Page 82 of When Eden Falls

Zamya wasn’t convinced. As I drank the red juice, she continued to watch me with a questionable look in her eyes. To my relief, the liquid soothed my roiling stomach, and I began tofeel better within minutes. I suppose Yuska did have her uses.

Dressed in the comfort of my Solarfleet uniform, I sat onboard a small rowing boat, heading for the cave mouth and out to sea. As we exited the darkness, daylight hit my face and I glanced down at the golden bracelet locked around my left wrist. I had tried to remove it while I dressed, only to be chastised by Yuska for doing so. I couldn’t help but think she was keeping more information from me regarding the politics behind the claiming tokens.

Dybgo’s yellow stone weighed one side down, but it was the opposite side I was focusing on. The small black stone with a jagged white line running around the middle; Rooke’s claiming token. He had given it to me in case the Akquarians forced me to choose a mate. I was still unsure if their rules included me, but with Rooke’s token hanging there too, if I was forced to make a decision, I’d have a choice between him and Dybgo, and I’d obviously choose Rooke. No strings attached.

But I couldn’t remove the memory of the passionate kiss we shared last night, and the direction in which it was leading. Nux, what would’ve happened if he hadn’t stopped me? Would I be sitting here, panicking about speaking to him? Would an awkwardness have fallen over us, more so than what I was expecting now? Would we have woken up in each other’s arm, relishing in the fact we loved each other?

I shook my head. Whatever happened last night was instigated purely because we were drugged. Nothing more. But it didn’t help the heaviness dwelling in my heart.

What we had worked.

The small rowing boat approached a large Akquarian sailing ship, anchored half a mile from shore. It was far larger than any I’d previously boarded; too wide to access the harbour in the cavern under the fortress.

Three turquoise scalene sails locked onto wooden masts towered above the deck. Its beautifully crafted hull was bulbous, the bow lower than the stern. To the rear, connected to the ship viathick, durable rope, sat a large, wooden raft, wide enough to load the Parvos onto. Compared to the sailing ship, its deck was far closer to sea level, bobbing and crashing against the waves, drenching the expanse of the flat surface.

The air was cooler today, the sea choppier. A dark cloud loomed on the horizon threatening to storm. I tucked my bracelet under the cuff of my fleeced jacket, hiding it from view.

To my surprise, and relief, Dybgo hadn’t escorted me this afternoon. Two of his warriors, who I recognised from our previous trip, were given the task. But I knew he would be onboard the main ship. I knew he’d be waiting for me.

As the small boat pulled alongside the ship, I sized up the height of the ladder fixed to the hull. Following one of the warriors up the wooden slates to the gunnel, I swung my legs over the ridge at the very top and found Dybgo holding his hand out for me. I ignored it, jumping down onto the deck with ease.

Returning his hand to the hilt of his sword, I looked at the bare chested general, discovering he had no blue sash tied around the waist of his trousers.

“Chaperons aren’t needed during the season.”

I glanced up at his face. It was scary how well he could read me. His warm, attentive gaze made me feel uneasy. I forced a small smile, attempting to ease whatever this was between us. “Nice to know.”

Spotting Oz standing on the raised helm, I began to meander my way around the deck towards the back of the ship. Bare chested Akquarian males with turquoise swirled tattoos were everywhere, hauling the sails and rigging, loading supplies. Others, with golden tattoos, similar to, but far smaller than Dybgo’s, sharpened their weapons. It hadn’t occurred to me how much manpower was needed to manoeuvre the Parvos onto the raft. There must have been at least two hundred warriors and seaman on board.

A number of them nodded their head in my direction as I passed. Aware Dybgo and my two bodyguards were following me like an unwanted shadow mass, I assumed the acknowledgment was aimed at their general. But when I approached the stepsleading up to the helm, two Akquarians stopped, stood aside, and literally bowed to me. I frowned, peering over my shoulder at Dybgo, who didn’t seem fazed by their reaction.

Weird.

At the top of the steps, Oz approached me. His face was stern, scanning the three Akquarians hovering behind with scrutiny. I was surprised to see a large Alluran laser rifle hanging over his shoulder. “Is that thing still charged?” I asked.

Oz looked at the black machine and said, “Yeah. Kobe somehow supplied it with an additional boost.” Lowering his voice, he gestured towards the stern of the ship. “Rooke’s over there. He wants to speak with you.”

Rooke was standing with his back to us, leaning against the rear railing. The thought of speaking with him made me pause. What did he want to talk to me about? Today’s excursion or what happened last night? Nux, what was I going to say to him?

Sensing Oz’s confusion at my reluctance to move, I took a deep breath and marched towards the stern. I only made it two steps when I realised Dybgo was following me. I swiftly turned and gave him a pointed look. “You don’t need to follow me everywhere.”

“I believe I do.”

I huffed an incredulous laugh. “I’m only going to speak with my commander. I do not need you accompanying me…making me feel uncomfortable.”

Dybgo frowned. “I make you feel uncomfortable?”

“Right now, you are, yes.”

He stared at me, analysing my words and the way I glared at him. If I hadn’t felt scared and uncertain about what he had started last night, I would probably have found his confusion endearing. Eventually, he inclined his head and said, “I will be standing over there, if you need me.”

I mumbled, “If you have to,” and began to march away, eyeing Dybgo’s position, happy he was far enough away not to eavesdrop. The captain of the ship appeared in front of me, making me jump. He was an older Akquarian. Built just as large andsturdy, but the skin around his eyes, neck, and turquoise tattoo sagged slightly, showing age and experience.

Wide eyed, I watched as he smiled, inclined his head, and said a string of soft Akquarian words to me. I copied his gestures, baffled by everyone’s response to me today. Last time I boarded an Akquarian boat, I was certain I was completely ignored.

I resumed walking and found Rooke smirking at me, amused by the captain’s reaction. As I neared, he said, “He seems to like you.”

I chuckled, glancing back at the amiable male. “They all seem to today.”