania was elated when she saw the town of Kasif, which bordered the Eyelin River. The houses were all made of wood, with beautiful glass windows peeking out from carven sills. People of various races were present in the town: Pyros carrying glass creations; Naymatua selling their latest crops; Kinzoku trying to negotiate the price of weapons; Ningyo offering rides on the river or fish to sell.
There were a few races Etania couldn’t identify, which she assumed must be the Equus or Lycan. She tried not to stare. This type of market town, where all the races co-existed, was very rare in Southern Tamnarae because of feelings of mistrust. She wondered if that would ever change.
Zaden took them to Kasif’s port, marked by a hundred sailboats tied to stakes on the shore. Many Ningyo steered more boats out to the river. The Prince of the Pyros headed toward one sailboat, where a young man greeted him. Dressed in long pants, a sleeveless shirt that showed muscled arms, and a wide hat that protected his eyes, Etania felt like she was looking at a pirate. She covered her smile with a hand as she observed the dark-haired, tan-skinned Ningyo.
“My prince!” the man said. “I haven’t seen you here in a while. Might I assume it is because you have been wooing the lady of Equus?”
Etania’s ears perked up. She hadn’t heard about this before.
“Cam, it’s good to see you! Unfortunately, my lady of the Equus was even less receptive than this one is.” Zaden motioned toward Etania, who blushed.
“She isn’t his,” Keyel protested. Cam shrugged.
“I don’t care. Zaden knows I only care about the coin and the destination. Do you have one in mind?”
“I do,” Zaden said.
“We need to be away from prying eyes,” Keyel added.
“In that case, come aboard my vessel for a bit. She is the most private place I know.”
They agreed, and Etania stepped aboard the sailboat with curiosity. She had never seen such a fine boat, since her last journey on a river had been by raft. The sailboat was built of wood with a large triangular sail, and a built-in living area below deck. They followed Cam through a tiny opening and descended into the living quarters. A hallway stretched before them and, in the back, bunk beds lined the walls. In the front was a small dining table with cushioned seats. All of them squeezed around this table.
“Zaden said that you could take us to the island of Zimita,” Keyel began.
“That’s your quest?” Cam scoffed. “That’s impossible! The Shards are too difficult to navigate.”
“You are a Ningyo,” Zaden pointed out, “and a skilled sailor. I’m sure you can get us there.”
“Maybe I can, maybe I can’t.” Cam stroked his chin. “If I do it, my fee will double.”
“Double!” Zaden protested. “But you took me near the Shards during a much harder time, and for far less!”
“That was when we faced a much less dangerous task,” Cam said, glancing at Etania and her friends. “And, you were alone. There are now two beautiful ladies and one sullen-looking man with you.”
Keyel’s grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. Etania put her hand on his arm, trying to calm him. The sailor was only negotiating.
“The ladies’ beauty alone should lower the price,” Zaden countered.
“Only slightly. One of them is clearly taken, but if I can have the companionship of the other?”
“I am not a thing to be bought and sold.” Bayanna put her hands on her hips.
“Of course not, my lady.” Cam bowed low and took her hand, bringing his lips to the tips of her knuckles. “I only wish to become better acquainted with you."
Bayanna yanked her hand away and huffed.
“I don’t think you’ll gain her ear so easily.” Zaden sighed deeply. He dug into his coin purse, handing some silver coins to Cam. “Here’s half. You’ll receive the rest when we arrive at the Shards.”
The sailor tucked the coins where no one could see them.
“I’ll need time to gather supplies, and you’ll probably need to find a stable for your mounts. Meet me back here in one hour?”
“Agreed,” Zaden said, and the two men shook hands.
Keyel found a place for their camels within an hour, and they returned to the port. Before they could reach the boat, Cam beckoned them to a shaded place out of sight.
“What’s going on?” Etania asked.
“Look!” Cam pointed toward the middle section of the pier, where his boat was tied. Etania carefully peered to where he pointed, and she spotted several men in uniforms questioning one of the other sailors. They sat astride tall, gray, unicorns with their long, brown hair tied back from their faces. Each of them wore a tunic with the mark of a gold unicorn set in a white background.
“The Equus!” Keyel hissed. “What are they searching for?”
Cam looked back at Zaden.
