“They say Chthon became a sea witch after she absorbed powers from other deities. She traveled the world looking for anyone touched by the gods, and she took their powers for herself. But the powers were too much for one person. That’s why the gods had shared them. It drove her to madness.”
“Do you remember any stories about her healing anyone?” Evan asked.
Myrthe shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. Chthon wasn’t known for her kindness.”
Evan folded her arms across her chest. Despite Myrthe’s confirmation that Chthon couldn’t or didn’t heal, Evan knew there was more to the story. Even now she could feel warmth radiating through her fingers, as if it was begging to be released.
She thought back to her meeting with the royal medics before the madness began. The day she learned of Rafe’s betrothed, the woman had put her hands on Evan’s feet to check her webbing, and Evan had felt the same tingling sensation as she had with both Tago and Juno. She hadn’t known what was happening then, so she’d dismissed it, but now it was all she could think about. What if Lilika had the power to heal and had accidentally passed it to Evan?
“I’m going to try,” Evan said, stepping towards Nolan.
Nolan’s man stepped in front of her. “What exactly are you doing?”
Evan slowly shook her head. “I don’t know exactly. Probably nothing. But a Merewif’s blade did this, and today two people have called me a Merewif. It can’t be a coincidence.”
The man reluctantly stepped aside and allowed Evan to pass. She knelt at Nolan’s side, staring at the wound. The cut itself wasn’t deep, despite the amount of blood he’d lost. Someone had already done a fair job of stitching it up, but spreading from the cut were green tendrils pulsating below his skin.
Nolan was conscious now, panting for breath. He wasn’t protesting her attention, and Evan knew it was a sure sign he didn’t have any fight left in him. She felt his emotions then, washing over her without prompting. Fear. Pain. Regret. Shame. Love.
The force of the love that filled him was enough to push Evan back, forcing her to her knees. Everything Nolan had been holding back, every emotion he had guarded was released into the world without worrying about the consequences.
Nolan knew he was about to die.
Thirty
Evan pushed herself from the floor and put her full attention on Nolan. His breathing was shallow, and she wondered how much time he had. He had seemed invincible when she’d first seen him, but that changed as the blade’s effects became apparent.
“What are you staring at, kid?” Nolan slurred.
His lips quirked up in the smallest of smiles, and Evan wondered how anyone could still smile when he was in so much pain. She tried to smile when she said, “You went and got yourself stabbed by a sea witch’s blade, old man. We’re trying to figure out how to fix it.”
“You can’t,” he said matter-of-factly.
“You should know better than to tell a Princess what she can and can’t do,” Evan said.
He scoffed. “You lot don’t like that, for sure. But you don’t like anything, do you?”
“That’s not true,” Evan replied. “I like you. Even though you’re trying to turn me over to Calix.”
Evan had meant it to make him laugh, but she felt the sting of regret flow through him as soon as she said it. Nolan put a hand on her arm and pulled her closer. “He has my boy.”
Evan nodded. “And we’re going to get him back. Right after we save your sorry ass.”
Nolan chuckled. “You’ve got a lot more fight than I expected. Under different circumstances, we might’ve been friends.”
Evan shook her head. “A smuggler and a princess?”
“They would’ve told some wild stories about us.” A cough wracked his body, and Evan could see his time growing short. It was now or never.
She placed her fingers on the puckered skin where the knife had sliced him. Closing her eyes, she focused on the tingling sensation in her fingers. She felt them growing warmer, but she wasn’t sure how to release whatever was building inside her. After several minutes, Evan felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped at the touch, her eyes opening, and her hands went cold.
“He’s gone,” Myrthe said.
Evan looked at Nolan, though she wasn’t sure she wanted to see. His eyes were still open, but they looked vacant. She whispered, “I failed.”
“It was a long shot,” Myrthe said. “No one expected it to work.”
Evan stood and stared at Nolan’s crew. Each face told a story of how much Nolan had meant to them. She said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t save him.”
