Maybe the guards got away.
She knew it wasn’t true as soon as she thought it. The Triton guards who had escaped the palace ambush and rescued her on land were dead. The figures below her probably already had Celia and Judas in their custody and were just waiting for her to fall into their trap. All their planning had been for naught.
You are a daughter of Poseidon, are you not? Where is your spirit?
Evan’s mind was unexpectedly racing with the words Gideon had said to her the first night they met. They had danced together in defiance of Prince Calix, and that one simple act had ignited a fire within that she had never known before. She wasn’t ready to give up yet.
She crept from the tunnel, trying to remain undetected. She pressed her back against the coral and moved around until she no longer had a view of the dark shapes in the water below.
Her heart was racing, but she forced herself to slink through the darkness. Peeking her head around and looking up, she saw a huge gap in the coral that was only connected at the uppermost part, like a bridge. This was the point of the kingdom where the castle was separated from the rest of the city.
Thanks to her tour with Prince Calix when she had arrived for the Protean Ball, Evan knew this was the side of the castle where ships arrived, both for noble visits and shipment receipt. As she watched, a small silver craft arrived at the castle dock.
There were a dozen airlock holes on the upper side of the castle wall where the craft was. That was the entrance for guests of the castle, where she had entered only days before. The lower dock boasted more than double the amount of airlocks, easily allowing multiple ships to dock while they dropped their cargo.
Evan’s eyes went wide. Why hadn’t she thought of it before? As she and Rafe had raced through the castle, the castle’s head chef, Mariet, had shown her the secret smuggler’s passage. If she could get to the passage, she might be able to find help, or at least give herself time to come up with a plan.
She stared across the expanse of sea, wondering how she could cross without anyone seeing her. There was no coral to hide her, no shadows to cover her movement. Once she moved from her current hiding place, she would be visible in the streams of light coming through the upper part of the sea. If she waited until after sunset, she’d have a better chance of getting in unseen, but she’d also risk getting caught while she waited for darkness. They were searching for her even now, and could find her at any moment.
She couldn’t afford to hesitate. Evan took another peek from under the coral where she hid. The silver ship above was pulling away. It would cast a shadow into the water underneath it, though only for a moment before it moved out of range. It wasn’t much, but it was all she had.
Evan compressed her body back against the coral and shoved off from it as hard as she could. She passed under the ship, but she was still exposed for several seconds before she reached the castle.
Under the palace, she wedged herself into a crevice in the coral, hoping to hide in case someone saw her. She waited, watching for any indication someone was following. When no one came, Evan pried herself out and made her way towards the bottom loading dock.
She crossed under several ships docked for deliveries. People moved back and forth through the airlocks, carrying boxes of goods for the castle. Evan watched for several minutes, but couldn’t figure out a way to get in. There was no way to access the airlock without a ship, and no way to get into a ship without accessing the airlock.
On the other side of the dock, she saw movement. A door in the floor swung open and a figure climbed onto the dock. She blinked, trying to make sense of it. There was no doubt about it; somehow, someone had gone into the castle without using the airlock.
Evan swam to the other side, careful to stay in the shadows as her eyes searched the water for danger. Finally she saw where the other person had entered. There was a maintenance hatch on the underside of the docks where a ladder led into the castle.
She climbed the ladder and opened the hatch, thanking Poseidon it had been left unlocked. That probably meant someone would be returning to it, so Evan knew she didn’t have much time. She couldn’t see past the hatch opening. She took a deep breath and scurried onto the dock, closing the hatch behind her.
“What the hell?” someone said.
Evan gasped. She was face-to-face with Caspian.
Twenty-Four
Before she said a word, Caspian grabbed her arm and towed her behind a stack of boxes. He motioned for her to keep quiet before leaving to walk around the dock and shuffle some boxes. A few minutes later, he returned.
“What are you doing here, kid? I thought I left you in safe hands.”
Evan shook her head. “The Sirens attacked us. Celia, Judas, and I came back to the water with a few Triton guards. We were going to swim home but they found us before we could.”
Caspian’s eyes grew afraid. “Celia,” he asked, “is she—?”
Evan said, “Alive, as far as I know. They were waiting for us. I didn’t follow her, so I can’t be sure.”
“You didn’t follow?” he asked, his brows creasing.
“I saw shapes moving in the water. They had forced us out.”
He nodded. “Good on you for checking. At least you had some wits about you.”
“I didn’t know where to go from there. We’d been planning to swim to Triton—”
“But you thought breaking into the Protean castle was a better idea?” he interrupted.
Evan cringed. “I haven’t had a chance to come up with anything else. They’re out there looking for me right now.”
Cas cursed under his breath as he ran his hands over his face. Evan stared at him for a moment, taking in the sight of her missing uncle. His beard was gone and his wild hair had been cut and slicked back. His deep green eyes were troubled, and Evan was struck with the realization she wasn’t the only one acting on some half-cocked plan.
“Cas, what are you doing here?”
He turned to her, and she couldn’t help but shrink beneath his gaze. It was as if his eyes could paralyze her with merely a glance. He was a man who exuded power. You could look at him and see Poseidon’s blood coursing through him.
