If anything, Kit’s grin widens. “Of course. She oohed and aahed over all the pretties. I made sure to tell her to give her thanks to you, not anyone else.” Before I can come up with a response to that, ne gives me a finger wave and heads toward the stern.
I didn’t give her clothes so that she’d have a reason to seek me out or thank me. And yet I’m looking forward to being in her presence again all the same. I can’t get the memory of her in my arms out of my head. Her absence over the last twenty-four hours should’ve been enough to banish the worst of it, but it’s not the case. If anything, I crave her more.
This is a problem.
I’ll just add it to the list.
CHAPTER 14
Evelyn
I CAN’T HIDE FOREVER. WHEN MILES FIRST ASSIGNED ME TO the kitchen, I resented it, but it’s honestly been a nice reprieve from … everything. I have some experience with brownies, so I don’t step on their toes the way some of the rest of the crew does. In return, I don’t have to do the hard labor that comes from working on deck or worry about dealing with the quartermaster, who obviously hates me. I tell myself that it’s worth the exchange.
But I can’t help missing Bowen.
It’s ridiculous to miss the man who’s my captor, who’s aggravating in the extreme because of his unwillingness to bend. But after three days, I find myself back on deck, pulled there by the excitement of the crew as we near our destination. I stay out of the way as best I can, and make a careful path to the railing.
Overhead, the skies are clear of clouds and painted a blue that’s almost unreal. It reminds me of summer days back home, and longing hits me so hard, I actually flinch. It’s so strange that I can be in this magical place and yet the sky looks so familiar. Brilliant and blue and absolutely endless. I try to appreciate the fact that I’m in Threshold, but it’s hard to be positive these days when I feel so conflicted.
Our destination lies in front of us, an island that is significantly larger than the last one. It curves out to the east—or at least I think it’s the east—and then back around out of sight. There doesn’t seem to be any place to access from this direction; the whole coast is high cliffs that remind me of the pictures I’ve seen of Ireland. Except these ones aren’t white. They are a magnificent green shot through with blue and gold and silver, so bright they take my breath away. The metallics catch the light as we sail northwest.
“You want to be belowdecks for what comes next.”
I jolt and turn to find my roommate, Lucky, standing next to me. I didn’t even hear them approach. For the first time in our acquaintance, a small smile curves the edges of their lipless mouth. It’s hardly any expression at all, but on them it’s practically a shout of joy.
“What do you mean?”
“Here there be monsters.” They let out a harsh laugh. “It’s no place for people like you.” They press one hand to the railing and hoist themselves over.
It happens so fast, I’m left standing there with my mouth open as they plummet to the water and sink beneath the surface. I spin, ready to shout that there’s a person overboard, but Kit hurries up, nir face in hard lines. “You shouldn’t be out here, Evelyn.”
“So everyone keeps saying.” I lean over the railing, but Lucky is nowhere to be seen. “They just—”
“I know.” Kit takes my arm and turns me away from the railing. “They’re our scout. Lucky’s half mermaid, which means they don’t ping magical systems the same way a probe would—or run the risk of drowning. They’re fine. But you won’t be. We don’t know quite what we’re up against, and the captain would have my head if something happens to you.”
There’s no time to digest that, not with nem hustling me back toward the staircase that leads belowdecks. “But—”
“Next time.” Ne picks up nir pace. “You need to—”
I never find out what ne was about to say. There’s a giant roar that raises the hair at the back of my neck, and the entire ship lists violently to the side. Kit catches me in nir burly arms, but we still both slam against the opposite railing. It’s only nir strength that keeps us aboard.
I look around frantically, but the rest of the crew seems to be doing okay. Some of them are even laughing, the fools. At least until Lucky flings themself onto the deck, dripping seawater everywhere. Their black eyes are wide and panicked. “Dragon!”
Just like that, the entire vibe changes.
“Gunners, to your stations!” Bowen’s roar snaps everyone into motion.
Kit curses under nir breath and thrusts me away from the stairway. “There’s no time to get belowdecks now. Hurry. There’s space at the helm behind the captain. He’ll keep you safe.”
For once, I’m not interested in arguing. I’ve been in plenty of fights over the years, and I know how to take care of myself, but this is a different animal entirely. Fighting by yourself is one thing. This crew is a well-oiled machine, and even as fear is a live creature inside me, they move as if directed by a single mind. I know that’s not magic at play, which means it’s Bowen’s leadership.
Apparently I’m not moving fast enough, because his magic wraps around me and hauls me to a small space at his back. I don’t know what it says about me that I find its gentle grip comforting instead of aggravating, but now isn’t the time or place to examine the sensation.
It also isn’t the time to notice how magnificent he looks, his strong hands guiding the helm and the wind blowing his dark hair back from his strong face. He’s wearing another crimson coat, and as much as I hate what that color represents, I can’t deny that it looks stunning on him.
“Stay behind me. I’ll keep you safe.” He doesn’t look at me.
There’s no time to reply. The ship veers in the other direction, tipping so violently that I slam against Bowen’s back. Again, his magic grip surrounds me, carefully keeping me in place.
But I only have eyes for the creature rising out of the waves next to the boat. It’s the most magnificent, terrifying thing I’ve ever seen. Massive and serpentine, but with a face that is both reptilian and strangely catlike. It’s a deep blue color, with a lighter underbelly, similar to a great white shark. The better to blend in while it hunts.
Its roar has me covering my ears with my hands and fighting not to crouch as if that would make a difference in this fight. Movement at the other side of the ship makes me pivot, and a great white noise fills my thoughts as my brain tries to comprehend the sheer size of the thing. Because that’s its tail, whipping violently about, hundreds of yards from its head.
It strikes at the mast, but it doesn’t make contact before hitting an invisible wall. I know that wall. I walked into it the other night. It’s a shield Bowen has constructed with his magic. Sure enough, I feel the tremor that works through him in response to the contact. That took its toll. He’s stronger than I can comprehend, but not even he can keep this ship safe indefinitely against that kind of strength.
“Get the spears!”
In response to Bowen’s command, Miles and Kit appear, along with several crew members I know by sight, if not by name. Each holds a long spear in their hands and has a determined look on their face. No fear there. I barely understand it.