by M. D. Grimm
I took a deep breath, reaching a decision. It wasn’t going to stop, not until it had eaten me and destroyed the ship. I stopped the wind.
“Everyone hold onto something!” I said, bellowing. I glanced at Aishe as he clung to the rail, his eyes huge and locked on me.
I stood in the middle of the ship again and closed my eyes. My magick flashed hot inside, and I used it to once again grab hold of the water’s magick. I clenched my fists and let the foreign magick fill me, feeling the pressure of it, the fluidness of the water, the refreshing and cool sensation. Then I opened my eyes and quickly grabbed a crystal from one of my pouches. It was small but it would serve for the task I gave it. I clasped the crystal between both hands and unleashed the spell with a focused word inside my mind. The spell latched onto the crystal and just as the beast reached us, intent on smashing the ship to pieces, the water suddenly shot upward, like a reverse waterfall.
A large column of water lifted the ship out of harm’s way and the tentacles of the beast slashed at the column and roared in frustration. I made sure the ship reached a good height before locking the spell into the crystal. Spells only lasted if there was enough energy, or rather, magick, to sustain them. With crystals, I could hold the spell longer by pumping a predetermined amount of magick into them, turning the spell into an enchantment. I used such techniques for Geheimnis. I frequently had to recharge the crystals but it meant I didn’t have to consciously think about the spells anymore. They were very nearly freestanding. I used the same concept here but of a shorter extent. What I had planned wouldn’t take very long.
I ran to Aishe and pushed the crystal into his hands. “Hold onto this. It will keep you all airborne.”
“What are you doing?” Aishe made to grab me, but I had already leapt onto the rail, struggling to keep my balance.
“I’ll be right back,” I said.
“Morgorth—”
I took a deep breath before I dove off the rail. I locked my hands over my head and made sure my magick bubbled right below the surface. The beast rose out of the water and opened its mouth. This was going to hurt.
Chapter Five
Aishe
I screamed his name even as I looked over the rail to see Morgorth dive headfirst into the beast’s mouth. Horrified, I could only gape as the beast descended below the surface, my mate in its stomach.
“No!” I climbed the rail and would have dove after him but several of the crew grabbed me, holding me back. I clutched the crystal he’d given me even as I fought them. “Morgorth! Let me go!”
“Hold him!” Kartez ordered.
Mad with horror, I continued to fight but the crew held tight my arms and legs. The crystal pulsed like a heart in my hand and glowed with a brilliant white light. I couldn’t think, I couldn’t reason, I only knew I’d just seen Morgorth, my heart, being eaten by a sea monster! He’d done it willingly. Confusion clouded everything else.
“Look!” someone shouted.
My struggling didn’t cease, and they still held me even as everyone gathered around the rail, looking down at the water. The tentacles appeared again before the entire beast broke the surface. But it wasn’t attacking, in fact, it looked like it was having a seizure. It thrashed and spun, bellowed, making a spectacle of itself. A spark of reason broke through my terror, and I ceased struggling. Morgorth was a powerful, deadly mage. He never did anything without a reason. He had chosen to dive into its mouth. I suspected I was going to see why very soon.
I wasn’t disappointed. The beast gave one last agonizing wail before it exploded. Exploded. Chucks of meat and entrails flew everywhere, some nearly reaching the ship. Everyone, including myself, jerked back in shock. There was a moment of silence from the crew, and I doubted anyone breathed. I know I didn’t. Then we heard a fluttering sound, like from a flock of birds, as a flurry of wind rose up to us. There was Morgorth, and he was a sight to see: with steaming patches of red skin, and his body completely covered with internal juices, he still looked magnificent. His skin was glowing white, his eyes a shining, hard amber that never failed to cause my heart to jitter. Everyone gave him a wide berth as he lowered himself to the ship’s deck. I, however, stayed where I was, taking deep breaths. He was here, he was alive.
