Page 9 of A Trial of Two Worlds
Castor was no help. In his typical fashion, his mask of deception was firmly set in place.
And I… well, I didn’t know what to say.
“I won’t keep you any longer. Gods-speed, Champion.” Reece smiled, gave me a final bow, and turned on his heels to leave.
The commotion of the city resumed its previous pace, confirming that Reece’s confession was nothing of note because it was something they all believed to be true. A fact.
“Come, Skylar,” Castor said, stepping to my side. “TheOpalawaits.”
I followed his guided touch, meandering through the final streets leading to the harbor. The wooden planks of the dock were steady against the crashing waves that swirled beneath the barrier. Reece’s words on behalf of the citizens of Silver Meadows repeated over and over in my mind. I was honored by what he said, but the gravity of those words was not lost on me.
The fae would follow me, but would the Solace pack do the same?
Two worlds tied together by one fate.
“Welcome back,” Fjorda announced as he lowered the walkway. He leaned over the edge of his beautiful ship, so cleverly named theOpal, after the elegant accents of white. “I knew you’d be calling sooner rather than later,” he added with a smirk that no doubt had brought a fair share of females onto this very ship, and possibly a few water nymphs.
“Hello, Captain,” I answered, stepping onto the walkway.
My boots creaked on the planks, my steps heavy, almost like stones were weighing them down.
“Are any companions coming with you this time?” Fjorda asked, his seafoam eyes churning with curiosity like the waves of the sea that held his heart.
His long brown hair swayed over his shoulder in tune with the wild ocean breeze. Reaching up a hand, he casually stroked his neatly trimmed beard, speckled with highlights of blond, patiently waiting for my reply.
Frozen in place, I paused at the final step on the plank. “No, not this time,” I rasped.
“I imagine you have an idea of how to cross the veil?” Fjorda asked
“Of course.” I scoffed. “I have a plan.”
“Is it safe?”
“Is any of this safe?” I dared, knowing that nothing in Valdor was ever truly safe—not with the wilt or Minaeve in power.
His grin stretched, sharpened canines beaming brightly on display. “Nothing on the seas ever is.”
“How fitting,” I said.
“Indeed. It’s part of the charm of my crew, and the fleet pledged to serve under my banner. The promise of the unknown. To live with the thrill of adventure.”
“Well, prepare yourself for one hell of a ride.”
“Gladly,” Fjorda replied, crossing his arms and leaning against the railing. The smell of the salty sea air transported us from the commotion of the mainland. “Why do you think I gave you the mark?”
A piece of me wondered if his loyalty could be trusted or if the excitement of chaos was his driving purpose for lending his aid.
“And before you begin asking questions as to my intentions,” he said, reading my unease, “theOpalwill always answer the call from the High Prince of Silver Meadows. The prince who was promised, for I owe him a life debt, due countless times over, as does my ship and every member of my fleet, for the sacrifices he has made. The sea has our hearts, but he will always have our loyalty. Along with yours,” he said with a half-grin.
“I’m honored.”
Fjorda dipped his head and bit his bottom lip as his fingers tapped the hilt of the bejeweled sword at his hip. “Care to come aboard?”
Realizing I hadn’t taken that final step, I took a deep breath and crossed the threshold.
“I see you come well-armed this time around, Champion,” Fjorda added. “Is that the—”
“Yes,” I answered, noticing his gaze fixated on my chest plate. “This is the armor of Aegis.”
