Page 158 of Sword & Sacrifice

“Is your cabin all right?”

The cabin he’d offered her was small and bare, but it was clean and had a cot instead of a hammock. It wasn’t anything like her comfortable room in either of her mother’s homes, but it was better than sleeping in a tent. “It’s lovely, thank you.”

“And how are you adjusting to the sea? Any seasickness?”

“I’m fine, thank you—”

“If you do experience any, I have some chamomile tea here that might help.”

The offer surprised her. If anything, she expected more ginger candies. Chamomile was a more practical—and cheaper—remedy. “Really, I’m all right. Have you heard anything about my mother?”

Everett sighed and gestured for her to sit across from him. “It’s only been a day, my dear. I’ve sent some messenger birds out, but it takes time for them to come and go.”

“Messenger birds?” Emmaline’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Why wouldn’t you use magic? Do you not have the supplies for the spell?”

He arched a brow. “I already explained I’m not a mage. Birds are the fastest way to communicate at sea without magic.”

“I thought Rafe was a mage. Can’t he send the messages for you?”

“Ah, I see.” Humor and displeasure mixed in Everett’s expression as his lips quirked and his eyebrows bunched together. “Rafe knows a few parlor tricks he uses to flirt with girls during shore leave. It’s mostly sleight of hand and trinkets he wastes his wages on. Only the gods know how much he’s spent on ‘Lady’ Carmine, his favorite mistress. Braz has often caught him practicing when he should be working.”

“But when we met, he sent a magical message to demonstrate his skills.” She tried to remember the interaction. He’d written a note, and it had appeared in the other man’s hand. Except … there wasn’t the usual chime or pop that accompanied her mother’s messages. And Emmaline never saw the note itself to confirm it was the original.

“I’m sure if you ask, he’d be delighted to show off. It has its uses, but it’s not real magic. If he showed any aptitude for it, I would have promoted him a long time ago.”

Everything about Rafe had been a trick from the beginning. Maybe the ginger candies weren’t even real, just another illusion. Emmaline wanted to be angry, mostly she was disappointed. She’d hoped having a mage on the ship would hasten her mother’s rescue. “How long will it take to hear back from your contacts?”

“A few days, at least,” Everett explained.

“Is there anything else we can do in the meantime?”

He spread his hands out in a gesture of helplessness. “What else would you have me do? I can’t act without information.”

It was a fair argument, but Emmaline couldn’t completely suppress the tears dampening her eyes. She blinked them away and took a deep breath. “I appreciate your help.” As she stood, she asked, “Are we still headed toward Litus?”

“Did you have a new destination in mind?”

She shook her head. “I have friends there I need to see. They should know what’s happened to Mama, Penn, and Valerian. And they need to know Alistair remains a threat.” If she couldn’t send them a magical message, she would have to deliver the news herself.

“Don’t worry, Em,” Everett said as he escorted her to the door. “I’ll keep you safe. In the meantime, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to find a place for you here. Something to occupy your time. Waiting feels longer when all you’re doing is staring at the sea.”

“I’m a medic,” she offered. A slight blush tinged her cheeks as she corrected, “Well, in training.”

He gazed down at her for a moment, the corners of his eyes crinkling softly. “Just like your mother.” Clearing his throat, he added, “A useful skill, but I’m happy to say not one we need right now. One I hope not to need while you’re here.”

At least he isn’t planning to engage in piracy while I’m on the ship. Emmaline had no real idea what piracy entailed, but from his odd gait, she suspected he had a prosthetic leg. Although she loved healing people, she didn’t chase after injuries. No matter how much she wanted to help, she always preferred no one getting hurt at all.

“I’ll have someone show you the ship, explain how everything works, and maybe we can find a job for you.” Once on the deck again, Everett looked around and called out, “Rafe! Come here.”

Emmaline pursed her lips, suppressing a scowl as Rafe handed off his task to another sailor and jogged over.

“Since you two are familiar with each other, you can show her the ropes.” An order hid in her father’s genial tone, Emmaline just wasn’t sure the command was as simple as it seemed.

Did he choose Rafe because I spoke about him? Perhaps she should have been clearer about her dislike, even if it would be rude.

Rafe grinned. “Yes, sir. Come on, princess, I’ll take you on a tour.”

Not wanting to make a scene in front of her father, she followed him.