Page 78 of House of Salt and Sorrows
Purple tentacles shot out of a small rock, each manipulated by children dressed in black. The head popped free, buoyant with hot air and steam. The Thaumas octopus spread across the stage, performing an elaborate dance timed to the music. At the end, on the final beat, its eyes lit up, piercing and bright.
The audience erupted in applause. As the puppeteers shifted to the next scene in the pageant, I glanced at the Graces. They were enraptured, leaning on the box railing so they wouldn’t miss a moment.
“How impressive,” whispered Morella, next to me.
Our guests murmured their agreement, and I was pleased to see Papa put his hand on her knee and give it an affectionate squeeze.
It had been a wonderful day. We sailed to Astrea after breakfast and spent the afternoon taking part in the festival’s many delights. We watched local fishermen bring silver hooks to Pontus’s altar as thanks for a bounteous season. Throughout the week, the hooks would be made into nautical sculptures by artists and displayed in the streets during Churnings to come. At night, they shone in the dark, brushed with glowing algae harvested from the bay.
We stuffed ourselves with treats from street vendors. Spun-sugar sea glass, glazed almond cookies shaped like sand dollars, roasted corn, and bowls of thick clam chowder were offered on every corner, along with more exotic fare: red frog crabs and whelks, jellyfish jerky and sea urchins. The children raced up and down the beach with silk kites painted like stingrays and seahorses. Glass orbs were strung across the town square like humpbacks’ bubble nets.
At the end of the pageant, the actor playing Pontus stepped forward and announced there would be a grand fireworks display at midnight, just two hours away.
“May we stay, Papa?” Mercy asked, shifting in her seat. “Oh, please?”
The rest of the girls joined in, begging and beguiling. Their voices rose to a clamor before Papa raised his hands and looked to the other adults for their thoughts. Seeing the round of nods, he smiled at the group. “Fireworks it is!”
“It’s getting a bit chilly, don’t you think, Ortun?” Regnard asked, slapping him across the back. “What say we while the time away in that tavern I saw just down the road? A round of Tangled Sirens for everyone!”
Tangled Sirens were special drinks, served only at Churning. A mixture of spirits and bitters, they boasted a tangy kick of salted kelp.
“I never could stomach those. You men go off and enjoy yourselves,” Amelia suggested. “Come, ladies, isn’t there a bakery not far from here?”
The little girls groaned, wanting to be out in the spectacle of Churning for as long as they could.
I caught the look in Morella’s eyes. It had been a long day for her, and though she’d not complained, her feet must be aching. “I saw a vendor selling flavored ices near the sculptures in the park. Who wants stuffy cake and tea when we can have shaved ice and cream? My treat!”
With a squeal, the girls darted off down a side street. Lenore and Ligeia ran after them, trying to keep the five in line. Camille followed several paces behind, more interested in the brightly lit shopwindows than the celebration around her. Rosalie winked at Ethan before sauntering away, clearly hoping he’d trail after her.
“We’ll join you later,” I promised the older women. “Just before the fireworks start.”
Morella linked arms with Rebecca as they headed off. I remembered how lonely she’d been the night before, and my heart smiled for her. Maybe she would make friends this week after all.
Papa released a scattering of coins into my hand. “For yourices.”
My mouth dropped open. “This would buy shaved ice for years.” I tried to give the gold florettes back, but he waved me off. His eyes looked wild in the moonlight.
“Then spend it on something else, my sweet. It’s a celebration. Tonight is for extravagance.”
The captains and clerks hollered a bawdy cry behind him. Papa swung a brotherly arm around Sterland, heading inside. Cassius was the last one out. At the threshold, he looked over his shoulder.
“What am I about to get into?”
His eyes danced, and I swear he winked at me. I wanted to believe it was more than a trick of the light, but his comment about the contest last night still stung.
“Don’t let the Sirens lure you too far. I’ve heard they’re potent.”
I turned and hurried after my sisters. The men’s shouts echoed through the streets. They weren’t the only revelers this night, but they were certainly the loudest.
The park had been transformed into the staging area for an ice sculpture contest. Glittering forms rose up into the night, lit with focused lanterns. Most shone a soft white, but others had colored gels in them, casting brilliant tones on the crystal statues.
I found the girls circled around an icy palace in the center of the park, pointing out startling details. Frosted flags spun in the breeze, hinged with little bits of metal. The brick edges were softly rounded, making the architecture flow with a dreamy swirl.
“Look at the tridents on the bridge!” one of the Morganstin girls said. “Just like in the play!”
“This is Pontus’s castle,” Mercy explained. “He carries a great trident with him wherever he goes.”
“I thought he lived in the ocean. There aren’t castles in the ocean.”