“Me?” Zaden retorted, a hand flying to his chest. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Nothing... except breaking the hearts of half the ladies in this land!” Cam sighed. “One in particular who is not happy and placed a high price on your head. I recently heard about it from the other sailors.”
I think the Equus woman was far less receptive to Zaden’s charms than he allowed us to believe. Etania concluded wryly, looking over at the Prince. Zaden actually looked pained. Hmm, maybe he liked her more than I thought?
“Great!” Bayanna grumbled.
“If it’s the prince they’re looking for, then we should just leave him here and go to Zimita on our own,” Keyel suggested.
“I don’t know...” Etania hesitated.
“If we hide Zaden and wait for them to pass by, it shouldn’t be a problem,” Cam said.
“I don’t think we should pay for Zaden’s misdeeds,” Keyel said. “Let’s hand him over.”
“My dear Leici,” Zaden said, “I’m sure we can come to an arrangement. I mean, I know this area better than most because of my connections.”
“Your connections are what will get us killed!”
Etania looked at both men, her heart conflicted. Keyel was right that handing Zaden over would keep them out of trouble from the Equus, but Zaden was their only guide through unknown territory. Sure, Cam could help them sail through, but his interest lay in coins. Zaden’s interest was, well... Etania considered. What did the prince really want?
“Etania, there’s no time!” Bayanna exclaimed. “Hide him or turn him in! I don’t care. Just decide! They’re coming!”
Etania looked over at Cam, who shrugged.
“He can always pay me the rest of your fare later.”
Zaden dropped to his knees and folded his hands together to plead with Etania.
“Please, my lady, I do not want to be parted from your side!”
Etania blushed. His flattery, though it made her feel good, was not desired. On an impulse, she declared, “Hide him.”
Immediately, Bayanna removed her cloak and slipped it over Zaden, forcing him onto his hands. Then she sat upon his back, just like he was a rock. Etania had to stifle laughter at the sight. Bayanna’s cloak was gray, so it looked like a rock. Zaden did not move or complain. The Equus soldiers passed by them, barely glancing in their direction.
Once they moved on, Bayanna stood and retrieved her cloak. Zaden brushed himself off, sniffed, and said, “Well, shall we go?”
Cam nodded and walked back toward his sailboat. Keyel followed, his back stiff, and Etania swore the air dropped several degrees around him. They boarded the boat in awkward silence. Cam and Bayanna untied the mooring ropes, and they were soon underway, the water rippling behind them. The riverbank flew by as Cam’s Neuma, and a swift breeze, propelled them. Keyel stowed all of their supplies below deck, not even speaking to Etania as he did so.
Cam flirted with Bayanna, who acted like she wasn’t interested in the sailor’s charms, but lit up when he offered to regale her with one of his adventures. Zaden approached Etania, who was leaning against a side rail, watching the river flow past.
“Thank you for that,” Zaden said. “I’m curious, though: why did you decide to protect me?”
Etania shrugged. She hadn’t been sure at first, but now she realized she protected him out of gratitude. After all, if Zaden hadn’t fetched Jakin and come to their rescue, she would be dead. She hoped Keyel would understand that.
“You saved us,” she told him. “It’s time I repay the favor.”
Zaden reddened and turned away. She didn’t understand why the Pyros prince seemed ashamed of it. After all, it was something to be proud of! She left Zaden staring at the passing landscape and went below deck to make-up with Keyel. She found him kneading some sort of dough on the dining table.
“I didn’t know you could cook!” Etania exclaimed.
“Bake, actually. My grandmother taught me when she was alive,” Keyel replied.
“Oh, what are you baking?”
“A flatbread of sorts. I’ve never done this before, but it looked easy enough to grill.”
“That’s neat! I look forward to eating it.”
Keyel nodded, continuing to knead. The silence between them was palpable, and Etania wasn’t sure if she should go first. Eventually, she couldn’t take it anymore.
“I know you didn’t like what I did,” she said. “I’m sorry I undermined your leadership.”
Keyel didn’t reply.
“At the time, I just did it on impulse. I know I tend to do that...just do things without thinking about them.”
Keyel nodded.
“I realized later I did it because I’m grateful. Without Zaden’s help, we wouldn’t have survived Jazel’s attack.”
Keyel looked up from his work.
“I know that, Etania,” he said. “I simply don’t trust Zaden.”
“Like you don’t trust me?”
Keyel avoided Etania’s gaze. “That’s different.”