There were mumbles and nods, then one by one they trickled from the room until Evan and Myrthe were left with the man who’d pulled his sword on them before. He muttered, “He was the best of us. Brave, smart, and the craziest bastard I ever met.”
“What happens now?” Myrthe asked.
He shrugged. “Guess I’m in charge. I was his number two.”
“What’s your name?” Evan asked.
“Dex.”
“Okay Dex, here’s what’s going to happen: you are going to continue the mission and take me to the Protean Palace as a prisoner. You’re going to turn me over to King Calix in exchange for the release of Nolan’s boy.”
“What?” Myrthe asked. “Are you insane? Nolan is dead and he wasn’t your friend to begin with. You don’t owe him anything.”
Evan squared her shoulders and said, “This is the right thing to do.”
“Evan, this isn’t a game. Calix is lined up with the Sirens and preparing to take your kingdom. Once he has Triton, the smaller kingdoms won’t be able to mount a fight. We need to stop him while there’s still a chance,” Myrthe said, her silver eyes flashing.
“I know,” Evan said. “And it sounds crazy that I’m willingly going to him.”
“Damn right it does,” Myrthe said.
Evan sighed. “I don’t know how to explain this to you, but I know this is what I’m supposed to do. So like it or not, you’re just going to have to trust me.”
After the ship docked, Evan waited in the room in which she’d awakened. Her hands were tied in front of her, and though it was meant to be merely for appearances, Evan knew Myrthe had taken pleasure in tightening the rope enough to scratch at Evan’s wrists without causing any real damage.
There were footsteps pounding through the hallway now. Evan took a deep breath and released it slowly through her mouth. She needed to stay calm. A racing heart and sweaty palms wouldn’t help.
The door to her room was suddenly flung open and several palace soldiers entered, spears pointed at Evan. She inclined her head and said, “Gentlemen.”
“Shut your mouth,” Dex said, entering the room behind the soldiers. “I’ve had enough of your talk.”
He strode into the room with nearly as much grace as Nolan had. His confident manner served him well, as Evan saw several of the guards relax at his presence. It was clear why he had been Nolan’s second in command.
He turned towards the men and hooked his thumbs into his pockets, pushing back the long coat he wore. “I’ve been listening to this spoiled wench for hours, begging me to take her to her mommy. I can’t wait to be rid of her.”
“We can take her from here,” one of the guards said.
Dex smiled. “That’s real kind of you, boys, real kind. But I’d prefer to take her in myself. There’s a nice reward for this one.”
A few of the guards nodded. One spoke up and said, “You can bring her, but you’ll have to leave your weapons here.”
Dex nodded. “No need for weapons when I’ve got you fellas to keep me safe.”
He drew the sword at his hip and placed it in the floor. He reached into his boot and withdrew a dagger, then produced a second dagger from Poseidon knew where. He placed both next to his sword and held his hands outstretched for the guards to check him.
After he was cleared, the same guard said, “Come on, then. We dare not keep His M
ajesty waiting.”
Evan paid careful attention to each turn as the guards led them to Calix. Her plan wasn’t fully formed yet, but she knew she would need a way out if she didn’t want to spend her days as Calix’s prisoner.
Trumpets sounded as they entered the throne room. Evan kept her head high, defiant, as they marched towards Calix’s throne. When they reached him, the guards and Dex took a knee. Evan did not.
Calix was seated on his father’s chair, with Adra at his right. From the corner of Evan’s eye, she saw Adra shift in her seat, but Evan dared not look directly at her cousin for fear of what she might say. She needed to keep her head clear if she wanted to survive, and thoughts of Adra’s betrayal would cloud her judgment.
Calix smirked. “I was a little surprised to hear you had been captured. Surprised, and disappointed. I thought you would make more of a sport of it for me.”
“Sorry to disappoint,” Evan replied. As Juno stepped behind the throne she added, “I was bored waiting for your minions to capture me. They were so bad at it.”
