Black Sea Bright Song

by Shelly Jarvis

  Evan wasn’t sure how to help her. She didn’t seem to be hurt physically, but it was clear something wasn’t right. She had tried to read Celia’s emotions, but her feelings flitted from one to the next so quickly Evan couldn’t get a grasp on anything.

  She heard the door swish open behind her and turned to see Nolan standing inside the door. He was smiling, but his eyes remained dark and unreadable. Evan didn’t bother trying to read his emotions; if Nolan wanted her to know what he was feeling, he would tell her. It was the sort of man he was.

  “How is she?” he asked.

  Evan sighed. “Comfortable. That’s all I can do for her right now.”

  “She hasn’t said anything?”

  Evan shook her head.

  Nolan nodded. “Maybe it’s for the best. She’ll have a better chance of healing once we get to Triton.”

  “When will that be?”

  Nolan turned back towards her, but looked past her out the porthole. “Soon. Within the hour, I expect.”

  Evan turned and followed his gaze. The water seemed to be growing darker, and Evan surmised it was because they were descending in depth towards Triton’s location.

  Once again she found herself thinking about the moment when she stepped off the ship into her home. Would her mother be happy to see her? Or would she begin a lecture on propriety and diplomacy? What had happened in the Triton kingdom while she’d been gone? It had been little more than a week, but it felt like everything had changed during that time.

  As if reading her thoughts, Nolan said, “Your mother will be grateful to have you home, Princess.”

  Evan looked at him, and though she tried to fake a smile, she couldn’t quite do it. “You don’t know her.”

  “True,” Nolan said. “But I know what it means to love your child more than you can ever tell them. She loves you, even if she doesn’t know how to let you know.”

  Evan met his eyes and asked the question she’d been keeping inside since they’d rescued Layne. “Does Prince Layne know he’s your son?”

  Nolan was silent for a long moment before saying, “No. And I’d like to keep it that way.”

  “Why?” Evan asked. “He loves you, even if he doesn’t know your relationship.”

  “And I love him. But his life will be better if he never finds out.”

  Evan shook her head. “It isn’t fair for you to keep it from him.”

  Nolan’s voice was almost a growl as he said, “Life isn’t fair, Princess.” He closed his eyes and sighed, and when he spoke again his tone was tinged in bitterness. “I would love nothing more than to tell him he’s mine, to raise him, and teach him how to be a man. But sometimes you make sacrifices for the people you love. Layne is a prince! He gets to have a life I could never provide him.”

  “At what cost?” Evan asked.

  “I’ve already paid the price,” Nolan said, “Eleven years ago. I’m just thankful his mother found a way for me to be part of his life, even if it isn’t as his father.”

  “It seems like you’d both be happier if he knew.”

  “Happiness doesn’t mean much when you can’t afford to eat. Happiness doesn’t pay the bills. Neither does smuggling. I don’t want this life for him.”

  “He’s already part of it, isn’t he? He’s here, with you.”

  “Not for long. I’m taking him back to Malonuppis as soon as we get you to Triton.”

  “Why was he with you in the first place?” Evan asked.

  Nolan shrugged. “It was his mother’s idea. I run errands for her from time to time. A couple months ago I was doing a run for her. When I dropped off her cargo, she suggested I bring Layne back to Protea with me. He was invited to Calix’s Thrice Day celebrations, so he was going to stay with me for a bit and I was going to take him home after the event.”

  “But instead he got nabbed for stealing.”

  Nolan scoffed. “That’s what they said, but Layne would never do something like that. He’s a good kid. They made it up as a reason to hold him.”

  “For ransom?”

  “Maybe,” he said with a shrug. “But I don’t think so. Malo is broke. The kingdom’s wealth trickled away with Poseidon’s blood.”

  “What other reason would Calix have for holding Layne?”

  “I don’t know, but I hope whatever it was died with Calix.”

  There were dozens of guards waiting for them when the ship docked at Triton. Evan stepped out first, with Nolan on her heels. She surveyed the assembly, her heart filling with joy at the sight of her people. She’d done a lot to get back home, and despite it all, her heart soared at the sight of her kingdom.

  As she descended the steps, she saw the crowd parting as her mother entered the room. Queen Astraea was beautiful as always; her thick black hair was loose, cascading down her back and blending so well with her dress that Evan couldn’t see where one ended and the other began.

  She walked straight towards Evan, her eyes never leaving her face. When she neared, Evan knelt before her.

  “My Queen,” she said.

  Without a word, Astraea knelt in front of her, enveloping Evan in her arms. Evan felt her mother shaking, and it suddenly dawned on her that the queen was crying.

  After a moment, she pulled back and looked at her mother. Up close she could see the cracks in Astraea’s mask: her face was thinner, her cheeks sunken, and dark circles under her eyes were hidden by layers of makeup.

  “Mom?” she asked.

  It had been so long since Evan has addressed her so informally that it felt wrong. But as she watched her mother’s face, it broke into a broad grin and a laugh erupted from her throat.

  “I was so worried about you,” Astraea said, pulling Evan’s forehead against her own. “I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t save you.”

  “I’m okay,” Evan whispered.

  “I know. And I am so proud of you.”

  Astraea’s eyes moved to the ship. Her cheeks suddenly colored pink and her eyes went wide. Evan followed her gaze. One of the guards was carrying Celia towards them.

  “She’s hurt,” Evan said. She didn’t want to elaborate on what had happened with half the castle in attendance. It was a conversation for later.

  Arturo was standing a few feet away. His face held the same signs of worry as her mother’s. His eyes searched the group for his daughter. How could she tell him he would never see Adra again?

  Evan closed her eyes, steeling herself against the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She turned back to her mother and said, “We have a lot to discuss. Let’s go somewhere private.”

  Astraea looked to her brother-in-law, then turned to Evan. Astraea’s eyes were sorrowful, and Evan knew she understood. The queen stood and helped her daughter to her feet. She turned to Arturo and put her arm around his shoulders. “Come, Arturo. Let us retire to the upper rotunda for some privacy.”

  She tried to steer him from the dock, but Arturo pulled away from her, waving her off. “In a minute. I want to be here when Adra gets off the ship.”

  Astraea took a deep breath and said, “She isn’t getting off the ship, Turo.”

  He looked from the ship to Astraea. His brows furrowed in confusion.

  “Let’s walk,” Astraea said, again trying to direct him.

  He took a few steps before the force of the situation seemed to hit him. He stopped again, turning to Evan. His gaze found hers, searching for answers about Adra. Evan felt like he was pulling the pictures from her head, seeing her broken body filling the bottom of the wardrobe.

  “This is your fault,” he said, his eyes wide.

  “I’m so sorry,” Evan said.

  He stepped towards her and she reached her arms out to comfort him. He lifted his hands and wrapped them around her throat.

  Evan gasped for air. She scratched at his hands, trying to pry them loose. When that didn’t work, she smacked at his arms and face. Still he didn’t release. Evan was dimly aware of others at her sides, trying to pull Arturo from
her.

  And then the darkness swallowed her whole.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Shelly Jarvis began writing thanks to a prompt from her high school English teacher, Mrs. Burger.

  Her passion for writing and reading extends into all aspects of her life, and she is most at home hiding behind an open book. She currently resides in West Virginia with her husband, Joe, and their rescue dogs, Gimli, Butters, Fergus, and Pickles.

  Learn more about Shelly, including other books and how to contact her, at ShellyJarvis.com