“How is it different?” Etania demanded.
“I’m working on trusting you. Zaden hasn’t proven himself. He didn’t tell us about his troubled relationship with the Equus.”
“Just like I didn’t tell you about my Neuma?”
Ignoring her comment, Keyel continued, “He has also been near the Shards—something he failed to mention before.”
“Fine. I’ll admit that Zaden hasn’t told us everything about himself.” Etania gritted her teeth. “I will also admit that I didn’t come down here simply to talk about that.”
“Then what did you come to say?”
“I wanted to know why you’ve seemed...so distant lately,” Etania said. “I know it’s only been a week since my lie was exposed, but I hoped your forgiveness meant we could start building our relationship again.”
“What do you mean when you say distant?”
“You didn’t ask me about my nightmares like you usually do.”
“Well, you didn’t have one beyond the first night, and sent me away...” Keyel shrugged. “I thought you were fine.”
“I am now,” Etania admitted. “I’ve learned to trust Melchizedek more, but that’s not the point! I’ve felt lonely.”
“I’m sorry.” Keyel cleared his throat.“I want to focus on protecting you, and I’ve been suppressing my emotions. They...get in the way.”
“Your emotions aren’t a weakness,” Etania said softly. “They can be a strength.”
“Or they can create pain. That pain is what keeps me from trusting you completely.”
“You only see it that way because of what happened to your parents.” Etania squeezed his hand. “It doesn’t have to be that way with us.”
“I know, Etania. It’s just...I need time to think about us.”
“Time? How much time?” Etania squeaked. “We don’t have time, Keyel! What if I die on this quest? Do you really want our time to be spent distrusting one another?”
“No,” he admitted, his blue eyes softening, “but I can’t trust as easily as lighting a candle. It takes time to rebuild.”
Etania bit her lip. She knew Keyel was right, yet she felt desperate. The nightmare image of her mother in the bloodied white dress came to mind, and her breathing became shallow. Keyel wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and she leaned against him.
“In the meantime, I will protect you,” he said. “You don’t need to fear for your life with me nearby.”
Etania felt the conviction of his words sink into her chest. Yet, peace also flooded her. Keyel kissed the top of her head.
“Are you ready for dinner?” he asked. When she nodded, he added, “Then please tell Cam to go ashore so we can build a fire and bake this flatbread.”
Etania obeyed his request. As she did, she hoped that Keyel’s trust in her would build sooner, rather than later.
THE DAY AFTER DAMIEN left, Jazel rested. She slept for two days, only rising occasionally to eat and drink what a servant brought her. By the third day, she felt well enough to see Indira again. She called the wet nurse who had taken care of her baby, dismissing her once she held the infant in her arms.
She went to her chair and rocked back and forth. Holding the rapidly growing girl comforted her. Jazel put her back in her cradle—a gift from the Pyros king. As if summoned by her thoughts, Victor and Xavier entered the room without knocking.
“Well, hello!” Jazel said grumpily. “Anything I can do to help you?”
“We want what we were promised,” Victor said. “Or have you forgotten?”
“I haven’t,” Jazel retorted, “but I am still in no condition to assist you.”
Narak stirred within her. Entering her mind, he said, “What have you promised them?”
“I promised to help them conquer the Equus lands,” she replied telepathically.
“Oh?” Narak seemed pleased with this. “I would be happy to be in control of such areas.”
“I don’t care about that! I want Jakin to watch his daughter die, like I had to watch my mother die.”
“After we achieve that, what do you desire?”
Jazel stopped their inner dialogue, at a loss to answer his question. She had been so bent on vengeance that she hadn’t even thought about it.
“Have you lost your mind in the last few minutes?” Xavier asked. “Why haven’t you answered my father’s question?”
“Oh, let me choke this arrogant prince!” Narak said within her.
Jazel smiled at Narak’s words. “I am perfectly within my wits, Prince Xavier.”
“What are you going to do to help us with the Equus?” Victor asked again.
“I’m going to burn down their grasslands,” Jazel declared.
“How is that going to help us?” Xavier questioned. “We want their resources.”
“I will not burn all of it; just some.”
“I still don’t understand,” Xavier said. Victor slapped the back of his son’s head. “What was that for?” Xavier protested.
