Page 49 of The Stolen Crown

“Then I’ll certainly make my list of past lovers a top priority.” I released my hold on him and made quick work of unraveling my legs. My carelessness about where I jerked and thrust my knee was obvious, as Tait had to scramble off me to avoid a direct strike. I huffed and muttered all the curses I could think toward the man.

On my feet, I brushed endless sand from my palms. “Be glad I was clinging to you instead of letting you go.”

For a moment, he said nothing, then he promptly strode ahead. “Come on. I’m hungry, and before the sand, I found a berry shrub. They were a darker shade. Good chance they aren’t poisonous. But who knows, we might get lucky and be rid of each other one way or another.”

Horrid man. I gathered my skirt with an angry huff and stomped behind him.

I had grand plans to find my own damn shelter. Somewhere far, far, far from this beautiful terror. At the top of the slope, Tait paused. I did not wait for him and hurried past. My body jolted when his rough, warm palm curled around my wrist, halting me.

Slowly, like a rusted cog, I turned. Tait studied the rocks beneath our feet.

“Thank you…for saving me”—his voice was rough, low, hesitant—“Mira.”

Good hells, what sort of woman was I to crumble like dry grass at the simple use of my given name?

I cleared my throat and gingerly eased my wrist free of his hold. “Well, that’s a little better. Hurry on now, Hearttalker. We’ve food to find, and I demand you soothe the aches in my feet.”

“Don’t press your luck, Vicious.”

Tait said the words in a snarl, but I was certain one of those rare half grins played at the corner of his lips.

15

The Heartwalker

Mira was forced to live with the aches in her feet. Instead of returning the way we came, we traipsed the remaining shoreline of the narrow isle. It wasn’t large, but there were trees, shrubs, and small freshwater pools scattered about.

Before falling into the sinking sand, I’d climbed halfway up the slope in the center of the isle. The higher vantage offered a bit more confidence on our position. I could plot which direction to aim for the Ever with a bit more precision if we found a way to sail again.

Shadows and stars aided a ship’s course. An old trick taught to me as a boy used a sort of guide to catch the celestial movements. I found a smooth slab of dry bark, inspected both sides to ensure it would work, then tucked it into our small cavern shelter.

The day side of the bark would have notches for the sun shadows. On the other, star patterns would guide us at night. I lifted my chin. A glimmer of familiar silver flickered back at me. Voidwalker, a constellation found in every sky of every realm. I grinned at the velvet night. He would be key in charting the guide.

Before the last of the sunlight faded on the horizon, I attempted to tidecall. Again, I waited and waited, but no voice ever returned.

In truth, Erik’s directive that I wait until Mira was ready to set sail left the Sea Void with no true arrival date.

It could be weeks before anyone knew we were missing. The only hope would be if Mira’s mother or father sent a missive to the Ever addressed to their daughter. Then the Ever Queen might respond, explaining Mira never arrived.

There were no guarantees anyone would have reason to search for us for days to come.

This deep in the Far Seas, my sea voice felt like trying to pull bits of my magic through a narrow sieve. Mira insisted her glamour was not hindered, proven by what she described as her “immaculate illusions” chasing off the birds.

I thought they were rather hazy. I chose not to let her know.

With a bit of reluctance, I faced the truth: we were lost at sea, my crew was scattered, and I was trapped with the one woman across the realms who threatened to upend my carefully controlled existence with her sharp tongue and vibrant smile.

“Have you heard a word I said?” Mira, hands propped on her hips, watched me with a quizzical brow.

I paused the smooth stone I held against the edge of my knife. “What?”

Mira gestured to the stones. Bits of tiny bluefin fish rested atop two large leaves. “I’ve been speaking to you. Food is ready.”

“Eat. I’ll finish this.” I flipped my newly sharpened knife in my grip and set to work cutting long blades of grass to create sleeping mats with four large leaves we found behind the cavern.

Mira’s palm rested on my shoulder.

Revulsion was anticipated, but as always, her touch was more of a burn, intoxicating and scorching. Still overwhelming, but with a deeper craving for more, which I did not understand.