Page 21 of I Summon the Sea

The dark head gives a slight nod. The fist at his side clenches, unclenches. More blood drips.

What is he talking about? Contain what? Are they keeping some monster in the hold?

“We will be at the palace by nightfall,” Tru says, “and if you would like to see the healer, I’ll arrange?—”

“Hold your tongue, or I’ll cut it,” Athdara barks.

Tru’s head bows. “Of course. But if you?—”

With lightning speed, Athdara pulls his bleeding fist back and smashes it into Tru’s jaw, snapping his head to the side and sending him stumbling back a few paces.

Holy shit!What is he doing?

Over the booming of my heart, I can faintly hear Athdara snarling words I don’t understand—what languageisthat?—and the shadows swirl tighter and darker around him, twining around his muscular legs and up his torso.

Tru takes a few more steps away, shaking his head as if to clear it. The guards… they turn to watch, hefting their spears, frowns on their faces.

What are they going to do? Attack their own commander?

And what is going on with Athdara? Why did he get so angry? Why did he attack his friend?

Finally, Athdara falls quiet, and Tru sighs and stalks off, heading to the hold, his back rigid and steps heavy. Everyone parts to let him through.

He doesn’t seem to have noticed the blood still dripping from Athdara’s hand.

Nobody has.

Athdara stands there for several long, thunderous beats while we all watch, then turns on his heel and marches back across the deck. He slows down in front of me, and I flinch at the look in his stormy eyes.

So bleak.

So… empty.

I’m unsure if he recognizes me or even sees me before he marches off, too.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Athdara is patrolling the barges of the convoy. He seems to be able to jump from one to the next somehow, without bridges, ropes, or other means. Another mystery.

At least, that explains why he is absent most of the time.

Whenever he is on the first barge and passes close to me, he ignores me. Very conspicuously.

Whereas a sudden urge to comb my fingers through my hair and straighten my dress grips me whenever he’s near.

Ridiculous.And not only because I look like something the mermaids dragged in.

He can’t even bother to glance at me, but why would he? Just because he decided to save my life with that smirk that set my blood on fire?

One would think you know nothing of men’s ways, girl.

Which may be true. I know little. But I’ve heard stories and should know better. Funny how my body won’t obey my mind. It must be the little mystery surrounding him, I decide. The shadows, the ability to command draks, his temper, and the rumors flying about when his back is turned.

Look at me. I’m just an old busybody sitting on her porch, indulging her curiosity. It explains my behavior toward him.

Mostly.

“Tyrren is an idiot.” Arkin passes me some rusk and a flask of fresh water after the midday point, sitting down beside me on the deck.

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