by Ben Alderson
Besides that, a few pieces of furniture had been knocked over and carpets reduced to soggy bundles. The top deck was another story.
The main mast post that broke in two laid across the main deck in splintered pieces. The mast material was ruined. It was spread out, overlapping both the post and damp panels of the ships flooring. Even in the husk of evening I could see the many puddles around me. They winked with the reflection of stars. I peered over the railing and could see that the ship was moving, but slowly. Not at the pace it would have when the mast billowed proudly.
Are you awake? I sent my awareness through the door in my mind and into Nyah’s. I could hear my own heart beat clearly as I waited for her response. Come on, Nyah, I need to talk to you.
She didn’t answer.
I only hoped she was silent because she was in the fringes of sleep. So many other possibilities started to flash behind my eyes, but I buried them deep.
I hadn’t spoken to Nyah in a couple of days, and so much could have happened since then. The unknown caused great anxiety to thunder through me.
***
There was nothing to do but roam the ship and watch the night sky pass by overhead. A few times I thought I saw the wink of light across the seas horizon but passed it off as nothing but the moons reflection and my strange delusion. I was hungry. Very hungry.
Moving for the galley, I hoped the storm’s damage had not reached inside it. I’d no idea how long of this journey was left, and perishing from hunger and thirst was not my ideal way out of this world. To my relief, I found that the water damage was minimal, kept mainly to the door and small parts of the flooring. I found dried meats, bread and the casket of red wine that tickled my nose with its fruitful scents.
I ate until my stomach couldn’t take anymore. Leaning back in my seat, I reveled in the feeling. Third glass of wine in my hand, I gulped it back. It masked my mind, numbing the possibilities of the coming days. The drink brought on a welcome moment of a relaxed mind. I gurgled a bubble of a laugh, burping and coughing straight after. It amused me, this wine. It was perfect.
I poured myself another glass and took it to my room. With a full belly and spinning mind, I no longer felt like I could stay awake all night. I was ready to climb into bed and allow the drink to warp my dreams.
As soon as the door closed, I knew something was different. The warning tickled in the back of my mind. Turning, I scanned my room and searched the dark. Wary of every shadow and sat on the bed.
This wine must be good, I thought, almost laughing at my own silly worrying.
I lay back, head swallowed by my pillow when I heard a noise from outside. I was certain it was the hoot or shrill of a bird. Waiting for it to happen again, I felt uneasy.
I sat up, breathing rapidly, and watched the door. It was open.
The shadow of someone stood within it, arms on hips and eyes burning the color of hungry fire. Their outline was tall, broad. Glints of light caught across the silver pin that held a cloak in place.
Everything in the world seemed to slow, my breathing, my mind. The shadow walked forward, a slip of moonlight from the porthole blurring across the visitor’s face. It highlighted the high, sharp cheek bones and freshly shaven jaw, thick, dark brows and a plush smile.
“Finally,” the shadow breathed.
“Please be real,” I pleaded, a croak blocking my throat. I rubbed at my eyes. Surely this was a dream, some sort of illusion brought on by too much wine.
“As real as you need me to be.”
“No. No. No,” I cried, hitting my palm on my head over and over. “This is not fair. Don’t do this to me,” I scolded myself.
“Shh,” he said, kneeling beside my bed. His warm hands took my own and stopped me from hitting myself. “Shh, my petal, shh. I am here now, and I promise, I will never be taken from you again.”
I peered up, worrying if I looked to quickly he would disappear. But he didn’t. “You won’t disappear?”
He guided my hands in his own and placed them on his face. My palm brushed over his warm, soft skin. I let the tips of my fingers trail his bone structure, from the lids of his eyes to the moist texture of his lips.
“I am not a fleeting shadow,” Hadrian said, no more than a whisper. His cool breath tickled my face, minty and fresh.
I had no words, only actions. I sprang forward out of my cot and into Hadrian’s arms. He rocked backwards, falling beneath me but clamping his strong arms around my waist to soften the fall.
