House of Salt and Sorrows(65)

The little girls groaned, wanting to be out in the spectacle of Churning for as long as they could.

I caught the look in Morella’s eyes. It had been a long day for her, and though she’d not complained, her feet must be aching. “I saw a vendor selling flavored ices near the sculptures in the park. Who wants stuffy cake and tea when we can have shaved ice and cream? My treat!”

With a squeal, the girls darted off down a side street. Lenore and Ligeia ran after them, trying to keep the five in line. Camille followed several paces behind, more interested in the brightly lit shopwindows than the celebration around her. Rosalie winked at Ethan before sauntering away, clearly hoping he’d trail after her.

“We’ll join you later,” I promised the older women. “Just before the fireworks start.”

Morella linked arms with Rebecca as they headed off. I remembered how lonely she’d been the night before, and my heart smiled for her. Maybe she would make friends this week after all.

Papa released a scattering of coins into my hand. “For your ices.”

My mouth dropped open. “This would buy shaved ice for years.” I tried to give the gold florettes back, but he waved me off. His eyes looked wild in the moonlight.

“Then spend it on something else, my sweet. It’s a celebration. Tonight is for extravagance.”

The captains and clerks hollered a bawdy cry behind him. Papa swung a brotherly arm around Sterland, heading inside. Cassius was the last one out. At the threshold, he looked over his shoulder.

“What am I about to get into?”

His eyes danced, and I swear he winked at me. I wanted to believe it was more than a trick of the light, but his comment about the contest last night still stung.

“Don’t let the Sirens lure you too far. I’ve heard they’re potent.”

I turned and hurried after my sisters. The men’s shouts echoed through the streets. They weren’t the only revelers this night, but they were certainly the loudest.

The park had been transformed into the staging area for an ice sculpture contest. Glittering forms rose up into the night, lit with focused lanterns. Most shone a soft white, but others had colored gels in them, casting brilliant tones on the crystal statues.

I found the girls circled around an icy palace in the center of the park, pointing out startling details. Frosted flags spun in the breeze, hinged with little bits of metal. The brick edges were softly rounded, making the architecture flow with a dreamy swirl.

“Look at the tridents on the bridge!” one of the Morganstin girls said. “Just like in the play!”

“This is Pontus’s castle,” Mercy explained. “He carries a great trident with him wherever he goes.”

“I thought he lived in the ocean. There aren’t castles in the ocean.”

“He lives in the Brine,” I said, stepping in. “It’s a part of the Sanctum, where the gods live, which is broken into different kingdoms. Pontus gets the Brine, Vaipany the Corona, Arina the Ardor…. Didn’t your parents teach you this?”

They shook their heads.

“Ooh, look!” Verity cried, pointing behind us and ending the conversation.

Swaths of blue linen hung from a semicircle of trees. In the middle of the grove, an old woman had a series of curious metal boxes. Pinprick holes were hammered into their sides, and as she inserted lanterns into the boxes, dazzling images were projected onto the cloth strips. With a touch of her finger, the boxes spun. Dolphins leapt in and out of waves, seagulls soared by with wings flapping, and great puffs of air plumed from breaching whales.

A crowd gathered around her, applauding, as she created her illusions. Farther down the street, on the veranda of another tavern, a group of fishermen burst into a lusty sea chantey.

“I love Churning,” Rosalie whispered, her shoulder bumping into mine as we shared this special moment.

Her eyes caught sight of something in the mob of people. I followed her gaze. Not something. Someone. Ethan waved at her from the corner, and I saw Jules and Captain Morganstin among the crowd. They must have come to see what the commotion was all about.

“I think I’m just going to…” She trailed off, unable to come up with a plausible excuse to leave.

“Yes…I think you’d better just,” I teased her, pushing her away with a knowing smile.

She slipped through the throng and was across the street before I could blink.

There was a titter of giggles to my left, and I turned to see Camille throwing her head back in laughter at something Fisher said. He must have come over from the pub as well.

Just beyond them, a man stood, his slim form cast in dark silhouette against the colorful lights. Though I couldn’t be entirely certain, I felt his eyes fall on me, his gaze a tangible pressure. As I stared, a memory clinked loose in the back of my mind.

“I know him,” I whispered.

“Hmm?” Ligeia asked, drawing her attention from the light box show.

“That man over there. I recognize him, but I’m not sure from where.”

As if he sensed I was talking about him, he raised his chin, beckoning me over.

“What man? There’re men everywhere,” Ligeia said, sweeping her eyes over the crowd. “Oh, look at the waves!” she exclaimed, turning back to the performance.

“It’s gotten too crowded for me,” I said, pressing one of the coins into her hand. “Can you watch the girls? I need to get some fresh air.”