Of the Blood

by Cameo Renae

  “Hold on tight or you might drown,” he said flatly, making my heart race with fear.

  I looked over at the guard’s and their faces were like stone. Void of expression. Kai turned his head to them with a smirk. “I hope you three can keep up.” With me in his arms, he leaped into the wall of water.

  I held my breath, tightening my grip around his neck. I was going to die. I couldn’t hold my breath much longer. Then, in a split second, an air bubble formed around our heads, to our shoulders, allowing me to suck in a heavy breath.

  “I advise you wrap your legs around my waist for added grip,” he said, his eyes ahead.

  “Is that what you say to all the girls?”

  “No, it’s great advice. A matter of life or death, Sea Star.”

  “Sea Star?”

  “That’s my nickname for you, because this ride will have your limbs suctioned to me.” His broad smile made me growl, but I obeyed his request, securing my legs around his waist. Because the thought of drowning was far worse. As soon as I fastened my ankles together, Kai straightened his back, jettisoning us through the water. I screamed as the force caused my body to slip. My legs and arms gripped tighter. So tight, they started to ache.

  Kai’s laughter filled our little air bubble. “Told you so.”

  I finally managed to yank myself back up, locking my limbs securely around him. Looking around, all I could see was whitewater and bubbles. We must have been traveling fast. Really fast. I shifted my head backward and saw nothing but darkness ahead. How could he see where he was going? Maybe his lambent eyes were like underwater headlights? I had no idea. And really didn’t care. I just wanted to get out of the water, alive.

  “How are we moving so fast?” I dared to ask.

  We suddenly slowed, then Kai raised his right hand and wiggled his fingers. “We use our energy to drive us through the water.”

  “Wow,” I exhaled, then peered behind us. “Where are the guards?”

  He snickered. “Like I said before, no one can keep up with me.” He shoved his hand back down to his side and we blasted through the water.

  I examined his neck and didn’t see any traces of gills and wondered if he could breathe underwater. “You don’t need an air bubble, do you?” I asked.

  He turned his attention to me for a moment. “No.”

  Before I could ask another question, he spoke, “So, Sea Star, why were you on a pirate ship in the middle of the Sangerian Sea?”

  I blinked. “What?” He’d thrown my line of thought completely off. My grip was slipping, so I readjusted and clamped down tight, my muscles starting to ache.

  “I hope you know I would never let you drown,” Kai murmured, as if he could read my mind. “You don’t have to squeeze so tightly. Unless you want to. And in that case . . . I really don’t mind.” A devilish smirk.

  I rolled my eyes and loosened up a bit. He was right. He did save me, so why would he go through all the trouble and let me drown?

  “So?” he questioned, his eyes fixed on the darkness ahead.

  “So, what?”

  “Why were you on a pirate ship in the middle of the Sangerian Sea?”

  I sighed, thinking about the bizarre tale that brought me to Captain Sebastian Salloway and The Damned. “It’s a really long and complicated story.”

  “We have about an hour,” he said. “And I happen to like stories.”

  “Wait. The ship has been sailing for two days. Can you really catch up to it in an hour?”

  There was a glint in those lambent eyes. “I could do it in a fraction of the time, but . . . I have a passenger to consider.”

  Heavens above.

  I couldn’t imagine traveling any faster. Especially underwater.

  Chapter Thirty

  Since Kai had saved my life, and because our families were connected, I felt I could trust him. And since we had an hour to kill, I told him the story that had brought me to this point.

  It seemed I was doing a lot of that lately. Before Trystan, my life was private, and the only person who knew anything about me was Brynna. But life had changed. I wasn’t that same girl. If I were to survive, maybe sharing my story with the right people would help keep me alive.

  The truth needed to be told. Especially about Roehl, who was spreading his lies.

  When I finished, my head was throbbing, having relived the horrific ordeal all over again.

  But spilling my guts to Kai was also freeing. Like a fragment of the heavy weight I’d carried on my shoulders had been unfettered and set free.

  “So,” I sniffed. “That’s why I was on a pirate ship in the midst of the Sangerian Sea.”

