Page 9 of Of Rime and Ruin
The shell is hot beneath my bare feet. The wind rips through my hair, spoiling the elaborate style. Against my chest, the cake squishes, crumbs escaping to skitter down my belly.
I come to a screeching halt in front of Keen, and he eyes the napkin with interest.
“That for me?”
“Happy submersion day,” I say.
He takes my offering and unfolds the napkin. The cake is malformed but still edible. Keen dips his finger into the icing and sucks on it.
“Sorry I can’t join you in the saddle.”
He grins around the cake, pushing a lump into his cheek. “I’m not stopping you. Especially not after you feed me cake.”
I laugh. “Consider it a thank you. For everything.”
He narrows his eyes. “That’s cryptic.”
“I mean—” I pause. It’s just cake, right? “I’m so glad you took the time to teach me. I don’t know the next time I’ll be able to—” The words lodge in my throat.
What am I saying?
Sweat beads at my temples, wetting my scalp. I glance over Keen’s shoulder to the sea’s unwavering horizon.
A pod of glosswhales leaps through the waves, glittering in the morning light. What if…
An itch crawls from the crown of my scalp to my toes as the thought solidifies.What if I joined them?
No. I couldn’t.
It’s too risky.
Winona has flayed deserters before. Why should her good-for-nothing sister be any different?
The old siren tracks my gaze. “Ah,” he says. “Some of my favorite creatures, glosswhales. I’ve always wondered where they go when the weather turns. I have a hunch they head south. Cross above the Abyss. Swim past the edge of the known sea. Now, wouldn’t that be exciting?” His voice drops to a whisper, brittle with emotion. “Wouldn’t that be something to live for?”
I join him in his whispering, leaning close. “What are you saying, Keen?”
He jerks his head toward the bustling city. “They’re all running around with their fins dried out. A bird could shit in their eye, and they wouldn’t notice a thing.”
“But I’m not…”
He winks. “I won’t say anything. Not even if she strings me by my gills.”
“But that’s treason.”
He pinches the cake and tucks another bite between his lips. “And it never tasted so sweet.”
“Oy!” shouts the captain. “You ready, Master Keen?”
I frown. Even as my heart jumps into my throat like an excited guppy.
“What about you? If you assist a deserter, she’ll snip your tongue.”
“Her best way-maker?” He finishes the cake. “She’d be lost without me.”
My toes grip the edge of the Rim. I stare into the glittering water. Ramona’s fins churn beneath the surf, making long, sweeping arcs.
“Now, I’m getting into the saddle. And you…” He squeezes my shoulder. “May the current guide your fins.”