Morgorth moved stiffly and when he held out his hand to me, I immediately placed the crystal in his hand. My fingers brushed his skin to find it icy cold. I realized the red patches were most likely created by the acid inside the beast’s stomach. Sea monsters didn’t chew their food, they simply swallowed it whole and their stomachs dissolved it. Morgorth must have been in such pain.
He gripped the crystal hard and closed his eyes. The ship descended steadily, the pillar of water diminishing. We landed with a soft plop that barely rocked us. Silence continued to reign as everyone, including myself, was stunned. It would never fail to amaze me what Morgorth could do with his magick; the power he wielded with only words and hand flourishes. I knew him better than anyone, and still, he left me in awe.
His lips moved and the internal juices coating him suddenly vanished, and his skin wasn’t as red as it had been. He also didn’t smell as bad. Apparently, the inside of that beast was quite pungent. The glowing of his skin soon diminished and vanished all together, indicating his magick had settled back into his core. Then he staggered and gripped his head. I was instantly by his side, gripping his arm. I realized I’d forgotten about my own sickness in terror for his safety, but now it returned. Feeling clammy and ill, I leaned into him to keep on my own feet. He stuffed the crystal back into his pouch and wrapped his arm around my waist.
Opening his eyes, he smiled. His voice was hoarse when he spoke. “Nothing like a good sea monster fight to loosen the muscles.”
I held him close, relief causing my legs to tremble. Idiot. “Don’t do that again, ever,” I whispered in his ear.
He sighed. “I’d rather not repeat it myself.”
That was when I realized the crew was applauding. I looked up, surprised, as every face was smiling, even Shyba’s. They were cheering Morgorth. I glanced at him to see he was blushing and grimacing. Kartez suddenly appeared and wrapped his arms around both of us, squeezing us close. Morgorth grunted.
“Get off, you idiot,” Morgorth said.
Kartez laughed and released us. Then he brazenly grabbed Morgorth’s face and planted a hard kiss on his mouth. I gaped even as Morgorth’s eyes widened like dinner plates. Before I could find the strength to stab him, Kartez gave me the same treatment. My own eyes popped wide, and I failed to ignore his subtle and masculine taste. Then he stepped back, grinning from ear to ear.
“We owe you our lives, Morgorth. Ask what you will and it’s yours. Whatever favor you ask, I will grant it.”
Morgorth licked his lips and seemed to struggle to find his composure. “Yeah. Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. But right now I just want water.”
Kartez didn’t have to give an order. The crew jumped to get Morgorth whatever he needed. As the day wore on Morgorth finally became extremely annoyed with the crew and told them to bugger off. They did, a few grumbling. He and I were soon left alone by the crates, and he flopped onto his back, staring at the sky.
“I’m going to sleep now. Don’t let them wake me unless another beast is trying to eat us.”
I sighed and lay down next to him, pulling a blanket over both of us. I felt as weak as a newborn and I detested it. Wrapping my arms around him, I closed my eyes, my head on his chest. His heart pounded in my ear. I needed to hear that sound.
“You terrified me,” I whispered.
Morgorth stroked my hair. “I’m sorry. But there was no choice.”
I nodded, finally allowing myself to relax. “I love you.”
He kissed my forehead. “And I love you.”
***
Morgorth slept like one dead. He deserved to. I slept fitfully, often taking the leaves from his pouch and chewing them. They mostly settled my stomach but I still felt the rocking motion. I desperately
wanted land. I indulged myself by simply lying by his side, watching the activity on deck. The crew glanced at us but left us be.
Night soon fell and it was Kartez who came and knelt beside us. Morgorth still slept. “We have guest quarters. You’re welcome to them.”
“I like looking at the stars. It looks to be a clear night.”
He nodded. “I’ll get you an extra blanket, then. Clear nights mean cold nights.”
