Treasure

by Megan Derr

  He had never been so wrong. "Did you need something, Captain?"

  "I came to see how our new passengers fared; Takara said something was wrong with ... his grace? You did say he was a Duke, right? The Tsar's Advisor?" Kin stepped forward and knelt, then pulled off one of Krasny's boots, then the other.

  A small packet, wrapped in waterproofing and tied with a leather thong, fell to the floor. Kyo picked it up and unwound the slippery blue waterproofing, revealing a small paper twist. "What is this?"

  "Medicine," Kin replied and took it from him. Untwisting the paper, he tilted Krasny's head and dumped the contents into his mouth, then set him back down on the bed.

  Kyo rose to sit on the edge of the bunk as Kin stepped out of the way, trying to focus on Krasny and not on Kin. The glow in Krasny's eyes faded, leaving his eyes a more normal, if still stunning, amber. Then they closed, and Krasny sighed softly as he slipped into sleep. Kyo continued to watch him, but the color was already returning to his skin. "Whatever that was, it seems to have calmed the seas."

  Grunting, Kin headed for the door. "There are rumors that in Pozhar, using magic makes the users sick. Perhaps that's what it was?"

  "I've never heard of such a thing," Kyo replied, though it wouldn't surprise him. Magic in Pozhar was used by a very select set: those who hunted the Vessels. It would not surprise him to learn there was a price to be paid for that.

  Kin quirked a brow at him. "How would I know something like that and not you?"

  "Kundou royalty is very comfortable with magic; Pozhar is not. They probably kept it from us to save face." Kyo dismissed the matter with a shrug. "At least he seems out of danger. I must return to Culebra." He brushed against Kin as he left, fighting an urge to stop and rest against him, ask if Kin still remembered him. If he still cared. Or if that little boy of long ago had been entirely lost to the fierce sailor before him.

  Tucking the pointless thoughts and feelings away, Kyo returned to his own cabin where Culebra still slept. Kyo dreaded the moment when Culebra woke and was forced to relive the horror as his memories washed over him. Was it better or worse, he wondered, that Culebra had not seen what happened?

  Retreating to the sole chair in the room, he reached beneath his robes and pulled out the heavy pendant he had never removed. He rubbed his thumb over the lighthouse, the small Eye of the Storm he had placed as the light in it, and swallowed.

  Was it stupid to wonder if it would hurt? If it would be a brief pain or a prolonged one? He wished he had someone to ask and hated himself for the weakness. He tucked the pendant away again and tried to think of something else. Unfortunately, that sent his thoughts right back to Kin—his Kinni, if the world was a kinder place.

  Then again, Kin seemed to have no love for anyone born to wealth. He barely seemed to tolerate Raiden, though at that, their antagonism seemed almost a playful element of their friendship. Kyo doubted Kin would ever show him anything, but genuine antagonism. Even if he had seemed to thaw for a moment, before Kyo had stupidly touched him.

  His fingers twitched as he recalled how breathtaking Kin had looked as a mermaid. Kyo had never seen someone so wild and fierce and ... well, tempting. Kyo had never struggled to keep his holy vows, even when he was mocked for doing so. It was easy to tempt without being tempted.

  But Kin distracted him even when he was not in the room. Kyo shifted in his seat, irritated with Kin and more irritated with himself. He should have anticipated such a distraction and braced for it. But how? He was not accustomed to looking at anyone and wondering what it would be like to—

  Cutting the thoughts off, Kyo tried to put his mind where it should have been, but he simply could not focus. Standing up, he checked on Culebra, who mercifully still slept without trouble. Leaving the cabin, Kyo returned to Krasny who also still slept. Selfishly, Kyo wanted him to wake so he could ask why Krasny spoke Ancient fluently.

  Leaving Krasny to his rest, he returned to the top deck and looked out over the sea. It gleamed and glittered in the sharp afternoon sun, the most beautiful thing that Kyo had ever seen. He ached to go for a swim, to dive down to the depths and never return to the surface.

