Sea of Sighs (Empath Book 2)

by Dawn Peers

  “That’s lunacy, Eden. You really think your family wouldn’t try to find you, or that Sammah or Pax wouldn’t try to hunt me down?”

  Eden’s heart sank. Quinn had changed, even in the short time they had been apart. She was more reserved, and she’d grown a quiet confidence outside of the constraints of Sammah’s patronage. He was sure he could love this Quinn more, but Eden knew that this Quinn wouldn’t be his.

  “So you’re going back to him, then?”

  Quinn slid her hand out from under the blankets and stroked it down Eden’s bruised face. He was starting to grow stubble from days without shaving.

  “You were in that room. Did Pax give me a choice? About as much as Vance did. But at least this time, you’ll be coming with me.”

  “You mean that?”

  “I never wanted to leave you Eden, I said those things to try and protect you. Shiver wouldn’t have forgiven you, and Vance wouldn’t have let you leave.”

  He searched her eyes for any hint of a lie, and lost himself. She moved a hand from his face to the back of his head and pulled him down into a deep kiss. Eden didn’t resist.

  31

  “Lord Eden, Sha’sek attire seems to suit you.” Pax didn’t sound sarcastic, but Eden still felt insulted. He didn’t care much for the flowing gowns favoured in Sha’sek, however Quinn had declared him fetching, so he hadn’t protested when he’d been dressed.

  “Thank you, baron, I’ve always thought it’s important to try and help our two cultures meet.” He emphasised this point by squeezing Quinn’s hand. Pax shifted his attention to her.

  “Quinn? Have you thought about my offer?”

  Offer, Quinn thought resentfully. “I believe it would serve us all well if I return. Whether Sammah or Vance has the throne, they will both be expecting me. I shouldn’t disappoint them.”

  “Are you scared of your father still, Quinn?”

  “My father, is he? You say it as if it’s true. No one can tell me who my real father is, baron, and everyone seems quite rehearsed at dodging the question.”

  “You’ve asked the question too many times Quinn, but the truth is none of us can actually tell you who your father is. If we base it on heredity, then it is most likely that, somehow, Nerren is you father. But you were found in a northern province, in an anonymous little village. Nerren never travelled that far. You could be an empath through a grandparent on either side. There may, somehow, be an empath who has escaped our attention, though that is the least likely answer. If it hurts you less, I will rephrase my question: are you scared of Sammah?”

  “I am wary of him. I’m not scared of him.”

  “Stay wary. Perhaps, you should be scared. If I need you to go today, will you consent?”

  “You’re that keen to get rid of me?”

  “I’m eager to make sure my brother doesn’t cause any more disruption than strictly necessary.” Pax picked at his nails. “That’s why I’ll be sending you over the Sighs.”

  The colour bled from Quinn’s face. “No. You can’t send me back that way!”

  “Alternative crossings take far longer. I’ve already arranged a ship to take you over to Kahnel.”

  “I can’t go that way again, baron. It’ll destroy me.”

  Eden turned to her, concern creasing his brow. “I crossed the Sighs. They were harmless. I heard a rumour that someone was killed, but you’re all alive here in Farn. What happened to you?”

  Quinn shuddered as she remembered the mercenary’s mouth, frozen in open surprise as he fell backwards over the bow of the ship. She hadn’t just felt his pain and panic, she had caused it, and she knew that image would haunt her for the rest of her life. She couldn’t let Eden see her like that. She didn’t want him to know what she was capable of when the haunting spirit of Nerren took hold. “Please Eden, believe me, you can’t understand the stress that crossing put me through… what it does my abilities…”

  “Tell me, Quinn. I need to understand.”

  Not for the first time in her life, Quinn decided to lie to Eden. “I can’t control myself in the crossing Eden. When the fogs came, I couldn’t control myself. It was like being a child again. I could feel everything and I couldn’t block it out. It was so painful. I thought I was going to die.”

  “You can beg him all you want; I choose, Quinn. You will sail the Sighs.”

