The salty air blasting over the rocky outcroppings near the northern borders of NZ Island burns my airway as I inhale. It is later in the day than we had hoped to be setting off on this journey and everyone seems a bit jumpy. Stryker has been shouting orders and barking commands at the men assisting in loading the ships. The first fleet is ready to leave now. Stryker and Malakar are making final checks as I stand on the shore and take in the scene. I had no clue that the Island held nearly a thousand Faire Folk within its borders. There is still so much about this new world that causes my mind to race. Thankfully, I have not seen Izzet again since our breif encounter at Stryker's cabin so I dont have to worry about my heart racing also.
Malakar had insisted that I should leave on the first available ship but after my sharp protests he finally seems to have backed down. I watch him helping a mother and child onto one of the large ships just before the docking boards are hauled away from the shore. In a puff of smoke he leaves them behind and appears beside me. I have seen that trick a few times now but it leaves me no less shocked than before. I eye my brother cautiously for a moment before letting out a low sigh. He looks like he's up for another battle with me.
"You really should take the lead ship, Lil K," he pleads in a demanding sort of way.
"I don't feel comfortable leaving you behind. What if the wolves are tipped off to this plan and decide to attack while none of you are prepared?" I ask, glowering at him.
"We are always prepared, Young Lady," an deeply gravly voice announces from behind us.
I turn on my heal and scan the figure who has approached us. Malakar stiffens slightly beside me. I glance at him for ques on how to react to this stranger. He doesn't seem to be all that bothered by the man but maybe slightly annoyed. Malakar's eyes narrow and he lets out a low huff before adressing the man.
"I would hardly say that is the case, Cash. I would also suggest you make note of who you are speaking to before you open your mouth in the future. The princess does not need the imput of a deckhand," Malakar chastises.
"Apologies, Your Grace," Cash says to me and sweeps into a low bow.
"I value the opinions of all of our people," I announce to both Cash and Malakar as I draw my posture a bit straighter.
Cash smiles and quietly dismisses himself. Malakar playfully pushes my arm and laughs. I push him back and growl slightly.
"Your Grace?" Malakar laughs louder.
"Well, I didn't tell him to call me that! You're the one who chastised him for speaking his opinion to me," I counter.
"Well, Your Grace, Stryker has arranged your cabin on the first ship. We will not be risking you staying here. The only remaining Faire Folk will be men who are well-trained in battle and in fending for themselves," Malakar tells me.
"Fine," I growl out through gritted teeth but after a moment I add, "but you're both coming with me."
"Not possible, Kasia," Malakar states simply.
"Then I'm not going," I counter.
"At the least one of us will need to remain with our troops. They need a strong commander," he sighs with exasperation.
"If you're so insistent on that then you two figure out whose staying. You're not going to both stay here risking yourselves," I demand.
"We can make that compromise," Malakar beams and I slowly start to realize he walked me right into what he wanted the outcome of this conversation to be.
"Quite the negotiations expert, are you?" I ask and shove him playfully.
"When I need to be," he smiles slyly and then poofs away to locate Stryker.
I flex my wings behind the illusionary magic Stryker fixed over them and sigh before flitting my way to the lead ship. There are no pedestrians above decks anymore. Everyone has settled into their spaces within the safety of the ship's bowels. Only the crew making hasty last-minute adjustments and the first shift of Fair Folk who intend to fly remain. I scan the moving bodies looking for the captain. I locate him near the port side of the stern on the upper deck and make my approach.
"Captain, hello. I'm of the understanding that I will be traveling with you today. I am Kasia, Malakar's sister," I say and offer my hand for a shake.
The captain's eyes light with a mix of emotions as he looks at me. For a moment I am unsure if I've said something offensive but then he takes my outstretched hand in his and kneels before placing the faintest kiss on my knuckles. I blink for a moment before realizing that is happening. The man kneeling before me has his head bowed as he keeps himself knelt upon one knee.
"Please, stand with me," I say unsure of what else would be appropriate.
"You have our entire fleet's undivided devotion, Princess. All those under my command swear fealty to your crown," he says in an emotional rasp before lifting his head and then standing.
"You are most appreciated," I tell him honestly.
"Lord Stryker prepared the first mate's quarters to accommodate your needs. Please," the captain tells me and motions to a door just below the deck we are standing on.
"Thank you for the accommodation. I don't want to put anyone out," I say.
"Cash won't mind. He has slept in crew quarters many nights of his own accord," the captain laughs and then dips into a bow before returning to his own duties.
I make my way to the door that the captain indicated and push it open cautiously. I am met with the sight of a large room with a bed bolted to the floor in the middle. I suppose that makes sense given that this is a ship. There is a small chaise lounge with a side table near the wall that is also bolted down. The furniture looks well-made and sturdy. The mahogany wood has been polished to a gleaming shine. There's a smaller door that encloses a wash basin and toilet off to the left of the bed. My duffle bag is sitting on the bed already and the one I packed for Stryker is placed on the floor next to the chaise. Damnit, Malakar. You really did walk me right into the plan, didn’t you?
