Page 86 of A Storm in Every Heart
“It’s not my ship—not anymore, anyway—and I don’t know, but I’d like to just check. I’d hate myself if I was in Hydratta for the first time in years and I didn’t at least check.”
Kastian looks at me appraisingly, before his face breaks into a smile. “Alright, let’s go look, then.”
He holds out an arm for me to take, looking very princely despite his cloaked disguise. I take his arm and try to ignore the fluttering in my stomach. I fail miserably, and by the time we walk into the harbor I swear it feels like my heart is going to explode. At least Kastian was right, and it wasn’t a very long walk—any further, and I know I’d say something stupid. Like, how this is everything I’ve imagined since I was a little girl.
“Do you see your ship?” Kastian asks when we reach the dock.
I raise a hand to shield my eyes. and squint into the setting sun over the water. “I don’t know. Can we get closer?”
“Of course,” he says, but there’s a slight wariness in his tone.
I know what he’s worried about—the harbor is dangerous. The docks are disgustingly dirty and full of all sorts of vicious and desperate men; pirates and murderers and thieves, but I love them anyway.
I grip his arm more tightly and pull him along the dock, my head turning every which way, hoping to catch a glimpse ofThe Adella.
“If we find your father’s ship do you want to go aboard and see him?” Kastian asks.
My stomach lurches unpleasantly. “He’s dead. So no, I don’t think that would be possible.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He clears his throat, obviously horrified. “I thought?—”
“It’s alright,” I interrupt. “He’s been gone for a long time.”
“Do you see the ship though?” he asks stiffly, as if he’s afraid I’m going to burst into tears. “Maybe we could still go aboard…”
I shake my head, disappointment washing over me, then tilt my face up to meet his eyes. “It’s not here. That’s alright. I knew it was a long shot. Thank you for taking me, anyway.”
“We could still go on one of the ships if you want. That one’s mine,” he points toward an enormous gleaming ship docked near the very end of the pier.
I stare at it, swallowing the overwhelming desire to laugh. “HMS Kastian Stormbreaker,” I read aloud. “Does having a ship named after you make it yours?”
He smirks. “I would think so, but I meant literally. My father named that ship after me when I was born, but it became mine when I turned sixteen.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Do you ever use it?”
“No. It’s a war ship, so it doesn’t get used much—which is a good thing I suppose. We’ll be using it for the first time tomorrow to hold the ball. There’s already a crew aboard getting ready, so we could go up there now…if you want, of course.”
My pulse speeds up with excitement. “If it’s not too much trouble…”
Kastian’s slightly nervous expression breaks into a wide grin and he grips my hand tightly, pulling me toward the other end of the dock. “It’s no trouble at all. I’d be an idiot not to agree to anything that makes you smile like that.”
I flush and look down, biting my lip as my heartbeat speeds up.
I can’t believe this is happening.
The princelikesme and it feels like every stupid, impossible, little girl’s fantasy I’ve ever had is coming true.
And maybe it won’t end in tragedy…maybe, just once, someone won’t leave.
ODESSA, PRESENT
We find a river and stick as close to the bank as possible, theorizing that when there is a town, it will be near the water. It’s a good theory, except it doesn’t work. We never reach an inn.
I suppose I should have realized this was a possibility. I don’t remember passing through many towns on the way from Vernallis to Hydratta, but that was so long ago I’d convinced myself I’d merely forgotten. Now, I recall that there were many nights we slept in the carriages since there was nowhere to stop and rest.
“Alright, I can’t walk anymore,” Jett says finally.
We come to a halt behind him. Internally, I’m screaming with excitement. I can’t walk anymore either, and I’ve been seriously debating asking Kastian to carry me for the last hour.
