Page 406 of Kingdoms of Night

Werian leapt down from the rigging, where he’d been easing a sail with a man named John who was as big as two Werians—and the fae prince was far from small. “It’s all about balance. Dream impossible things. Don’t hinder your heart. Then, take simple, practical steps to attain that dream.”

The rum made Isa’s head feel fuzzy. Suddenly the truth was pouring from her mouth. “I wish I could explore that dryad island and get to know the prince.”

“Even though that plan might see you dead?” Werian smiled as he asked, which made Isa like him even more.

Rhianne winked.

They truly were mad. Perhaps she was as well.

“Yes,” Isa answered.

“Turn us around, John,” Werian called out to the incredibly tall first mate.

“Aye, aye, Captain.” John began shouting orders in the cutting tone of his coastal Lore accent. “We’re changing tack. Ready about!”

“Hard alee!” the crew called back.

Eamon turned the wheel, his lips pulled back and cheeks darkening with the effort as the ship’s bow passed through the eye of the wind.

They were headed back to Viridi, back to danger. Isa’s hand went to her wildly beating heart. She couldn’t do this.

She shot to her feet, knocking over an empty crate behind her. “Wait!”

Werian frowned. “I thought this is what you wanted? We’ll come with you if you like. I know a few crew members that would gladly say yes to a new adventure. Eamon for one doesn’t have the good sense to say no, and never has a day in his life. Little Nico can remain on the ship where he’ll be safe. I will post men to stay with him.”

“What’s happening?” Nico climbed out of the darkness from belowdecks.

“Wait. No. Just … I can’t do this,” Isa waved her hands in an attempt to get the crew to stop changing course. “Stay the course to Khem and I’ll find work there. It was only the rum talking.”

“You’re certain?” Rhianne asked. “I am happy to indulge in your madness.” She grinned with all of her teeth and looked every bit the pirate and nothing like a cobbler.

“I’m sure. I don’t want to risk…” Isa said, trailing off. Nico was staring up at the stars. The sight of him healthy and happy warmed her through and through. She leaned close to Rhianne. “I can’t lose him to my ridiculously curious nature.”

“You’re assuming things would go badly,” Werian said over Rhianne’s shoulder.

Rhianne raised an eyebrow and looked at him. “Well, there was the part where Isa’s handsome fellow turned into a tree monster who seemed inclined to murder.”

He shrugged. “Your choice, Mademoiselle Isa.” He spoke in the Wylfen tongue, surprising her.

She answered in her home’s language. “When Nico wiggled his way into my life, my heart left my chest to live in his.”

Werian smiled and Rhianne glanced to Nico, obviously picking up at least some of what they were talking about.

“I love him more than any adventure,” Isa said in the Lore trade tongue so that Rhianne would be sure to understand.

Werian called for the men to reset the course to Khem.

“Of course you do,” Rhianne said. “He is an adventure in himself.” Rhianne grabbed Nico’s arm and whirled him around as John pulled a shawm out of a container near the compass box and began to play.

“To Khem,” Werian reminded the crew. “And while we go, there shall be dancing!”

CHAPTERNINETEEN

ISA

Attempting to push thoughts of Viridi’s eyes to the back of her mind, Isa joined in the dancing and was soon laughing and showing the steps to an old Wylfen basket dance to several incredibly drunk sailors.

A sailor named Eamon tied his yellow beard into knots and sang a story about a creature from the distant land of Skyedon Ash.

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