  Kai’s eyes remained ahead, his expression unreadable. He gave a slow nod, staring ahead like he was deep in thought. “Gods, you weren’t joking when you said it was long and complicated.”

  “I warned you.”

  His eyes softened as he glanced down at me. “I’m sorry for your loss, and all the horrors you experienced. But I can tell, just from the short time we’ve been together, that there is a strength in you. You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t true.” He gave a smile that melted my insides before looking ahead into the dark waters. “And you have achieved what no mortal man has ever done before. You single-handedly defeated the Sangerian sea serpent.” His eyes met mine again, with an expression I could only interpret as pride. “And that alone, Sea Star, is a feat of greatness.”

  Greatness. It didn’t seem like greatness. There was so much death and destruction that monster did before it died. But the fact did remain, that I, Calla Caldwell, had killed a sea monster. One of which terrible tales were told. Tales of a monster who crushed ships and devoured men whole.

  The power entrusted to me was great, but it also came with a cost. It exhausted me and I wondered if using it for too long would eventually drain my life.

  There were so many unanswered questions battering my mind. Questions about my father and if he were safe, my abilities, Incendia, and what would be waiting for me there. Everyone said it was in ruins, but Leora told me my answers would be there. I had to follow. I had to find out.

  But it was all so draining, and I was tired and didn’t want to talk about my complicated life anymore.

  “So, what about you, Highness?” I chimed, trying to flip the conversation.

  “Please, don’t,” he exasperated. “The word vexes me.”

  “Highness? Why should it? If your father is king of Aquaria, then you are a prince, and they should honor you as such.”

  A smirk. “Then, how shall I address you, lady? Princess? Majesty? Or will your highness suffice?”

  The words made me shudder. “Fine. You win,” I blurted. “First names only.”

  Kai’s eyes saddened. “But Sea Star is so befitting. A double meaning. Not only because you are suctioned to my body like one, but you literally fell from above and landed in my watery realm, adding sparkle to my life.”

  I let out a bellowing laugh. “Great. But if I have a nickname, you should have one too.”

  His luminous icy-blue eyes twinkled, and a single brow lifted. “By all means. Let’s hear it.”

  “Hmmm.” I thought about it, and the first thing that popped into my mind was —

  “What about Sea Horse?”

  Kai choked on his next breath. “Sea horse?”

  “Well, I am riding you—” I paused, not liking my judgment of words or where this topic was going. “Fine,” I grumbled. “No nickname for you. Kai it is.”

  Kai let out a boisterous laugh. “Well, Kai is a befitting name with numerous meanings.” His smile was so wide I could see his straight, pearly whites.

  “Meanings like?”

  “Like, unbreakable and triumphant,” he gloated, before his words and expression turned solemn. “But it also means ocean, a safe harbor, and . . .” he glanced at me, his smile turned soft and sweet, “friend.”

  My heart swelled inside my chest.

  Friend. If there was one thing my life ha
d taught me, was that I could find a friend in the most unlikely of places. A cell in Morbeth, a pirate ship, or even under the sea.

  “So,” I continued. “Since we’ve become friends, I think it’s only fair that you tell me a little about your life. We should have more than enough time left, right?”

  “I suppose,” he agreed. “I don’t share details of my life. I’m a very private man and like to keep my affairs private. But since we’ve become friends, I’ll share a bit with you.”

  I could tell he was speaking sincerely, and I felt extremely fortunate he was going to share even a small part of his life with me. Since my grandfather’s death, I’d wanted to know if Aquaria was real. If its people were real. And now, the truth was literally in my grasp—a handsome Prince of Aquaria.

  “Unlike your story,” he began, “mine is rather boring and not nearly as complicated. I was born in the Kingdom of Aquaria, where my father is king and my mother, queen. I’ve lived a sheltered, highly guarded life, as you’ve witnessed.” His head gestured to the three men, lost somewhere in the darkness behind us. “They try. But no one can tether a free spirit.”

