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Rivven, I thought. Show me, Rivven. And I found him, still swinging his sword as he leaped around the deck like the warrior he was. But the threads that surrounded him—they were bright red dotted with spots of stunning gold and dark gray. It startled me. They were far fewer, but looked like those of the monster…

Once again, I broke the surface and gulped in air. Before me, handfuls of the serpent-limbs rose from the depths to cup the boat, nearly lifting it entirely from the sea as the creature dragged it to the side. Then it began to retreat into the ocean, the boat clutched to it as it tugged the battered ship toward a watery grave.

“No!” I screamed as all around people began jumping from the side or flying into the air to abandon the ship.

I forced myself to concentrate and close my eyes again. This time I reached directly for the gray strands that made up the monster.

It’s okay, I soothed, feeling somewhat ridiculous, shhh, it’s okay. And this time, when I called forth the golden strands in the water, I let them gently stroke the gray of the creature. And ever so slowly, the gray strands lightened.

I swallowed, trying to rein in my shock and excitement. I wanted to rush, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t chance messing this up. It’s okay, I cooed again, picturing rocking a child to sleep. More of the dark retreated until a cool bluish tone shone through. Hope surged as the thing’s grip on the boat lessened.

Exhaustion wore its way into my bones as the cold started to seep through my rapidly waning fire magic. But it didn’t matter that my arms and legs grew numb as I treaded water. I needed that energy to calm the beast. More, I thought and piled a blanket of gold onto the sea monster. Sleep, I thought, reaching for the dream magic I also possessed. And just as it became too much for my limbs to keep fighting the water, the gray was replaced completely with a cerulean glow. I smiled as I drifted below the surface, letting the sea cradle me instead of struggling against it.

Strong arms lifted me from the water. I curled into the blazing warmth of the body I’d recognize anywhere.

“Rivven,” I murmured, letting his ceder scent swath me in comfort. He was better than the water, I thought as I shivered uncontrollably.

“You did that, didn’t you, little spy?” He asked, cradling me against him.

But I couldn’t answer, I was too busy drifting off to sleep.

Thirty-Four

Leuruna

When it was time to trade again, I listened eagerly to Nyah’s story of the sea monster. I was both relieved and irked that I’d missed the excitement. At least I’d been spared having to repair the holes the thing had torn in the ship. When I blinked into consciousness, Torvo was standing before me, waiting. I grinned, and he answered with a dazzling smile as he cupped my cheek.

“Welcome back,” he rumbled, and I nuzzled into his palm.

“How are things?” I asked, taking in the busy ship. Rivven leaned against the entryway to the belly of the boat, arms and legs crossed as he watched me.

“We’ve hopefully made it through the worst of the journey,” Rivven answered. His dark eyes unnerved me. It was like he was trying to pry inside me, maybe to find Nyah, maybe to rip me apart. I wasn’t sure.

The old feeling of guilt threatened to swallow me, but I pushed it down. I’d spent the last three days trying everything I could think of to bring Nyah back fully. The frustration at being unable to figure it out plagued me.

I nodded in an attempt to convey my feelings to my sister’s lover and clung to Torvo’s side. “What can I do to help?” I asked.

Rivven stood straighter and surveyed the deck.

I was relieved to see Galan striding toward us. He had a positive effect on the man. As if sensing my thoughts, the golden-haired air wielder winked. “I’m going to rest below. This journey has taken the wind out of my sails, if you’ll excuse the pun.” He slapped Rivven on the back, but the other man didn’t budge.

“You earned a rest,” Rivven agreed. “We can’t have you draining all your energy. We might need you for things other than propelling us through the ocean. Besides, the winds seem to have picked up in the right direction.”

Galan looked around, squinting at the sky. “Hmm. Yes. And they bring a chill.” He gave an exaggerated shiver, then tossed his ochre cape over one shoulder and bounded down the stairs.

Stance remaining stiff, Rivven looked at me. “I suppose if you’re up for it, Princess, you could use your air wielding to propel us toward the isles,” he suggested. Without another word, he headed toward a spot near the rear of the ship where his sister sat, locked in conversation with the young orange-haired man named Bonch.

“They make a cute couple,” I remarked.

Torvo’s gaze followed mine, and he squeezed me to his side. “Trying to play matchmaker now?”

“Maybe.” I shrugged. It was just so nice to be in open air with people I cared about. More people than I’d really known in my entire life. Each moment was a new adventure, both exhilarating and overwhelming. It truly felt like I’d finally started making up for a lifetime of hiding.

I glanced up at the patched sails and studied the direction of the wind. Then, with a magical push, the material billowed out, making the ship lurch slightly as we surged onward.

“That should do for now,” I said grinning up at my prince and wondering if there might be a private corner where we could get reacquainted. Since he’d shown me what true lovemaking was, I hadn’t been able to think about much else.

Warmth flooded my chest and cheeks as I gazed up at him. The way he narrowed his eyes told me he knew exactly what I was thinking. I supposed we could sneak below into one of the small cabins, but all they held were thin hammocks, and on top of that, the thought of Galan hearing us through the thin walls was too much. He’d never stop teasing us.