by RJ Metcalf
“What if a group of people moved with her? It’d give her some sort of consistency then, right?” Slate suggested after a few moments of silence.
His mother nodded slowly, a stray curl bouncing with the movement, the gray hair catching the light. “That would be good.” She snapped her fingers, eyes widening with excitement. “What if she grows up on an airship? What if she has a crew for family?” A glimmer of delight crossed her features as she turned to Slate, studying him. “There are enough similarities; we can say that she’s your daughter.”
A punch to the head would have stunned him less. Slate blinked stupidly.
My daughter? His gaze flicked to Adeline, watching her play with a fallen hat feather, cooing in the innocent happiness of a baby. She looked like Sapphire at her current age. Yes, there was some family resemblance, but that girl did not deserve to have the uncle who was responsible for the death of her parents to be called her father.
Garnet spoke, her voice back to normal, finally recovered from her cold. “That actually could work.” Her eyes apologetic to Slate as she talked. “Not so much recently, but you did have quite the reputation for being a flirt. We can say that it went too far at some time and you’ve just had her dropped off to you, the child you didn’t know you had.”
His mouth hung open, but he lacked the control needed to close it. “I … uh …” he shook his head, trying to clear it and find the words he needed. “Why not Garnet be her mother?”
Elinora raised an eyebrow archly. “Because enough people here have seen her and been around her the last few years to know she has not been pregnant. It would be easy for you to have had a dalliance at some time—to explain that the woman had been hiding from public view until she decided that a baby is too hard to raise alone, so she gave your daughter up to you. You’re the only one who could make that cover story work.” She smiled sadly. “The town flirt.”
“Yes! Flirting!” Slate exclaimed, face flushed. “Not, not, sleeping around!” His words choked off.
Garnet shook her head with a hint of amusement. “No offense, but there’s not too many steps between flirting and becoming a parent.”
“What about courting? And marriage!” Slate gaped at his sister before turning to look at Andre. “Are you for this idea? Tell me you aren’t!”
Andre stood still as a statue, considering. He finally sighed and nodded, unfolding his arms. “Actually, I think this story could work.” He gestured at Adeline. “There’s a striking resemblance between her and Garnet, which works in the favor of that option, but as Madame Stohner pointed out, enough people here would know that Garnet was never pregnant. And many have heard her say she doesn’t want to settle for marriage anytime soon. Whereas you have had more freedom to have her. Her mother could be from here, or someone traveling through, who knows. What matters is that she was abandoned here at the yards for you.”
Was this poetic justice? Irony? Slate pushed his hands through his hair. If it wasn’t for him, Adeline would have her parents. And now the story would be that he was her father? He wasn’t Brandon. She would’ve had Brandon if it wasn’t for him.
Adeline scooted by him, stopping to investigate his boots. She patted them and squealed with delight when he twitched his feet. A small, broken smile twitched across Slate’s lips as he watched her.
He had to protect her, though.
Zane’s words flitted into Slate’s mind. Lie, if you must.
“Fine.” He sighed. “I can be her father. But what about where we live?” Another thought occurred to him. “Samantha is going to kill me, thinking that I have a daughter.”
“Oh, don’t discount her abilities of observation. She’s a sharp lass!” Elinora scolded. “And where you’ll live is easy. I’m actually down a captain right now, so you can become my new captain!” She ignored Slate’s strangled choke and continued on. “You’ll now be Captain Slate Stohner, employed by me for the movement of goods and such. It’s a respectable job; you can keep moving from place to place and you’ll need a crew to run the ship—they can be her family and consistency. And if you take Adeline away from here for at least a few months before coming back, no one will think twice about you suddenly having a daughter.”
Elinora leaned back in her chair, eyeing Andre and Garnet. “Garnet, you should go with them. Be her surrogate mother for now, at least until she’s older and Slate doesn’t have to think of diapers and such. Andre. Would you go with them too?”
Andre nodded, his eyes on Adeline. “Wherever she goes, I go.”