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I let out a huffing sigh and toss myself onto the bed with a growl of frustration. I don't want to leave anyone here. We need more ships.We should be able to safely relocate all of those under our care if we need to. The thought of ruling an entire set of people rolls through my mind in an uncomfortable way and my stomach churns. I'm just a normal girl who was being chased by vampires. How did I end up being shipped off to rule a kingdom?
"Settling in okay?" Stryker's rich voice filters from the doorway.
"As good as can be expected given that I was pushed into this specific leg of the journey," I glare at him.
"It is safer if you leave before the wolves figure out that you are the true queen of Adoh. They will come for you in retribution the moment that they realize. Especially after the attempt on Malakar was unsuccessful," Stryker tells me as he stalks further into the room.
I wince inwardly at the thought of the wolf leaders attacking my brother over my own crime. I killed Lorién, not Malakar. Yet they still came for his blood because knowledge of him being of royal lineage wasn't a secret. I'm slightly thankful that Lorién apparently failed to inform them of my own relation to Malakar. There isn't a target on my own back, yet. I stare at the ceiling for a few moments trying to work out a way to get my brother onto the boat with Stryker and me. He's not safe here any more than I am.
"Why didn't Malakar come? Why did the two of you choose for you to accompany me?" I ask the man who is now leaning against the footboard of the bed.
"He told me you made the choice," Stryker says with an amused gleam in his eyes.
"Of course he did," I roll my eyes so hard I feel like they may fall right out for a moment.
Stryker doesn't miss the motion and lets a small chuckle escape his lips. He moves over to the chaise and tosses his lean muscular body onto the cushions. Just as he is seated I feel the ship lurch into motion at a much faster pace than I had anticipated. A squeak escapes my lips as I grip the covers in an attempt to recover from the sudden movement. Stryker lifts his head to observe me. Once I've got my bearings I sit up and look at him, still slightly bewildered by the speed. He outright laughs at my expression.
"I am sorry, Banphrionsa. I forgot to warn you that the ships are powered by the magic of our people," he tries to reign in his amusement.
"Yeah thanks," I glower at him and then flop back onto the fluffy mattress again.
"He can handle himself. Malakar, I mean. He is just as skilled and deadly as any other Faire Folk I have ever trained. He will meet us on the mainland soon," Stryker says in a more soothing tone.
"I hope that's true," I sigh through gritted teeth.
Stryker's face dances into a smirk before he lets out a soft chuckle. I glare at him for a moment and then yawn and stretch out on the bed. Stryker picks up his bag and rummages thru it for a moment before fishing out a book. He settles into the chaise comfortably and props the book onto his knees to begin reading. I study him for a short moment and then roll onto my side to better face him.
"What happened to essentials only? And don't you have your own space to read in? I don't need a babysitter," I say although I do actually find his presence comforting.
"This is essential," he says, holding up the book to reveal the cover of the ancient text he had stolen from the library.
"And you have to read it here because?" I ask.
"Because we will be sharing these quarters for the journey ahead. With the ship loaded to capacity there isn't another option," Stryker informs me.
I feel my cheeks heat as I glance around the room. Stryker has focused on the book again and luckily doesn't seem to notice. The room is large enough that we aren't on top of each other, but the chaise certainly isn't large enough to sleep on. The glaring fact that there is only one bed settles over me as I process the situation. Stryker seems unconcerned but I don't know how to react to the situation.
"There's only one bed in here... will we make landfall before the night's end?" I ask hopefully.
"Oh, no. Even with our magic enhancing travel speeds the journey will still take at least two days," he says without looking up from the page.
"I thought you said the ships would be able to go right back for Malakar and the others? Mal made it sound like it would be within the same day! Two days until we arrive? That means four days before the ships return for them! The entire group could be attacked and killed while they are waiting!" I sit up and gawk at Stryker.
"The men who remained are among our most highly trained fighters. No one who made the decision to stay is defenseless. They will be just fine, especially under Malakar's command. He may be gentle at heart, but trust me when I tell you that your brother is a force to be reckoned with. He will not lose a man while they wait. I trust his judgments and leadership skills," Stryker says in a reassuring tone as he finally lifts his eyes to meet mine.
I run shaky hands through my hair and sigh. Stryker knows Malakar better than me. If he believes everything will be fine, then I'll just have to believe that also. Stryker is carefully studying my reactions when I look at him again. I can't quite read what he has made of me from his facial expression but he simply tilts his head for a moment and then looks back to his book. I stand and pace over to the circular window to peer out over the ocean. I can only see a slim outline of the island we are leaving now. I close my eyes as reality sets in. I am finally, truly, free of that place. No vampires will chase me down to drag me back to Gustav. No wolves will toss me over their shoulder to become an involuntary bride. No one will stop me from leaving it all behind.
