Page 101 of Wicked Tides
The villagers’ eyes lit up, but I caught the solemn wilt in Ahnah’s smile and the way her gaze slid downward like a dying flower.
“All but one,” I added softly. “Sakari was lost to another crew, I’m afraid. One not as decent as…” I eyed Vidar for a second. “As the crew of the Burning Rose.”
There was a short but heavy silence among us after I said those words. I hadn’t expected them to come out of my mouth and neither did anyone else.
But it was true. When it came to the girls, at least.
“I am Taupek,” the woman said as if sensing something needed to be said to cut the tension.
There was a deep and painful crack in her voice, though. One I was certain was tethered to the news about Sakari. I regretted my role in her passing and revisited the incident when I saw the look on Taupek’s face.
“I am Ahnah’s grandmother,” she said.
“Sakari was your daughter?”
She shook her head. “The daughter of my late husband, but I loved her like my own. I… she will be missed.”
I heard Ahnah snivel and glanced down at her wiping her eyes.
And like the coward I was, I turned away from her, seeking something else to focus on.
“The others,” the man said. “Can they come ashore?”
Vidar nodded. “We can send for them now, but the weather is harsh and the journey was long. We’d be grateful for lodging and food and supplies for our journey back.”
“Stay for a while,” Taupek said. “We have empty lodging since one of our elders passed and their children married.”
“Enough for my whole crew?”
Taupek nodded and then turned to a few of the men, speaking in their native tongue. They inclined their heads and then headed into the village.
“We will prepare food and beds,” she said.
Vidar shrugged. “Then we will retrieve your girls.”
I turned to accompany the men back to the ship to get the others when Vidar grabbed my arm, pulling me close.
“Stay,” he said quietly. “They seem warmer to you than to us.” He paused and glanced sideways at Ahnah as she and Taupek walked away. “And the little one wants your company.”
“I got the woman’s daughter killed,” I whispered.
“You did no such thing.”
I clenched my teeth, preventing any further arguments. Vidar’s eyes bore into me, keeping my gaze. I realized then that his words were meant to comfort me. Comfort from Vidar was not something I ever thought I’d get. Not in that way. Slowly, I let my eyes fall to his hand around my arm and watched him gradually release me.
“Alright,” I agreed. “I will stay.”
~ 36 ~
Dahlia
Mothers know, and they whisper
“You are safe” even when the monsters
are breathing down her neck.
~ Ophelia Quin