I buried my head in his shoulder, breathing him in, allowing my tears to dry in the material of his top. He really was here.
“Goddess knows how much I have missed you,” Hadrian said, brushing his hand down the back of my head. “Even when I was lost, I dreamt of you. You were with me every day, I am just sorry I was not with you.”
“Just hold me,” I told him, eyes closed as his voice warmed my entire body. “Please don’t let me go ever again.”
“I vow it, Petal, I’ll never leave your side.”
I didn’t care for anything as Hadrian held me. Not Marthil in her weak slumber or Gallion where ever he was. Hadrian was here. I was safe once more.
Weeks could have passed in those moments, and I would not have moved. I kept my hands clasped behind Hadrian as he hushed gently in my ear. We rocked on the floor of my room together, breathing in time, our heart beats synchronized.
Out of all the times I had thought about this moment, I could never have imagined just how sweet this would’ve been.
“I hope my presence didn’t frighten you,” he cooed, voice a whisper that tickled my earlobe and raised the hairs on the back of my neck to stand. “Since you saved me I have been wondering what I would say to you first, but I could not seem to find my words. When I laid eyes upon you, I forgot about everything else.”
“It does not matter.” Even as his shrouded figure stood above me, part of me knew the presence was not one to be feared.
“How did you find me? I waited, but Nyah gave me no warning of your arrival.”
Hadrian guided me off him and stood tall beside me. “We have a lot to discuss, but for now, I want to climb in that bed with you and hold you.”
“I want nothing more. But what of Marthil? The elves in the lower—”
Hadrian placed a gentle finger on my mouth. “Do not fret, dear Petal. I informed Nyah to keep our arrival from you as I worried it would alert those on board. I arrived with a few shifters from Rank Falmia with the night as our cover. My greatest worry was the Druid would catch wind of our arrival and ruin it. And trust me when I say I would never have let that happen.”
I released a heavy sigh, one riddled with relief. “I can’t believe you are here.”
Hadrian smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. They stayed dull and filled with regret. “Well, I am.”
“And Marthil?”
“She has been detained and taken to my ship along with the elven prisoners who have been worked to the bone keeping this ship going. They will be cared for now.”
Hadrian placed hand on top of mine. “Marthil did not put up much of a fight when we arrived. Her greeting was lackluster to what I expected.”
“We truly do have a lot to discuss,” I said. “Marthil is weak when kept from her element. It would seem being lost at sea is one way to prevent her strength from returning.”
Hadrian sat himself down on the edge of my cot. He tapped his hand on his lap and beckoned me forward. “Come to me.”
I took his reaching hand and Hadrian guided me onto his lap.
“Hmm,” he mumbled, amber eyes intense as he regarded me up and down. “May I ask you something?”
“Anything,” I replied, pursing my lips.
He leaned into me, his face inches from mine. His lips dusted across my own but didn’t move into me anymore.
“Can I kiss you, Petal?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
I felt him grin, lips pulling against mine. “Fadine has been kind and a
llowed me a quiet moment with you here.”
“Fadine? The guard from Olderim?” I remembered her sharp stare and the elk horned helmet she wore. She’d been Hadrian’s friend, the same one who had painted the image of his mother that I had left in my dwellings in Lilioira.
“The one and only,” he said. “But forgive me, we have already addressed the need for a deep conversation about the events I have missed. Yet, selfish or not, I would very much like to kiss you. And for that, Petal, there will be no need for talking.”
I laughed, a light and freeing laugh that was both pure and honest. It surprised me, a feeling I had not felt in such a long time.
“Hadrian, my prince, I could think of nothing better.” I kissed his cheek.
“Oh, Zac…” One of his dark brows raised, corner of his lip following suit. “There is so much I want to say and even more I want to do.”
I wrapped both hands around his neck and leaned in. “Is that so?”