“For not thinking,” the king said. “The grasslands keep the unicorns fed. Without them, the Equus would be weaker and easier to conquer. Your question was irrelevant. My question is: how will you ensure that such an act does not lead back to us?”
“Let me worry about that,” Jazel said. “I promise no one will suspect you.”
“That’s not good enough! We need to know the particul—”
“I like this idea,” Victor interrupted. “Enough so that I am choosing to trust you, Jazel.”
“Good. Now, let me rest. I will implement the plan when I am fully recovered.”
“Fine,” Victor agreed. “Know that if you fail us, there will be severe consequences.”
With that ominous warning, they both left her room. Jazel felt too exhausted to ponder what those consequences might be. She closed the door and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
“Sleep, my host, and rest well,” Narak said. “For when you are better, you shall see that power is worth more than vengeance.”
Chapter Twelve
Zaden went upstairs to the deck of Cam’s sailboat before anyone else woke. Etania’s gratitude for his “actions” didn’t sit well. Plus, since everyone shared the same room, and slept on bunk beds across from each other, he had to listen to Bayanna’s snoring. He had used the curtained off area at the very back to dress, and he hoped the sea breeze would refocus him. Cam sailed skillfully along the river Eyelin, the wind filling the sails of his boat. Despite being up all night, the man didn’t look the least bit tired.
“Good morning, Zaden,” Cam greeted.
“Good morning. Do you still carry doves for messages?”
Cam arched his eyebrow at Zaden as he answered, “Yes, they’re underneath that.”
Zaden walked over to where Cam pointed, opening a low, wooden box fastened with a metal latch.
“Why do you need to send a message? Going to contact Gwen?”
Zaden adjusted his facial expression to seem ambivalent to Cam’s verbal jab.
“No,” he replied, “I’m going to let my family know that we are on our way to the island. I might even include a few lines about an underhanded sailor.”
I wonder, Etania thought, if that is how Keyel feels.
Jazel was talking to her, and Etania could not understand what she said. Instead, she waited for the inevitable; for the blade from the gauntlet to come and slice her. Just like Damien’s blade sliced her in the junkyard of Gotha.
But wait... was that... light?
The Sword of Zimita gleamed in the room's corner. Etania strained against her bonds and they snapped! She rushed over to the Sword, her hands gripping the handle. She lifted it up, and white light filled the room, dissipating the vision.
She was in Melchizedek’s meadow. He stood in front of her, smiling.
Trust in me, and this will come to be.
With that, Etania awoke, resolved that she would do as Melchizedek requested...no matter what lay ahead of her.
Chapter Eleven
The days of travel passed more easily now that nightmares no longer plagued her. Etania was elated when she saw the town of Kasif, which bordered the Eyelin River. The houses were all made of wood, with beautiful glass windows peeking out from carven sills. People of various races were present in the town: Pyros carrying glass creations; Naymatua selling their latest crops; Kinzoku trying to negotiate the price of weapons; Ningyo offering rides on the river or fish to sell.
There were a few races Etania couldn’t identify, which she assumed must be the Equus or Lycan. She tried not to stare. This type of market town, where all the races co-existed, was very rare in Southern Tamnarae because of feelings of mistrust. She wondered if that would ever change.
Zaden took them to Kasif’s port, marked by a hundred sailboats tied to stakes on the shore. Many Ningyo steered more boats out to the river. The Prince of the Pyros headed toward one sailboat, where a young man greeted him. Dressed in long pants, a sleeveless shirt that showed muscled arms, and a wide hat that protected his eyes, Etania felt like she was looking at a pirate. She covered her smile with a hand as she observed the dark-haired, tan-skinned Ningyo.
“My prince!” the man said. “I haven’t seen you here in a while. Might I assume it is because you have been wooing the lady of Equus?”
Etania’s ears perked up. She hadn’t heard about this before.
“Cam, it’s good to see you! Unfortunately, my lady of the Equus was even less receptive than this one is.” Zaden motioned toward Etania, who blushed.
“She isn’t his,” Keyel protested. Cam shrugged.
“I don’t care. Zaden knows I only care about the coin and the destination. Do you have one in mind?”
“I do,” Zaden said.
“We need to be away from prying eyes,” Keyel added.
“In that case, come aboard my vessel for a bit. She is the most private place I know.”
