Page 111 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

The Eastland Forest

The Sybil Curse had been docked on the Fae’s land for only an hour before they were caught. Lincoln had not expected to steal their magical water without a snag along the way. However, the captain had hoped he could heal himself before the queen’s protectors arrested them.

Nola is still out there,he said to himself, and we do not have time for the theatrics from the Fae people.

Lincoln and Mazie stood before Queen Cassia, who drummed her fingers on her throne’s armrest, appearing bored. Her long white hair fell over her shoulders, framing her beautiful, fair features.

The Fae did not need opulent quarters to display their wealth. When they were banished from Zemira, they left with only what they could carry on their backs. However, the world they had created in the Eastland Forest was beyond glorious. Floral vines lined the walls to the skyline, and the intricately sculpted wood fixtures were carved by their most skilled workers. The handmade grand hall was made with elements of nature and magic.

The queen fluffed out her claret-colored dress, running her fingers through her long blonde locks before clearing her throat after a long, agonizing silence.

She signaled one of her protectors to bring Lincoln forth.

“A pretty face with flattering words,” she noted, her tone brusque. “You and I both know the wings of a fairy may be tender, but our punishments are surely not.”

The queen’s threat caused Mazie’s eye to twitch. The black-eyed pirate knew well enough even the most civilized conversation with the queen would not change the way the Fae felt about pirates.

The Fae culture was quite unconventional. They held no loyalty towards anyone but themselves. At least, it had been like that since they were banished. Mazie did not blame them, but it still aggravated her how crass the queen was towards them.

Mazie’s pride itched at her. She flexed her fingers once or twice before shifting her weight on her heel to lean towards Lincoln.

“Are we honestly askin’ for permission?” she whispered into the captain’s ear, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

It is that, or she sets her dragons on us again like she did five years ago,Lincoln thought without answering his first mate.

“For once, Mazie, I need you to keep your brutally candid tongue zipped!” he whispered back.

Lincoln looked up as Queen Cassia’s azure–silvery eyes sparkled.

“Make your presence here worth my time, pirate,” she said, her lips quirked in amusement as she tapped her heel on the tessellated tile.

Lincoln straightened his back and gently bowed his head, placing his right hand on his chest.

“Years ago, we betrayed you, Your Majesty,” he said. “I had come for selfish needs as I went lookin’ for my fiancé, Sybil.” He cleared his throat. “And in return, my first mate—” Mazie snickered under her breath at the memory, “—she, um, had a heart for once and attempted to steal your pixie.”

The memory crashed more vividly in Raven’s mind. Mazie’s fists tightened, baring her teeth.

“—Who you have imprisoned like an animal.”

Her cold eyes stared intently at the queen, waiting for a curt remark, but it did not come.

“Pretentious bitch,” Mazie cursed silently.

The captain stared daggers at his first mate. But she pressed her lips together in a defiant sneer, realizing her words could turn the queen’s willingness to hear them out.

“Ah, yes,” the queen added. “I remember that day well. Your skill as a thief is quite impeccable. If it were not for the fact that our trees had eyes, you’d probably have gotten away with it.”

Mazie shrugged her shoulders.

“But your pretty face paid the price for your crime, didn’t it?” Queen Cassia continued; a hint of mockery edged her lips.

Lincoln’s fingers instinctively reached up to his face, running gingerly over his scar. “Aye, Your Majesty,” he said, choking down his pride.

“So why have you come back?” she asked flatly. “Clearly, you have not learned your lesson.”

At that moment, Lincoln was glad he told his crew to stay behind on the ship. He did not trust the Fae people, that was certain.

“Well, originally, we set out to steal your pixie again,” he confessed daringly, not caring about the repercussions. “But everythin’ changed when a siren came upon our ship seven days ago. We were only tryin’ to take a little bit of water because I’ve been injured, and I’m losin’ strength by the minute.”

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