Typically I am one to push so that I can gain all of the relevant information to any situation. When Stryker informs me that he has handled the situation with the crew though, I don't question it. I automatically trust his words for reasons I still cannot pinpoint. I'm sure of him on a level that feels almost molecular. I can feel his truth.
On that same note though, I can also feel that there is something he had left out. I look over at the man who has tossed himself lazily across the foot of the bed and can't help but wonder what there is he's hiding. After a few moments, the war in my mind grew overwhelmingly loud and I decided to speak.
"Why did Izzett come? After you settled things with the crew... why did she think you'd need her here?" I asked, getting straight to the point.
"I am not sure why she decided to interject herself into a place she no longer belongs," he evaded the question.
"But you are sure about why she used to belong there... So why is that? Does the big scary water god need comfort after fights?" I teased trying to be lighthearted.
"Water god?" He cocked an eyebrow then and sat up to look at me.
"Stop avoiding," I glared back at him.
"Bloodlust. It's.... been an issue previously. The look or smell of blood sets off something primal within me. It was an issue with my father and his before him as well. I am more than capable of coping without her though."
"Bloodlust? Hm.." I wondered out loud.
"When I first met her I couldn't calm it on my own. Fucking her cleared my head when it got bad," He said with a downcast gaze.
I nearly choked on air. That wasn't the answer I had been expecting. I blinked and tried to regain my composure. My cheeks still heated a bit at the thought. I cleared my throat as if that would clear the statement from the air of the room.
"Anyway, I don't need her anymore. I've learned more productive ways to cope with myself even when it does get bad," he assured but didn't look up from the floor.
"I'm sure you have. You're resourceful," I said softly.
A soft hush fell over the room for a while. Stryker threw himself back down across the foot of the bed with a soft huff. I stretched out on the chaise and got comfortable. For a while, we just sat that way. Eventually, my stomach protested to the lack of a meal in hours and I sighed grumpily.
"Are you hungry, princess?" Stryker asked without sitting up this time.
"A bit but we should conserve our supplies," I told him.
"Nonsense." Was the only word of response before Stryker was by my side pressing a dried meat jerky of some sort into my hand.
"No please, I'm sure there are others who need it more," I said offering the meat back to him.
"It's my personal food and I am offering it to you and you alone Banphrionsa," Stryker said and tilted his head with a slightly amused look.
"Fine." I conceded far too easily.
The meat wasn't much but it did quell the angry noises of protest my stomach had been making. I ate it slowly in small nibbles hoping to convince my body that it had been a full meal. Stryker sat at the end of the chaise now with my feet over his lap and his arm draped across the sloping back piece.
"So what are we going to do when we actually get there? Do you know the way to Adoh?" I asked between nibbles.
"We will set a temporary camp near the shore to await your brother and the others. Once everyone is accounted for we will assess the situation. We know Adoh was hidden beyond a mountain range to the north side of the mainland, but that's all."
"Well that sounds so reassuring," my tone dripped with sarcasm.
"Never said this would be easy, Princess... but it is our responsibility. We are the ones who jeopardized the safety of their old home."
"You're right. Heck, I almost wish Gustav had actually caught up to me. Then all of these people wouldn't be displaced."
"I don't," Stryker said under his breath.
At some point as we talked Stryker had begun drawing absent-minded circles along the skin of my ankles. This evolved into rough hands massaging my aching feet. No one had ever done that before. Tension began to melt from my body at his touch. I sighed softly.
"You don't?" I asked.
For a moment Stryker looked as if he had been caught doing something wrong.
"No princess, I don't. I am very glad that I was able to meet you, even if we did start a war."
I couldn't help but laugh at the serious tone. Stryker cocked his head to the side at me.
"I'm sorry it's just the way you said that cracked me up. I did start a whole war, didn't I? Good Goddesses, I am a walking disaster." I laughed a bit more before reeling myself in.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
"You're not a disaster Banphrionsa. Things happen the way they do in order to push you onto the correct path. It was just something that had to happen to get us to where we belong." Stryker assured me.
"If you say so," I told him with a small yawn.
"Yes"
I'm not really sure when I fell asleep but the feeling of strong arms lifting me from the chaise brought me to a slight consciousness. I blinked bleary eyes to see Stryker carrying me against his chest. He placed me gently onto the bed and pulled the cover over me. His eyes trailed slowly up to my face after I was covered. When our eyes met he gave a small smile and gently brushed my hair away from my face.
