SAPPHIRE
As always,Riven and I sleep in shifts during the day in preparation to set off after sunset, when the stars first appear in the sky.
I’m on the hull keeping watch when fire dances across the beach, and Circe materializes by the pier.
She’s carrying something that looks like a basket of supplies.
“I’m happy to converse privately,” she says with a smile. “However, you can fetch your husband if you please.”
I huff, since even though I’m happy to leave Riven sleeping in the cabin, we’re about to head out on a dangerous mission, and keeping him informed about what’s happening is the best way for us to survive the Cosmic Tides.
“One minute,” I call to Circe, and then I spin around, hurrying to the cabin to get him.
He’s up and alert the second the door opens.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, and he’s on his feet in one swift moment, reaching for his sword on the nightstand.
“She’s back,” I tell him. “Circe. She’s on the pier, with a basket.”
He nods and pops some of that herb into his mouth—moly—grimacing at the taste.
Neither of us has mentioned last night’s showdown in front of Circe, and I’m glad of it. The last thing I need is more of him trying to tempt me to death.
Well, trying to tempt me tohisdeath, since he’s the one determined to seduce a vampire into tasting his blood.
“Let’s find out what she wants,” he says, one hand on the hilt of his sword as he leads us out of the cabin and onto the bow of the ship.
Circe’s patiently waiting at the end of the pier, her purple gown rippling in the breeze as she studies our ghost ship with obvious disdain. Three pigs accompany her.
“I thought you might need more supplies for your journey,” she says, placing the basket onto the ground at her feet.
“That’s... unexpectedly generous of you,” I say carefully.
“Consider it a wedding present,” she says, and Riven makes his way onto the pier, frost spreading beneath his feet with each step.
“What do you want in return?” he asks her, ignoring her goading and getting straight to business.
“I want you to succeed in your mission,” she says, and her voice drops lower, taking on an edge of knowing that makes my magic stir. “The Blood Coven grows stronger by the day, and their alliance with the Night Court...” She shakes her head. “Poor Ambrogio thinks gaining more power will win back Selene’s heart.”
My breath catches. “You know about Ambrogio?”
“I know many things.” Flames dance along her fingertips, and she smiles as she continues. “Including what a fool’s errand it is to chase the affections of a woman still devoted to her sleeping lover.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, joining Riven on the pier.
“My aunt Selene.” She keeps her eyes on me, waiting for my reaction. “The primordial goddess of the moon, who’s spent centuries pining for Endymion while he’s trapped in his eternal slumber—which I must say, is an appealing state for a man. Almost as effective as turning them into livestock. However, Selene and Endymion are clearly enjoying themselves in his dreams, since they have fifty daughters—one of them being your star goddess, Celeste.”
I nod slowly, since Celeste mentioned this when we talked on the Midnight Star. Her mother—Selene—was in love with Ambrogio. But after he was turned into a vampire, she feared him so much that she had him banished to the Underworld.
“Selene’s your aunt?” I ask as I piece the rest together. “Which means Celeste’s your cousin?”
“Indeed. Which makes you my…” she trails off, thinking. “Well, let’s just consider it a sort of adopted family.
Riven looks as skeptical as ever. “Is that why you’re helping us?” he asks her. “Family loyalty?”
“I simply recognize the importance of maintaining certain balances. The star touched were chosen for a reason,” she says, her gaze fixing on me. “Though I must say, you’re proving far more interesting than I anticipated.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Wind stirs around me, responding to my unease.
