Page 162 of Sword & Sacrifice

Everett stood and circled the desk, laying one hand on her shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Take heart. We’re one step closer to finding your mother.”

She gave him a watery smile and stood, stepping out of his grasp. “Thank you. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me so far.”

His hand dropped to his side, and he smiled back at her, the expression somewhat strained. “Of course. I’ll give Braz his new orders immediately.” He escorted her out of the office, closing and locking the door behind her.

Emmaline decided not to follow him to the helm. Instead, she went to the bow and gazed at the horizon. How long until she caught her first glimpse of Dreamer’s Isle?

“Did the birdie bring bad news?”

Emmaline sighed as Rafe sidled up next to her. During her time on the ship, he’d constantly found excuses to bother her. Clearly the man didn’t have enough to do. Ignoring him never worked so she told him bluntly, “I’m not in the mood to speak with you, Rafe.”

“Must be bad indeed,” he said, crossing his arms and leaning on the rail. “Is it about your mother?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What do you know about my mother?”

He held up his hands to ward off her dagger glare. “Just what the captain’s told us. Sounds like she’s in a bit of a bind, and we’ve been enlisted to help.”

“More than a bind,” Emmaline confessed. Rafe wouldn’t normally be her first choice of confidant, but she remembered him speaking about his own mother. Maybe he would understand her frustration. “My … father is taking us to Dreamer’s Isle to meet with an informant.”

“That sounds like progress,” Rafe said, “So why do you look upset?”

She sighed and rested her chin in hands. “He wants me to stay on the ship. He says the island is too dangerous.”

Rafe snorted. “No more dangerous than other port cities. Though it does have more whorehouses crammed onto it than freckles on a redhead.”

A blush colored her cheeks at his vulgar description. Her embarrassment quickly transformed into indignation. “Is that the only reason he wants me to stay behind? I’m not a child and I won’t judge anyone for their profession.”

“Good to know.” He gazed at her for a long time before asking, “So what are you going to do?”

Her brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Are you going to stay behind and leave everything in the captain’s hands?”

She couldn’t answer immediately. Although Everett was her father, she barely knew him, and she didn’t fully trust him. Though he’d welcomed her with open arms, he’d also kept her at somewhat of a distance the past few days. She wanted to be part of the search for her mother, not sit on the ship, twiddling her thumbs. “I don’t know how to make him change his mind,” she admitted.

Rafe hummed thoughtfully. “If we’re visiting Dreamer’s Isle, most of the crew will want to go on shore leave. Even an hour is a nice reprieve after weeks at sea. The ship will be mostly empty, though a few of us will need to stay behind to keep an eye on it—and you.”

“I won’t sneak off,” she said defensively. “I don’t know anything about the island or where the meeting is taking place.”

“That’s a relief. Wouldn’t want you wandering off on your own and getting lost.” Rafe didn’t look at her as he spoke, his gaze pinned on something in the distance. “I mean, if you did want to follow your father, you’d need someone familiar with the island and his habits to guide you.”

Is he volunteering? She couldn’t tell if he was being vague and mysterious on purpose or if he was only goading her. She glanced around the deck, noting how some crew members kept an eye on them.

Rafe suddenly stretched, cracking his back. “Well, better return to work.”

Nothing had been settled, and Emmaline still didn’t know what he meant. She watched him saunter off across the deck.

If that’s a veiled offer of help, should I even take him up on it? Can I trust him to keep me safe? And would it be worth the risk to spy on Everett’s meeting? She would have to find answers for all those questions by the time they reached the island.

Chapter Ten

Ships of all sizes surrounded the Eyolf, Everett’s ship, as they neared Dreamer’s Isle. Many of them boasted colorful flags from other countries. The only flag Emmaline didn’t see was Arnsveld’s. They weren’t technically landlocked, but most of their coast was made up of high cliffs and rocky beaches. They had no navy or sea trade to speak of, so she wasn’t surprised by her country’s absence. It did make her feel lonely though, isolated from everyone she knew and loved.

Her father stepped up next to her, gazing at their destination. “What do you think?”

Emmaline crossed her arms over her chest, hugging herself tightly. “It doesn’t look dangerous.” It looked alive and thriving. Dozens of ships already docked, with workers diligently loading and unloading them. Brightly colored buildings dotted the shore, crowding into the small space to paint a picture of prosperity. She imagined people greeting friends after a long time away, meeting new people, finding new love. “I want to go with you.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his graying hair. “I know you do. It’s not just the island, the people I’m meeting with … they’re strong enough to stand against Alistair, it doesn’t mean they’re good people.”