Page 35 of A Tribute of Fire

It meant “victory.” I decided to take it as an omen, a message meant just for me.

I was going to win and save everyone.

The rowboat pulled up alongside the trireme and there was a rope ladder for us to climb. I went up first, wanting to make sure the way was clear for Quynh and that I would be in a position to help her if she struggled to make it over the top.

It wasn’t hard for me to ascend over the railing—this was the kind of thing Demaratus had made us all do repeatedly in training.

“Why?” Polymedes had asked. “There’s no chance that we’ll ever be in a sea battle.”

“Quiet!” Demaratus had roared back. “You don’t know what you will or won’t face!”

Maybe he’d done it for my benefit so that I wouldn’t have to be hoisted on board by my enemy.

My decision to go first had been the right one, as Quynh couldn’t figure out how to position herself as she neared the top.

“Give me your hand,” I told her. She grabbed on and I pulled her up. It wasn’t easy and I was grateful that she was so small.

“Let me help,” I heard a voice say and I ignored him, lifting her by myself.

Jason.

When Quynh’s feet were safely on the deck, I turned to glare at him.

His expression was remorseful and I couldn’t tell if it was sincere. Then I noticed the shade of his eyes. A beautiful golden brown.

Of course his eyes were the color of honey. The goddess seemed intent on torturing me.

A pulse of want throbbed inside my gut.

Why was I attracted to this man?

He spoke, interrupting my internal struggle. “Lia. I’m sorry you were chosen.”

“I’m sorry you’re Ilionian,” I spat back, and walked away from him, bringing my sister with me.

Quynh’s eyes flew to mine in confusion. I probably should have told her about him. Part of me had hoped that he would be staying behind in Naryx with Lykaon, even though he had told me that he was first mate to the captain of the tribute vessel. I should have expected that I would see him again.

“Hoist the anchor! Rowers to positions!” an older man called out behind us, presumably the captain, and the deck was a hive of activity as men raced around, following orders.

Pegs were hammered into place, oars striking against their rowlocks as they prepared to be lowered into the sea, grunts coming from the men pulling up the anchor.

“Forward!” the captain called, and the ship suddenly lurched as the oars hit the water. I felt uneasy and I wasn’t sure if that was due to Jason’s nearness or if it was the way the wooden boards seemed to roll and move under my feet. It was unnatural. I didn’t like it.

A drummer and flautist were playing, keeping a steady beat that the rowers followed.

No one gave us any instructions and I assumed we were to look after ourselves. There was a wooden crate next to the ship railing, and Quynh curled up next to it. She pulled her knees up to her face, wrapping her arms around her legs. Her eyes fluttered shut. She didn’t seem to mind the rocking ship at all. She did this during stressful events—she would take quick naps to restore her spirits and to briefly escape whatever was upsetting her. I envied her ability to sleep anywhere, anytime.

I wouldn’t sleep, though. I had to see where we were headed.

Only a few minutes passed before we reached the blockade. A line of ships extended in both directions, as far as the eye could see. I gripped the railing tightly.

I wished I could take command of this ship and ram into every vessel here, destroying them so that I could lift the overwhelming economic burden my country had been put under.

And very few smuggler ships dared to run past them, as the Ilionians were merciless against those who disobeyed their rules. Because Troas’s location was central to several major trade routes, no other nation wanted to be shut out of those by crossing Ilion’s line.

Control of the trade routes was one of the reasons why Ilion had been able to rebuild so quickly after the Great War, and how they were able to raise enough money to create the blockade, so that they could punish us not only for Ajax’s sin, but for the destruction that had been visited on their capital city.

“Admiring the view?” Jason asked as he came to stand next to me.

---