“Good.” Elinora smiled as she pulled out a pad of paper and a pen. “You’ll need a tough crew. Dragons are already moving closer to this area, and it seems like they’re becoming more numerous in general. You’ll need to be careful of them and learn how to hunt them.”
Slate nodded numbly. Captain. Adeline’s father. How was he going to pull this off?
His mother jotted down a note to herself and continued, oblivious of his internal struggles. “Dragon anything is valuable, though, so whatever you kill or hunt, bring it to me and I’ll fence it for you. I already have a ship with most of the crew together, so you’ll be in good hands until you learn the ropes.”
Slate watched his niece for a few moments before having a thought. “I want to find a girl around her age who can come aboard with us. Her parents too, of course. Can we find a crewmember who already has a family and a little girl? I want her to have a friend.”
“Good idea!” Garnet exclaimed. “But we can probably find her a friend when she gets older, maybe three or four? That way we don’t have two babies crawling around.”
“Fine.” He looked up at their mother, his mind still struggling to accept the new roles. “I need the ship refitted. It’s going to have a bit of a unique purpose and it needs to be able to function in that degree. Different rooms, a safe area for her to play in, a few things like that.”
Elinora tapped her pen against her leg thoughtfully while he spoke, her eyes calculating. “Yes. We can do that. If we draw up plans today and start gathering materials now, we can have it done within two weeks or so.”
“Good.” Slate sat straight with another thought. “Two more things. We need to change Adeline’s name.” He ruffled her short hair as he spoke of her before sobering. “And I want to rename the ship.”
“What do you want to name it?” Garnet asked.
“The Sapphire.” Slate swallowed hard. “And Adeline will become Jade.”
His sister sat still for a moment, absorbing his simple words. She nodded slowly, eyes misting slightly. “That—” Garnet coughed to clear her throat. “That sounds good to me.”
Slate looked up at Andre, moving his gaze to his mother after Andre nodded. Elinora’s eyes were closed but she was nodding already.
“Agreed. Now let’s get started on those plans.”
* * *
Slate shivered in the snow, but it was impossible to tell if it was from the cold or from his thoughts. His heart beat from somewhere around his toes, and he couldn’t calm his raging thoughts. To pose as Adeline’s father would be simultaneously the easiest and hardest job he’d ever had. He’d always wanted to be a father someday. Just … a father of his own child. With his own family. By happy circumstances. With both his sisters there, and cousins for his children, and—
“Hey, Handsome.”
He didn’t turn around right away, his breath stalling in his lungs at Samantha’s soft voice behind him. When had she arrived? Didn’t his mother say earlier that Samantha was somewhere in Vodan? He glanced over his shoulder, taking in Samantha’s gentle smile, the fur-lined hood pulled over her hair, the pink on the tip of her nose. What would he tell her? What could he say?
He moved to face her, words unable to form.
She reached out and pulled him in to a warm hug. “I took the first airship I could find coming this way. I heard what happened. I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
Slate grasped onto the first thing he could understand right now
. “You left the Phoenix?”
Samantha eased back to look at him, her dark eyes serious. “Rebecca will come pick me up when they finish the run. I had to be here. With you.” Her hands slid down his shoulders and arms to grasp his hands. She squeezed. “You shouldn’t mourn alone.”
Her comfort broke him.
Deep sobs tore through him, bringing him to his knees. She didn’t know, couldn’t know, what he’d done, and yet she was here, offering solace that he didn’t deserve. He buried his face in his hands, distantly aware of her kneeling in the snow, her arms wrapped around him.
“Slate, you didn’t mean for this to happen,” Samantha breathed out. “You did what you thought would be fine. Trusting in friends isn’t a bad thing, you know.” She rubbed small circles on his thick duster jacket, trying to look up into his downturned face. “You’ll need to learn to forgive yourself eventually.”
“Why are you here?” Slate hated the words even as they left his mouth. “If you know that everyone is dead because of me, why be kind?” He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and blew his nose, not meeting her eyes. “What could I offer you now?”