  Kai’s arms suddenly wrapped around me, the air bubble disappearing. Holding my breath, we spun through the black water, making a sharp dive before rising and leveling off.

  Suddenly, the air bubble was back, making me gasp and cough.

  “I’m sorry about that,” Kai apologized, his concerned eyes scanning my face. “Are you alright?”

  I blew out a sharp breath. “Yes, I’m fine. What happened?”

  “We dodged a shark,” he declared flatly.

  “Oh,” I panted. “Well, that’s good.” I glanced at him, and a smile was back on his face. “How can you see in the dark?”

  He smirked. “I’ve lived all my life under the water. I can see everything as clear as you do on land.”

  “You can? How?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe it’s the awesome glowing eyes.” Those eyes shifted to mine, accompanied by another roll of laughter. “You know, with a little practice, you could move through the water like this on your own.”

  I shook my head. “No thanks. I don’t have special glowing eyes, and the ocean and I seem to have a lethal relationship.”

  Kai let out a long sigh. Disappointment swam in those icy-blue eyes. “Water is a part of you. It is an element branded into the palm of your hand. A gift given to you—to us—for a reason. Remember, you are the one who has control over it. The water cannot control you, Sea Star,” he replied, his gaze quickly meeting mine again. “Especially not your fears.”

  His words were reassuring, disburdening my heavy-laden shoulders a bit more. Because he was right. I wasn’t truly afraid of the water—well, maybe drowning in it—but the fear grew from the frightening things that existed within. But there were good qualities about water. Comforting things, like hearing the waves crash against a rocky coast, watching the light dance across its mirrored surface, or lapping against a sandy shore or even a pirate ship. Not only that, it’s where I met Kai and Sebastian . . . who both found comfort living on and under the water.

  “Your ship is just ahead,” Kai murmured, slowing ever so slightly.

  I saw a narrow track of whitewater trailing from The Damned and sighed, a bit sad our visit was about to end. There was so much more I wanted to learn about Aquaria and its people. “We arrived much sooner than I expected.”

  Kai grinned. “Good company makes time slip by.”

  “It certainly does,” I agreed. “So, have you taken many others on rides like this?”

  “No,” he replied. “And never like this.”

  Hmm. “What do you mean?”

  “The only other individual I’ve given a ride to was my little sister, but she was on my back.” He thumbed behind him, a grin from ear to ear.

  My eyes narrowed. “You mean to tell me that you’ve never carried a beautiful Aquarian girl through the sea who was attached to you like this?”

  “No,” he replied. “Aquarian’s don’t need rides. And it’s inappropriate for a prince to carry any girl . . . especially like this,” his eyes drifted down to my body glued securely to his.

  “Well, you don’t seem like the type who would care whether something is appropriate or not.”

  A snicker. “You read me well, Sea Star. My sister was an exception because she’s a lot like me. She loves to move fast.”

  Hmmm. “Then what about me? If it’s improper . . .”

  “You are the granddaughter of Marinus Thorne. My father would have me whipped on a post in the middle of Aquaria if I didn’t take care of you. So, I suppose you are also an exception.”

  “I don’t think your guards see it that way.”

  “That’s because I haven’t mentioned who you are . . . yet.”

  “And you expect that will make a difference?”

  “You’ll see,” he chuckled, and it made me wonder just how much of a hero my grandfather really was. I could understand him being regarded in Kai’s immediate family and those around him. “I hope you will come to Aquaria and meet my family one day. It would be an honor, especially if you allow me to be your guide around our kingdom.” His arm tightened around me. “I’m sure it will cause a stir.”

  I laughed, sensing Kai was a bit of a rebel. But I liked him. He was real, and not a bore to be around. And he was handsome. But he was a prince and he lived underwater. The most I would do is drop in for a friendly visit. Even now, I was still trying to calm my anxiety about being in the water.

  “If I ever do come to Aquaria, I would be honored to be accompanied by you.”

  “Good then,” he said, with the widest smile yet.

  In a few moments we were at the ship, our heads breaking surface. I inhaled the crisp air, my body soaked to the bone. The three guards were still nowhere in sight.