They agreed, and Etania stepped aboard the sailboat with curiosity. She had never seen such a fine boat, since her last journey on a river had been by raft. The sailboat was built of wood with a large triangular sail, and a built-in living area below deck. They followed Cam through a tiny opening and descended into the living quarters. A hallway stretched before them and, in the back, bunk beds lined the walls. In the front was a small dining table with cushioned seats. All of them squeezed around this table.
“Zaden said that you could take us to the island of Zimita,” Keyel began.
“That’s your quest?” Cam scoffed. “That’s impossible! The Shards are too difficult to navigate.”
“You are a Ningyo,” Zaden pointed out, “and a skilled sailor. I’m sure you can get us there.”
“Maybe I can, maybe I can’t.” Cam stroked his chin. “If I do it, my fee will double.”
“Double!” Zaden protested. “But you took me near the Shards during a much harder time, and for far less!”
“That was when we faced a much less dangerous task,” Cam said, glancing at Etania and her friends. “And, you were alone. There are now two beautiful ladies and one sullen-looking man with you.”
Keyel’s grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. Etania put her hand on his arm, trying to calm him. The sailor was only negotiating.
“The ladies’ beauty alone should lower the price,” Zaden countered.
“Only slightly. One of them is clearly taken, but if I can have the companionship of the other?”
“I am not a thing to be bought and sold.” Bayanna put her hands on her hips.
“Of course not, my lady.” Cam bowed low and took her hand, bringing his lips to the tips of her knuckles. “I only wish to become better acquainted with you."
Bayanna yanked her hand away and huffed.
“I don’t think you’ll gain her ear so easily.” Zaden sighed deeply. He dug into his coin purse, handing some silver coins to Cam. “Here’s half. You’ll receive the rest when we arrive at the Shards.”
The sailor tucked the coins where no one could see them.
“I’ll need time to gather supplies, and you’ll probably need to find a stable for your mounts. Meet me back here in one hour?”
“Agreed,” Zaden said, and the two men shook hands.
Keyel found a place for their camels within an hour, and they returned to the port. Before they could reach the boat, Cam beckoned them to a shaded place out of sight.
“What’s going on?” Etania asked.
“Look!” Cam pointed toward the middle section of the pier, where his boat was tied. Etania carefully peered to where he pointed, and she spotted several men in uniforms questioning one of the other sailors. They sat astride tall, gray, unicorns with their long, brown hair tied back from their faces. Each of them wore a tunic with the mark of a gold unicorn set in a white background.
“The Equus!” Keyel hissed. “What are they searching for?”
Cam looked back at Zaden.
“Me?” Zaden retorted, a hand flying to his chest. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Nothing... except breaking the hearts of half the ladies in this land!” Cam sighed. “One in particular who is not happy and placed a high price on your head. I recently heard about it from the other sailors.”
I think the Equus woman was far less receptive to Zaden’s charms than he allowed us to believe. Etania concluded wryly, looking over at the Prince. Zaden actually looked pained. Hmm, maybe he liked her more than I thought?
“Great!” Bayanna grumbled.
“If it’s the prince they’re looking for, then we should just leave him here and go to Zimita on our own,” Keyel suggested.
“I don’t know...” Etania hesitated.
“If we hide Zaden and wait for them to pass by, it shouldn’t be a problem,” Cam said.
“I don’t think we should pay for Zaden’s misdeeds,” Keyel said. “Let’s hand him over.”
“My dear Leici,” Zaden said, “I’m sure we can come to an arrangement. I mean, I know this area better than most because of my connections.”
“Your connections are what will get us killed!”
Etania looked at both men, her heart conflicted. Keyel was right that handing Zaden over would keep them out of trouble from the Equus, but Zaden was their only guide through unknown territory. Sure, Cam could help them sail through, but his interest lay in coins. Zaden’s interest was, well... Etania considered. What did the prince really want?
“Etania, there’s no time!” Bayanna exclaimed. “Hide him or turn him in! I don’t care. Just decide! They’re coming!”
Etania looked over at Cam, who shrugged.
“He can always pay me the rest of your fare later.”
Zaden dropped to his knees and folded his hands together to plead with Etania.
“Please, my lady, I do not want to be parted from your side!”
Etania blushed. His flattery, though it made her feel good, was not desired. On an impulse, she declared, “Hide him.”
