Nightblood

by Elly Blake

  With a show of airy unconcern for the threatening glances of her minions, he gestured to the large leather bag on the table, which had come to rest just shy of a puddle of spilled ale.

  “Well met, Liddy. I believe you’ll find that settles my debt.”

  He was dressed like the prince he was, in brushed red velvet and white lace, a gold hoop in one ear the only concession to his privateer days. He checked his nails before tugging at his cuffs, adjusting each fold so the lace fell perfectly, his demeanor relaxed. He was as at home here as he would be in a palace.

  Liddy assessed him from head to toe, her eyes making a meal out of him from his aristocratic features to his shoulders, over his lean waist and farther south, her attention lingering on what I preferred to assume was his sword hilt.

  Her lackeys waited for her verdict. She was surrounded by grizzled men and women, all of them impossibly muscular and excessively armed. Although four Fireblood masters and one Frost King were hidden in the woods outside the tavern, it was still intimidating to stand alone, just Kai and me, among two dozen or so snarling, belching cutthroats.

  But Liddy, with her quiet, steely authority, was the most imposing. She was beautiful, as Kai had said, but in a bolder way than I’d imagined. Her full, pouty lips were painted red. Thick brows arched over heavily lashed brown eyes that snapped with ruthless calculation. Her physique was large boned and solid. I had the sense she could lift a sword and fell an enemy right alongside her brutish companions. Her black satin gown showed more than a hint of her large bosom, and long, tight sleeves ended in ruffles at her wrists. Her dark hair fell over one shoulder in a pink-ribbon-festooned braid, the color far too soft and whimsical for a woman of her merciless reputation.

  “You’re late,” she said in a rich, low-pitched voice, lifting a sooty brow at him. Her plush lips held no hint of a smile. “You know how I feel about late payments.”

  Kai’s voice was even. “It’s all there, Liddy. Everything I owe. Count it.”

  She twitched her head to the left. The beefy paw of the man sitting next to her came out to snatch up the leather coin purse, then he pushed back his chair and stood, tromping his heavy-booted way toward the back of the tavern, presumably where they counted the money.

  “If you’ve tried to cheat me,” she warned, “you won’t walk out of here alive.”

  Tension—or was it anticipation?—spread like a ripple in a still pond, encompassing all but the outermost edges of the tavern.

  “You know I’d never try that with you, Liddy. We’re old friends.”

  She made a huffing sound.

  “Lovely gown,” Kai remarked, pouring on the charm. “A little muted for you, though, isn’t it?”

  “I’m in mourning,” she replied without a flicker of emotion. “My husband.”

  “Your fifth?”

  “Sixth.” Her eyes conducted another thorough perusal of his person. “You’ve been gone awhile.”

  He bowed. “Glad I haven’t been forgotten.”

  She took a sip of her bloodred wine, a suggestion of a smirk tilting the edges of her moistened lips. “I’d never forget you, Prince Kai. You owe me money.”

  He cleared his throat. “Not anymore. That purse contains my final six payments.”

  There was no change to her expression, but her tone betrayed surprise. “All of it?”

  “I’ve had some good fortune of late.”

  Her eyes narrowed, and her voice grew silky. “Do tell. No secrets between friends, right, my prince?”

  Kai stood a little straighter as he said, “The queen granted me a second chance at the Fireblood trials. I passed.”

  A few of the pirates murmured and one of them let out a low whistle. Passing the trials earned admiration among Firebloods, whether you were a courtier or a criminal.

  “You got your island back?” Liddy asked, honing in on the significance of this news.

  “In title, yes. I haven’t had a chance to claim it in person. Soon, I hope. There are other matters that I need to clear up first.”

  Just then, the hulking minion stomped back to the table, our leather purse no longer in his possession. “All accounted for,” he said, taking a seat and a loud gulp of ale.

  Kai exhaled. “You see? We’re square.”

  She snorted. “You think this means we’re square? You missed payments. That demands a forfeit.” She looked him over as if he were a horse she was thinking of buying. “When you first came to me, I saw something in you. I cultivated you, lending you money for your first ship because I figured I’d see a handsome return on my investment. And I have.”

