Page 85 of Ballad of Sea and Sky

Caspian sat on the edge of the bed, measuring out a small amount of liquid from a series of stoppered glass vials into a small cup.

“What’s all this?” I asked, sniffing and then grimacing at the concoction.

“Something for pain,” Caspian replied. “And for breathing. And a third to speed up bone regeneration and prevent infection.”

“You have medicine for all of that?” I asked incredulously, sniffing again at the little cup and downing the contents with a grimace. A pleasant coolness filled me, my aching ribs and lungs easing blissfully under its influence.

“Sirens have studied healing for many generations,” he explained, smiling at my distaste as he took the cup and handed me another one filled with cool, clear water. “And access to the mainland has given us more resources and knowledge to work with.”

“That’s remarkable,” I said, sighing into the pillows in relief. I hadn’t realized quite how much pain I was in until it was gone. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, Urchin,” Caspian said, touching my cheek gently and stroking with the pad of his thumb. “I wish I could do more.”

“Why are you sad?” I asked, uncertain how I knew what he was feeling.

Caspian smiled in a strained sort of way. “I’m fine. Clothes next.” He held out the piece of cloth, which looked like a vaguely shapeless dress. “It’s one of Zephyrs, so it might be a bit small. The best I could do on short notice,” he added, gesturing for me to sit forward.”

I groaned, Caspian clucking like a mother hen as he helped me sit up and pull the dress over my head. It had ties at the neck and a low back to accommodate wings, but it covered me enough.

I half hoped Caspian would comment on my breast, or do something romantic in the moment, but he just handed me a plate of toast and regarded me seriously.

“I have to tell you a few things, Marina,” he said, watching me take a bite. “And I’m fairly certain you won’t be happy about all of them.”

“Like what?” I asked through a mouthful of toast.

“Such charming manners,” he teased, catching a crumb on the corner of my lip. “Like—“

“Cas!” shouted a female voice from something of a distance. It was one I recognized, and my eyes lit up as Caspian sighed.

“Come in.”

“Ah, you’re awake!” Zephyr beamed, throwing herself down on the end of the bed. Caspian growled irritably, and she rolled her eyes at him. “How are you feeling?”

“Um,” I hesitated, feeling a little uncertain what I should tell the chipper first mate. “A bit sore.”

“You should have seen Cas’ face when he first brought you in,” Zephyr said, her expression one of tender concern as she patted my knee above the blankets. “He looked ready to murder anyone who got in his way.”

I flushed as Caspian growled, “You can leave now, Zeph.”

“Nonsense,” she said, completely ignoring her captain. “Marina’s basically like my captain now, too.”

“What?” I asked, feeling my head spin a little at the rapidity of this speech. “What the seas are you talking about?”

Zephyr pursed her lips, frowning at Caspian.

“She just woke up,” he said, by way of explanation. “I’m working on filling her in.”

Zephyr scowled, looking furious. “Well, you’d better fill her in fast, because the whole council is going to be in here any minute demanding to meet her.”

“Skies above,” Caspian growled. “Can you head them off?”

“I can try,” Zephyr said with a noncommittal shrug, still frowning at Caspian. “But you’re out of time, Cas. I’ll see you soon, Marina.” Zephyr added this last with a wave to me and a pointed look at Caspian, who sighed like a male heavily burdened.

“The council?” I asked.

“They are…sort of advisors,” Caspian replied. “The equivalent of lords and ladies. None have been replaced in several years. Zephyr’s mate is in line for one of the council seats, actually.”

“And they don’t trust me,” I said, sighing as I put down the partially eaten toast. “Well, you’d better begin filling.”