Page 53 of Seaspoken

Chapter 16

Evya

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Icling to Kelivethas the world drops out from under us. Within seconds the shouts, the lantern lights, and the battered stone walls are far behind us. A sea of stars and ocean wind spreads out before us, and the night wind is pleasantly cool against my skin.

We’re alive.He’salive, against all odds and all my fears. I keep my arms around my elf as tightly as I dare, still careful not to touch the healing wounds beneath his tunic.

The thrill of flying washes over me, sweeping away the tension and adrenaline that has carried me to this point. Nadria’s wings beat almost silently, then spread out as she catches hold of a strong draft and glides on its current. I risk one glance at the sea far below. To anyone watching us from the water, we must look like a shooting star, shining and glittering in the light of the three newly risen moons. My head begins to spin, and I tear my gaze away from the depths below us. Instead, I focus on the dim outline of the maraseya islands far out to sea.

“Where should we go?” Keliveth calls over his shoulder to me, shouting over the wind.

“Fly toward the eagle.” His brow furrows, so I point toward the group of stars low in the southeastern sky that form the vague outline of a bird. “That way. That will lead us to the southernmost island.”

The wind scatters my words as I speak, and my face is numb from the chill. I rest my head against Keliveth’s shoulder as he guides the dragon, holding in all my thoughts until we can speak more easily. For now, existing with him is enough.

The darkness and the distance cover the scars of battle that mar the shore and the nearby islands. Each place we pass over looks only peaceful and whole. We rush on and on, through wisps of cloud that shine with moonlight, our path made by the stars and the distant gleam of maraseya blossoms.

The wind grows more restless. Clouds envelop us in fine, cold mist. Keliveth coaxes Nadria lower, and we swoop down in a sharp drop. The southernmost island bursts upon my vision, glittering with silvery blossoms and dancing waves. It is far smaller than the island where we celebrated last night, and my people rarely have a reason to come here.

My stomach twists as the dragon turns in a tight circle and lands on a small patch of sand near the water’s edge. Her wings rustle the maraseya’s leaves as she slows her descent. Then the world goes still. The only sounds are the pounding of my heart and our breathless laughter as we slide off the dragon’s back and onto solid ground.

Nadria folds her wings close and settles onto the ground, tucking her legs beneath her like a cat and curling her long, barbed tail around her body. Keliveth strokes the scales around her slender indigo horns, crooning to her. I gently run my hand along the edge of her glittering wing, murmuring my thanks to her. She lets out a sigh like the sound of a storm wind through treetops and shuts her eyes contentedly.

I step away from her and breathe deeply of the sea air, letting the feeling of this place sink into me and chase away all the shadows of Kara Davonashi. The tree towers above us on one side, its flower-laden branches swaying gently as if to welcome us. To the other side, the waves lap the shore in gentle motions, their ripples glowing with blue and green light. I gather my skirt in one hand and walk into the waves until they dance around my calves. Keliveth follows me.

“Incredible,” he breathes. He bends down and runs his hand through the phosphorescent waves. The light casts an otherworldly glow along the smooth strand of beach, as if stars have risen from the depths of the sea.

“This was always my favorite of the islands.” I step alongside him. He stands and wrap my fingers around his. “This tree is so old and overgrown that few venture to its island. We will be safe here for the night.”

Tomorrow, we’ll face whatever future awaits us among the Atathari.

Abruptly, I realize my people have had no word of me for almost a full day. They might not think anything of that under ordinary circumstances, but the sea must surely have told them I went to Kara Davonashi. By now, they might assume me dead at the hands of the elves. Remorse washes over me, though still tempered by the memory of my mother’s haughty sneers and the tribe’s silence as I left them last night. I’m not quite ready to face them again, but they deserve to know that I am safe.

I kneel down on one knee and rest my palm against the glittering surface of the water. The ocean is restless, but not brimming with the anger of last night. As it laps around me, I feel its mood grow lighter.

You’ve returned.Its voice murmurs through my mind in a satisfied purr.You’re not lost to us after all.

Not this time.I let the sea foam play around my fingers.Where are the tribes?

At the maelstrom. Waiting for you.

An image flashes through my mind, borne by the waters. Bonfires line the rocky shores of the sacred island by the maelstrom. The people of the tribes cluster around the warmth of the flames, solemn and fearful as they wonder over my fate. Hoping against all odds that the Seamother’s daughter will return, and everything will carry on as it should.

I bow my head and make one more request of the waters.

Tell them I will come to them at sunrise.

Though it is the right thing to do, dread settles over my heart even as I speak the words. The reality of what tomorrow will bring comes crashing down on me all over again, filling my mind with vivid foreboding.

More blood filling the waters. More strife between the warriors of my people, who should be friends and allies. More death, all on my account this time.

I clench my hands into fists as I stand, realizing the truth in one terrible moment. I don’t want Keliveth to win the challenge. I want to stop the challenge from happening at all.

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