She sighed and leaned into him. “Everyone makes mistakes, Slate. Some bigger than others. Some with worse consequences than others. But that doesn’t make forgiveness impossible. I’ve gotten to know you these last few months, and I’m confident in this: You’re going to work hard to make sure your”—her voice dropped, even though no one else was in the yard—“niece is raised right.”
He looked up, startled, and a glimmer of amusement lit her eyes briefly.
“I guessed.” Samantha stood and reached her hand down to him in a silent offer to pull him up. “I like you, Slate Stohner. And I’m not giving up on you. Not now. Not ever. Question is, what are you going to do about it?”
He regarded her hand for a long moment, the fingers turning white from the cold, the calluses on her palms. He’d found his match, and if she was willing to help him limp through this, then he had no choice but to accept that maybe, just maybe, he could have a chance at happiness.
He took her hand.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Zak
Zak burrowed under his borrowed blanket and blew on the steaming mug in his hands. It was the last day of sitting in the snow outside the Stohner Shipping Yards. He’d spent the last two weeks watching men working on the airship that was going to take his friends away, and today was the day they’d leave.
He had other friends of course, but those friends were before the fall of the Doldras family. Before he watched people die. Before he lost his brother. Andre, Garnet, Slate, Adeline … they were all he had left. They knew. They didn’t lower their voices when he came into the room, nor did they treat him like a child who didn’t understand what happened. They greeted him as they always had, now with sorrow added in, but they still included him.
And even though they had plans to leave, the shippings yards were the happiest place for Zak to spend time at. The citadel was under watch due to the new time flux situation, everyone charting it, hoping it would stabilize soon. And the palace was under heavy construction, repairing damaged floors, walls and furniture, scrubbing away bitter memories of the attack while the winter brought snow by the bucketful.
Any time away from either of those places was time well spent in Zak’s mind.
As far as Zak was concerned, the Diamond of Doldra was a completely new ship, and fully deserving of its new name, the Sapphire. He’d watched workers move support beams and walls, adding in a Ladies’ Quarters specifically for Garnet and any other women who joined the crew. The kitchen got fully refurbished with the newest steamtech and stone combinations, making it even safer for cooking while in the air.
At one point, the workers even invited Zak onboard, showing him how they put things together, where they added special gates to the mess hall, allowing it to be transformed to a toddler-safe play area when Adeline was older.
Zak shook his head. No. Jade. Her new name was Jade.
Thinking of her made him sad. She had no parents now. At least he had memories of Zane.
He held tight to all that his brother used to say, spending the better part of one night in his room, writing it all down, so he’d never forget. He couldn’t risk losing Zane any further.
At least he could visit Zane’s grave. Jade wouldn’t even have that much, technically. The Monomi and the eastern garrison searched for days around the citadel, looking for Prince Brandon’s body, but finding nothing. Some suggested that maybe he’d been in the citadel and fallen into the barrier. Others assumed he’d been blown apart by the same bombs that had killed Clara and the princess. Either way, Prince Brandon was gone.
Someday, when Jade was older, and she knew her history, he’d have to tell her stories of her brave parents.
“Zak!”
Zak flailed, fingers scrambling for traction on the icy wall he was sitting on. His drink fell into the snow. He looked down, his eyes wide while his heart pounded in his chest.
“Captain Slate, you nearly scared me to death!” He frowned at the brown stain in the partially melted snow. “And I dropped my hot chocolate.”
“Sorry. I bet we can get you a fresh mug inside.” Slate offered a lopsided grin with a shrug of his shoulder. “Just wanted to let you know that we’re going to be loading up soon. Didn’t know if you wanted to say goodbye to anyone.”
“Yes! Thank you, sir.” Zak scooted his rear to the edge of the wall, calculating where to jump down and how deep the snow drift probably was. He launched himself off and sank into cold, wet snow that came up to his chest. Slate guffawed beside him.
