Page 30 of A Trial of War
I nodded in return.
Shaw was exactly where he needed to be.
Turning down the docks, I shouted at Talon and Rhea, “Hurry up!”
“We’re coming,” Rhea snapped. “Am I right to assume that Shaw is going with the shadow jumper fae?”
“Yes.”
“Did you say goodbye to Magnus?” Talon asked, swinging a pack over his shoulder.
“I did,” I answered. “We met with him at the Summit this morning after our return to finalize our plans. Neera will leave tomorrow with Zola and Shaw.”
“Ah,” Talon said, smirking, glancing at his brother. “That’s good.”
“He’s needed elsewhere,” I said. “Besides, I believe he’ll be able to relay messages to me through our beta-alpha bond.”
“Really?” Daxton arched a brow. “Even from that distance?”
“It’s a theory,” I said with a shrug. “Might as well test it, right?”
“Better now than in the middle of a battle,” Castor chimed in. “We’ll see what our spies can uncover.”
“So, how did I draw the lucky straw to ferry you once again across the Narrow Sea?”
I turned, grinning at the High Fae sea captain leaning casually over the opal-painted railing.
“Captain Fjorda,” I said fondly.
“Majesties,” he replied with a deep, sweeping bow. “Shall we?”
The salty tang of the sea air filled my lungs as I stepped onto the gangplank. The wood creaked beneath my boots. The scent of freshly swabbed decks, damp wood, and soap mingled with the briny tang of the sea and the savory aroma of fish cooking below.
My stomach turned at the thought of the days’ worth of fish-based meals, but I didn’t dare let Fjorda or his crew catch on.
“My king,” Fjorda said with another bow toward Daxton. “And my queen.”
“Gods, Fjorda,” I huffed, shaking my head. “Will you stop with that?”
He rose with a smirk. “But of course, Your Majesty, whatever you request.”
“Where is my bow?” Castor huffed, with Nyssa at his side. “I’mnowthe High Prince of Silver Meadows.”
“Prince.” Fjorda bent forward with an exaggerated solemnity.
“Well, that’s slightly better,” Castor said, lifting his chin.
“Cast the sails!” Fjorda called out as the gangplank retreated and the anchor raised.
“Oh, gods,” Rhea groaned, reaching out to steady herself against Talon. “I don’t think I’m made for the sea.”
Talon caught her with ease, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Too late to back out now.”
Rhea shot him a look. “Remind me why I agreed to come along?”
“Because you refused to be left behind. And if memory serves, there was foul, threatening language about tearing something to pieces with your teeth and talons if we left you ashore,” Castor offered with a grin.
The sails billowed as they caught the breeze, and the ship glided from the harbor, rocking gently with the current and the waves.