  The sun was on the horizon, the sky darkening, and the breeze was picking up. My eyes searched the rear of the ship for anything I could use to climb aboard. But there was not a ladder or rope in sight.

  “How am I supposed to get back onto the ship?”

  Kai’s arm wrapped around me, drawing me back against his warm body. “Hold on, Sea Star.”

  I folded my arms around his neck and gasped as I looked into his eyes. They were focused and glowing an even brighter blue. Gently resting a hand on top of the water, it started to whirl around us. So fast, it lifted us right out of the water, up toward the ship’s deck. Kai shifted his hand and the water bent, carrying us over the railing and setting us gently onboard. With another motion of his hand, the water instantly withdrew into the sea.

  “Wow,” I breathed, my lips and body quivering.

  Kai held out both of his palms toward me. Thousands of droplets of water dispelled from my soaked clothing and hovered in the surrounding air. The fading sunlight made those droplets illuminate, like tiny fireflies suspended in the air by his magic. My hair, once wet, was now dry, the wind whipping through it.

  “This is incredible.”

  Kai stared at me and smiled. “This? It’s nothing. It’s something Aquarian children can do.”

  “Well,” I sighed, poking one of the droplets with my finger, mesmerized as it gently glided away from me. “I’m not an Aquarian, so this is magical.”

  I heard him exhale loudly. “There is so much more to show you, but sadly, time is not on my side. Meetings. I detest the congregating of pompous men who sit around trying to sound wise, passing out orders.” He raked his fingers through his silvery-blue hair. “Well, Sea Star, you’ve been delivered safely, as promised.”

  “Thank you, Kai, for saving me.”

  He gave a pleasant smile. “The pleasure was mine.” He thumbed over the railing and I peered down to discover the three Aquarian soldiers bobbing in the water, their faces still hard.

  I waved to them, but they didn’t wave back. And I guess I didn’t expect them too.

  Kai’s laughter resounded through my tired and achy bones. “I’ll talk to
them about their manners.”

  “No, please don’t,” I begged. “I don’t want to be on the Aquarian guard’s hate list.”

  There was a gleam in his narrowed eyes. “Oh, trust me. You will never be on such a list.” He chuckled, then bowed at the waist. “It’s been a pleasure, Calla Caldwell. Sea Star.” Taking my hand, he placed a tender kiss to the back of my fingers. “Till we meet again.”

  In a flash, he spun and dove off the back of the ship. I gasped, rushing to the edge, and leaning over to watch his head pop up out of the water.

  Kai waved and I waved back. “Remember Sea Star, I’m only a fist and a thought away.”

  I made a fist and held it to my heart. “I promise to call you if the need arises. And I’m holding you to your promise of a tour of your kingdom.”

  “I’ll be looking forward to that day,” he said with a broad smile. “Until then!” With a final wave, all four men disappeared under the dark watery surface.

  I gazed up at the night sky which seemed to ooze into the shadowy sea, and for the first time, since I’d stepped on board, felt a sense of peace. But my bones, down to the marrow, were tired and throbbing. I hadn’t fed in days and everything that had transpired was still weighing heavily on me. I had to make it back to the room to feed and sleep.

  Making my path toward the front of the ship, my entire body shuddered. I’d exerted every bit of energy I had on the sea serpent, and whatever was left, to hold on to Kai during the ride over. I struggled to stand straight. Holding onto the railing as I shuffled toward the faint sound of voices. Halfway there, I nearly buckled. The fatigue and weakness were terrifying. I had to stay strong until I reached Sabine.

  With the corner of my eyes dimming, I dragged myself along the railing, one hand over the other. But the breeze picked up and caught a sail, making the ship rock. I lost my footing and tumbled onto the deck.

  I didn’t want to move. I couldn’t move. I didn’t have the strength to pull myself up, let alone walk across the deck and down the hallway. Right now, all I wanted to do was close my eyes and take a nap, and hope that Markus would find me and carry me back to the room. So that’s what I did. I curled up into a fetal position and embraced the darkness.