  Kai sketched a bow. “You honor me with your compliments. I hope our profitable history will help you excuse the lateness of my payment.”

  “I’ve never been the forgiving sort,” she said with heavy-lidded eyes. “If I make an exception for you, everyone will start taking advantage. Isn’t that right, lads and ladies?”

  Her companions all shouted their agreement, offering her suggestions on how to punish late payments. She held up her hand and they quieted.

  She tilted her head to the side. “However, there is a way you can make it up to me.”

  “What is it?” Kai asked, his tone finally betraying a hint of nerves.

  She made a motion to her black gown. “As I said, I’m without a husband.” She grasped his hand and smoothed her thumb over his knuckles. Kai froze like cornered prey.

  I stepped around him into her line of vision, smiling broadly. “I’m afraid Prince Kai has neglected to introduce us.”

  Liddy’s red-tinted lips pressed together at the interruption, her gaze still on Kai as she asked, “Who is this, your sister?”

  He gave an awkward laugh and disengaged his hand from her grip, reaching out to pull me forward.

  “Allow me to introduce Princess Ruby Otrera, niece of Queen Nalani, and heir to the Sudesian throne. My betrothed.”

  To her credit, Liddy didn’t gasp or stare. She merely shot me an intense look of scrutiny. I had dressed carefully for this meeting, glad for the impulse that had made me pack the red gown I’d worn the day the queen had announced my engagement to Kai, brief though it had been. My hair was piled on my head, with a single inky ringlet flowing down over my right shoulder.

  Liddy yanked her eyes back to Kai. “You’re not serious.”

  “I am, indeed.” He lifted my hand to his lips for a kiss before resting it on his forearm. “It was announced months ago.”

  That much was true. A few months prior, we’d been engaged for a matter of days, after the queen demanded our agreement during the final stage of the Fireblood trials.

  “The queen has approved the match,” I added, smiling up at Kai like a lovesick ninny.

  “Yes,” Kai said, injecting the word with a hint of regret. “She feels most strongly about this alliance.”

  “Hmm.” Liddy crossed her arms. The other pirates shifted restlessly, picking up on her tension. It was time to drop the curtain on this bit of theater. “Funny, I’d heard that a betrothal was announced, but your bride-to-be ran off with the Frost King.”

  I sucked in a breath, hoping it sounded more offended than worried. “That’s not true.”

  She looked between us. “My gut is telling me different, and my gut is never wrong. You don’t act like lovers.”

  Kai gave me an indulgent smile. “Ruby isn’t like my other… sweethearts. She’s a princess. She’s innocent of the ways of the world.”

  “No heat between you, though, is there?” Liddy said with growing satisfaction. “Anyone can see that. An arranged marriage. Come now, my prince, you don’t want this, do you? It’s not too late. I can help you, you know.”

  “I’m devoted to her.” He pulled me close to his side, curving a possessive hand low on my hip.

  “I feel the same.” I leaned into him, wishing we’d rehearsed more beforehand.

  Liddy waved her hand. “Prince Kai, you’ve dashed my hopes for a union with your fine self. I don�
�t suppose you’d indulge me in one request.”

  “Indulging you would be my honor.” But I felt him tense.

  Liddy leaned back in her chair, her gaze flowing between us. “A kiss would tell me all I need to know. Don’t you all agree?”

  A rousing “Hurrah!” shook the rafters. The pirates stood and moved closer for a better view.

  “We’d be delighted,” Kai said, eyes meeting mine. “Wouldn’t we, Ruby?”

  “Of course,” I said, forcing a smile.

  As he took my shoulders, I caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye. When I turned my head, my spine went rigid. One of the windows was covered in an obscuring layer of frost, but a hazy silhouette hovered on the other side.

  I knew exactly who it was.

  “What’s wrong?” Kai whispered in my ear, brushing his lips over my cheek.

  “On the lips!” the pirates protested.

  I swallowed hard and whispered back, “Arcus is watching through the window.”