"Back to sleep Banphrionsa. It's night now. The journey will be much easier with you well rested."
I hummed in response as my eyes fell closed again.
---
A low howling wind drew through the air as a storm battered against the ship causing everyone aboard to awaken from their slumber. The Fae who had been flying were all standing on the deck now, soaking wet and being jostled about as waves crashed over the sides. I frantically run my hands over my eyes to clear the sleep as I take in the site from just outside my temporary chamber door.
Stryker is already on the upper deck and has taken full command of our people. The captain and his crew are working quickly and tirelessly in sync with one another to maneuver the vessel from the storm but it is slow and tedious work without the use of the sails due to the volatile winds. I make my way to Stryker's side and use my hand to shield my eyes from the salty sea spray.
“What can I do?” I ask surveying the frightened faces around us.
“Fire?” Stryker asked as he used his own magic to divert a particularly large wave back away from the boat.
“Can you use your power to push the current in our favor to get out of this storm?” I asked without a real understanding of what I was asking.
“I- wh- Yes of course!” Stryker exclaimed and ran towards the read of the ship as if I had just given him an encyclopedia on storm survival at sea.
“Uh okay...” I stared after him for a moment and then suddenly had to find my bearings as the ship lurched forward and away from the core of the storm at a pace so rapid I nearly tumbled onto my butt.
Once the ship had cleared the worst of the storm I approached a barrel that was secured to the center of the deck and focused as hard as I could on creating a small flame. Instead, I ended up with a huge explosive woosh of flame bursting forth so strongly that it nearly burnt my face. Once the burn barrel was alight several of the wet Fae gathered around and began drying their clothes and attempting to regain warmth. I gave as genuine of a smile as I felt capable of giving and then excused myself back to my temporary chambers to process what had just happened.
“It is way too freaking early for this kind of thing,” I grumbled and threw myself onto the chaise in a huff.
By the time Stryker directed the water currents enough that he and the captain could safely maneuver our ships from the storm's path, a strip of land had become visible on the horizon line. Shouts of crew and passengers alike filled the air. There were cheers and hollers of happiness, relief, and desperation. I found myself wandering back onto the deck to get a look. From this far away there wasn't much to see but there was definitely land out there. A small feeling of nervous energy settled into my very core.
This is it. This is the place I'm leading a whole group of people. I've taken them from the only home most have known and brought them here in hopes of peace and prosperity. I don't even know these people and they followed me here. What if I screw up? What if I can't lead like Stryker thinks I can? What if royal blood isn't enough to hold the throne? I felt myself starting to spiral into this pattern of thoughts.
A strong hand pressed firmly against my lower back grounding me from the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I glanced over my shoulder and found Stryker gazing at the horizon in awe. His eyes seemed to dance at the sight of that land and for a moment I wondered how long he had been longing to venture to his ancestral homeland.
"We're almost home," he breathed.
"Yeah," I said but the horizon wasn't where I was looking, "yeah maybe we are."
It was then that Stryker turned his head. Bright eyes met mine and the look of awe on his face slowly morphed into a playful smirk. The smirk quickly turned into the deep timber of a rolling laugh. Stryker smiled so brilliantly at me and tried to regain his composure.
"Banphrionsa, for someone so resistant to this entire ordeal from the start... I never thought I'd hear you say that. Adoh will be a wonderful home to you, and you will be a wonderful leader to our people. I am sure."
"Let's hope so, Stryker." I told him before stepping towards the side rails to get a better look at the horizon line.
Stryker stepped away from me and headed towards the captain. I watched him leaving for a moment before making my way over to the still-burning fire I had lit before. People were loosely hanging around it. I warmed my hands over the flames.
A small child gave me a small smile and I returned it with a smile and wave. The child then hid behind their mother's leg shyly. I giggled to myself. A few people nearby were talking excitedly about how they would like to build their new homes. Another group seemed to be discussing farming strategies. Overall, the groups surrounding me gave me a sense of pride. I will be leading a strong community of people into this new life.
I listened to a few of the conversations for a while. I made mental notes of concerns and complaints as they arose in the talks. I will do my best to provide the easiest transition possible when we reach our destination.
