All the Stars and Teeth(22)

If Visidia’s truly in danger, I will not leave its fate to chance. Nor will I leave my own fate up to Father’s persuasion. I’ll take it in my own two hands, and use this as an opportunity.

I draw in a breath and lift my chin toward Bastian. “I’m in,” I tell him, much to Ferrick’s protest.

“But they’re forcing Kalea to move to Arida by the end of the summer,” Ferrick argues. “You’d give the throne to her so easily?”

“Of course not. I know what I’m doing.” I make my voice firm enough that both boys freeze from the harshness of it. My aunt knows the stakes as well as I do; she’ll buy as much time as she can on her end, and I’ll use it to stop Kaven and earn another chance at becoming my people’s animancer.

“You said they wanted to bring Kalea here by summer’s end? Then that’s when we’ll be back. And on our journey, you’ll explain this ship to me, pirate.” This marvelous ship. My gaze circles around the deck. How is it sailing so effortlessly without a crew? “And you’ll teach me to sail it.”

Only then does Bastian show frustration. He draws his bottom lip halfway in and bites down on it, gnawing as if ironing out his thoughts.

“You have to understand, a man views his ship as one might view their child. Letting anyone sail it is … sensitive.”

Between him and Father both refusing to teach me, I’m sick of excuses. “If you want my help getting your home back, you’ll teach me to sail Keel Haul.”

He perks up slightly, as if pleased I’ve remembered its name, then bites at the corner of his lip as if to conceal whatever true expression he feels. “Fine, but only after you have a feel for her. Get to know her, take her to dinner. I’ve found ladies don’t respond well when you try to control them.” He pats the ship and it groans beneath his hand, the full sails propelling us farther and farther into the sea.

I bite back my grin, not wanting Bastian to see. Something tells me he already knows and understands my excitement. His home is the water, and while I love my island and my role in it, part of me envies his freedom. He’s no one but himself to look after; what must that feel like?

“Fair enough.” I nod. “Though we do have one more thing to discuss.”

He already knows. Bastian turns to Ferrick, who draws a defensive step back and readies his rapier. His right arm twitches and stretches a little farther. I try not to stare at the forming flesh, endlessly mystified by the strange magic.

“I’m not leaving,” he says firmly. “For as long as Amora remains with you, I’ll stay to accompany her. As her fiancé, it’s my sworn duty to protect her.”

Bastian’s lips twitch upward as he lifts a brow. “Fiancé, huh? Pardon my ignorance, I’ve no idea how I overlooked the gushing chemistry between you two.”

Ferrick’s chest shakes as he draws in a long breath and stares Bastian down.

The pirate remains perfectly at ease. “Regardless, you’re another mouth to feed, and are not part of the bargain. Tell me why I shouldn’t drop you off now and let you swim back to Arida.” Every one of Bastian’s words hinges like a question, unabashedly curious. And yet there’s something about his presence that unnerves me. He has the same spark of life—the same knowledge of the world—that Father has. It’s because he’s a voyager. Jealousy pits itself with me, spreading its roots.

“You know why I should stay.” Ferrick straightens his spine and tries not to glance down at his severed hand. The pirate peers down regardless, and I stoop to pick up the limb, grimacing at the way it hangs limp in my grip. His fingers will make a fine addition to my satchel once I break them off; anything else can be fed to the fish.

The majority of Ferrick’s body is painlessly disposable; there’s no denying the power I might wield with it. But Ferrick is selling himself short; he’s also an incredibly skilled healer. And if we’re to fight a man who has a following of people who all want me dead, having a healer around might not be the worst idea.

If he’s to join us, however, I’ve conditions to make clear, first.

“Stay with me and lend your help,” I tell him. “But should you break my command and act on your own—if you try anything behind my back—consider yourself thrown overboard. This is bigger than you or me, Ferrick.”

Ferrick’s throat bobs as he swallows. He shares a look with the smug pirate. Bastian happily points to Keel Haul’s plank and walks his fingers in the air while whistling a tune that mimics falling.

Ferrick’s cheeks burn red when he drops his head in a bow. “As you wish, Princess.”

A twisted knot in my chest unravels as tension I wasn’t aware existed is drawn from my body. This is happening, then.

“So it’s settled?” Bastian unfurls himself from where he leans on the main mast. “We have a deal?”

Ferrick and I share a look, though it’s mostly me silently daring him to disagree. Eventually he nods, and with a smile I extend my hand to Bastian. He accepts it with delight.

“Welcome to the crew.” His words drench my skin with warmth. I soak them into myself like a sponge and feed them to my hungry, eager soul.

I am Amora Montara, Princess of Visidia, and I will be the future High Animancer.

I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.