Page 85 of The Shadow Prince's Ruin
He licks his lips, staring at the waves crashing onto the shore. “I don’t want them to turn you away. You are in danger.”
“And as my Dark Companion, you are too, even if they don’t know you’re also the Sunwolf. We are in this together, just as wepromised in our vows.” I show off the ring I’ve ended up wearing on my thumb. “We do not leave each other behind.”
He swallows, and his nostrils flare as he exhales. Moments later, his arms are around me, his lips at the top of my head, breathing me in. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I melt into him, wishing we didn’t have to continue this perilous journey. The seaweed on his skin has already dried so much it crunches when we hug. I just hope the cool breeze of the ocean will help once we’re on the boat.
Not far from the rock with the initials, the wide mouth of a cave opens in the cliff towering over the beach. With my heartbeat in my throat, I lead us inside.
The resident doesn’t attempt to hide her presence, as I can see swamplight torches from the entrance. I suppose not many people would end up here by accident, so I pull Hawk along, walking deeper into the hideout. The air smells of salt and adora smoke, which the captain must often use for it to be so pervasive, but those musings evaporate from my mind when we turn the corner and see the back of the cave.
Furniture worthy of a royal family is set up on top of carpets, along with colorful textiles and items that are as expensive as they appear. Beyond them, in the green glow of the torches I spot a small ship as white as bone. No, actually, itismade of bone, and I find myself stilling at the sight of the pier next to it, and the three people lounging there over a game of cards.
Two men are stretched on fancy chaise-lounges, one of which is suspiciously reminiscent of the piece of furniture that apparently sank on the way to the Nocturne Court before Lord Kyran’s ascension to the throne. But neither of them look like the type of gentlemen who can afford such fine pieces.
Both of them are wearing leather pants that don’t even reach their ankles. In the moonlight, their pale bodies seem almost as white as the bone vessel behind them, while their long blackhair falls in messy streaks down their backs. I see enough resemblance to assume they’re brothers.
But while they are a mystery to me, I’m sure the woman sitting on a barrel next to them must be Captain Margaux Lepearl, as her mane of curly blonde hair beneath a hat fashioned out of the skull of a Skyshark is a distinct feature my mother told me about. As we get closer, I realize she’s dressed just like her companions, and wears nothing beyond a pair of leather pants, leaving her breasts bare.
As soon as the crunch of rocks under our feet alert the group, three pairs of eyes turn our way and Lepearl grabs a shirt to cover herself.
I raise my hands when one of the men grabs a crossbow. “Greetings, Captain Lepearl!” I say to signify I know what I’m doing, even though confidence drizzles out of me the moment a bolt is aimed at my heart.
She frowns, and her feline features grow even more angular as she raises her chin. “Who’s disturbing my peace? I do not know you.”
Behind me, I sense the faintest vibration, as if Hawk is growling deep in his throat, but he remains still, as I asked.
The other man drops his cards with a frustrated sigh. “Can you not come back once we’re done playing strip poker? I was winning.”
Judging by his state of undress, I’m not sure if by winning he actually means losing.
The captain jumps off the barrel and puts on a flamboyant jacket embroidered with a pattern of spider crabs in black and red. As I step on the pier, I’m secretly glad to see she’s no taller than me. Well, maybe if it wasn’t for her hat.
“I am sorry to disturb you, but I come with an urgent matter. My name is Prince Sylvan Goldweed, and I have been told you used to work for my mother.”
Lepearl squints at me. Her eyes are like two rubies surrounded by kohl dust. “With, not ‘for’. So what can a banished prince want from me? You do know there’s a bounty on your head, right?” she asks, but does glance at Hawk next. If news of Hawk and what we’ve done at The Burning Corpse has traveled, people might assume we’re more dangerous than we are.
I clear my throat. “Passage to Ravanzia. As I said, urgently. My mother will pay.” I’m bluffing, but my family name is the only bargaining chip I have left, unless the bag of fresh raspberries attached to my belt counts.
Lepearl sighs and grabs an apple from a golden bowl. She doesn’t bite into it though, almost as if the fruit is a wax prop. “How much is her blood worth to her?” she asks while the two men relax. One of them pulls out a pipe and packs it with dried adora, which explains the herby, sweet scent lingering in the air. The other puts down the crossbow with a deep sigh. Is he upset he doesn’t get to use it?
“Everything,” I say without missing a beat. Another useful thing my mother taught me. Don’t hesitate when lying. “I am her only remaining son.”
When the man behind Lepearl lights his pipe, I get a good look at his blank eyes. They have no pupils, just empty sclera in a watery shade, and it hits me where I’ve seen a gaze like his before. The royal coachman at the Nocturne Court, and every single kelpie in his care have eyes like that . But how can these two stay in elven form? Who enchanted them? And how does Lepearl keep them disciplined when kelpie are known to be rowdy and violent creatures with a knack for cruel games?
The captain taps her pale lips. “Let’s say I agree—”
“No!” One of the kelpie gets up and spreads his arms. “We just got back yesterday!”
I frown. “I am speaking with your captain.”
Lepearl cocks her head at me. “Kick and Bite will be the ones making sure we have a safe journey, so you don’t want to disrespect them, and if they say they’re tired, then we’re not going anywhere until tomorrow.”
Kick and Bite? Seriously? I glare at the glorified horses, but when I take a deep breath to speak again, Hawk steps in front of me.
“Listen, lady. We don’t have the time. His mother will pay, and we will be the best passengers you’ve ever had. Hell, I can row if you want. But we need to leavenow.”
She glares at him, buttoning her coat, as if to let him know this is not a game. “My crew said no. You can stay in the cave until tomorrow, but don’t push your luck.”