“Thank you.” I decided to forgive him for the kisses. His adrenaline had to have been pumping and after nearly dying, and having an ex-lover save him...the kiss had been harmless.
He stayed for a moment, looking at Morgorth. Then he met my eyes. “I never thought I’d see the day when he would trust someone enough to make them his mate.” He smiled. “I’m glad he did. But I’m sorry it wasn’t me.”
What could I say to that? I wasn’t sorry. Morgorth was mine, he’d always been mine.
“You really care for him,” I said instead.
Kartez nodded. “I like his spirit. His darkness. Even his arrogance is charming.” Then he stood and shrugged. “I won’t dwell on it. He’s happy and that satisfies me.” He hooked his thumbs in his belt and gazed up at the sky. “Take care of him, dialen.”
I smiled slightly. “I always have.”
He nodded and walked away, humming slightly. I watched him go with mixed feelings. Then I closed my eyes and finally managed to get some more sleep.
***
I didn’t know how much more of this I could take. I was tired of being sick. Morgorth attempted to make the journey shorter by harnessing wind and water, allowing the ship to move faster across the wide ocean. A trip that would normally take a month in fair weather would be around two weeks. But that was still two weeks, and we were barely halfway through the first week.
I refused to complain, but my stomach would rarely settle. It was hard to eat, and that was turning my mood sour. I would see Morgorth talk to the crew or Kartez and feel myself grow resentful of their easy mobility. Then I berated myself for my thoughts. It was no one’s fault I felt this way.
Night fell once again and the crew struck up a lively tune. They lit a few lanterns , but not many, as the nights remained clear and the stars and moon illuminated the water around us. The crew danced to jigs, and I longed to join them and their laughter, but I feared I would lose what precious food I managed to keep down. Perhaps it was wrong, but I got some comfort from the fact Morgorth didn’t join their festivities either. He sat next to me, watching, but I didn’t get a sense he wanted to be with them. He was an observer.
I leaned against him, my head on his shoulder. Another thing turning my mood sour was the lack of intimacy. The absence of privacy added to my sickness equaled no sex in any form. It would stay that way until we made landfall. We hadn’t been abstinent since Morgorth’s second phase of training with Master Ulezander, months before. But even then, we’d found time for some play. Now there was nothing, only a few stolen kisses.
Sighing, I wrapped my arm around his, watching the dancers, listening to the music, and trying to keep my mind off my stomach. Morgorth slid his hand down my inner thigh, stroking with comfort, and the intimacy of the touch caused my groin to flare to life. But my stomach was still queasy.
“I know,” he whispered. “Trust me, baby, I know.”
“Do you have a plan?” I asked softly a moment later. “When we arrive, you want to go to Olyvre, but what then?”
“First we’ll get horses. Then we’ll go to Illum, the capital of Zentha. We’ll find rooms at an inn, then find Olyvre. What he says will direct my next move.”
“Are you sure you can trust him?”
“I don’t know. We’ll see.”
I knew what he meant by that. He wanted me to see Olyvre, to know what sort of seela he was.
“I might be able to, I might not,” I admitted. “It comes and goes now.”
“You’ll see.” The confidence in Morgorth’s voice had me smiling. “You should try to sleep now.”
I sighed deeply. “I feel as though all I’ve been doing is sleeping and moaning. You must be tired of me by now.”
Morgorth chuckled and lay back, drawing me with him. I curled around him, using him as my anchor. The rocking ship still didn’t agree with me but I managed it better if I could hold him.
“I’m sorry. If there was a different way....”
“I know.” I closed my eyes. “I know.”
The music changed, becoming slower, more somber. I took a deep breath but my stomach quivered. I grunted and curled tighter around Morgorth. He began to stroke my head, and it took me a moment to realize he was singing. I opened my eyes slightly in disbelief, but it was true. His voice was so soft, only I could hear him, but I knew his voice. He’d sung one song with my tribe the last night he’d spent in the past. So many years ago. His voice wasn’t perfect or trained, and he missed a few notes, but it was nonetheless the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard in my life.