A commotion on the deck draws my attention and I step towards the door intending to investigate. Before I can reach for the knob to open the door Stryker's arms are encircling me protectively from behind. I still as he pulls me back tightly against his chest and then I drop my outstretched hand back to my side. Stryker's body is warm and firm behind me and the muscles in his arms may as well be steel restraints. Once I am no longer reaching for the door his grip loosens slightly. I take the freedom to turn in his arms to face him and place my palms on his chest creating a small gap between our bodies so that his intoxicating warmth doesn't swallow me whole.
"What are you doing, Stryker?" I ask in the most formal way I can muster.
"My job, Banphrionsa," he answers quietly with a soft breath that caresses the shell of my ear.
"Your job?" I push against his chest slightly, widening the gap between us, so that I can look him in the eyes.
"Protecting you, My Princess," Stryker says with a slight growl in his tone that makes his words seem to have a whole different meaning.
My cheeks flush and I quickly find myself studying my own feet rather than Stryker's face. He still has not released me from his grasp. The ruckus outside has grown louder now. The people causing it now sound much closer to the door we are enclosed behind. In a swift movement, Stryker sweeps me into his arms bridal style and steps away from the increasing noise. Before I realize what is happening, he has already sat me onto the chaise and disappeared thru the door and onto the deck outside. There are a few loud bangs followed by a squeaky wailing sound that is very abruptly cut short. After a few moments, Stryker reenters the room and closes the door behind him. I can't help but note that he secures the lock before coming the rest of the way into the room.
When our eyes meet this time my breath catches in my chest. There is a predatory gleam in Stryker's eyes that I've never seen before. He slowly reaches up and wipes a smear of blood from the corner of his mouth. Not his own blood, I realize. My eyes track the movement of his thumb across his lip and the flicker of his tongue as he cleans the blood from it. Stryker's lips quirk into a devilish smile which causes me to refocus my attention on his entire expression. He's watching me. His eyes still hold that predatory gleam, but there's something else there now too.
"Wh-What happened?" I ask trying to find my composure.
"Just a little... disagreement. I settled it," Stryker says in an amused-sounding tone.
He takes a step towards me, his piercing gaze holding me in place. I'm not sure whether I would even want to move, anyway. My brain is caught somewhere between having a fight or flight response and feeling unexplainably turned on by the way this powerful, blood-spattered, warrior of a man is staring at me. When I finally find my voice again it comes out in a faint, shaky, whisper.
"You settled it..." I breathe as all logical thought has left me far behind at this moment.
Stryker is standing over me now. He reaches out his hand and cups my face. His tongue runs slowly over his lower lip drawing my attention as he carefully traces the movement across my own lip with his thumb. I am so entranced by this moment and so focused on him that I don't even hear the lock slide free or the door open. The footsteps approaching Stryker and I have barely registered in my conscious when my state of entrancement shatters away and a cold chill runs down my spine. I snap my gaze towards the footsteps but Stryker is already there with his hand around Izzett's throat. Her feet are dangling above the ground and her eyes are wide with a mixture of what looks like fear and excitement. I watch them cautiously.
"One of the crew members said you came in here. I saw the scene with the crew. I thought-" Izzett stammers and then her eyes catch on me.
Stryker is regarding the woman with an indifferent expression as he holds her there. I can't help but think about how he could end her life in a matter of seconds with that singular hand around her throat. Izzett's eyes turn to a cold glare as she takes me in. I don't bother standing up from the chaise to acknowledge her. Stryker tosses her back towards the door with a nonchalant shrug.
"You thought wrong Izzett. We're done. It isn't your place to invite yourself into my presence," Stryker says in an icy tone.
Izzett scrambles to her feet. She glares past Stryker at me again before turning towards the exit. I barely see Stryker move before the image of him pinning Izzet to the door and running his hand up her thigh is searing into my mind. Izzet looks completely pleased with herself as she makes eye contact with me. A pang of jealousy ripples through my chest for a moment before I see Stryker's hand still and Izzett growls shoving him away. Stryker takes a small step back giving the woman only enough room to escape through the door. Once she's gone he secures the lock again. As Stryker turns back towards me he tosses a heavy metal key onto the foot of the chaise. Realization clicks into place and I finally release a full breath. Oh, so that's what he was doing?
"I apologize, Banphrionsa. She will not bother you again," Stryker states confidently meeting my eyes.
"Why was she even here? She said she saw a scene?" I ask hesitantly.
"She made an incorrect assumption based on what she knows of my past. She will not make that mistake again, I assure you," Stryker says gently as he pearches himself onto the foot of the chaise beside me.
"What happened between you and the crew?" I push wanting a full understanding of the situation even if he was avoiding the details.
"There was a dispute among some of the ship's crew. I handled it. That's all, Banphrionsa," he assures.