Caspian let out a breath, and his gaze seemed to no longer root her to the floor. With a casual wave of his hand he said, “I’m stealing a ship.”
“Are you crazy?” Evan exclaimed.
Caspian threw a hand over her mouth, but the damage was done. He hissed, “Are you trying to get us caught?”
“Sorry,” Evan whispered.
Caspian peeked above the boxes and cursed. “I need you to do exactly what I tell you. And be quick about it.”
Evan nodded.
“Pick up one of these crates and follow me. Keep your head down and don’t speak until I tell you it’s safe.”
Cas stood and grabbed a box without another glance at Evan. She did the same, though she had a bit of trouble holding the bulky crate. She followed him across the floor to the other side of the dock, using the crate to hide her face as she passed two guards headed towards the maintenance hatch.
Caspian placed his crate with a stack already waiting, then surveyed the room while pretending to wipe his forehead with a handkerchief. Evan placed her box alongside his and turned as if she were returning for another. Cas grabbed her arm and pulled her back to the edge of the room.
“No one is paying attention to us,” he whispered. “But there are too many guards for me to get a ship. We need to find a place to hide until it clears out a bit.”
Cas started making his way towards the main exit, but Evan said, “Wait. The smuggler’s corridor is close. We can hide there.”
Cas raised a brow, but didn’t say anything. He shrugged as if to tell her to lead the way. She walked towards where she thought the door would be. She knew it was well hidden, and had only been through it from the other side, but she had a clear memory of the way the dock had looked as they’d ran out the door.
As they looked
for the door, Evan suddenly became aware of a nervous person nearby. She could feel the emotions radiating off the guard before he even entered her view.
“What are you doing over here?” he asked. His voice was shaky, young. It was not the voice of a seasoned guard.
“Relax, Mick. They’re the newest of my crew.”
Evan turned to see a tall woman with mahogany skin and long dark braids. Her eyes were a rich caramel color, radiating warmth while demanding respect at the same time.
The guard looked back and forth between the woman and Evan. Finally, he nodded to the woman and walked away. The woman stepped past Evan and pressed her hand against the rock. It blended so well with the rest of the wall, Evan realized she never would’ve found it without this stranger.
The woman opened the smuggler’s passage, ushering them inside. As the door closed and the darkness surrounded them, Evan felt cold metal against her neck.
“Don’t move,” the woman said. “I am not afraid to spill blood if need be.”
“I believe you,” Caspian said.
His voice sounded strange, almost complimentary, and Evan thought she could detect a smile.
“Who are you?” the woman asked.
“My name is Caspian, and your captive is my niece, Evannia.”
Evan was shocked he’d used their real names. She thought it more prudent to lie about who they were, especially to the person holding a knife to her neck.
“Evannia? The Triton princess?”
“Yes,” Evan breathed.
The woman laughed. It was a hearty sound, and Evan felt she could’ve joined in with her if only she weren’t afraid to move. When her laughter subsided, the woman asked, “Why are you here, Princess?”
“My friends and I were ambushed. I escaped, but had nowhere to run. I thought they wouldn’t be looking for me here, and maybe I could buy some time to form a plan.”
Evan felt the knife leave her neck and heard the scrape of metal as the woman sheathed it. A spark of light filled the area around them as the woman lit a lantern.
“You picked a bad day for that,” the woman said.
“Why?” Caspian asked. “What’s happening?”
“The princes are getting married today. The guards are on high alert.”
“Princes? Both of them?” Evan asked, eyebrows raised.
The woman nodded. “Bit of a shock, really. Calix commanded it as soon as his father passed.”
“King Basim is dead?” Caspian asked.
“This morning,” the woman said. “Prince Calix found him dead in his bed.”
Evan watched as the woman and Caspian shared a dark look, understanding passing between them. With a sigh the woman added, “Plans for the weddings began before they’d even removed his body from his chamber.”
“Hadrian is marrying Seraphinza?” Evan asked.
“Is that her name?” the woman asked with a shrug. “It has been many years since I left Glauca. I wasn’t there for this child.”
Evan sighed. “I wish she wasn’t caught up in whatever this is. She’s a sweet girl.”
The woman put her hand on Evan’s shoulder. It was a surprisingly tender gesture, and Evan hadn’t expected it from this commanding figure.
“From what I’ve heard of Prince Hadrian, your friend has nothing to fear. The servants say he is nothing like his father or brother.”
“Who is Calix marrying?” Cas asked, his voice unnaturally quiet.
The woman’s lips barely opened, as if it was a chore to say her next words. “The next in line for the Triton throne.”
The words echoed through Evan’s head, not making sense. After a moment she said, “But that’s me.”
Caspian grimaced. “Not if you’re dead.”
Despite the shock of his words, Evan was almost relieved at the thought of dying rather than marrying Calix. At least she was until she realized what he meant.
“If I’m dead, Orielle is next in line.”
Cas and the woman nodded.
Evan felt her stomach churn at the thought. “But she’s only ten.”
