During another short break, a black bird, iridescent like an oil slick, catches my attention. Its beak is as long as my arm and threatening spikes jut out of it, but as it perches above us, its large purple eyes seem more curious than menacing.
As soon as Tristan notices my interest, he explains to me that the bird is a type of seagull. It bonds with another for life and they hunt by diving into the water and impaling fish on the spikes, then letting their partner eat off the beak and feed them in turn. Gruesome, but also maybe kind of romantic?
When he starts telling me more about sea creatures, the atmosphere between us finally relaxes a bit, even if it’s far from yesterday's love high.
As I ease into having a conversation with him, endless questions fill the air. How far is the Nocturne Court? Will he write to me? What are some good and easy vegan snacks in this world?
I hope Gloombane will be as easy-going about my dietary choices as Tristan.
I know we’re getting ever closer to the ocean when the breeze becomes salty, but I’m still not ready when the trees part to reveal waves shimmering like silver cloth. As we make our descent toward the shore, Tristan points out a vertical shape emerging from the waters far away, perhaps a mile from the shore.
“That’s Gloombane’s tower, or rather the Nightcloak captain’s tower, and he happens to currently hold the office.”
It’s not even built on an island, just a single building jutting out of the dark waves. It will be a very long three weeks, but I imagine a place like that comes with a library.
I lean back into Tristan, seeking the comfort of his warmth, even though he lied, and might even not be sincere about his intentions. He’s the one constant I still have, and if he stopped the kelpie now and rolled me into the grass, I wouldn’t have protested.
But then we both spot a lone figure at the small pier below, and my body goes rigid. “Please, ask to stay,” I rasp and slide my fingers under his sleeve to sense his skin for a while longer.
“I will,” he whispers and kisses the back of my head.
It’s as much reassurance as I can get now.
The boat doesn’t inspire confidence either. It looms behind my promised like an omen built of charred bones, its sails flapping in the wind so loudly it’s intimidating.
Gloombane fits the scene in his dark cloak, but when a gust blows back his hood, he smiles at us, his bright hair floating around his face.
“Finally!” he yells as we approach, and sounds… cheerful?
As soon as we’re close enough, he comes over and extends his hand to help me down from the kelpie, away from the safety of Tristan’s arms. He is just as handsome as my knight, with noble, elfin features and mesmerizing eyes.
“We’re sorry we took so long,” I say and unzip the duffel bag, because I can’t possibly hide Lady’s presence from him. “We needed to take stops because of her.”
Gloombane steps back, chest expanding as if he’s just held back a scream. “A wolf!”
Tristan jumps off the kelpie right behind me. “It’s a dog. Harmless and sweet, a baby still.”
Lady yawns and tries to smell Gloombane, looking as innocent as ever.
He thinks on that for a while and doesn’t seem abrasive at all. Maybe I just remembered him as stormier because of my own terrified state? He’s not assessing me with cold eyes or complaining about my shadow. He’s acting like the perfect gentleman, and even puts his cloak over my shoulders, because I’m no longer wrapped in the one worn by Tristan.
“That… might be a problem, my dear.” He gestures at the far-off tower. “She will have nowhere to roam there.”
“I was actually thinking I could come stay with you until the ceremony,” Tristan says. “I could take care of Lady and make sure—”
“I’m sorry, Tristan, that’s not quite possible, but you could take the dog with you to the Nocturne Court and watch over it until it can reunite with my Dark Companion.” Gloombane turns his eyes to me with a smile. “The dog will be much more comfortable there. I apologize for this inconvenience. There is so much I would like to show you in the meanwhile. We got off on the wrong foot, and it was such a long day for me. I would hate for that first impression of me to be forever etched in your mind. Please, let me reintroduce myself.” He bows deeply. “Lorsen Gloombane, Captain of the Nightcloaks.”
I glance at Tristan, but while I’m terrified of him leaving, maybe it won’t be so bad? Maybe time apart will offer us both an opportunity to reflect, and by the time I arrive at the court, I’ll be able to see whether his feelings for me are real or were just a fleeting fancy.
“I’m Nate,” I say and offer Gloombane my hand while Lady shrieks, terrified of the unfamiliar presence. I laugh and pull her into my arms. “Don’t be scared of this nice man!” If I’m to spend so much time with him, I need to be optimistic, and I think he understands that too. He did apologize after all.
“I could stay nearby and visit,” Tristan tries again, and I appreciate that despite already knowing Gloombane’s answer from the little frown.
“You’re curious about humans, I understand that, but I have so much to show Nate about shadowcraft and the wonders of the sea. We might be taking trips or be otherwise engaged. Who knows, maybe by the time we come back, you will have a promised of your own, and we will celebrate together.”
Tristan said nothing of the sort, but now that Gloombane has put that idea in my head, I feel inconsolable because of the very notion that Tristan,mySer Tristan, could get together with anyone else. Still, I smile and kiss Lady’s head when she yaps atmy promised. “It’s all right, you will be with Tristan. I will be back very soon,” I promise and place her in the bag.
Tristan’s longing stare is unmissable as I pass him the puppy. Selfishly, I hope he doesn’t find himself a promised. At least until we settle whatever it is between us.
