The Lion of the Sea (The Maiden Ship Book 2)

by Micheline Ryckman

  She looked down at his hand. “Are you saying my heart needs help?”

  “Everyone’s heart needs help sometimes.”

  Again, Dain expected her to resist, but she only gave him a nod and said, “I was going to tell you I’d thought about going back, but honestly, I’m glad you came to it first. It warms my heart to know you’re thinking of me.”

  Dain squeezed her tight against him again. “I haven't done that enough. I've been selfish with you. Selfish about my own issues and problems… Please, in the future, don’t ever hesitate to say and do what you need. I don’t want our relationship to be one-sided.”

  She snuggled her head into his chest as she nodded. “Alright, I will.”

  “I think Jord should go back as well; there are things he can teach you about your talent, new things.” Dain hoped this news would raise her spirits.

  Sable pulled back, tilting her face up to his. “Really?”

  “Yes. You’ll find it fascinating, I promise.”

  She smiled, but her eyes filled with more tears. “I don’t want to leave you again—I wish you could come.”

  Chest tight, Dain attempted to grin back. “Someone has to stay behind to look after your ship, Captain.”

  “But—Idris—”

  “I’ll take care of the boy too, I promise. And you won’t be gone long. We’ll set a date, maybe a fortnight from now, a time when you can shift back to me—to us.”

  Sable’s hands flew to his face, cupping both of his cheeks in her palms as she said, “It’s ridiculous that I waited so long to tell you this, but I love you, my Lion Cub—I really love you.”

  Dain’s heart leaped as his forehead fell to hers. “It’s ridiculous that we both waited so long—I love you too.”

  It took only one single-handed wave from Sable for her, Elden, and Jord to disappear. The wind swirled around Dain as he leaned into the main-deck rail to keep his knees from buckling—this had been the right choice, but that didn’t make it any easier. He missed her, already.

  Idris had taken the news hardest of all though, refusing to leave his cabin, even to say goodbye. It was going to take some coaxing to get the boy out again.

  Casper sauntered toward Dain’s wobbling form, throwing an arm over his shoulders. “Take heart, sir—ye’ve still got me.”

  Dain forced himself upright, willing himself to breathe evenly before he said, “Perfect.” Then he pointed to the blood-stained decks. “That needs mopping.”

  Casper’s arm dropped away. “I’m no swabbie.” He winked at Dain. “Make use of the crew Regina lent ye. I’d serve better as quartermaster.”

  Dain crossed his arms over his chest. “Quartermaster, hm? Alright, after you’ve finished mopping the decks, you can be quartermaster.”

  Casper gave Dain a shove, then strode off to order one of the crew to mop the decks for him.

  Dain lifted his gaze to the horizon. The seas were calm, the salmon skies filled with only a few languorous clouds. He knew it all offered a false sense of security. They were well out to sea, leagues from Nords Cove, but it didn’t mean anything—there was no telling what might come in the wake of Sable’s magic. He drew a deep breath as he scoured the skies, then let it out slowly, deliberately. If he’d learned anything these past few months, it was that uncertainty was a universal truth. There was no way to protect against every eventuality; one could only love to the fullest in each moment given, and never, ever put off living until another day. He pulled his eyes from the sky, placing his trust in the lookout at the crow’s nest—the man would surely warn them of anything untoward. Dain also made a conscious internal effort to trust his family on The Maiden to take care of Sable, too, though he sent a quick prayer to the heavens for the safety of them all.

  Then his thoughts flitted to Hannon. The ache already lodged in his chest grew deeper still. No matter the choice he’d made for Sable, the merrow would always be part of his soul—he sent another prayer to Donnamide, asking the god of the sea to honor her sacrifice by helping them save the four kingdoms and to give the merrow the love and life she deserved. Then Dain rolled his shoulders and shoved an errant strand of hair from his face before he called to the friend who was still lording over a man at the mop. “I may be in need of your charms, Casp.”

  The sailor looked up, a rakish grin eclipsing his lips. “I’m ever at yer service, sir.”

  “Perfect. How good are you with children?”

  Casper’s grin drooped.

  “There’d be some rum in it for you later. I saw a decent stash in the captain’s quarters.”

  “Well, in that case…”

  Dain laughed, a true laugh, not forced or faked. The kind that meant, no matter what came next, he’d never again stop living or moving forward.

  Epilogue

  The sun dipped over the horizon, one final crimson blaze flaring and falling as the world dimmed to night. The stars took their time twinkling, but the moons took even longer.

  Elden’s knuckles were tight on the rail, his heart racing as he stood at the prow. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her wooden form, so instead, he kept his eyes on the sky—waiting.

