“I thought not.” I grabbed a bar of soap and lathered it between my hands, working it into his fur while he stood, twitching in chest-deep water. He tipped his head back and released a low howl, and I joined in, baying at the moonlight slanting through the porthole along with him. Thuds rang out overhead. The nyxin cut off his howl. I yelped some more before deciding I’d better stop too.
Once I’d finished rinsing him, I lifted him out of the water and while he shook, spraying water everywhere, I grabbed a cloth and rubbed him all over.
“Much better,” I said, smiling at his cuteness. His fur puffed out in every direction like a fluffy danderlist flower ready to burst. His wet, gleaming eyes blinked up at me with an indignant expression that only made my smile deepen.
He clattered around the bathroom, his claws clicking on the floor and his bushy tail wagging, and I’d bet anything he was grateful to be clean.
“What should we name you, little one?” I asked.
Coming over, he sat on the floor in front of me, his tail sweeping a damp pattern across the wood. He cocked his head one way, then the next, his gaze intent on my face, almost as if he understood what I was saying.
Tempest’s pet crow had shown an uncanny understanding of whatever was going on around him. Maybe faerie pets possessed their own version of magic.
As I strolled into the bedroom, I called out potential names, watching the nyxin who trotted beside me. “Thadius? Astra? Fiero?”
He wrinkled his nose and sniffed the air.
“Jasper, Rowan, Kieren? Nimbus. Farris—”
He yipped.
I squatted down in front of him. “Farris?”
His bark rang out.
“Alright, Farris, it is.” I ruffled his fur and climbed up onto the bed. A small, gaily wrapped package lay on the pillow, and I lifted it. “Where did this come from?”
I tugged a tiny scroll from beneath the bow, and after setting the package on the bed, I unfurled the note.
To my queen,
I’m sorry I can’t be there with you for our wedding. Perhaps, once we’ve gotten to know each other better, we can speak our own vows to each other. You can let me know your thoughts about that once we’ve reached Evergorne Court.
I can’t wait until tomorrow when we’ll finally be together.
I imagine you’re scared. Nervous, even. But I assure you that I only hold the kindest thoughts for you in my heart.
I look forward to knowing you, dearest Reyla.
Merrick
“How sweet,” I said, warmed that he’d taken time to have someone deliver this during the wedding. Lord Briscalar? It must be.
This spoke well of the king; someone I’d thought of with a touch of fear. Maybe he was nothing like my dead father. I’d reserve judgement until I knew him better, but this gesture on his part impressed me.
I dropped the note and unwrapped the gift, sighing when I lifted the lid. A beautiful gold bracelet with stones as red as ripe blood nestled against the velvety fabric inside. I lifted it out and marveled at how the stones gleamed in the lights.
Then I fastened it on my wrist, covering the odd, delicate vine pattern that had appeared on my skin when I touched Lore.
A pattern I was convinced wasnota fated mate mark.
7
REYLA
Iwoke with moonlight streaming in through the porthole, the roll of the ship, and a furious belly. Rushing to the bathing area, I emptied my guts into the toilet.
Somehow, my body found more to give, wrenching up what I’d eaten last night, yesterday morning, and perhaps even what I’d consumed three days prior to that, splattering it inside the basin.
