“Is that it, then?” the sorcerer asked, peevish. “All that, and only that?”
“That and safe passage in and out of Dewspell’s harbor and on Dewspell’s grounds, for me and for all my crew, present or future. That is my third and final term.”
The sorcerer’s nostrils flared. “Accepted, provided Godmother Dar’Vester is released from the siren’s thrall and delivered to us within five minutes of the bargain’s finalization, and that any other magic you may hold over her is removed, and that she is free and under no obligation to you and your crew, present or future, for as long as the agreed upon terms are met. After a period of one year, if we have met your demands, you also agree to release her from your marriage bonds.”
As I hurried to process his rapid-fire terms, an itch at the back of my mind told me I was right to suspect this sorcerer. For he wasn’t a human sorcerer at all.
“Are they fae, too?” I asked, pointing to his attendants.
The sorcerer grinned. “Gods help them, they’re mere mortals. That one’s the harbor master.”
The woman in question mimed doffing a hat she didn’t remove, the logbook tucked firmly under her other arm.
“I’ll finalize the deal with one of them, if they have the power to do so,” I said. “Not with you.”
The sorcerer laughed, brushing away his glamour with a sweep of his hand. A taller, youthful man stood in his place, shaking out the hem of his slim, tailored robes. “What gave me away?”
“I think I’d rather leave you wondering.”
“Such poor sportsmanship.” He clucked his tongue.
“I wasn’t aware this was a game.”
“Languageis a game. You started playing it the moment you opened your mouth. Professor Elkin, please finalize the bargain with Captain Bluebeard.”
The man beside the harbormaster stepped forward, offering his hand.
I took it, shaking it firmly. Only after I’d done so did I notice his silver and red eyes.
Professor Elkin smiled, revealing his own set of fangs. Brine and bracken, was everyone here lying about who they were?
“We’ll be taking Sofie with us now,” he said. “Mind the terms. You have five minutes.”
I withdrew my hand swiftly, long strides taking me to the cabin I’d shared with her. The one that would be mine alone now.
I’d made so many mistakes. Right now, the only one I could bring myself to care about was this one: I should’ve bargained for more time.
Five minutes was not long enough to say goodbye to Sofie.
Nor was a lifetime.
I could do this. Iwoulddo this. Even if it cost me whatever scrap was left of my heart.
Chapter twenty-three
Sofie
Iblinkedawaymydream-likestate, almost relieved the Bride was nowhere in sight. I’d defeated her. Still, it would be a while before I shook off the feeling of her power, of her dark presence and death magic. Even now, the opal wedding ring remained on my finger. I was almost afraid to try removing it.
Instead of the Bride, Jax’s face swam into view, with Safira behind him. Her expression was dour. His was stony, except for one thing…
Why did his eyes look so sad?
“What’s happened?” I asked, my words slurring slightly.Curse them all.They must’ve put me under Safira’s siren magic again so I wouldn’t cause trouble as we sailed closer to Dewspell. “Why did you—”
“You’re free to go now,” Jax said. He straightened, satisfied I was lucid again. He turned to dismiss Safira with a nod. “You’d best go check on Omar,” he told her.
“Free to go where?” I asked as Safira slipped out of the room like it was water. “Are we still at Dewspell?”