Immediately, Bayanna removed her cloak and slipped it over Zaden, forcing him onto his hands. Then she sat upon his back, just like he was a rock. Etania had to stifle laughter at the sight. Bayanna’s cloak was gray, so it looked like a rock. Zaden did not move or complain. The Equus soldiers passed by them, barely glancing in their direction.
Once they moved on, Bayanna stood and retrieved her cloak. Zaden brushed himself off, sniffed, and said, “Well, shall we go?”
Cam nodded and walked back toward his sailboat. Keyel followed, his back stiff, and Etania swore the air dropped several degrees around him. They boarded the boat in awkward silence. Cam and Bayanna untied the mooring ropes, and they were soon underway, the water rippling behind them. The riverbank flew by as Cam’s Neuma, and a swift breeze, propelled them. Keyel stowed all of their supplies below deck, not even speaking to Etania as he did so.
Cam flirted with Bayanna, who acted like she wasn’t interested in the sailor’s charms, but lit up when he offered to regale her with one of his adventures. Zaden approached Etania, who was leaning against a side rail, watching the river flow past.
“Thank you for that,” Zaden said. “I’m curious, though: why did you decide to protect me?”
Etania shrugged. She hadn’t been sure at first, but now she realized she protected him out of gratitude. After all, if Zaden hadn’t fetched Jakin and come to their rescue, she would be dead. She hoped Keyel would understand that.
“You saved us,” she told him. “It’s time I repay the favor.”
Zaden reddened and turned away. She didn’t understand why the Pyros prince seemed ashamed of it. After all, it was something to be proud of! She left Zaden staring at the passing landscape and went below deck to make-up with Keyel. She found him kneading some sort of dough on the dining table.
“I didn’t know you could cook!” Etania exclaimed.
“Bake, actually. My grandmother taught me when she was alive,” Keyel replied.
“Oh, what are you baking?”
“A flatbread of sorts. I’ve never done this before, but it looked easy enough to grill.”
“That’s neat! I look forward to eating it.”
Keyel nodded, continuing to knead. The silence between them was palpable, and Etania wasn’t sure if she should go first. Eventually, she couldn’t take it anymore.
“I know you didn’t like what I did,” she said. “I’m sorry I undermined your leadership.”
Keyel didn’t reply.
“At the time, I just did it on impulse. I know I tend to do that...just do things without thinking about them.”
Keyel nodded.
“I realized later I did it because I’m grateful. Without Zaden’s help, we wouldn’t have survived Jazel’s attack.”
Keyel looked up from his work.
“I know that, Etania,” he said. “I simply don’t trust Zaden.”
“Like you don’t trust me?”
Keyel avoided Etania’s gaze. “That’s different.”
“How is it different?” Etania demanded.
“I’m working on trusting you. Zaden hasn’t proven himself. He didn’t tell us about his troubled relationship with the Equus.”
“Just like I didn’t tell you about my Neuma?”
Ignoring her comment, Keyel continued, “He has also been near the Shards—something he failed to mention before.”
“Fine. I’ll admit that Zaden hasn’t told us everything about himself.” Etania gritted her teeth. “I will also admit that I didn’t come down here simply to talk about that.”
“Then what did you come to say?”
“I wanted to know why you’ve seemed...so distant lately,” Etania said. “I know it’s only been a week since my lie was exposed, but I hoped your forgiveness meant we could start building our relationship again.”
“What do you mean when you say distant?”
“You didn’t ask me about my nightmares like you usually do.”
“Well, you didn’t have one beyond the first night, and sent me away...” Keyel shrugged. “I thought you were fine.”
“I am now,” Etania admitted. “I’ve learned to trust Melchizedek more, but that’s not the point! I’ve felt lonely.”
“I’m sorry.” Keyel cleared his throat.“I want to focus on protecting you, and I’ve been suppressing my emotions. They...get in the way.”
“Your emotions aren’t a weakness,” Etania said softly. “They can be a strength.”
“Or they can create pain. That pain is what keeps me from trusting you completely.”
“You only see it that way because of what happened to your parents.” Etania squeezed his hand. “It doesn’t have to be that way with us.”
“I know, Etania. It’s just...I need time to think about us.”
“Time? How much time?” Etania squeaked. “We don’t have time, Keyel! What if I die on this quest? Do you really want our time to be spent distrusting one another?”
“No,” he admitted, his blue eyes softening, “but I can’t trust as easily as lighting a candle. It takes time to rebuild.”