Juno took a step forward, her eyes flashing silver. “Oh really? And how is Nolan?”
Evan shrugged. “Dead. You managed to kill someone who was already on your side. He was trying to capture me for your master, after all.”
Juno opened her mouth to speak, but Calix raised his hand, silencing her. “I do not know who this Nolan fellow is, nor do I care. If you can’t keep your mouth closed, you’re welcome to leave.”
Juno stepped back, but Evan could see the anger bubbling below the surface. She made a mental note of how easy it was to raise Juno’s hackles. It might come in handy later.
“Well, Princess, I’ve got a few ideas of what I’d like to do with you. Are you interested in hearing them?” Calix asked, drawing Evan’s attention back to him.
Evan shook her head. “I’d prefer not to listen to you talk, if I can avoid it.” Calix’s jaw clenched at Evan’s words, but he gave no further indication of his annoyance. She pressed further, trying to bait him as she had Juno. “It’s just that you talk so much, without saying anything meaningful.”
Evan glanced at Adra who wore a strained smile on her face. As she looked closer at her cousin, she noticed a dark circle under her eye. She had tried to cover it up with makeup, but the bruise remained.
Evan’s gaze returned to Calix, seething with anger. She may be upset with Adra for her relationship with Calix, but it didn’t mean she wanted her cousin to be mistreated by that monster.
“Let me be clear,” Calix said, his words clipped as he struggled to maintain his demeanor. “I will have your kingdom, with your help or without. You can marry me and seal our union, or I can take it by force.”
Evan took a deep breath, trying to remain calm as she said, “Let me be clear, Your Highness: I will never marry you. I will never help you take Triton. I will fight you until you kill me, and my death will spark a war between our kingdoms, making certain you will not have Triton easily.”
Calix laughed. “Do you think your people will care if you die? You’re just another high-born who can be replaced as easily as the next.”
“You know, I thought that too, until I met Ova.”
He rolled his eyes. “Am I supposed to know who that is?”
Evan shook her head. “I wouldn’t think so. I didn’t. She’s a Triton I met in passing who was so thrilled to meet me, she couldn’t speak. She said I am her One True Queen.”
Adra gasped at Evan’s words, but Calix said, “An awestruck Triton is supposed to impress me?”
Evan smiled and said, “Oh, Calix, you don’t get it, do you? Perhaps you should research the people you are trying to rule.”
Calix looked between Adra and Evan, seeming unsure what her words meant. He settled his gaze on Adra and asked, “What is she talking about?”
“The One True Queen,” Adra said, swallowing hard. “It’s an old story, but faithfully followed by our people. It speaks of the ultimate ruler, the forever-Queen.”
Calix barked a laugh. “An old story? That’s what this is about? You Tritons are so melodramatic.” He waved his hand, motioning for the guards. “Take the princess to the dungeon. We’ll see if a few days there changes her mind.”
The guards grabbed Evan’s arms to drag her away. Dex still knelt on the floor before Calix, and as Evan was being pulled away she heard Calix say, “Who are you?”
“Dex Stratton, Your Majesty. I brought Princess Evannia to you.”
“Right. You have served me well in apprehending this traitor. Have the guards take you to the Royal Treasurer for payment.”
“Actually, King Calix, I would like to petition for the release of a prisoner in exchange for the Princess. He’s just a boy who was brought in for stealing.”
“No,” Calix said. “Prisoners are here for a reason.”
“Please, Your Highness, he’s eleven years old.”
Calix stood. “I do not care how old he is. The only good thief is a dead one. Now leave before you find yourself in the cell with him.”
As Evan’s guards pulled her around the corner, she saw Dex escorted out a side door. They had done their part, but it was fruitless. Nolan’s boy was still a prisoner, and now Evan was as well.
Thirty-One
The floor was cold. Drops of water beaded on the wall, gathering together until they rolled down in tiny tributaries that fed the puddle growing in the center of the room.
