It isn’t until he asks that I pick up on the movement of the ship.
“I may have put something in your tea,” Sallen admits. “No ill intentions. Just knew you and your friend would do better during the storm if you couldn’t feel it.”
“It passed?” I ask.
“That and a full day,” Sallen says with pride. “And you both made it through.”
“We’ve been asleep for over a day?” I look to Iann.
“Don’t be so dramatic,” Vera interrupts from the far end of the table. “You two would have been vomiting everywhere if he hadn’t. You’re just in time though.” She points to an empty seat. “We’re all curious about what our dear Morrena had to say.”
I follow Iann to the table and take a seat between him and Benny. This is the first time I’ve seen what the anchor depicts. Not only is it a map to help get us to Farella, but there are directions for when we actually get on the island.
“Anytime is good,” Vera says teasingly.
“She wants me to bring her back a flower.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why you?” Benny says.
I dig my thumbnail into my pointer finger, feeling a slight pressure. “Morrena pretended to be Rolley. She’s capable of transforming herself to look like someone else. She got your father to agree to this journey,” I say to Iann. “She also believes I’m the only one who can see the flowering tree. Fraya made her conceal it so no one outside Fraya’s bloodline would find it.”
“You’re a descendant of Fraya Vellen?” Benny sounds confused and amazed all at once. “Are you sure?”
I shrug, not having any evidence other than Morrena’s story.
“Morrena is known for her games. She lives for secrets” Sky says, speaking for the first time. “She could be setting up a trap.”
With the group, I disclose all the details Morrena shared with me the night of the ball and what she is wanting of Iann.
“Father wouldn’t send you here for nothing. She had to have promised him something,” Deean says to Iann. “Sure, he’s sent you to many places, but he wouldn’t risk your safety.”
“Unless…” Chewing on the inside of my lip I try to find the right words.
Iann shifts his body in my direction and probes, “Unless what? What did she say?”
I don’t want to tell him, and with every ounce of hope I pray it’s one of her lies. “She said your mother is sick.” Cupping his knee, I lightly strum my finger over his pants. “I’m sorry.”
Both Iann and Deean become pale. Their faces suddenly drain of blood.
“She could be lying,” Vera whispers, offering the only words of comfort she can find.
Iann pinches the bridge of his nose and clears his throat. “We don’t know for sure, so no need to get worked up.” He pats Deean on the back and his brother gives a subtle nod but keeps quiet.
Sallen, who hasn’t given much input throughout this entire conversation, stands and looks to the ceiling.
With a wooden stick he points to somewhere on the map. “These are our current coordinates.” He circles a spot in the vast blue area of the map before creating an invisible line that leads to more blue. “Based on your research, and after speaking with my navigator, I’d say we’ll see the isle in four days or so. That’s if it truly exists. For all we bloody know, this Morrena gal could have one hell of a trap waiting for you lot.” My stomach turns knowing I’ll be on this boat for four more days. “Once we get there, your people can go ashore and mine will stay aboard this vessel.”
“How do we know you won’t leave us?” Sky asks.
“You don’t.” Sallen smiles. “But I won’t. Unless you take too long to get back. Prince Iann predicts it will take a few days to find what you’re after then return to my ship. That’s if the map is correct. If you’re not back in a fortnight, I’ll leave.”
“And your payment for staying?” Vera folds her hands over her chest. “Don’t tell me you want immortality too.”
Sallen’s face pinches like he’s going to be sick. “And stay in this dreadful world for eternity? No, thank you. If the flower does indeed exist, I want no part in its power. Just don’t forget me in your stories. Plus, the princes and I have already made a deal and what they are willing to give me and my crew is far more important to me.”
30
IANN