  Eden’s mouth was set in a line, and from the look in his eyes and the set of his jaw, Quinn knew that he didn’t believe her. Would he risk her well-being on a hunch? No, Eden wasn’t that kind of man, and he would do what Quinn wanted. Instead of arguing or disputing her claim, Eden simply pecked her on the cheek. Even through that benign gesture, Quinn knew a little part of the trust between them had broken. How much things could change in such a little space of time.

  “Come on. Let’s get this done.”

  Feeling ashamed, Quinn nodded. She would not miss Pax when she left Farn. She was sick of his beautiful face and smooth ways. He was worse than his brother, she had decided. Sammah had the decency to be creepy, whereas his brother seemed to be perfect. Quinn knew there was no such thing. Pax followed them as they wandered towards the entrance to the Council Hall. He was in full dress, his formal gold tunic trimmed neatly with gold belt, his necklace of onyx and gold hanging long around his neck, nestling on his chest. They reached the exit, and the couple turned to him. Eden bowed, but Quinn merely nodded to him. He had told her, time and time again, that they were equals, so it was time to start taking him at his word. The baron didn't miss this.

  “Lord Eden, it has been good to meet you. Quinn, good speed.”

  Quinn merely nodded again, and the baron’s face twisted. It was an ugly gesture. “Quick to learn our ways, and quick to leave us.”

  Eden looked at Quinn, a quizzical look on his face.

  “That is the way politics works, isn’t it, baron? I shall remind you that I'm going because you need me to, not because I want to. I would rather stay and trade swords with Tarik.”

  “Indeed? You weren’t an enthusiastic student?”

  “He was an engaging teacher. He was growing on me.” Quinn glanced around the empty corridor. “Where’s Maertn?”

  Pax furrowed his brow. “Maertn? Why would you need him?”

  “He's coming with us, isn't he?”

  The baron laughed. “Oh spirits, no. I wouldn’t let all of you leave. He only just got here. A talented boy like him needs to be amongst his own. Even if he wanted to go, I wouldn’t allow it.”

  “You mean he doesn’t want to go?”

  “You saw him at the ball last night; how concerned he was for your lover’s welfare. Maertn loves it here, and he’s blossoming. Ask yourself what you would want, if you were in his place. He is finally getting out from under his father's shadow, and yours. Maertn is realising what life is going to be like, and I think he is seeing for the firs time that he you don't need to be a part of that.”

  Eden had to grab Quinn by the shoulder as she surged forward at the baron. “It's not true! You’ve done something to him! What is your power? You never told me.”

  “No one knows what my abilities are. We keep our strongest hands hidden in this family. People only know about Sammah because it's blatantly obvious. No, you’re not going to find out that, Quinn, and unfortunately for you, I have nothing to do with Maertn's desire to stay here. The boy was simply happy.”

  “Get him. I need to hear it from his own lips. I need to know this isn’t a lie.”

  The baron spread his arms in a congenial gesture. “I thought you might ask that.”

  Pax clapped his hands in those three measured slaps that Quinn was beginning to hate. Maertn walked through the door then, and he wasn’t alone. Rall stood alongside him.

  Somehow, Maertn looked worse. Quinn tried to tell herself it was from the wine he had drunk yesterday, but she knew that wouldn’t be true. He was over-stretching himself with the healing, and Quinn couldn’t help but think that master Rall’s plea to the baron, a
s well as Pax’s demand for Maertn to calm himself down, were all for show. But, Quinn had heard the truth in the baron’s words. Quinn began to doubt even herself.

  “Maertn? Did you hear what he said? Is it true? You really don’t want to come with me?”

  Quinn was devastated to see the Maertn looked to Rall first, before turning to speak to her. Who was this man in front of her now? Where had her friend gone?

  “Maertn? Please, it’s me?”

  “I know Quinn. Believe me, I know how much you want me to come with you. But I can’t. My life is here now. Remember how we felt on the way here, and everything we went through? I can’t leave so soon. My learning only just started. I’m already doing more with my power than I ever did in Everfell, and I’m actually helping people who deserve it. You can’t take me away from this now.”

