Page 26 of Ballad of Sea and Sky

“Is there a difference?” I asked, not entirely sure which one was closer to the truth. Even if I wanted to speak to my father, he wouldn’t listen to me. Nor would Vitulus.

“There is,” Caspian replied darkly, his brow furrowed now as he tried to read my expression. He shook his head slightly, looking oddly…disappointed? “But I wouldn’t expect a pampered princess to know that.”

The words struck like a blow, and before I could reply, he turned on a booted heel, calling out to Zephyr about charts and bearings. I stood there in stunned silence, the darkness around me almost complete, realizing with a hollow laugh that he didn’t even think I was worth locking up anymore.

Chapter 9

Iawokethenextmorning in Caspian’s room to the sounds of movement and shouting. Bells seemed to be ringing from a short distance away, and seagulls were screeching loudly enough that more sleep became impossible.

Seagulls. Seagulls meant land.

I dragged myself out of bed and to the windows to try to get a glimpse of where we were. On one side of the ship there was ocean, blue-gray in the early morning fog. On the other side was some kind of wooden walkway. A dock.

I hurriedly dressed, pulling on the clothes Zephyr had procured for me last night, and cursing my luck. Today was going to be a hard day for breathing, based on how winded I was after pulling on my boots. A few calming breaths in through my nose and out through my mouth later, I was testing the handle. Locked. I grinned a little, pleased that Caspian hadn’t written me off completely as a flight risk, and pounded on the door.

It opened quickly this time, as if Astraios had been expecting my summons.

“You knocked, Your Highness?” he said, filling the frame of the door with broad shoulders and tanned golden skin. He looked faintly amused at my attire, but I was too excited to care.

“We’re docked,” I said, a bit breathless as I gestured to the windows. “Where are we?”

“Nordhavn,” Astraios answered, raising a brow. “It’s a trading port to the north. We’re making a quick stop here before we return—” He cut himself off here, and I prickled in annoyance. “Home,” he finished lamely.

“How quick?” I asked, trying to peer around him. He was impossibly huge, and he crossed his arms to further block my view.

“We’ll pull out come nightfall,” he replied, narrowing his eyes. “Why?”

“I’d like to go ashore,” I said, trying to sound imperious and commanding, rather than giddily excited and a little out of breath.

Astraios barked a laugh, making me scowl. “Apologies, Highness,” he laughed. “But there’s no way you’ll be going ashore.”

“We’re too far from the Silent Isles for me to make a break for it,” I pointed out, gesturing behind him. “Andyoucan keep me out of trouble, if you’re so worried.”

“Not happening,” Astraios replied, shaking his head. “Caspian will never agree.”

“Why don’t you call him, ‘King?’” I asked, momentarily distracted by the continued informality of the crew. “And why not?”

“Because on the sea, he’s my captain, not my king,” Astraios answered, frowning at me. “And because you’re aprisoner,in case you’d forgotten.”

“Well yourcaptaininsisted I be treated with respect,“ I argued, crossing my own arms to mimic his pose. “And people will start to ask questions if they hear a female screaming for help all day.”

“You wouldn’t,” Astraios dared, his frown wavering for a moment.

“Try me,” I replied coolly, hoping that my slightly ragged breathing wouldn’t give away my bluff.

Astraios growled, opening the door wider and gesturing for me to exit. I tried to cover my grin as my stomach did a little swoop of victory.

The realization that I was off my island hadn’t really occurred to me in the last two days, since I’d been too occupied with being a prisoner. But the lure of the sights and sounds of anewplace, one I could explore without my parents fussing or Vitulus dogging my steps, or Sereia chastising me was one that had my heart racing. I would settle for an irritable siren guard for a taste of freedom.

Astraios jerked his head at me in a motion to follow, and I practically skipped across the deck in excitement. Despite the fog and the hour, the port was loud with shouting and bells and movement and life. I was eager to experience it.

“What?” came a preoccupied and familiar voice.I had been paying more attention to the sounds and shuffling of the crew around me than where I was going, and I cursed as I crashed into Astraios’ back.

Astraios grunted in annoyance, glancing back at me with a scowl before turning back to Caspian.

The captain was leaning over a leather bound book, his golden skin on full display under that strange shoulder armor. I noticed with a start that the bandages around his wings were gone and his bruises had disappeared. Fae healing truly wrought miracles.

He fluttered his wings gently, as if testing their strength.