Edward folded his arms and gave me a pointed look. “So, what’s the plan?”
“We meet Finn under the archway of Archon Agorá tonight.”
Edward’s mouth thinned at the mention of Finn, but he nodded.
“I know you wanted to come with me when we last spoke.” I gripped Edward’s freckled wrist and looked at him with sincerity. “But if you’ve changed your mind, that’s okay.”
“Changed my mind?” His nostrils flared. “I’ll have you know I’ve even prepared supplies for the journey.” He plucked a netted bag from under the table and rattled it, rum bottles clinking merrily inside.
“You couldn’t pack something a bit more useful?” I snorted.
Edward raised his tumbler in cheers. “I’m quite content with rum.”
I met his glass with mine and leaned back in my chair. Some of the Drowned continued to stare, their gazes either lecherous, curious, or malicious.
The Captain, noting their looks, caught my eye and hobbled over to a woman in a ripped beaded dress seated near the piano. He squeezed her shoulder and chuckled. “Evelyn, play a tune, would you? These Drowned need a distraction.”
Evelyn—I remembered her as the woman who had helped the pirate José after the prince,Finn,had tortured him. That felt like so long ago now.
The Drowned returned to their drinking as Evelyn settled at the piano, though a few still cast glowering looks our way. Skye had fallen into a somber silence, her eyes tracing the anglerfish lights strung across the mottled ceiling, glowing like a sky full of stars.
I nudged her. “Why don’t you see if you can use your gifts on the Drowned before we leave?”
She adjusted her stance, masking her downcast expression with a quick grin, as if not wanting me to glimpse her sadness. “I don’t know.” She toyed with her rum, her eyes darting across the rowdy patrons.
“Look at them.” A rush of sympathy coursed through me as I observed the sad, drunken, tattered souls. “They deserve to feel the ecstasy of new love.”
“You think you can shield yourself this time? I wouldn’t want you to end up in that guy’s lap.” A genuine grin split Skye’s face as she jerked her thumb at a toothless pirate sitting across from us.
“I managed to shield myself from Aranare.” I regretted the words as soon as they tumbled from my mouth.
Skye’s expression darkened at the mention of his name, but she pushed it aside, settling into her chair. Her long raven locks spilled over the back as she closed her eyes and exhaled.
This time, with my shields in place, I remained unaffected. This time, I could see the magic of love at work.
It started with the music. Evelyn was at the piano, throwing back her head and caressing the keys with a newfound passion. The tune became sultry and mournful, like something from a 1920s cabaret bar. Her bejeweled dress sparkled in the anglerfish lights, and she closed her eyes and began to sing. It was a haunting melody—a song of two drowned lovers.One died at sea and the other from grief. Eventually, their bodies washed ashore on the same beach.
I glanced at Edward, his eyes now fuller and his face slack as Evelyn’s music spread through the venue, woven with the threads of Skye’s magic.
“It’s working!” I turned to Skye, who nodded gleefully, dark curls bouncing.
My eyes widened as the Drowned began scraping back their chairs and pulling partners onto the dance floor. The Captain hobbled out and helped a few Drowned shove the tables aside, clearing space. As he passed, he shot us a wink. Clearly the magic had not affected him.
“By golly, this song.” Edward’s voice drew my attention. I turned to find him resting his chin on his elbow, gazing dreamily at Evelyn. Beside her, the Captain now played, their voices intertwining in a heartfelt duet.
“May I have this dance?” Daniel stood beside us, his hat tucked under one arm, the other extended toward Edward.
Edward flushed and nodded. The two of them moved onto the dance floor, swaying slowly, cheek to cheek.
A timid Drowned boy approached our table. He must have been young, perhaps eighteen, as he still had acne. He was wearing the tattered uniform of a soldier. “Could I ?” He glanced at Skye, then quickly looked down, a flush rising to his cheeks.
She turned to me, stifling a giggle, before sweeping the wide-eyed youth into her arms and leading him across the room. He rested a hand on her scaled hip, holding her carefully, as if drowning had been worth it for this moment alone.
“Fuck it.” I laughed and joined everyone on the dance floor, linking arms with some of the merry Drowned. Who knew what awaited us in the Kingdom of Thálassa? We might as well have some fun.
The Captain pulled Evelyn from her seat at the piano, her longbeaded dress glinting as he spun her around the room. A man in modern clothes—a leather jacket and dark jeans—took their seats, and he began to play a tune I recognized.
“Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak. The song caused goosebumps to form on my arms, and for a moment, it felt like the world had gone into slow motion as my mind was consumed with thoughts of Finn.