  Quinn gulped, trying to defeat the lump that was forming in her throat. “I don’t want to take you where you don’t want to go. I’m not your master, and I never was. I’m your friend, and your sister. I’m asking you as the girl you grew up with.”

  Maertn looked down. Quinn was infuriated that he could meet her eye when he spoke, and she opened the channel to him. She could see him rock as it hit, and she cursed herself. She was letting her own emotions get away with her. Maertn’s eyes rose, hot and angry. She had accidentally given him just enough fury. “I need this Quinn, I really do. Please, don’t make me choose, don’t even ask me.”

  “It’s too late for that; you know what I want. But I’ll leave, you won’t have to hear another word from me.” Quinn paused, “It’s not be the same going back without you.”

  “Quinn, please.”

  Quinn sneered at the pleading tone in his voice. “Please what? You’re abandoning me Maertn, for these people you’ve only known for a few days. We were together for years. We only survived Sammah because we were together. Did you know he’s free? That Pax is sending me back there on my own, because you won’t come?”

  “Alone? Then who’s that by your side? You won’t be alone, we both know it, so don’t try and make me feel guilty just because you can’t stand it that I have a life now that doesn’t involve you.”

  Quinn was horrified, both with his words and the fact that the truth might come out, that she had been able to control emotion.

  “Enough!” Pax’s shout barrelled through their argument. “Quinn, you are going to leave before you incite a riot in my halls. Empaths, whether they know it or not, always cause trouble. You are not going alone, even if your boy stays behind. You’ve got your fancy lord, and you’ll be protected. I trust the people of Everfell about as much as you, and you are far too valuable to me to let you go there on your own. Haven’t I already told you this much?”

  “No, you haven’t.”

  “I want to see you come back to Sha’sek, and not just because of is going to happen. We need you here, Quinn.”

  Quinn tasted the air, and knew it was the truth. But she knew the truth could be bent, and just because the baron found her to be useful, didn’t mean that he cared for her. She had learned that the hard way through Sammah. Nothing Pax would ever say would change her opinion of him.

  “So, who’s going to be guarding me?”

  “Hopefully this gesture will show you that I truly mean what I say. Your friend Ross; he is coming with you. He’s going to be more useful to you than he is sitting, taking up guards, in one of our apartments.”

  “Who else? You said guards. Multiple.”

  “Tarik will be coming with you, too.”

  “Tarik does all of your training. You’re paying for him to give my lessons.”

  “My pockets are deep Quinn, and my affection for you runs deeper; not in the way my brother regarded you either. We need you back in Sha’sek, more than I can even describe.”

  “For the war effort?”

  “For more than that. You are vital to our heritage, and we have lost our way, I think you can put us back on the right path. You must trust me in this.”

  “Trust you? You don’t answer direct questions, and you blackmail me into doing what you want. You think I’m going to help with the future of your people?”

  “Our people, Quinn. Remember who you are, and where you came from.”

  “As far as I know baron, I came from Oster, in the province of Yender, and that’s all I’ve ever been told. No one will tell me about my heritage, no one can tell me who my parents are. So, why should I trust anyone, or anything you say?”

  “You do this for the baron, girl, and come back in one piece, and I’ll tell you everything you want to know about your parents.”

  Quinn turned to see Tarik walk into the room, accompanied by Ross. Quinn sprinted to her friend, throwing herself at him in a bear hug. Ross chuckled, return the hug and stroking her hair. “Did you miss me, little one?”

  “You have no idea.” Quinn said, her words muffled against Ross’s barrel chest. “I hate it when he calls me, girl.”

  Ross chuckled. “That’s just the Sha’sek way. You get used to it eventually.”

  “What, when I stop being a girl?”

  “You’ll only stop being a girl when you get married and bear children, so that miraculous day remains to be seen. Is it true, Tarik? Do you really know something that will help?”