  He wanted to drag Kin with him and finally learn what it was like to kiss someone, to hold someone close—

  It didn't matter, he reminded himself harshly. In three months he would be dead, and Kundou would change forever. That was far more important than nonsensical thoughts about kisses. His more immediate concern was that delivering Culebra and Krasny would unavoidably delay them a few days in Pozhar, and it greatly increased their chances of being intercepted by Captain Midori and whoever else was sent after him.

  His hands tightened on the ship railing, and Kyo tried to convince himself to relax. If he was not careful he would lose control of the Eye, and there was no telling what might come of that. Nothing good, that was as certain as the tide.

  The sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention, and Kyo half turned to look at Taka. "There you are, Taka. Finally slip away from your merchant?"

  "He's not my merchant."

  Kyo ignored the protest because it was clear that whatever Taka's feelings, Raiden would steal thunder for him. It was stupid to be jealous, but he did wonder what it was like to be wanted that badly. People wanted him for his power, which was why he'd had no trouble resisting those who'd tried to seduce him. "Krasny has been tended; the charming Captain thinks he was sick from using magic."

  "Sick from magic? I've never heard such a thing."

  "The Captain mentioned it was a rumor that goes around. I'm not surprised we've never heard it. Hopefully he will be all right now and well enough until we reach Pozhar."

  Taka scowled in annoyance as the wind kicked up and whipped his hair around. "I'm starting to see why that idiot wears his ridiculous scarves. I always thought it was just an affectation amongst ship folk."

  Kyo laughed, rather enjoying the wind himself. "I'm sure he'll be happy to lend you one." When Taka redirected the scowl to him, Kyo just laughed harder. He looked out over the sea again, laughter slowly tapering off.

  "So what are we going to say when they wake up? Rather tricky to explain that we are running away for reasons you won't explain and that the royal navy is in our wake."

  Annoyed with himself, Kyo admitted, "My thoughts had not gone that far. I do not know how I will manage without you, secretary."

  "Hold your breath," Taka groused without heat. "We had best figure out what to say, then. Culebra will not simply let the matter drop, though Krasny probably would."

  Nodding in agreement, Kyo continued to stare at the sea while he mulled over the problem. Unfortunately, there was no good solution. He had no believable reason for running away. It would be a miracle if neither of them felt the Eye.

  He'd known there would be unexpected problems along the way, but he had not anticipated any of quite this nature or magnitude. His head began to ache, but Kyo ignored it. "I'll figure something out," he said. "At present, I'm more concerned about the mermaids. They will reappear, and they will want me dead with a vengeance."

  Taka looked at him in surprise. "But you should be able to drive them back easily, give that you stole—"

  "I know," Kyo said. "Nevermind." He wasn't going to bother Taka with his stupid worries about having to kill. He was a prince until he died and would do what he must. If he could kill himself, he could kill others, and no one else would take it askance that he killed mermaids. No, he would be lauded for that.

  His treacherous mind slipped back to the image of Kin as a merman, the even more appealing image he made caught somewhere between his two forms. What would it be like to go swimming with him? Swimming was always such a solitary endeavor; his brothers had no interest and no one else could keep up with him, even if they were inclined to join him. The only ones who offered were those more interested in spreading his legs.

  But Kin ... Kin would be able to keep up. Possibly even provide a challenge. Kyo permitted the fantasy to linger a moment, the
n killed it. He needed to stay focused, and focused meant remembering he was going to die. "So where did you vanish to, Taka?"

  "Raiden wanted me to help go through some of the items that were salvaged; some of it looked like it might belong to his grace or his highness, and he wanted to be sure before he claimed right of salvage. There is a small chest with Pozhar marks carved into it, and given its pristine condition, I would wager it is layered with magic as well."

  Kyo rose up to his full height, pushing away from the railing. "Better show me, then. It could be something dangerous."

  "It's one of the reasons I came to fetch you. We really do need a reason to explain this. I highly recommend the truth."

  "The truth is not an option." Kyo strode off to the Captain's quarters and did not bother to knock. Inside, Kin and Raiden were bent over the sole table, clearly discussing the myriad objects piled on it. The chest Taka had mentioned immediately caught Kyo's eye, and he went straight to it. Reaching out, he traced the carvings that covered it, admiring the bold, sure lines that were nothing like the softer, swirling lines favored in Kundou art.