Zak ignored him as he pushed through to reach where Slate stood on the trampled snow. Slate fished Zak’s mug out of the snow and handed it over. Only a few dribbles remained at the bottom, and Zak let out a little sound of sorrow. He’d have to see if Madame Stohner would be willing to give him a second cup.
He followed Slate into the cozy warmth of the building next door, and instantly felt slammed with the sheer busyness of everything inside. Garnet talked with her mother, writing down notes. Adeline—no, Jade—scooted nearby Garnet’s skirt, giggling as she batted at a colorful ball. Andre passed by, his arms loaded with bags and packages. He nodded solemnly to Zak. There were other men in the room—probably the additional crew members—their conversations indistinct as Zak focused on his friends, his stomach hollow as he watched them prepare to leave.
Captain Slate walked over to the table, grabbed a map and looked at it before passing it on to one of his men. “Load up.”
“Yessir.” The man pocketed the map and jerked his head to the door, the other men following, leaving the room empty of all but Zak’s friends.
He lingered, a ghost in the hallway, unwilling to say goodbye and make it real.
Captain Slate turned to look at him, gaze softening as he took in Zak’s misty eyes. He strode forward and clasped his hand on Zak’s shoulder. “We’ll be back, you know. This isn’t goodbye forever.”
Zak stared down at the captain’s scuffed boots, not trusting his voice yet. Jade giggled in the background, suddenly spurring Zak to say what he’d be thinking. He swiped a hand to his face and looked up at Captain Slate, his eyes no longer damp. “Take me with you. I’ll be your cabin boy.”
Slate blinked at him before dropping his hand and shaking his head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. You need to be home right now. You’re too young, and you need to be with your family during this time.” He paused, as if in thought before adding on slowly. “Maybe in a few years. If your parents give their permission and blessing. We’ll come back for you and take you then.”
Zak stared past Captain Slate, looking at Jade. “Sir. I promised to protect her.”
Hand on his hip, Slate pivoted on his heel to see where Zak was looking. His face softened and he ruffled Zak’s hair. “In a few years, I’ll let you keep that promise. In the meantime, I need you to protect something for me while you’re here.
”
Curiosity rose in Zak and squelched his disappointment down. “What can I protect for you?” He asked, watching as the captain removed his gloves, revealing a black ring on one finger. Slate slid it off and held the jewelry out to Zak.
“This ring was Zane’s. He asked me to protect it, but I know that he would have given it to you if you were there.” He waved it slightly, encouraging Zak to reach out and take it. “Keep it hidden, don’t flash it around. I’ll tell you more about it later. Just know that it is very important, and you cannot let anything happen to it.”
The ring was heavy in his hand, and he clenched it in his fist against his heart, struggling to not cry. If only he’d been there with his brother. He let out a shaky breath and tried to put the ring on, but it was too big for any of his fingers.
“Maybe a chain around your neck in the meantime?” Slate suggested.
Zak swallowed the lump in his throat as he nodded. “Thank you. I will keep it safe.” He looked up at the captain. “Come back for me. I’ll be trained and ready to serve.”
Slate’s smile looked sad. “Deal.” He motioned to Garnet and Jade. “Go on and say your goodbyes for now. We’ll be back.” He held his fist over his heart when Zak looked at him. “I promise.”
Zak thrust a hand out to Captain Slate. “Shake on your promise, sir. Please.”
Captain Slate straightened and adjusted his coat, his smile melting away into a solemn expression. He reached out and engulfed Zak’s small hand with his own. “I promise we will be back, and that we will return for you to join us. Void take me if I lie.” He swore with a firm handshake.
Zak’s eyes were wide as he let go of Slate’s hand, his own hand tingling. He wasn’t expecting Slate to make an oath of it! Zak bowed reverently and stepped away to talk to Garnet and Jade.
Garnet smiled down gently, and Zak felt his eyes blur with tears that he didn’t want seen, so he lunged forward to hug her tight, rubbing his face into her coat. She patted his head and hugged him back, releasing him when he moved back a step. Her eyes also glimmered with unshed emotion. “I’ll see you later. We’ll be back before you know it.”