Page 91 of The Court of Secrets
“How did your lords take you leaving?” Blaise’s voiced snapped me back to the inside of the carriage. I closed the curtain and sighed. Fortunately, we weren’t using the royal carriage today, which meant people wouldn’t be chasing us down.
“They didn’t take it well, at all, but there’s nothing they can do about it. They seem to think I should have stayed until Vahaga returns, which we all know,” I whispered, “isn’t going to happen.”
He squeezed my hand once again. “I’ll keep you safe no matter what happens.”
I gave him a look. “No matter what happens?”
“If your lords go against you.”
“That won’t happen. Even they aren’t that stupid. Besides, I left Adius behind to manage things for me while I’m gone.”
Morgana interjected. “It was a smart move.” She then moved her stare to Blaise. “Winter is right. The lords wouldn’t turn on her or try to do anything against her. With Vahaga gone, they are weakened.”
He put his hands in the air in a show of surrender, a teasing smile on his lips. “I was just saying.”
I shot her a thoughtful look. “We’re close,” I said, smelling the fishy air. “Aquarius and his crew were brought around to this port.”
“I’ll have to meet you there. I’ll be going on my own ship.”
“I know. Besides, I doubt Aquarius would allow you on his.”
Amusement danced on his features. “I’m sure he, like everyone else, could be persuaded.”
“Not him.” I raised my eyebrows, challenge swallowing my expression. I couldn’t help it. I always took the bait of a game between us.
“Want to bet?”
I licked my lips. “You need to go on the royal ship, remember?”
“Maybe I’ll change my mind.”
Morgana’s eyes rolled. “Winter, I think it best we go alone. While I’m sure Blaise could, if he wanted, persuade your friend to board his ship, you could use this time to bond with your new ladies. They’ll be meeting us there.”
I nodded. She was right. I had no recollection of Lady Penelope, although she would have been introduced to me at the Ruby Circle. Lady Mai, however, had left a lasting impression. She had braided my hair before the council meeting and we played a game of cards, but aside from that, I hadn’t spent any time with her. Including Nissa, I now had three ladies. It felt strange. Since I could talk, I had refused ladies-in-waiting, sticking to maids who served my basic needs. I’d never been fond of friends, but the older I got, the more I craved human interaction.
“I’m actually looking forward to it, and with the mer king temporarily eased since Blaise saw him, it should be smooth sailing.”
Morgana’s eyes widened as we neared the docks. The sun poured light through the cracks around the curtains. “I should do a reading before we embark.”
I nodded, letting her pull her cards out and place them next to her on the plush cushion. Once she appeared satisfied with what they said, she shuffled them and put them back into her bag. I saw one card as the wanderer. It was the same one I’d gotten before I’d landed back in Berovia, but this time, Berovia was coming to us, and with raising the dead and sacrificing a princess, I prayed this would be the last big journey I had to go on. Some peace would be welcome.
The waves crashed, sounding in the distance as we pulled up. Stepping out, my eyes flitted to the grandest ship with tall sails. Its mast swayed against the sunrise, which glistened in a hundred shades of red and orange.
Aquarius walked toward us, his smile wide with pearly white teeth. His sea-sprayed hair tousled against the rising gusts coming from the ocean. His skin was golden, kissed by the sun from long travels. His knee-high black boots sat against brown pants held by a gold belt. When he reached us, he dipped down and pulled me into a hug. “Thanks for helping us out there, darlin’.”
“It’s the least I could do after all you’ve done for me.”
He released me and extended his hand toward Morgana with a devilish grin. “I’m Aquarius.”
Her voice lightened. “I’m Morgana.”
His gaze passed over Blaise and to the carriage behind us. “We should get going if we’re going to get yah both to Niferum by tonight.”
Blaise took one step forward, clearing his throat. I waited for the snarky remark or anger at his being ignored an introduction. Holding my breath, I looked from Aquarius to him.
Blaise nodded once. “Winter tells me of your heroism.”
Suspicion crowned Aquarius’s eyes. “I wouldn’t call it heroic. We were just in the right place at the right time.”