  “Make it a good one,” Liddy instructed, leaning back in her chair. “A little peck on the cheek will not satisfy us, will it, lads and ladies?”

  Wonderful. Just when Kai and I had settled the matter of our friendship, now we had to convince a room full of rowdy onlookers that we were on fire for each other. Arcus was still barely speaking to me after our fight. This surely wouldn’t help matters. And to top it all off, the Minax was waking, picking up the room’s vibes of nervousness, anticipation, aggression, and threat.

  A chorus of agreement and ribald comments followed. One of the pirates exhaled, enveloping us in cheroot smoke. I cleared my throat to ward off a fit of coughing.

  “Well, in that case,” Kai said, lifting a brow to verify I was ready. When I gave him a tiny nod, he bent me back over his arm.

  A cheer went up from the crowd.

  I felt the tension in Kai’s shoulders under my hands. His touch was familiar, his technique flawless as his lips moved warmly over mine. In completely different circumstances, I might have been able to enjoy it. But I was so conscious of the pirates watching and the window to my left that I could scarcely concentrate.

  Kai was no novice and gave them everything they wanted, prolonging the kiss as the pirates shouted advice and encouragement. I felt a flush creep up my neck and into my cheeks.

  Which drew more cheers.

  For good measure, I transferred my hands to his hair, pulling him closer, trying to satisfy this demanding group of spectators.

  When Kai finally straightened, I took a relieved breath. His bright golden-red hair caught the candlelight as he ran a hand through it, mussing it even more than I had. He smiled, a little out of breath as he received winks and slaps to his shoulder. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes.

  “Does that satisfy you, my dear Liddy?” he asked, smiling.

  She looked more resigned than satisfied. “I suppose it does. You want to talk terms of putting your debt to rest, then?”

  When he nodded agreement, I stole a glance at the window. It was completely opaque, covered in frost. No, not frost. Ice, at least an inch thick. The sunlight barely penetrated. As messages go, it was a pretty clear one. The Frostblood who’d stood there a minute ago was not happy.

  I let out a breath. I’d deal with that later.

  Liddy ordered, “Get up, you laggards,” to the people at her table. They moved off, giving us privacy. She waved at us to sit. Kai took a seat next to her, and I took the spot next to him. In moments, the barmaid placed glasses of red wine in front of us.

  Liddy tapped her fingers on the table. “I won’t lie. I’m disappointed. But I know when I’m beat. I’ll hear your other offer now.”

  “Gold,” Kai said, producing a Tempesian coin from his pocket and placing it on the table. “Heaps of it. All taken from the Frost King’s treasury.”

  She let out a hearty laugh, drawing curious stares. “You plundered the king’s coffers? That’s quite a feat.”

  He inclined his head to acknowledge the compliment. “I have enough to compensate you for my lateness. And then some. If you’re willing.”

  “What do you want in return?”

  “We need information,” I said, watching her carefully. “The whereabouts of a certain Lady Marella of the Frost Court.”

  Her eyes went blank. “Don’t know anything about that.”

  “Come on, Liddy,” Kai said softly, persuasively. “You have your informants, and so do I. How much is she worth to you?”

  “More than you’ve got. And keep your voices down. Forget you ever heard of her, if you want to keep breathing.”

  He stiffened. “Threats, Liddy? I thought we were past that.”

  “Not a threat. Friendly advice. You stay far away from that lady.”

  She downed her wine and wiped her lips with the back of her hand, preparing to stand.

  “Wait,” I said, leaning toward her. “If you really mean to be friendly, you have to tell us more. Are you saying you don’t have her?”

  “I’m saying nothing at all.” Her eyes shifted around the room.

  Kai glanced at me. Liddy was frightened. What would it take to scare the pirate mercenary?

  He turned back to her. “This is worth a lot of coin,” he said in a low voice.

  “Not to me,” she replied, her eyes hardening.

  My breath hissed out. “You don’t understand. It’s far more dangerous if we don’t find her.”

  “I understand more than you think. She’s mixed up with fanatics who worship the god of the east wind.”

  Kai and I caught our breath.

  “What do you know about that?” he asked.