Etania bit her lip. She knew Keyel was right, yet she felt desperate. The nightmare image of her mother in the bloodied white dress came to mind, and her breathing became shallow. Keyel wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and she leaned against him.
“In the meantime, I will protect you,” he said. “You don’t need to fear for your life with me nearby.”
Etania felt the conviction of his words sink into her chest. Yet, peace also flooded her. Keyel kissed the top of her head.
“Are you ready for dinner?” he asked. When she nodded, he added, “Then please tell Cam to go ashore so we can build a fire and bake this flatbread.”
Etania obeyed his request. As she did, she hoped that Keyel’s trust in her would build sooner, rather than later.
THE DAY AFTER DAMIEN left, Jazel rested. She slept for two days, only rising occasionally to eat and drink what a servant brought her. By the third day, she felt well enough to see Indira again. She called the wet nurse who had taken care of her baby, dismissing her once she held the infant in her arms.
She went to her chair and rocked back and forth. Holding the rapidly growing girl comforted her. Jazel put her back in her cradle—a gift from the Pyros king. As if summoned by her thoughts, Victor and Xavier entered the room without knocking.
“Well, hello!” Jazel said grumpily. “Anything I can do to help you?”
“We want what we were promised,” Victor said. “Or have you forgotten?”
“I haven’t,” Jazel retorted, “but I am still in no condition to assist you.”
Narak stirred within her. Entering her mind, he said, “What have you promised them?”
“I promised to help them conquer the Equus lands,” she replied telepathically.
“Oh?” Narak seemed pleased with this. “I would be happy to be in control of such areas.”
“I don’t care about that! I want Jakin to watch his daughter die, like I had to watch my mother die.”
“After we achieve that, what do you desire?”
Jazel stopped their inner dialogue, at a loss to answer his question. She had been so bent on vengeance that she hadn’t even thought about it.
“Have you lost your mind in the last few minutes?” Xavier asked. “Why haven’t you answered my father’s question?”
“Oh, let me choke this arrogant prince!” Narak said within her.
Jazel smiled at Narak’s words. “I am perfectly within my wits, Prince Xavier.”
“What are you going to do to help us with the Equus?” Victor asked again.
“I’m going to burn down their grasslands,” Jazel declared.
“How is that going to help us?” Xavier questioned. “We want their resources.”
“I will not burn all of it; just some.”
“I still don’t understand,” Xavier said. Victor slapped the back of his son’s head. “What was that for?” Xavier protested.
“For not thinking,” the king said. “The grasslands keep the unicorns fed. Without them, the Equus would be weaker and easier to conquer. Your question was irrelevant. My question is: how will you ensure that such an act does not lead back to us?”
“Let me worry about that,” Jazel said. “I promise no one will suspect you.”
“That’s not good enough! We need to know the particul—”
“I like this idea,” Victor interrupted. “Enough so that I am choosing to trust you, Jazel.”
“Good. Now, let me rest. I will implement the plan when I am fully recovered.”
“Fine,” Victor agreed. “Know that if you fail us, there will be severe consequences.”
With that ominous warning, they both left her room. Jazel felt too exhausted to ponder what those consequences might be. She closed the door and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
“Sleep, my host, and rest well,” Narak said. “For when you are better, you shall see that power is worth more than vengeance.”
Chapter Twelve
Zaden went upstairs to the deck of Cam’s sailboat before anyone else woke. Etania’s gratitude for his “actions” didn’t sit well. Plus, since everyone shared the same room, and slept on bunk beds across from each other, he had to listen to Bayanna’s snoring. He had used the curtained off area at the very back to dress, and he hoped the sea breeze would refocus him. Cam sailed skillfully along the river Eyelin, the wind filling the sails of his boat. Despite being up all night, the man didn’t look the least bit tired.
“Good morning, Zaden,” Cam greeted.
“Good morning. Do you still carry doves for messages?”
Cam arched his eyebrow at Zaden as he answered, “Yes, they’re underneath that.”
Zaden walked over to where Cam pointed, opening a low, wooden box fastened with a metal latch.
“Why do you need to send a message? Going to contact Gwen?”
Zaden adjusted his facial expression to seem ambivalent to Cam’s verbal jab.
“No,” he replied, “I’m going to let my family know that we are on our way to the island. I might even include a few lines about an underhanded sailor.”
