All the Stars and Teeth(41)
They don’t rush to their ship, likely thinking we’ve no crew and no means of escape. But that’s their biggest mistake.
The moment I’m on deck, the sails bloat with the crisp night air, allowing the sharp breeze to wrench it from the docks. Bastian runs to reel in the anchors and I follow, ignoring the sticky blood coating my thighs as I help him.
“Get back to the ship!” Casem yells from below, choking and spitting up water. “The princess is escaping to Valuka!”
Even if they had a Valukan with an affinity for air or water aboard, I doubt they’d reach us in time. Keel Haul zips from the docks and plunges into the open sea, faster than any Visidian ship I’ve ever known.
I risk a look back as the soldiers flock to their ship, but already they’re specks in the distance.
I slump onto the deck as my adrenaline slows, attempting to calm my breaths. “We need to be more careful moving forward.”
Ferrick groans. “We should find another ship. Now that they’ve seen this one, there’s no chance they won’t send everyone looking for the only white ship sailing the kingdom.”
The stars flicker and dim in Bastian’s eyes. They become dangerous things, sharp as the sword he has sheathed onto his belt. “We can’t abandon Keel Haul.” His sharp chin juts toward the quiet waves. “Besides, leaving this ship would mean we’d not only have to find another vessel, but also a crew. Who knows how long that might take? As Amora said, we’ll just have to be more careful from here on out.”
Though Ferrick frowns, the logic is enough that he doesn’t protest.
Mist rolls onto the deck, bringing the cold with it. I miss the cloak that waits, magicked and miniature within my satchel.
“How far to Kerost?” I ask, only then noticing how purposefully the boys are looking away from me. I don’t think it’s the cold that flushes Ferrick’s cheeks.
“Don’t you want to change?” he asks awkwardly, clearing his throat.
I peer down at the mess of my white trousers, soaked with salt water and stained with blood. It’s unexpected, as my bleeding is often irregular, happening perhaps once a season. Every time it comes, my lap looks as though it’s the sacrificial altar of a small animal. The ridiculousness of it’s enough to make me laugh, which causes both Bastian and Ferrick to grimace uncomfortably.
“You should eat something with iron tonight,” Bastian offers, trying hard to look me in the eye so he can feign comfort. “I hear that’s good for those who are … indisposed.”
Ferrick nods in vehement agreement. “I hear salmon helps with that. Perhaps tuna would work the same? I can catch some for you, if you’d like.” His jaw sets into a determined line, and I laugh even harder.
“You two are acting like you’ve never known someone to bleed before.” I draw myself to my feet and pull the miniature clothing from my satchel, waving it at them. “Come on, then. If you want me to change so badly, help me organize. Do you think you can handle a little blood, Bastian?” I cast a rueful smile as I undo the ribbon Liam secured on the clothes, letting them fly out and spill into his lap. “I wouldn’t want you to faint, again.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I refuse to acknowledge the skinned tuna that’s laid out for me as I join the boys on the deck early the next morning. Bastian eyes me as I feast instead on hardening ginnada and stale honey cakes.
“Don’t worry,” I tell him. “The blood’s taken care of.”
Bastian’s nose wrinkles when I smile at him between bites.
Ferrick’s severed arm has grown back in its entirety, and though his glamour has mostly worn off, his red hair still holds the smallest tint of blue. He sits across from me with his legs tucked against his chest, staring at the horizon as Bastian taught him. He’s adapting so slowly I doubt he’ll ever find his sea legs.
I pity him. Mornute and Kerost are on opposite sides on the kingdom; it’s at least a five-day journey for the average ship. We may be able to make it there in four with Keel Haul’s speed, but since we’re heading far to the southwest edge of Visidia, the sea will be colder. And that means the tides will be rougher, too.
“We should be careful,” Bastian says as he carves through the tuna. “It’s been a while since I’ve been to Kerost, so I can’t say what their current state is, or how much of their population Kaven’s recruited. I think it’s best if we lie low while we’re there.” My stomach growls when he takes a bite of the meaty fish, but since the boys only caught it because they think my bleeding makes me weak, I refuse to take any.
“I shouldn’t have to hide from my people,” I tell him between angry bites of another honey cake. “I should be able to talk to them as I am.”
Bastian slurps up another bite of the raw fish before shaking his head. “Well, that sounds like a lovely plan, assuming you’re looking to solidify your execution and completely lose the possibility of outmaneuvering Kaven.” He slices a few more pieces and slides them over to Ferrick, who groans and looks away as his skin sheens greener. “One step at a time, Princess. Right now, we need a mermaid so we can hurry and get to Kaven. Then you can help Kerost. So wear a heavy cape and pants, and keep your head low so no one recognizes you. Depending on how far Kaven’s reach has spread, we could be severely outnumbered.”