Page 52 of By the Flames of Her Fury

The captain glared at me as if I’d sprouted fins, but he did what I asked. He grabbed a white cloth near a coil of rigging and hoisted it on a spare pole. The fabric snapped violently in the wind. Across the water, shapes moved as the opposing crew raced around their ship.

I cupped my hands to my mouth and shouted above the waves. “Cease fire! We wish you no harm. We request permission to come aboard.”

There was no answer, only the groan of wood and thunder. “Please!” I tried again, raising my empty hands in the air. “I have no weapon. I’m from the Veridian Empire, and I come in peace. Please let me speak to your captain.”

“Everett!” Kieran hissed. “What are you doing? You don’t know these people!”

I ignored him. My eyes flitted back and forth, anxiety churning in my stomach. I could only focus on one thing. Finally, the bearded man from before met my stare. We were close enough now that I saw the slight dip in his chin as he nodded. He gave an order to his crew, then disappeared.

That was enough for me.

“Get me a gangplank ready,” I demanded from our crew. Two men hauled the thick gangplank to the rail, bracing it as the ships pitched unevenly. The other vessel heaved toward us on the next wave, and our gangplank slammed against the opposite rail.

I put one foot on the piece of wood. It held firm. I took another step forward to get my balance, ignored the rocking waters beneath me, and breathed in deeply.

With an exhale, I bolted.

“Everett!” Tessa shouted.

Wind clawed at me as I sprinted over the slick gangplank. When I was halfway across, the ships rocked apart. The plank twisted under me, shifting to the side as my boot slipped.

My stomach plummeted. The sea yawned beneath me, cold, endless, and waiting. For a split second, something else caught my eye. Long and skinny, splashing in the waters like it was…like it was slithering.

Above me, the skies opened. Water fell in a deluge, mixing with the lightning and thunder. The ships trembled and knocked the plank to the side. I threw my weight forward, toes barely catching the edge of their rail. I shot out a hand and grabbed the first thing my fingers could find, throwing myself the final distance as the wooden plank fell into the sea.

I landed hard on my knees, but I didn’t feel it. “Where is she?” I growled at unfamiliar faces, barely registering their shouts. I was already on my feet before anyone could give me an answer. I shoved past startled crewmen, and rain pounded the deck, soaking my clothes and skin.

My gaze snagged on the captain’s cabin, straight ahead on the main deck. Heavy oak doors rattled in the storm. I stalked forward, gripped both door handles, and hauled them open. The doors burst outward. A lantern swung wildly, spilling candlelight across a floor with scattered maps.

There, mid-turn and lips parted, stood the woman who haunted every mile of ocean I’d crossed.

Her golden eyes widened. “Swift,” she exhaled.

My heartbeat staggered, breaths ragged.

“Songbird.”

25

Vera

“Get to my office, now.”

I stormed into Starke’s cabin, throwing papers from his desk with a huff and watching them flutter to the floor in a whirl of parchment. I couldn’t believe him. To confess his feelings out of nowhere, then force me back here like I was a child. I only listened because I’d never seen him so desperate, and it took me by surprise.

My rage was simmering, ready to spill over the edge at a moment’s notice. I constantly had to remind myself who it was meant for and to not explode on the people showing me kindness.

The ship jolted, and I grabbed the nearest chair to avoid stumbling. Feet pounded the deck, along with the echo of rain on wood. I strained to listen for any hint of an attack. A moment later, the doors to the cabin flew open, and Starke strode in, water squelching as he walked.

I crossed my arms. “Did you come back to apolo⁠—”

“Vera, you need to stay here,” he rushed out. “Don’t leave the office.”

“Are you serious? What’s happening?”

A heavy thud came from the deck, followed by yells. I looked from Starke to the door, brow furrowing. “Starke, what’s going on? Are they attacking?”

“Someone’s here. They’re looking for you.”