Evan watched the water coalesce. There was nothing else to do, except shiver violently against the cold, while she waited for the next person sent to bring her food. Based on how often they came to her, she thought she had been in the cell for two days. She tried asking, demanding, and begging for freedom, a blanket, or just a word, but none of them would acknowledge her beyond placing food on the jail floor.
As far as she could see, the cells around were empty. She thought she heard someone crying her first night there, but when she called out no one answered. The sound stopped after she had called for them and she hadn’t heard it since.
The clang of metal filled her ears as someone entered the row of cells. Good, she thought. She was getting hungry. She didn’t bother looking past the feet of the man in front of her. Calix’s men wouldn’t be convinced to betray him for a foreign princess.
“Evannia?”
Her eyes shot up as Chef Mariet’s whisper filled the place. She hurtled herself at the bars. Reaching past them, she pulled Mariet towards her until their faces were almost touching.
“Oh, thank Poseidon,” Evan said, closing her eyes and taking a steadying breath. “I’ve been desperate for a familiar face.”
Mariet smiled. “I’m glad I can at least offer you that.”
She asked, “How did you get in? I thought they only let guards into the cells.”
He nodded. “Generally, yes. But I told them we were giving you a treat to remind you what you’re missing, so perhaps you’ll give King Calix what he wants.”
Evan looked down, noticing the tray in his hands for the first time. There was a beautiful piece of fish, grilled vegetables, a chunk of cheese with freshly buttered bread, and a thick slice of cake.
She felt her stomach rumbling and said, “It looks delicious.”
“I’m certain you will enjoy it,” Mariet said. “Be careful when you eat the fish, Princess. We sometimes miss things when we debone them.”
Evan narrowed her eyes, but Mariet just smiled as he passed the tray under the bars. “I must go now, Princess.”
“Must you?” she asked.
He nodded. “But in case you were wondering, I found out where Celia and your friends are being kept, as well as the Triton guards.”
Evan’s breath caught in her throat. She’d asked Mariet to watch for them, but now that she was also Calix’s prisoner, it didn’t seem relevant.
“If you were so inclined, you could find them two floors down in the darker part of the dungeon.”
“I didn’t know it could get darker,” E
van mumbled.
Mariet’s brow creased and his voice cracked as he said, “Oh Princess, it gets so much worse.”
Evan swallowed hard. Mariet’s word left her feeling hollow. She’d been so consumed with her own misery, she hadn’t considered what horrors her friends had faced. It made her feel selfish, and in that moment Evan vowed to do everything in her power to free them.
Mariet reached through the bars and placed his hand on Evan’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. It will get better. Now eat your dinner.” He winked at her, then turned and walked down the hall. Evan heard the door scrape as it was closed and locked from the outside.
With a sigh, Evan sat by the bars and leaned against them. Mariet’s presence had filled her with hope, and now that he was gone she felt worse than before.
She reached forward and pulled the tray of food towards her. It was an edible masterpiece, and Evan couldn’t help but smile as she stared at it. Mariet had found his true calling, even if it involved cooking for a king who didn’t deserve his talent.
She closed her eyes and wished she was home, with Mariet preparing her dinner every night. It was strange to think of the circumstances that led Mariet to be in the service of Protean royalty. Had he not fallen in love with Celia and been cast away, he wouldn’t have been here to help her escape when she ran for land, or to offer her comfort now.
The guards hadn’t afforded Evan the courtesy of using a fork, so she used her finger to pick up a piece of the delicate fish. As the buttery flesh melted in her mouth, Evan realized she had never tasted anything this delicious, not even Caspian’s hamburgers.
She reached for another piece. When she pulled it away from the tray, a glint of metal caught her eye. She popped the fish in her mouth as she reached for the shiny object on her plate.
It was a key.
Evan’s breath caught in her throat and she had to remind herself to keep breathing. She grabbed the bars and pulled herself to her feet. Her whole body was shaking as she pushed her hand between the bars and fit the key into the lock.
Black Sea Bright Song Page 23