“It is. But for now, just having a moment to look into those eyes would suffice.” I could see him teetering on the edge of playfulness. Every crease of amusement in his face suggested it. And I wanted it.
“Then look into them because they are not going anywhere. No matter what happens in the lurking future, I am staying by your side and you by mine,” I told him.
He wet his lips, running his pink tongue across it as he studied my eyes, then my mouth. I could sense the tension in the air between us, no matter how little the space was. Hadrian rolled his head, clicking his neck but never taking his hungry eyes off me.
“Tell me, Petal, what is it you want from me?” Hadrian’s question sent my blood racing.
“Everything,” I replied plainly. “I want everything from you.”
AND EVERYTHING I got.
Night flowed into dawn with the sound of perfect harmonies. It was perfect. All of it. Like a dance, I explored every side of Hadrian as he explored me. His hands left no inch of me untouched. He was the Prince of Thessolina to everyone, but to me, he was a King.
I felt like a King in my own right, for Hadrian treated me like one. He worshiped me with his gaze, his touch, his mouth. I had never experienced anything like it.
When we finished, we began again. This time I took over. Showering him with compliments until his stomach moved with deep laughter. He was beautiful, regal, strong. Muscles rippled under my touch, his head cocked back with his eyes closed in pure ecstasy. His heavy breathing urged me on, keeping up pace until it reached a climax of pleasured groans.
Then we stopped, breathless and tired.
We spent the next moments in silence, both lying on our sides and staring deep into each other’s eyes. Hadrian didn’t stop touching me, running the tips of his fingers up and down my arms and exposed back.
“You are a miracle,” he said, forehead gleaming with sweat. “I am blessed, truly.”
My cheeks flooded with warmth. I didn’t need to look to know they had pinched red.
I leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. “That was the most magical moment of my life so far.”
Hadrian smiled from ear to ear. He pressed his finger to my lips and whispered. “Another word from you, and I think Fadine will be coming to look for us. We are already late.”
“Oh, well, let them wait,” I replied, pulling him back as he tried to climb out of bed. “If we have grown used to waiting, why can’t everyone else?”
“Believe me, Petal, I want nothing more than to climb back in there with you.” He kissed my head. “But we have plenty of time for it. And I have plenty to tell you still.”
“You win,” I laughed, rolling myself out of bed and picking up my discarded clothes. My body and mind were in the fringes of euphoria. Too much so to dwell on what had happened.
“I am unsure if they have brought a ship to collect us or if we must reach them in other means, but I think it is best we get going.”
“And where is it we are going too?” I asked.
“Morgatis, same destination this ship was headed for. The Morthi people know of our arrival, for Emaline has prepared them. But before we dock, we still have much to discuss with the New Council.”
I moved through the room to Hadrian and brushed his hands away from his shirt. I began buttoning it up for him, gently threading the silver buttons through the roped holes. I kept my attention on the gentle work whilst Hadrian looked down upon me doing it. His stare was almost warm on the top of my head.
“Just tell me what it is you need for me to do,” I told him.
“I am sure we will begin with a debrief of the events you have been through, and the time you have had close to the Druid. Oh, and where this came from would be a good start.”
His fingers grazed the side of my stomach.
I looked down and saw the faded sliver of a scar. The Forbian Marthil had provided me had worked wonders in the past days. Besides the memory it left it had almost disappeared entirely.
“Ah, that,” I said. “We really do have a lot to go over. Shall we?” I pointed to the door.
“I’ve a feeling this day will be long and filled with many headaches.”
Hadrian’s chuckled beneath his breath. “Come then, my petal. Let us cease the pause in our fight and return to the front lines.”
He took my hand and guided me from the room. I didn’t look back. I allowed the memories to linger in the room as it did in my mind. But in the dark corners was the truth of what happened before Hadrian had found me. I wasn’t ready to shed light on that yet.
“Fadine and a few shifters you said.” I turned from the view to Hadrian whose hair tussled in the winds.
