Page 29 of Voice of the Ocean

“If we complete this job by the eclipse, we’ll receive our weight in gold.”

“And whichbenefactoris providing these riches?” she asked, her question as barbed as a sea urchin.

Raiden shrugged. “We’re hunting lost treasure.”

Celeste would have wondered what business a prince had searching for treasure, but she was a princess who had searched for treasure on numerous occasions. A commonality she resented at this point.

Kiyami let out a laugh. “A treasure hunt? You can’t be serious.”

The prince’s eyes flashed. “If you’re not interested, we can always leave you here.”

She sighed, crossing her arms. “I get a captain’s share.”

“Of course.”

“And passage to Oshiga,” she added.

Raiden looked to Bastian, who sighed and rubbed his temples with the heels of his hands. “I suppose we can make it happen, if she’s as good as you say she is,” Bastian said.

“Welcome aboard.” Raiden stuck out his hand. To Celeste’s surprise, Kiyami wrapped her hand around his. What sort of relationship did they have? Kiyami’s expression was anything but happy. She looked as though she had sold her soul to Death itself.

The prince turned his gaze to her. “And you,Celeste...” Her name on his lips sent an unexpected chill down her spine. She pulled the coat in her arms closer to her chest, trying to take up as little space as possible. “Why not come along? We know you’re excellent in a crisis, given you saved Bastian, the Admiral, and myself from a watery grave.”

Celeste’s lips pressed into a thin line.

“What other skills do you have?”

It occurred to Celeste that up until now this pompous prince hadn’t asked her a single question, let alone allowed her to get in a word. And Celeste was not about to start trying to speak now. She didn’t want to give him any further proof of sirens.

“Celeste is mute, Rai,” Kiyami offered.

“Ah,” Raiden said, eyeing Celeste skeptically. For a moment, he was adrift, but soon his calculated demeanor returned. “The rest of the crew is too loud already anyway. You’ll be the perfect addition.”

Clearly, the prince wasn’t about to take no for an answer. But why did he want her to join the crew so badly? What could he possibly want from her? He obviously recognized her, but for some reason he hadn’t exposed her as a siren. Whatever game he was playing, it was only a matter of time until Celeste figured it out. But she needed time to plan—and to retrieve her spear.

She shook her head.No.

Raiden shrugged. “All right then, come along, Baz. Kiyami. I’m sure the guards will be excited to see Celeste is still here when they wake.”

Celeste’s eyes widened, and she reached out a hand, grabbing the front of his shirt. Raiden lowered his eyes to her hand and smiled.

“I knew you couldn’t resist me,” he purred.

Oh, how she wanted to slap him. But there was no way Celeste would let him leave her locked up here. Not if there was a chance of that first guard coming back. And as she thought about it, being aboard his ship meant she wouldn’t have to track him down. It was the perfect excuse for her to learn why he had been in siren territory. Had he been going after this treasure there? Or had he been scared off, and this journey was something different? Although she hoped for the latter, she could easily believe this stubborn, egotistical human would attempt the journey into siren waters a second time.

What sort of monster led his crew to their deaths just to replace them? Her stomach rolled at the thought. Perhaps she’d push him overboard once she knew everything. She wouldn’t even have to draw blood. At this moment, the idea sounded downright enjoyable. Once he drowned, she’d drag his lifeless body back to Staria and be welcomed home with open arms.Easy. She pulled on her coat, ready to go.

“We can’t bring her on the ship,Your Highness,” Bastian said, giving Celeste an apologetic look. “We hardly have money for supplies as it is. If she’s joining the crew, she’s got to fill a role.”

Celeste wrung her hands. Her training was in combat and Song. She knew ships had a captain, but she knew little of other roles and didn’t remember anything about them having warriors. Plus, she was still learning to use this new body and was completely unfamiliar with their weaponry. She glanced from Bastian to Raiden.

The prince searched her as if looking for some sign as to where her talents lay. His eyes snagged on her nervous fingers picking at the stitching of her coat.

“Is that—” His hand reached for the coat, and Celeste shrugged it off quickly, eager to avoid his touch. Raiden took it, examining the embroidered star with reverence. “This is the shield of the Guild of Wayfinders. Are you a member?”

Celeste had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. She nodded.

Bastian’s face lit up in surprise, while Raiden’s face clouded in confusion.

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