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“You’re leaving?” Hustling after him, I catch up in the foyer.
“Yes. Smee will ensure you’re taken care of and she’ll be here if you need anything.” He steps closer and leans down to press his lips to mine. They taste of salt and sea, with a hint of fairy wine. It makes me almost forget that he’s leaving, which I hope is just him saying he’s running an errand or something.
“Ugh, get a room,” Smee says, and as we pull apart, I catch the end of her eye roll. “You can’t seriously be benching me? You promised.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s too dangerous for Scarlet to go.” Sebastian’s voice is firm. “You’re the only person I trust to keep her safe.”
“Get Zephyr to do it. Lorian might have to stay too, but finding your shadow is as important for me as it is for you. We agreed. It was Father’s last wish. I need to help you do this.” She pokes a finger at his chest and his eyes glance at it, but nothing else moves.
“You are by making sure Scarlet’s protected and taken care of.”
“How long?” I ask, trying to ease the tension between them.
Sebastian closes his eyes and lets out a long breath before glancing at me. “I don’t know, but I’ll come back as soon as I can. I promise.”
“You can’t just leave me here. This entire island is filled with people who despise my father. What happens when one of them decides to take out their grudges on me?”
“No one will dare touch you. They know who you belong to and they respect me and my family too much to cross us in that way.”
“That’s not enough,” I say, shaking my head. “You underestimate how much revenge can impact someone.”
“I know the feeling personally. Trust me.”
He turns to start toward the door, but I rush to get in front of him, blocking his exit. “It’s not that I question you, but I don’t trust them. Don’t leave me here. You promised me I’d get to see the world, not take a boat ride.”
“I’m sorry, Scarlet.” He disappears before my eyes, using his shadows to escape. I sprint to the windows, finding him walking down the pathway toward the cobblestone street. That asshole…
“Damn him,” Smee mutters under her breath, her eyes narrowing at the place where he stood just moments ago.
“We have to go after him.” Stalking into the foyer, Smee blocks my path.
“I’m sorry, but I won’t defy my brother. He’s the captain, and what he says goes.”
“Fine then, don’t.” I mosey back into the living room, arms crossed firmly across my chest. “The least you can do is tell me where the bathroom is.”
“Down the hall. Last door on the left.”
Following her directions, I disappear into the dark hallway, not bothering to light the lanterns mounted there. Once out of sight, I use my mage magic to subtly light up the space. There are hooks at the end of the hall, holding up coats and hats. At least what I think are hats? I’ve never seen any like these before, not in Solaria, but on the way here I saw multiple people wearing them on their heads on the streets. I’m not sure why they’ve chosen to wear their overly-sized socks like hats, but it will do. If I’m going to follow after Sebastian and not draw attention, I’ll need to hide my hair.
Snatching it from the hook, I slip into the bathroom, coiling my hair on top of my head and placing the sock over it. It’s the same creamy white color as my flesh, and if it weren’t for the knitted fabric, I wouldn’t know where my face and the cap begins. As is, I can barely see with it on. It hangs close to my eyes, rubbing against my lashes.
This is absolutely ridiculous… Folding up the edge of the stocking up so I can see, I stare at my reflection for a long moment. I look like a feminine penis with eyeballs. Scoffing, I try to wipe the image from my mind. This is what his people dress like? Why? Who decided this was okay? I can’t live in these conditions.
Flipping the latch on the window, I gently push the pane up until the hole is large enough for me to fit through. With a jump, I hoist myself onto the sill and leap down to the ground, dusting my hands off on my dress.
Here goes nothing.
Staying here is a death wish. I don’t know Smee, I barely know Sebastian, but I know enough to believe if I stay here without him, someone will try something. Smee is only one person. She can’t face an entire island. Not alone.
Granted, it’d be easier to hide my mark if I stay here. No one has to see me without clothes, but what good is that when it’s not my witch mark they care about, but the blood running through my veins and my maiden name? I know my father isn’t the best man. He’s done things—unspeakable things in the name of kingdom and country. Who knows how much he’s harmed these people?
I move swiftly through the streets, keeping my head down but staying vigilant. My heart races, fueled by both adrenaline and determination. Tracing our steps from the port, it’s only a matter of time before I spot the ship along the docks. Sailors shout and the glowing water laps against the wooden sides of the boats in port.
They’ve erected a tent near where the Jolly Roger is moored, and a line of pirates carry things down the ramp from the deck while another is bringing things aboard. Convincing Sebastian might be out of the question. He’s already made up his mind and he doesn’t seem like the type to change it once it’s made up. However, if I’m already on the ship, I doubt he’d turn around to bring me back…
As stealthily as I can, I inch closer, peeking between the canvas flaps to ensure no one is inside. I won’t be able to walk up the ramp and board. Anyone with eyeballs would notice, but there might be something here I can hide inside of.
The tent is filled with storage items, trunks, and crates, providing me with plenty of options. I choose one of the larger trunks, testing the latch and breathing a sigh of relief when it opens. It’ll do. I can fit inside. I’m just not sure how I’ll close it from within it and if they see the latch open, they might check inside.
