Page 36 of Voice of the Ocean

“Hurry, or we’re leaving you on shore,” Raiden called through the door.

Celeste turned and found Kiyami’s bed empty. The sun shone brightly through the window behind her head. How long had she been asleep? She slipped off the bed, combed her hands through her hair, and opened the door.

“Did you sleep in that?” Raiden said, fixing her with an appraising look as he leaned against the wall near the stairway.

Celeste ignored him.

“If you ever need help changing, love, I’d be glad to be of ser—” Before he could finish his sentence, Celeste hurled her coat at his head.

He caught it easily, bursting into laughter. Indignant, Celeste marched past him, snatching the coat back before making her way down the stairs. The prince followed smoothly behind. Even the way he walked irritated her. Why did he insist on tormenting her every waking moment? As Celeste reached the bottom of the stairs, she noticed the pub was empty.

“The rest of them are already on the ship,” Raiden said.

Why hadn’t they woken her?

“You refused to wake up,” Raiden said, as if he had read her mind. “You nearly strangled me to death when I tried.”

Celeste sighed. It was a shame she hadn’t succeeded.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

The spear was gone. In her heart, she’d known it would be, but it still didn’t stop the pain she felt when she gazed upon the empty beach. Her heart squeezed within her chest. She had nothing left of her past. It was almost as if her life before had never existed. Or it would have been, if not for the veryaliveprince who watched her. He moved like her shadow, following in her wake as she combed the shore for her beloved weapon. He hadn’t tried to stop her when she veered away from the docks and onto the beach, nor had he asked any questions. But it was clear he wanted to keep a very close eye on her. Celeste sighed. It wasn’t as if Raiden would be giving her a weapon of her own anytime soon. And she needed something to protect herself around the nearlyfifty humansthat would be on the ship. Her stomach turned at the thought. Perhaps she’d have to steal something.

“Time to go,” Raiden said.

She nodded, joining his side. The two of them walked along the beach in the sunshine, sounds of crashing waves filling the space between them. She may have felt as trapped today as she had that night she arrived on this beach, but at least she could walk this time. Even if it was slow and awkward. Her eyes roamed to Raiden: His hair tousled in the sea breeze. His mole on his left cheek. The corner of his lip quirked up.

“You’ll have plenty of time to stare at me during our voyage,Wayfinder.”

And just like that, her tentative ease with him splintered like thin ice. Oh, how she wished to cut out his tongue. Celeste didn’t consider herself a particularly violent siren, but something about him made her so angry. She had risked her life for him, and he was nothing more than an egotistical, domineering princeling. Not to mention he stole the ship they were about to embark upon and planned to steal this treasure as well. And although his motives were yet to be determined, it was obvious they were selfish ones. With a huff, Celeste balled up the coat in her hands and stuck it beneath her arm, marching off alone toward the ship.

TheRed Revengetowered above the other ships along the dock, its three huge masts standing proudly in the sunshine. The sides were freshly polished and gleaming, painted the deep red color of algae. Along the front and back of the ship, elaborate carved plants bloomed, wrapped in what looked like dark pointed teeth. Celeste drank in the splendor of it, her heart fluttering in her chest. Its deck was alive with activity. Crew members hefted large barrels of supplies down into the heart of the ship, while others ran about checking the ropes. She watched them with great interest, as she had schools of colorful fish. But these humans were not colorful. Their clothes were shades of gray and brown, and most of them wore multiple weapons on their hips. A mixture of excitement and dread swirled within her chest, pressing her forward. And behind, she heard the now familiar footsteps of their captain.

As they reached the gangway, the two were greeted by a happy bark. Celeste brightened, crouching down to meet the Admiral at eye level. The dog wriggled with joy, bouncing and barking like a seal before her. She let out a laugh as she combed her fingers through his soft fur. Raiden stood behind them, watching the interaction intently.

“Celeste!”

She lifted her chin to see Kiyami waving at her. The dark-haired girl stood out from the others. Because she was female, of course, but also from the black leather armor jutting out across her shoulders. It looked almost scaled the way the leather was layered, and similar pieces of leather fell in strips around her hips. Today she wore black pants and boots, a flat blade at her side. Beside Kiyami stood the pretty brunette barmaid from the night before, glaring daggers at Celeste. An expression she understood immediately. Perhaps humans and sirens weren’t as different as she thought. They certainly had jealous lovers in common. Kiyami waved Celeste toward them. If she noticed the barmaid’s expression, she hadn’t let on.

Celeste’s legs shook beneath her as she strode up the gangway. Partially because she was now balancing on a hunk of wood but also because she was setting footon a human ship. Of all the times she had pictured a ship like this sailing across the ocean, she had never pictured herself upon it. The Admiral bounded off, tailing Nasir, who was carrying an armful of fat, feathered birds. Celeste wondered if those were the chickens he mentioned, and if their eggs were as delicious as the salmon ones from home. When she finally reached the deck, the ship swayed beneath her. Her feet stumbled as her body tilted off its axis, sending her falling backward toward the gangway. She braced for impact, curling her arms into herself, when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her. Celeste stilled, head turning back to see who caught her.

A pair of dark eyes stared down at her. It was Raiden, of course. He had been following close behind her. Her body froze, panic rising like bile in her throat. Although she’d been held by him before, being touched by any human still made her want to run away screaming. Celeste planted her feet and pulled away, and for a moment, she feared he wouldn’t let go. But his arms loosened, and he placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her. A sharp pain shot through her arms at the touch, and Celeste winced.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked, pulling his hands from her as though she had burned him.

She shook her head, folding her arms protectively across her chest. Apparently, the bruises left from the constable were still tender, but she didn’t want Raiden to know. Not to mention she was embarrassed. Raiden, she hated to admit, had helped her. Twice now. Why was she reacting this way?

The captain nodded, but his expression remained skeptical. He turned and made his way onto the deck, greeting crewmates and giving orders as he went. Celeste’s gaze fell upon Kiyami, who was saying farewell to the Broken Compass’s barmaid. As she brought the brunette’s knuckles to her lips, the poor girl nearly dissolved. Celeste smiled at the sight and turned away to give them privacy.

“I’m happy to see you didn’t sleep through our departure,” Kiyami said, joining her. “Sorry I didn’t stay last night. I had—other accommodations.”

Celeste laughed but shrugged.

“Care for a tour?”

Celeste nodded, perhaps a bittooenthusiastically. With a smile, Kiyami beckoned Celeste toward the stairs that brought them down into the ship. On their way, they passed Raiden, who frowned.

“Don’t wander too far,” he called after them. “I wish to speak with our navigator to plan our course before we depart.”

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