“You are looking upon our people’s greatest asset of war.” Hadrian raised a hand and blocked the sun from shining in his eyes. Had we really been lost to each other for this long? It was night not long ago yet the sun now crowns the sky. Even with the lack of rest, I felt reinvigorated.
The moment we stepped on the top deck, all I could see beyond was a fleet of ships. Countless vessels hugged the ocean around us, a swarm of wooden beasts. Flags billowed in the winds, decorated with the Niraen elves symbol of the grand tree and overlapping roots.
“Shall we?” Hadrian asked, squeezing my hand.
I turned and looked behind me a final time. “What about this ship?”
“That is your choice. We leave it here until the Druid realizes what has happened. Or we send it to the bottom of the ocean.”
The answer was an easy one. “I want to see it burn.”
Hadrian admitted hungrily, biting his lip, “You are my soul mate.”
“And you are mine.”
I shook myself until my wings burst from shadow at my back and spread wide around us. Hadrian shifted, his dark wings danced behind him, brushing against mine. I let him go first. With a large push of his powerful wings, he was airborne.
I smiled up at him and jumped into the air. It took a few pumps of my own leathery limbs to get me to his height. From up high I could see the closest, and by far the biggest, ship out of the fleet had people out on the top deck watching. As we floated over the ocean Hadrian leaned in close and placed his lips on my own. It was a stolen moment with the crowd of Niraen soldiers watching us from below.
“Are you sure you want me to burn it?” he asked again, sun burning behind him and outlining his body in golden light.
“I’ve spent enough time trapped within Gordex’s constraints. Let this one perish to the depths of the sea.” My eyes were trapped to the bobbing vessel below us.
Hadrian’s wings missed a beat.
“If I can rid one horror for you, it would be a start,” Hadrian said.
The next moment blue flame burst beyond Hadrian’s fist. It shot down towards the ship, air rippling around it, and landed amongst the rubble from the storm.
An explosion rocked the world. Water rippled beneath the ship as wood disappeared in flame. We watched in silence as the fire devoured every inch of the ship. It happened so quickly. One
blink it was untouched, the next the intense dark smoke of the destruction floated up into the sky with us.
I took Hadrian’s hand. Looking up to him, I saw Hadrian’s amber eyes reflected blue as he watched and willed the flames to devour the ship.
This wasn’t how I expected it to feel. Not an ounce of victory rushed through me. Only a part of me wished Gordex could see this. A symbol of our first act against him.
We flew off, Hadrian leading the way, towards the largest ship.
I landed amongst a group of waiting elves, all their eyes were trained to the fire.
No one welcomed us. Not whilst they had such a display of power to witness. Hadrian took my hand and rested it on the railing of his ship. We joined everyone in watching as the ocean finally opened for the ships remains to sink.
Left were a handful of burnt planks floating across its navy surface.
“I THOUGHT YOU would appreciate this.” Hadrian walked back into the room he’d left me in. I turned to greet him, still not over seeing his sharp, handsome face. He carried a tray of food in his hand, balanced perfectly as the other closed the door behind him.
The room was as beautiful as it was grand.
Hadrian had introduced it as the great cabin. Nestled on a top floor of his ship, from one window it overlooked the vast ocean, and the adjacent window allowed us to watch the many Niraen soldiers and sailors mingling across the main deck. There was one door in and out, one desk and a large oaken table that had enough seats for six others to join. The walls were plain, besides a few half-empty bookshelves and the cot in which we sat on.
There was an unmarked carpet beneath the table and flowerless vases. All signs that this ship was new and unused.
“It all looks delicious,” I said, mouth watering as I looked over the assortment of fruits and meats. I’d only just stripped the clothes I’d worn on the ship and changed it for a mundane set of slacks and shirt Hadrian had given me from his trunk. As I thought, the shirt hung loose on my frame, unbuttoned slightly to let the cool winds kiss my skin.