The woman snarled, making her look even more dangerous. “They’re willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want.”
Cas added, “And they don’t expect ten-year-olds to put up a fight.”
“They don’t know Orielle,” Evan said.
“Let’s hope she behaves,” the woman said. “I heard some of the guards say she’s in the custody of the Sirens for safekeeping.”
“They’re okay with letting Sirens take little girls from their homes?” Evan asked.
The woman shook her head. “They’re furious. They’re also scared. Most of them are afraid to even talk to each other about what’s going on, for fear of being turned in.”
“Is that why Mick was so nervous when he saw us?” Cas asked.
The woman laughed, her face instantly losing its edge. “Mick is always nervous. But he’s a good kid. He wouldn’t be a guard if there was other work to be had.”
“I’m sure there are a lot of guards who feel that way.”
“Too true. Little Mickey though, he’s got a good heart, hasn’t forgotten where he came from. The boy helps the smugglers when he can.”
“That’s what you do?” Evan asked.
“Aye,” she said. “And for now, that’s what you do, too. I vouched for you, so you’re mine until I can get you out of here.”
“We’re not leaving. We have to figure out a way to save Orielle,” Evan said.
“And we’ll require a ship,” Cas added.
“You won’t find one here. The ships at the dock are in disrepair. We thank Poseidon every time we make it from town to castle.”
Cas cursed. He seemed to be doing a lot of that today.
Evan asked, “Do you know where we could get one?”
“Maybe,” the woman said. “There’s a man at the market, I don’t know his name, but I know he has a knack for getting whatever you want. I can take you to see him.”
“Too dangerous. The market is always full of guards,” Cas said.
“So is the castle, but you’re here,” the woman said.
Evan couldn’t help but smile. The smuggler was sharp, and though Evan couldn’t say why, she liked her. She said, “We’ll go to the market.”
“Evan—” Cas began.
“It’s the best plan,” Evan interrupted.
“Come on then,” the woman said. “Let’s make this operation look legit. We’ve got to get to the kitchen for a haul before we head out.”
Twenty-Five
The kitchen was buzzing with activity when they peeked through the secret door. Evan saw Chef Mariet through the crack. He pointed and directed, giving orders that sounded more like pleas for help, but still had the desired effect of getting people moving.
Once some of the servants cleared out, the woman rapped softly on the door, drawing his attention. Mariet slowly crossed the room, checking pots or appearing to look for ingredients as he went.
When he reached the door, Mariet whispered, “Are you trying to get caught? Some of these servants report directly to Calix.”
The smuggler grabbed his sleeve and pulled him into the hallway, closing the door behind him. When he saw Evan’s face, his breath caught in his throat. With a hasty bow he said, “Princess Evannia, thank Poseidon you’re all right.”
“Thanks to you,” she replied.
Even in the dim light Evan could see his cheeks blush. His eyes darted to Caspian and the woman; he seemed to judge Evan as the least intimidating and looked back to her. With a small smile he said, “While I’m thankful you’re alive, I’m not certain why Venus has brought you here. The castle is very dangerous right now.”
“Actually, it was my idea. Though I dare not ask for your help for myself,” Evan said. “They’ve captured my sisters.”
“Celia?” he whispered, her name barely audible even in the quiet of the passage.
Evan nodded. “And Orielle.”
“She was so little last time I saw her.”
“She still is. But they’re planning to marry her to Prince Calix.”
Mariet frowned. “No, that can’t be right. He’s marrying that blonde noblewoman. I heard her speaking with the Queen Mother.”
Evan sighed, relieved that Venus’s information had been incorrect and Orielle was not to be married off. Mariet smiled when he saw the relief on her face, clearly pleased he had been able to help.
“Yes,” he said, his smile broadening. “Arturo’s daughter seemed delighted to be getting married.”
Evan felt her heart drop into her stomach.
Adra.
Of course her cousin was marrying Calix. She’d been involved with him discreetly, with Evan only discovering their secret the night of the Protean Ball. Evan furrowed her brows as the conversation from that night replayed in her head. She had spoken to Calix and offered an alliance if he wished to marry Adra. Calix had laughed.
“But you said he was marrying the heir,” Evan said, turning to Venus.
Venus nodded, her mouth a straight line. “The guards said your little sister is in the Siren’s custody, and they’d spoken of the Triton heir. I’d assumed she was one and the same.”
“It’s a logical conclusion,” Caspian said. “But I’m glad you were wrong.”
“Adra can only be Queen of Triton if my family and her father are dead.”
“Which means your mother and uncle are in danger,” Cas said. “We need to secure a ship and get to Triton while there’s still time.”
Evan pushed through the heavy thoughts in her head and clasped hands with Chef Mariet. “Thank you for the information. We’ll be on our way.”
“Princess, I will listen for talk of Celia and Orielle. If I hear anything, I’ll send word through the smugglers.”
“Thank you,” Evan said.
They turned and walked down the passage, Venus leading the way to her ship. They passed several guards on the dock, but all seemed to turn their head or wander off as Venus approached.
Black Sea Bright Song Page 19