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“How will I ever explain this to my future grandchildren?” I say, laughing dryly in disbelief.
The morning sun has risen in the red sky. Somehow, I’m not exhausted, but I’m going to need a good rest sooner rather than later.
Perhaps, for now, my fuel is the thought of returning safely to my father’s arms.
“It’d make everything thus far and all that’s to come worth it,” I mutter.
I rise to my feet just as Kazrith knocks and enters, holding a cup of kaffo for me. I thank him and sip on the dark, nourishing mix.
“You didn’t sleep well, did you?” he asks.
“Is it obvious?”
“We’ll be arriving at Ikoth very soon. It won’t be long until you can get some proper rest. Come join me outside, the view is marvelous.”
He lingers in the doorway for a moment, brandishing a handsome smile my way. I wonder if he’s alluding to me, which quickly leads me to turn away at the thought in embarrassment.
I meet him on the deck a few minutes later, greeted by him and the indeed amazing view of Ikoth’s coastline.
In the far distance are great cliffs, clawing out of the mainland like the talons of airborne predators. Dotted along the central area in front of us are the docks, with ships of many sizes arriving and leaving at a fast pace.
I spot fishermen’s boats with their catches of the day, military warships, and traveler’s vessels just like this one all anchoring down.
The sight is picturesque, and I’m soon to be a part of it with my fake husband. There’s a great port city that looms behind the docks, stretching over the land, its magnificent buildings overseeing the ocean below.
“You were right about the view,” I remark.
“Yes, it’s breathtaking. What makes this city even better is that there are nowhere near as many xaphans scuttering around the place. Though I hope you won’t mind all the demons. There’ll be more of those than you’re accustomed to.”
“I can handle them,” I say with a proud smile. “After all, I did train for my wings, so I can handle a bunch of demons.”
Kazrith returns the smile and nods in approval.
As soon as we dock, we make our way to the markets where Kazrith purchases some new clothes for me. My old ones are in tatters and they reek of musk and ocean salt. Once they’re procured, we stop at a restaurant for a bite to eat.
We sit outdoors, watching the busy streets. As I sip on a bloodsuckle tea, I observe the chaos, watching demons running in every direction, drunks stumbling along the sidewalks, and parents chasing their mischievous horned children around stalls.
The citizens here are louder and far less reserved. I’ve been here an hour, and I’ve already been witness to two street brawls and a violent arrest of a shop thief.
Kazrith finishes his drink and props down an empty pint on the table.
“So, what do you think of Ikoth so far, Hanna?” he asks.
I tilt my head as I spectate the goings-on of the demon civilians. Swallowing thickly, I set down my cup and gaze at Kazrith. His loose shirt dips low, revealing much of his muscular chest. His black hair has started to curl slightly at the ends because of the ocean breeze. Hopefully, he didn’t catch me staring.
“As strange as it may sound, there’s a certain profound serenity to it all.”
“You really think so?” he asks, perking a brow.
“Most certainly. Maybe it’s the lack of xaphans that’s making me feel this way.”
“An astute observation,” he remarks.
The mainland architecture consists mostly of sharp skyscrapers, each point and curve of the building shaped like the tip of either a sword or an axe. I admire the detail in each carving and statue, so brilliantly executed with an artist’s hand.
It’s less modern than what I’m used to back in New Solas, but there’s a certain charm to it all that I find myself drawn to. At least the demons here don’t masquerade themselves as heroes. They’re honest, albeit brusque with their words, and it’s incredibly refreshing.
“Are you ready to head to my estate? We’ll take a carriage.”
