Page 12 of I Summon the Sea

I’m ready for this line of questioning. I mime violence, lift my skirts to give him a close-up of the gashes on my legs, mime things being torn away from me, my arms reaching for them in vain.

A good performance, if I say so myself.

“You were robbed?” He’s frowning, but still doesn’t appear entirely convinced. “Look at your dress. Ruined by the water, of course, and yet… You can’t be a high lady, not with a plain dress like that. Then again…” He rubs his chin. “You’re human. Humans’ wealth and skill can’t compare to ours. I need to keep that in mind.”

I bristle and clamp my jaw. That godsdamned fae arrogance never fails to grate on my nerves. If I could speak, I’d give him a much-deserved answer.

Not being able to speak may be a blessing, after all.

Insulting the humans when the fae are the real reason behind their misery is infuriating. Nowadays, most humans live at the fringes, close to the Circle Sea that surrounds the world, struggling under the thumb of the fae king. There are entire human kingdoms out there waging war on the fae, as are the Finnfolk who have sworn never to stop fighting back.

Humanfolk and finnfolk are still in a rebellion despite the centuries that have passed since the Reversal and its massive destruction, followed by the fae who dropped into a weakened world, razing the new cities and towns to the ground.

Grabbing what wasn’t theirs.

Thinking they can mock and insult and grin, like Arkin here.

And all the while we’re talking, Athdara is standing as if hewn of stone, staring out over the cages on the barges, toward the Pillar and the Central Sea.

We have always known that we live somewhere near the middle of the Nine Hollow Worlds. This world is quite balanced between the elements. It’s not dominated by water, rock, fire, or air.

We call this the Seventh World, counting from the top, since the worlds are stacked in a pile. However, we cannot be sure as they occasionally flip, and the numbering changes with every Reversal. Not to mention, nobody has been able to confirm which world we are. Some say we may be the Fifth World, the very center, but it’s unlikely. Just because the fae upon arrival decided that we are the Seventh World doesn’t mean anything.

After a while, Arkin shifts on his feet, his leather boots crunching on pebbles, then squelching a little in the mud. “He’s a pretty one, isn’t he?”

What?My gaze swings back to Arkin, my brows hitting my hairline.

“We fae prize beauty, as you know.” He nods at Athdara. “He’s been quite the sensation at the court ever since the kingdiscovered him and brought him in. You know what I mean. Men and women swooning right and left as he passes. Offering him gifts. Showing up at his door, trying to seduce him.”

But…I tap the side of my head with my finger, twirl it, and roll my eyes.

“Yeah, he is crazy, despite Tru’s protests. Or going crazy, at any rate.” A crease appears between Arkin’s brows. “It seems to be getting worse.”

I point up at the sky, at the dragons crossing it, and tap the side of my head again.

“You’re asking if it’s his power to command dragons that’s driving him insane? Only the Gods and the Great Dara know.” Arkin frowns harder at me. “You’re attracted to him, aren’t you?”

What? No.I shake my head many times to make sure my denial is clear and convincing.No!

“You are.” He grins again. “Pretty human girl from the swamps falls for the aloof army commander of the fae king. A tragic love story.”

Asshole. I kick mud at him. Wave my hands about.This is nonsense. I’ve only just seen the man twice! He brushed by me as if I didn’t exist! He’s just standing there! What!

Arkin laughs and turns to go. “Yeah, yeah. Keep protesting. Beware of beauty, little human lady. It never fails to injure.”

I lift my little finger at him.

It only makes him laugh more as he goes. “Happy Pillar celebration and a good year to you.”

Whatever.I jab my little finger upward harder.Go away, fae prick.

By the time I turn back toward Athdara, I find him gone, too.

CHAPTER FOUR

After a mostly uneventful night, the barges are pushed off the shore by a crew of determined-looking fae guards.

There were a few incidents. Hard to avoid so close to the water. Before dawn, a couple of watersprights crawled out of the river ready to attack the camp, but were pushed back by the guards on duty.

---