  “I know enough. There aren’t exactly many candidates.”

  “So, does your escort meet your satisfaction, my lady?” Pax drawled, looking impatient.

  “More than.”

  “Let’s head to the harbour. The ship is waiting.”

  “Have you ever crossed the Sighs, baron?”

  Ross’s voice was quiet and calm. Quinn knew that that meant danger, and she was sensible enough to keep her mouth jammed shut. “No, mercenary, I’ve never had the need. Why?”

  “Have you ever spoken to anyone that has done the crossing?”

  “Plenty.”

  “Did you actually ask what the crossing was like? How it felt?”

  Pax shrugged. “It’s of no consequence to me, these rumours that you hear about this magical sea. It’s conjecture. Like the Beach of Bones, it only really exists in the mind. There isn’t any higher power, nothing in this world dictating who we are and what we do. Nothing but ourselves.”

  Quinn didn’t want to get on that ship. She didn’t want to cross the Sighs again, because she didn’t like the woman she became when the fog took hold of her.

  Eden tried to reassure her. “You’ll be fine, Quinn. The sailors will know what you are; I’ll look after you. We’ll all make sure you’re safe.”

  Ross and Maertn both shot Eden looks that the young lord missed, and Quinn was grateful for it. They both knew the truth of what had happened to Quinn on their first crossing, and she still didn’t want Eden to know.

  The baron grinned, all teeth. Right then, he looked so like Sammah, Quinn wanted to drive a sword through his gut. Sadly, she wasn’t armed. No, she’d have to go back to Everfell, and her revenge would have to wait.

  “There’s no use fighting, Quinn,” Ross moved forward to grab her arm. “So let’s just go.”

  32

  “Back again so soon?”

  The captain didn’t sound happy about Quinn being back on board his ship. She couldn’t console him that she wasn’t happy to be there either. The man looked miserable beyond belief. Quinn would be too, if she was forced to traverse the Sighs as often as he did. She wondered how he hadn’t gone insane, and quickly decided he was not a gifted navigator, like some ship captains she had heard of.

  “The sooner you get me on board, the sooner you can get rid of me.”

  “The sailing weather seems fine, so it’s just the sea itself we need to cope with.” Quinn was wary at his phrasing, but there was no way she could escape this. All she could do was trust in the captain, and hope that she and Eden would still be together by the end of the crossing.

  * * *

  “Ho there! Quinn! You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoul
ders. Can I help you unburden yourself?”

  Tarik danced up the deck towards her, dodging men as they carried boxes on board. Ross and Eden were helping, showing they were capable to the crew. Tarik wasn’t burdened with such insecurity.

  “You can, actually. Can we carry on with my lessons?”

  “Really? I thought you hated my lessons. This is your opportunity to be rid of them.”

  “You’ll keep me from staying in my own head, Tarik, and right now that’s a dark and depressing place to be.”

  Tarik looked across at the horizon. “Yes, I can imagine it is. What were you like the first time? It wasn’t good, I take it?”

  “When I made the crossing I thought I was going to be staying in Sha’sek. I was so relieved to be past it. I never wanted to experience anything like that again, and here I am, forced back through it. I’m hoping at least, if I do some training, anything to take my mind of my abilities, it’ll lessen the effects once we get out there.”

  “What did you tell your lord? Does he know what happened to you the first time?”

  “No, though it wasn’t a complete lie. I told him I couldn’t control myself.”

  “And he thinks you meant that you could feel everything again?”

  Quinn nodded, not able to voice the answer. Tarik grunted. “Well, I suppose the best thing we could do is keep you in your quarters, away from everyone else.”

  “I won’t be a danger, not this time.” Quinn’s voice was hard and determined.

  “How can you know? The Sighs don’t come to order, and they don’t give you any warning. We might sail through without a problem, don’t forget.”

  “That comes down to luck, doesn’t it?”

  “No, and that’s the only reason this crossing is used so much. As the myth goes, the more gifted on board, the more the Sighs are likely to seek out your ship. Look around you.”