  Raiden paused in his conversation with Kin and said, "Taka said the box likely belongs to his grace, and I concur. You can probably best confirm."

  "It does," Kyo said, lightly tracing the carving of Zhar Ptitsa on the curved top of the chest. An odd thing, to have the much-feared Firebird carved on a personal belonging. "There's too much magic on it to belong to anyone else. I am sure he'll be grateful it survived."

  "Mmm," Raiden murmured then stepped away from the table. "I am going to see what else was found and make certain everything is being stowed to my satisfaction." He did not wait for a reply, simply strode out, leaving Kyo alone with Kin.

  Kyo ignored him as much as he could manage, though that wasn't as much as he would have liked. He had expected to feel … nostalgia, or something much like it, when he finally properly met Kinni. He had thought that watching from afar, slipping down to the docks whenever he was able, would be enough to brace him for the meeting. Would help him remain aloof.

  He had not anticipated that Kin would leave him feeling like a storm-tossed ship, and they were only hours into the first day of their voyage. Hopefully it was just lust and would taper off as he got to know the man better and his bothersome body settled down. No doubt it was easier to be distracted by Kinni than to face his inner turmoil over his pending death. Yes, that was it. His mind was just trying to distract itself.

  Letting out a soft sigh, he spanned his hands over the top of the chest and tested the magic, pushing his own against it a little bit at a time until the spells Krasny had laid snapped beneath the weight of the Eye. Smirking in satisfaction, Kyo opened the chest—then sucked in a breath in surprise. He reached into the chest and pulled out a small bundle of feathers tied with gold cord at the end.

  The feathers looked like bits of flame forced to hold a feather shape. They were softer than anything he had ever touched, yet almost too hot to continue holding.

  "Those are fire feathers."

  Kyo jerked in surprise upon hearing Kin's voice so unexpectedly close. He tried to move away, but only managed to crash into him, nearly knocking them both over—steadied only by the arm that wrapped around his waist.

  A moment later, the arm dropped away and Kin hastily stepped back. "My apologies, highness."

  "I told you not to call me that," Kyo said and stooped to retrieve the fire feathers he had dropped. Returning them to the chest, he closed it and lifted it, deciding to take it to Krasny before he acted worse than a clumsy idiot. Not waiting for Kin's reply, he left the cabin.

  By the time he reached Krasny's cabin, his heart had mostly settled to its usual pace. He stowed the small chest in the space beneath the bunk, then sat up—and froze in surprise to see Krasny staring at him, amber eyes completely lucid. "Highness."

  "Your grace," Kyo said and sat back on his heels. "Given your state, I did not expect you to wake for hours yet. Are you feeling well?"

  "Quite," Krasny said and sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, looking as though he had just lain down for a nap. Taka had dressed him in one of Kyo's robes, a gold and green piece that was one of his favorites. Against it, Krasny's deep red hair blazed. He pushed the loose strands back irritably and grimaced when he noticed the robe. Shaking his head, he looked at Kyo again. "Culebra?"

  "Asleep in my room and greatly upset," Kyo replied and rose to sit beside Krasny on the bed. "He is remarkably shaken for a man who has endured so much violence."

  "Violence, but not to such a horrific degree," Krasny replied. "Culebra is also very young—too young. Did anyone else survive?"

  Kyo shook his head and said, "No, I am sorry."

  Krasny's mouth tightened, but all he said was, "From fire born and back to fire to be born again. I would not have anticipated you as our rescuer, highness. This is not a royal vessel."

  "No," Kyo said. "We are on board the Kumiko, a private merchant vessel. The matter is … complicated."

  "I cannot imagine how it could be anything except complicated. You saved our lives, highness. I am happy to help you howsoever I may." He frowned at his bare feet, flexing and unflexing his toes a moment before speaking, "I do not suppose my own clothes survived?"