"We should be there by nightfall," Stryker's voice carried from behind me.
"Great," I said turning to face him.
"Maybe. It'd be easier to dock the ships and unload the passengers in the light," he said rubbing the back of his neck.
"True but I'm sure we can make due," I remained optimistic.
"Of course, we will Princess," he assured and reached for my hand.
"What are you..?" I questioned.
"I want to show you something," Stryker informed before pulling me towards one of the large wooden poles that hold the sails.
When Stryker pulled me up to a latter I raised a brow at him in question. He just urged me forward. I began climbing and after a few moments, he followed me. When we reached the top of the ladder there was an octagonal deck-like area that provided enough space for maybe three people to stand close to one another. I pulled myself up onto the deck and waited for Stryker to join me.
When Stryker climbed onto the deck he smiled brightly and reached into his pocket. He produced a collapsed spyglass from and opened it before offering it to me. I took it cautiously before bringing it to my eye. Rough hands covered mine and adjusted my hold before moving my body slightly so that I was facing the mainland.
My face lit up in what I imagined was the same kind of awe I had seen on Stryker's earlier. Through the spyglass, the land on the horizon appeared so clearly. The sight of pristine beaches and a lush treeline that appeared untouched by the hands of mortals danced in my view. The colors there even seemed more vibrant, more alive, than they had on NZ Island.
It was right then, with my new homeland in sight, that I made the decision about how this war would be fought. We will regroup and bring it to them. No foreign soldiers will ever sully these lands, my lands, with their vile blood.
I smiled and handed Stryker's spyglass back to him. As he collapsed it back into his pocket he eyed me seriously. I blinked and readjusted my vision to my surroundings.
"We are taking this war on, on their land. Not here. Not ours." I told him, leaving no room for argument.
"That can be arranged, although I am hoping to avoid any bloodshed altogether when they realize we've vacated the island. Hopefully, they are not so foolish as to try and follow us.... but if they do... Yes, Banphrionsa, we will bring the fight to them."
As a turned to make my way back onto the ladder, we had climbed to get here my heart sank into my stomach. The storm we had escaped earlier had built in power and was now visibly moving at an indescribable pace right toward our fleet of ships. My mouth fell open in a gasp.
The storm felt like it was pulling our ships back out further into the sea. To my horror, I realized that it was. The massive pressure building behind us was pulling in the ocean waters and causing currents to shift. Our ships began to groan in protest.
Giving up the ladder idea I grabbed Stryker's hand and stretched my wings. I flew us down to the deck as quickly as I could and released him. Stryker immediately began shouting orders to the crew and trying to assist the captain in righting our course. Everything was happening so quickly that none of us noticed the massive wave off the port side of the ships until it was too late.
Somewhere in the distance, I heard Stryker's pained shout as he tried to gain control of the water and force it back. If he had any effect at all I did not have time to notice it before our ship was rolling. Wood planks and metal debris were thrown violently around the waters as the wave crushed our vessels into one another. I was forced into the frigid water and found myself struggling to break the surface.
Air. I need air. I fought hard, kicking my feet and moving my arms to find the surface but I was unsure of which direction was even up. By some miracle of the Gods and Goddesses, I finally found my way to the top. My lungs burned as I gasped in air. I desperately grasped a floating wooden plank for purchase to keep myself afloat but it wasn't needed for long.
A strong arm wrapped around my waist and hauled me into the air. I coughed up sea water and wiped at my eyes. There was water in my ears too so I couldn't quite make out what my savior was saying but I could tell someone was talking to me. After a few more moments in the air Stryker's voice finally broke through.
"Fuck I didn't think. I know the risks of our magics! Fuck. Fuck," he was saying.
"Stryker it was a freak wave. You couldn't have stopped it that quickly," I choked out.
"I caused it. When I moved us from the storm... I used so much of my magic but I had no outlet for the backlash. The water itself seemed like a better option than our ship. I didn't think... I didn't know it would do that," he said frantically as he placed me onto dry land.
The wave had pushed us to the mainland, at least. I stood shakily and looked around. A lot of our people had made it ashore safely. Not everyone was here though. I glanced back out at the sea and grimaced.
"I'm fine. Go! Keep searching for more survivors," I told Stryker and then quickly moved to begin checking on the injured and directing those who were willing and able to fly back out and assist in rescues.