  The Maiden’s main crew, including Sable, awaited Elden and Ileana in the captain’s quarters. They’d all been shocked by the disappearance of Dain, Casper, and Jord, but seemed to be recovering fast knowing everyone was safe, for now. They were currently docked in a port on the Southern tip of Iandior, where they’d learned that a hidden coven of adept had been discovered and captured. It appeared these were the same people Sable had seen turned by the witch in the fortress. While this news had saddened them all, there were now plans underway to get The Wildflower a message and set a course for Nords Cove.

  Elden had enjoyed getting to know all of Sable’s friends, especially Morgan Crouse—the man had a way of swaying hearts and making everyone feel welcome. Elden felt like he’d made a true friend in the captain. He’d also spent a lot of time with Idris’s sister. The girl was fierce, and sometimes she even seemed older than he was, but she’d taken a liking to him and had been ever-eager to hear about her brother. Elden had always loved children—always dreamed of having his own, though that was before. His fists clenched the rail harder as he forced his breathing to settle. He was free now. And soon, hopefully, Ileana would be too. Then, if the centuries hadn’t changed his princess’s heart, they could dream again—together.

  The moons appeared, one by one, the smallest lighting the crimson skies first. Elden still didn’t look down, his heart near to bursting when the next moons appeared. It wasn’t until he heard the swish of heavy fabric behind him that he took his eyes from the sky to see that the wooden maid was no longer fixed upon the prow.

  Ileana’s soft voice filled the briny night air. “My love.”

  Elden shivered. What if she was only a phantom—a feverish stone dream?

  He turned, slowly.

  She stood, azure eyes lined with silver, only an arm’s breadth away from him. Her auburn tresses rippled in the breeze, falling, far longer than he remembered, in thick, silken waves behind her shoulders. How could anyone so perfect, so regal, call him love? He took a shaky step toward her, unable to form words.

  She reached for him.

  Then, to his own surprise, he dove for her, lifting her in his arms as he clutched her tight to his chest. Her laugher rang out like bell chimes, so loud and lovely that the night watchmen on deck couldn’t help staring at them. Elden didn’t care, all sense of propriety lost in their reunion.

  They were both out of breath by the time he set her to her feet again, but it didn’t dissuade him from pulling her close and burying his face in her neck. She smelled of sweet oak and warm sea breezes, and his senses whirled when she leaned in to brush her lips against his cheek.

  So long—it has been so long.

  It was difficult to move even a fingertip away, but Elden forced himself to lift his head and pull back far enough to see her eyes. “Ileana—I—”

  H
er lips cut him short, claiming his mouth with fierce passion. Elden’s frame vibrated with longing as he crushed her against himself, returning the kiss with equal intensity. She was here, she was real, and she was still his.

  But it wasn’t long before his elation turned to sorrow—he only had her for a night. It wasn’t enough. He felt tears prick at his eyes, and he pulled her in even tighter, like he could stave off her curse with his embrace.

  Ileana gently leaned back, her soft hands stroking his cheeks. “There is so much yet to face. Our story”—Ileana nodded toward the rest of the ship—“and their story, isn’t over yet. And whether I am flesh or oak, I will be here through it all. Unless death takes us, we’ll make every effort to never be parted again.”

  Elden’s hands came up to cover hers, and for a moment he lost himself in her azure gaze. Then he nodded and kissed her again.

  Acknowledgments

  Living with chronic illness makes writing a book a challenge. Let’s be honest, it makes a lot of things a challenge, and if I didn’t have the help of my amazing husband and my incredible kids, I’d hardly make anything happen at all. They keep life rolling and provide me with all the support I need to do the things I love. Thank you, my beautiful family, you are the light of my days and the loves of my heart. God has blessed me in you.

  I also need to once again thank my brilliant editor, Dylan Garity, for always being honest about what is and isn’t working, and for polishing everything I do until it’s shiny. I’m so grateful to have your expertise, truly.

  And another gracious tip-of-the-hat goes to the amazing Gabriella Bujdoso who once again created the cover art for this book. It’s an honour to have your work on the front of my books, I will be forever be grateful for your time, effort, and talent. Thank you.

  Also great gratitude to Madalyn Mekhail and Tanner Eady for being my betas readers, your insight, thoughts, and suggestions were invaluable. You are so loved.

  Above all, I am most grateful for you, my readers. Thank you for giving your time to my words, I can only hope and pray that they bring you some measure of joy. You are the main reason I write.

  About the Author

  Micheline Ryckman lives with her family on a farm in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. She is co-owner of Whimsical Publishing, and an accomplished artist/illustrator in multiple mediums. The Lion of the Sea was the sequel to her debut novel, The Maiden Ship. The final book in this series, The Rightful Bearer, is already in the works. Stay up-to-date and connected with Micheline by signing up for her newsletter via her website/blog whimsicalpublishing.ca or connect with her on social media sites—Instagram: @whimsicalillustration, or Facebook: Whimsical Illustration

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