  Speaking quietly, she said, “I know I hate them. I didn’t take them seriously at first, sailing around under black sails like a bunch of jackanapes. Then they started to steal ships and cargo and crews and even islands. People who fight back usually find themselves at the bottom of the ocean. I told my captains if they see a black flag with a rising sun, they’re to hightail it the other way.”

  My mouth ran dry and blood was pounding in my ears. I’d seen that symbol several times now—on a seal in the overseer’s office, on Lord Blanding’s shoulder, and in my vision of Marella. I just hadn’t known what it meant.

  Now she was describing exactly what I’d seen in my dream, a fleet of black-sailed ships flying Eurus’s flag. I’d thought it was a portent of the future, but it was already happening.

  “Did you have Lady Marella at some point?” I asked, remembering that Kai had seen Liddy’s mark on the prison guard.

  “I was hired to take her from one place to another, and one of my crews did so,” Liddy said. “End of story.”

  “Where did they take her?” Kai asked.

  “You’d better pay me that coin you promised,” she warned.

  “We will,” I said. “Extra if you deliver her to us.”

  “I told you, I don’t have her anymore.” She gritted her teeth and shook her head. “Listen well because I won’t repeat myself. A man hired me to ferry this young woman from one place to another. A Frostblood lady, sickly young thing. In a bad way, but with more than a bit of fight to her.”

  I nodded. Sounded like Marella. “Who hired you?”

  “He didn’t give me a name, but one of my crewmen who comes from Sere said the man looked just like Prince Eiko of Sudesia.”

  Kai let out a shuddering breath. “Very tall? Black hair? Green eyes?”

  “Yes. Something chilling about him, though. Not right.”

  If only she knew. It was Eurus himself, possessing the body of Prince Eiko, the Fire Queen’s consort.

  “Where did you take the lady?” Kai asked again.

  “The man said she was more trouble than she was worth and he didn’t want her underfoot anymore. At first I assumed this lady was his lover and he’d grown tired of her when she got sick, but I don’t know. She didn’t seem like she wanted anything to do with him. He wanted me to lock her up, said he had a use for her b
ut she had to be kept somewhere secure. I told him I had an island to the north where she could sit tight for a while.” She leaned in. “So, my captain takes her there and puts her in a cell, as requested.” She tapped the side of her nose. “But I can scent an opportunity a mile away. This girl is worth something in ransom. So I sent word to the Frost Court with my demands.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think your message ever arrived. Her father was out of his mind with worry.” Arcus had promised Lord Ustathius that we’d do our best to get her back.

  “That’s right,” Liddy said with an angry jab at the table, though she didn’t raise her voice above a whisper. “Because that miscreant, Prince Eiko, boarded and stole my messenger ship. And then he stole my island! He came with his fleet and attacked, pressing my men and women into his service, killing the ones who refused. My crews, my ships, my land!” She made a visible effort to calm down. “He’s a menace to honest businesswomen like myself.”

  “How many ships does he have?” I asked.

  She shrugged. “A score? Could be more by now. They operate north of here. That’s why they take mostly Frostblood ships. They need the reinforced hulls.”

  “Have you ever heard of the Isle of Night?” I asked, taking a chance.

  She laughed throatily. “Everyone in these parts has heard of it. Doesn’t exist or I’d know where it is.”

  I sighed. It would have made our task so much easier had she known its location.

  “There’s a book that says different,” Kai said, finishing his wine.

  She chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re a dreamer, Prince Kai. A dreamer chasing rainbows. Always were.”

  “I might be.” Kai pushed to his feet and took her hand. I stood and, without planning to, found myself curtsying as if she were a queen and not a leader of thieves and raiders. She inclined her head with a smirk.

  After they made arrangements to exchange payment for a map of the island where Marella was imprisoned, Kai brushed his lips over Liddy’s hand. She didn’t bother to stand, but patted his cheek with beringed fingers.

  He straightened. “Always a pleasure, Liddy.”

  Her eyes were fond as they looked him over. “Be careful, my prince. I don’t like to think of anything happening to that pretty face.”