Page 103 of The Stolen Crown

I squeezed his hand. “Perhaps this is a bit of kind fate. For all we know, we will find a new trade partner for the Ever Kingdom and earth fae realms. What a celebration they’ll make in our honor.”

Tait almost grinned and gripped my hand painfully tight. He faced the new folk. “We’ll come with you for rest only. One night, then we return to the Ever Seas.”

Osatt spoke swiftly to Aeika. Both men clapped and laughed as though we’d delighted them thoroughly.

“Welcome, new friends,” Osatt said, beaming.

“One night,” Tait snapped, holding up one finger. “And if any of you so much as look at her wrong, I will gut you.”

Osatt’s smile faded. He pressed a palm to his heart. “Honor lady folk in Eilifur. No harm.”

Tait hummed in the back of his throat, clearly searching for any deceptive desires. Again, his face settled in a look of annoyance. As though he would sooner trust betrayal over genuine kindness.

Shouts and commands summoned the other men on the ship to toss rope lines. Tait hesitated, then set about securing the tethers to board us to their ship and tow the small skiff. He trapped my face between his palms and kissed me deep and fast before holding my palm until one of the burly sailors helped me over the ledge.

Tait followed, refusing assistance. He did not release the tension in his jaw until his hand was back in mine.

Osatt was broader than he seemed from a distance. He approached and clapped his hands on both our shoulders and bellowed a deep laugh. “Good to found you.”

I clung to Tait’s arm but forced a smile. “We are also grateful for your help.”

Osatt stepped close and, before Tait or I could prepare, planted a long kiss on my brow. I pressed a palm to Tait’s chest when he made a move to strike.

Osatt only widened his smile. “Beautiful lady fae.”

Then he drifted toward the stern of the ship. On deck, it appeared much like a longship, save for the lower deck accessed through a hatch much like the Ever Ship or Sea Void.

Aeika shouted commands in their language. Grunts and chants followed. The ship lurched, and we were drawn into the darkness of the Far Seas.

31

The Heartwalker

For such a strange vessel, the ship sailed smoothly through the tides. Words I couldn’t understand passed through the crew of strangers. I never released Mira’s hand and was certain by the time they took us to their home, her fingers would be bent and useless after enduring my unforgiving grip.

Aeika lifted a pale shell to his lips and blew. The conch bellowed through the night. Ahead, sea mists faded as though a veil of the night lifted away and revealed dark, jagged cliffs.

“By the gods.” Mira leaned into me. “How did we not see them?”

“We would’ve seen them. That’s what troubles me.”

I reached for my knife again. Something was not right about these rocks.

Lantern light flickered over docks, lower roads, and the dark cliffside. Cottages and sod homes speckled the lowlands, but built into the side of the cliff was a larger structure with slanted rooftops and a red banner fluttering in the breeze.

“Eilifur!” Osatt clapped me on the shoulder.

I muffled the urge to ram my blade into his neck. “Why did we not see these cliffs?”

“Ah.” The man grinned. “How you say it, uh, protect our clan. Only the willing may enter.”

“Willing?” Mira asked. “Is there some sort of protective ward around the isle?”

“Yes.” Osatt clapped his hands, nodding. “Yes. Dangerous seas, at times. We ask folk to join our shore. Those willing may see it.”

No mistake, there was no shortage of strange beasts and pirates sailing the Far Seas. “Aren’t you mortal? Not fae?”

Osatt chuckled. “We have ways, sea fae. We show you.”