He was singing to comfort me.
I closed my eyes again and found his hand, linking our fingers. His words were sad, and the song fit the music, which made me think it was one he’d heard as a child. It was a tune I knew, but with different words.
Despite the weight on his shoulders and the den of demons we were heading into, he offered me comfort, though he was self-conscious of his voice. I was supposed to be his rock, I was supposed to comfort him, but it was he who was setting aside his own troubles to give me what I needed.
Those in his life who should have cared for Morgorth might have wounded him, but they never broke him. Nor would they break him, ever. He was stronger than all of them. To give comfort meant he felt compassion and empathy and selflessness. I knew what he felt for me was unique for him, but still...it meant he could extend compassion to others. He just needed the opportunity.
I drifted to sleep listening to his soft singing, a smile of hope on my face.
***
Anxious, I watched the land gradually grow nearer. I gripped the rail and desperately wanted the sickness to be over. Morgorth stood beside me, silent, watchful. He looked rested and, as he would say, recharged, but I also noticed he was unusually silent, and his gaze seemed to be inward. He was certainly thinking about something very intently. I gave him a few more moments before nudging him.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Hmm?” He blinked and looked at me, still far away. I didn’t like it.
“What are you thinking about?”
He shook his head but I continued to stare at him. He sighed. “I was thinking about the sea monster.”
“And?”
He shook his head again. “I don’t know.” He lowered his voice, forcing me to lean closer. “That beast shouldn’t have surfaced, not even to eat me. I thought maybe the reason was my father, and his use of the stone he found. But now I’m wondering if it was my father somehow summoning it.”
I swallowed hard, growing colder. I leaned closer to him. “How would he know we’re coming?”
Morgorth wrapped his arm around my waist. “I don’t have any answers, Aishe. Not yet. It just makes me uneasy. I can’t predict what he might do, since I don’t know what stone of power he has. I hope to learn more from Olyvre.”
The ship anchored and we piled into the boat that would take us to land. I mentally urged the rowers to move faster. I seriously considered kissing the ground as soon as I reached it. Morgorth chuckled at me and I glanced at him. He smiled slightly, seemingly amused by my predicament. I scowled at him, and he grabbed my hand and squeezed.
“Almost there,” he murmured.
When we did reach the shore, I was the first one off. I stumbled in the water, soaking my feet but not caring. It was a warm day and while I didn’t kiss the ground, I certainly took a deep, cleansing breath and relished the solidity under my feet. I walked farther onto shore and stamped my feet, just to confirm I wasn’t on a ship anymore. Looking back, I saw Morgorth shake hands with
Kartez, and I promptly walked back to clasp hands with him as well.
“It was a pleasure to have you,” Kartez said, his eyes sparking with warmth. Morgorth rolled his eyes but smiled. He held out a pouch that rattled with coins.
“Here, this is the other half of your fee. You sure do man a tight ship, Kartez, and that was some nice helm work during the fight.”
Kartez graciously accepted the compliment but actually pushed away the pouch. “I told you, Morgorth, you saved my life and that of my crew. I won’t take any more of your coin, not for this trip.”
Morgorth’s eyes widened in shock. I suspected that was highly unusual. “You need it more than I do, Kartez.”
The pirate captain chuckled. “Be that as I may, I respectfully decline.”
“Your choice.” Morgorth set the pouch back into his bag before giving Kartez a considering look.
“How long do you suspect your business here will take?” Kartez asked innocently.
“Not sure. Why?”
“I would be delighted to take you back across.”
Morgorth grinned and slapped Kartez’s arm. “Thanks for that, but no need. I’ll be teleporting us back.”
I barely hid my grimace. But, after considering it a moment, I compared the unpleasant weeks on board the ship with the unpleasant seconds in teleporting. I became pleased with Morgorth’s decision.
