Page 190 of Sword & Sacrifice

Echo’s eyes locked on Emmaline’s. “Beautiful.”

Heat colored her cheeks at the simple, whispered word. They’re talking about the snow.

Soon enough, the ship was loaded with all the provisions and supplies heading toward Arnsveld. Captain Moira called everyone onto the deck for a headcount and made sure everyone knew their departure tasks.

“And you,” Moira said, pointing at Koen, “get off my ship.”

“I will,” he said, shoulders hunched near his ears. He turned back to Emmaline, lips downturned in a petulant frown. “It was nice to meet you, Em. I wish we could have spent longer together. I think we could have really been … friends.”

Emmaline’s heart melted at the boy’s sincerity. Smiling, she pulled him into a hug. He wrapped his arms tight around her, squeezing once before pulling away. A few damp spots stained her dress, but she pretended not to notice them or the way he wiped self-consciously at his eyes. She wondered what kind of home he had left behind when he’d come to Litus, and what new home he would find here.

“Wait!” a voice cried out from the shore.

Emmaline looked over the rail to watch Silas running toward them. A delighted laugh bubbled through her and she waved back. “Silas! We’ve already said goodbye!”

“I’m coming with you.”

The words made Emmaline’s heart soar. She’d hated the idea of leaving him behind. Griselda teased him about running away from his problems, but Emmaline knew the truth.

None of them were running away from anything. They were all finally going home.

Chapter Twenty-One

Whenever Emmaline’s mind wandered, she always found her way to the ship’s rail. She stood there now, her crossed arms resting on the wooden beam, watching the sun dip below the horizon and turn the waters orange. It was their last night at sea. Tomorrow, they would dock, make arrangements to bring the supplies up the mountain, and be another step closer to home.

“Good evening, princess,” a deep voice said behind her.

She turned to find a young man with reddish-gold hair and refined features. He stood with his back straight, chin slightly tilted, and arms clasped behind him. Finnegan Blake, a gentleman merchant, and Echo’s newest persona. The nickname rolled off his tongue smoothly, no trace of Echo’s mischief, as if he was truly greeting royalty.

“Good evening, Mr. Blake,” she replied, dipping into a short, perfunctory curtsey. “What brings you out on the deck on this fine night?”

“I heard a rumor there would be music,” he replied, a twinkle in his deep green eyes. “The crew is celebrating something, I believe.”

My departure, Emmaline didn’t say. They both knew that once the ship made landfall, she would head up the mountains, while he headed … well, she wasn’t sure what Echo’s next mission would be. When she’d asked, they’d simply clucked their tongue and scolded her for trying to steal their secrets.

“Would you care to dance, my lady?” he asked, offering his hand.

At that cue, music began playing in the background. It was slower than what they’d danced to before, belonging in a ballroom rather than on a ship of rowdy sailors. He’s really getting into his role. Giggling, she accepted his hand. “I’d be delighted.”

Echo—Finnegan—settled his other hand on Emmaline’s waist and whirled her toward the clear spot on deck designated for the dance floor. Though she didn’t know the dance, he led her expertly through each step, gracefully weaving between the other couples. “Where did you learn how to dance?” She wasn’t sure who would answer, the actor or the character. She hoped it would be the truth.

“My mother,” he replied. “When she was a girl, she liked all sorts of stories—with villains and heroes, magic and swordplay. For some reason, of all the things she admired, she decided to learn how to dance.” He grimaced playfully. “Imagine having the choice of learning how to cast magic or fight with a sword but in the end choosing to learn how to sway to a beat.”

“We’re doing more than swaying,” Emmaline replied as he spun her in an elegant twirl.

He hummed in agreement, then settled her in his arms again. “She gave up her love of adventure before having me, more’s the pity, but she never gave up her love of dancing.”

Emmaline thought of everything leading her to that moment—all the deceit, treachery, and bloodshed. “She may have a point. I’m not sure a life of adventure is for me either.”

He looked into her eyes and even though they were unfamiliar to her, she knew it was Echo staring back. “I know, that’s why I …”

The song ended and Echo didn’t finish their sentence. They stood frozen in the middle of the dance floor until Silas approached them and asked, “May I cut in?”

Echo bowed and passed Emmaline to him, then walked away from the dance floor entirely.

“I hope I’m not overstepping,” Silas said as he guided Emmaline into the next dance.

She forced her lips into a smile. “No! Of course not. I’m happy to practice what I’ve learned with a new partner.”