Page 18 of Trapped By Claws
I struck him across the face.
THE BOUNDARY
That had been a mistake.
My cheeks burned. Fear flared through me, almost enough to counter my rage. But I didn't drop my gaze. Not even for a moment.
His face barely moved in response to the slap. He cut his eyes to mine, then pressed me against the wall, hand still against my throat but not too hard.
I couldn't breathe.
Couldn't move.
His gaze held mine, his face like marble.
Something flashed in his eyes. Something I couldn't read.
Then he released me, stepped back, and strode away, his expression still unreadable.
I sagged against the wall, my hand flying to the base of my throat as I drew in a shuddering breath.
The wind howled, and the ship rocked.
Salt's bane, that man's scent and his body so close to mine warred with my anger at his words and his refusal to help.
It didn't matter though.
I steadied myself against the wall, straightened, and then hurried back to the study.
Mama was still sobbing, shaking so badly she couldn't even stand. Captain Hosvir remained at her side. He'd moved them both to a bench fastened to the wall in between the shelves, and he just held her, his gaze focused wholly on her.
It was hard to see Mama looking so broken. Harder still knowing I had nothing to offer for comfort. Not even my presence really.
I crossed over and knelt beside her. "I couldn't fix it. I'm sorry."
Mama gripped my hand and continued to sob as if she had been shattered.
"Don't blame yourself," Hosvir said, giving me a surprisingly soft look for his fearsome appearance. That gentleness was often present when he dealt with Mama. His brow remained furrowed, the wrinkles deep along his forehead and crinkling around his eyes. "The King of the North Sea is colder than these waters. He uses the blood of his enforcers and servants to bolster his magic and controls their very lives. They've given him everything, yet he thinks nothing of them. There was no chance he'd give mercy for those he thinks of even less. He's a cruel and vengeful ruler. It was a long shot."
"What's so important about this island that we can risk certain death? Those grounded staircases and portals are—" I stopped short when I saw the bowl of stew I'd brought Mama on the floor. Based on the amount, Mama had eaten next to nothing.
I bit back a frustrated sigh and moved to clean it up.
"Your ma found some records and lore 'bout them staircases into the air. Some are fixed, and some are open. Ancient magic. Not fae or anything we know from here. Maybe not even entirely of this world. But they contain secrets and may grant wishes." He shrugged. "She's been figuring out how to use them morereliably. This is the closest one. The next closest is a couple miles beyond the boundary and at the bottom of the shallows."
It still didn't make much sense to me. Everyone knew how dangerous unknown magic and staircase portals were. But over the years, Mama's willingness to explore dangerous options had intensified.
I stayed with Mama a bit longer before helping her to her cabin with Hosvir's help, ensuring she had everything she needed.
Then I went to my own bed and listened to her cry herself to sleep. Usually I dreamed of the fights and arguments, an endless cycle of accomplishing nothing but hurt feelings and wounded hearts.
This night though, once I fell asleep, I dreamed of Corvin: his bright-green eyes, his hands, his intensity, and his words. I replayed the moment I slapped him over and over again in my mind.
Next morning, I rose, expecting to find that we were headed back toward the Salt Channel and abandoning the island because of the boundary issue. Instead, I found that almost everyone was preparing to leave. Apparently they were going to risk the boundary line shifting. Mama had to see the island and test her theory.
I stayed aboard the ship. Going onto the island when it was that close to a shifting boundary line was foolish. I had as much hope of the island actually holding the secret to finding Erryn as I did of my words making a difference.
Mama stood next to one of the smaller boats that was being prepared for the journey over.