  Kyo laughed. "Taka probably took what you were wearing away to clean and mend them. You will not be stuck in my gaudy robes long, your grace."

  Nodding, Krasny frowned at the floor. "You must have found my powder."

  "Yes, though you did not make it easy. You were speaking in Ancient. I was not aware anyone could speak it."

  Krasny scowled, clearly annoyed with himself. "It's a tradition of the royal house, especially amongst those of us who must use magic. It's all I was allowed to speak for many years as a child."

  "I see," Kyo replied. "I can read it, or most of it, anyway, but I cannot speak it."

  "It's not hard. If you really want to learn, highness, I am happy to teach you sometime."

  Kyo smiled briefly, but could not quite bring himself to say that would be nice. "Are you hungry, or would you prefer simply to rest some more? I can imagine you are still quite drained—"

  "Highness, perhaps you should elaborate on complicated," Krasny interrupted abruptly, and Kyo's eyes widened in surprise and dismay to see the intent way that Krasny was suddenly staring at him.

  "You were nearly killed by mermaids and need time to recover from such a traumatic—"

  Krasny gave a bitter, brittle laugh, causing Kyo to freeze in the process of standing up. "Highness, I have suffered more attacks, in more places, than I care to recall. My life is more violent than people ever realize. None of those moments were as traumatic to me as the day I had to send my own sister to the Fires as a sacrifice. I know the look of a man who is facing his own demise. I thought I saw it in you back in Kundou, but could not be certain, for you hide your thoughts better than men twice your age. You have the exact look and bearing of a Vessel awaiting his final hour."

  "I think you swallowed too much seawater," Kyo replied and stood up—and snarled in protest when Krasny jerked him back down and held fast to his wrist. "Unhand me."

  "No," Krasny said and startled Kyo into stillness by resting a hand lightly against his cheek. His hand was shockingly warm, almost hot, and Kyo did not realize until then just how cold he felt. "Fire warm and calm you," Krasny said, and Kyo could not tell if that was a prayer or an incantation. Either way, he did feel calmer as Krasny's hand slid slowly away. "Why do you look as though you are going to your death, highness?"

  "Because I am," Kyo finally admitted, and he wondered why saying the words brought him so much relief that he wanted to cry. "Pozhar has their Vessels, Kundou has the royal family. Every one hundred years."

  Surprise filled Krasny's face, and Kyo would have laughed at any other time to see the notoriously cold Krasny show emotion so plainly. But in the next moment, he recovered himself, and asked, "So why are you not being given a proper escort?
I assume you are traveling because the sacrifice must be done somewhere else? I sense this must tie into the old tales of a lost island."

  Kyo laughed softly. "Yes, it does relate to that tale. As to why I do not have an escort—that is complicated, and I do not want to say more about it."

  "Complicated sanctioned, or complicated there will be people coming after you?"

  "Why would you think to ask that?"

  "I hunt for Vessels, highness. It might surprise you the things I know. So which is it?"

  Kyo made a face. "The latter."

  "I see," Krasny said. "Very well. I will do what I can to assist you. Whatever you are doing, highness, I advise you to cease trying to do it alone."

  "What other way am I supposed to do it?" Kyo asked, mouth twisting.

  Of all things, Krasny smiled faintly. "I said earlier that Culebra is so affected by everything because he is young. It is easy to forget, sometimes, that you are young as well, highness."

  Kyo scoffed at that. "I am nearly thirty, hardly young."

  "I think, when you are my age, you will see that differently, but my point is this: there are two types of Vessels. Those who go to the Fires alone, and those who ask that their family or friends be there when they die."

  "I cannot see what is accomplished by dragging others into the mess. Who wants to watch someone die?" He certainly did not, and he could imagine forcing people to watch him die.

  Krasny shook his head. "It's the difference between dying alone and afraid, or dying in peace, highness. Tell me this: are you feeling better or worse for having told me what you are about?" Kyo said nothing, merely pressed his lips together in annoyance. Laughing softly, Krasny released his wrist at last to rest a hand lightly on his back, and Kyo hated that the touch was somehow reassuring. "I think that you should tell your secretary at the very least."