“In my defense,” Nyssa says, “did you see those muscles? If you didn’t, I would recommend visiting a healer to check your eyesight. Because there were a lot of them.”
The laugh I’d been trying so hard to suppress earlier bursts out of me. Raven cuts a look over his shoulder, and I fall silent, offering him my most innocent smile.
The rest of our companions join us as we head down into the belly of the ship. On the second level, we step into a narrow corridor lined with slim doors, each opening into a small room with a set of bunk beds and a small porthole window. Nyssa and I slip into a room together. The space not taken up by the bunks is just big enough that we could stand on opposite sides and touch the tips of our fingers together.
I peer at her from the corner of my eye before shouldering off my pack and flinging it onto the bottom bunk. “Mine.”
She curses and glares at the top bunk like it’s hiding a nest of poisonous snakes. “How long are we at sea again?”
“About a week, depending on the weather.”
At that moment, the ship gives a sudden lurch, and we both fall forward onto my bunk.
“Notos’s balls! What was that?”
I push back the hair that’s escaped my braid, amused at the fact she’s already adopted the sailor’s curse I taught her the other day. “I think the crew pushed off from the dock.”
“So we’re not about to be buried in a watery grave?”
“Not yet.” I grin wickedly, and she groans.
“I hate this endless rocking motion already.”
I eye her skeptically. “We travel on ferries all the time.”
“This is different,” she pouts.
“Come on, the last thing we need to do is make a poor impression and arrive late for our meeting.”
“Ugh. I just want to lie here and pray to the Anemoi for swift winds.”
“That’s the spirit,” I say cheerfully.
She salutes me with her middle finger but reluctantly hauls herself off the bunk and trails after me.
When we arrive, the rest of Alpha Flight has already assembled in the captain’s cabin. Nyssa and I rush to our seats at a large oak table, its surface carved with a detailed map of the Empyrieos, every line and contour etched with remarkable precision. As Flight Commander, Raven sits at the head of the table, with Lark taking the seat to his right. Both scrutinize the nicks and grooves in the wood like they hold all the secrets of the realm.
“We all know the aim of our assignment, but I’ll go over it once again for the benefit of our new members.”
Eyes from all around the table flick toward Nyssa and me. Heron rubs at his temple and leans back in his seat.
“Our orders are to infiltrate the Royal Court of Eretria and seize the weapon they have found. On our last trip, we narrowed down a list of potential locations where it could be hidden. On that list are the dungeons and passages below the castle and the vaults hidden within themountain.” Raven pauses and casts his eyes around the table. When everyone nods, he goes on. “We have extensive logs of the guard detail and schedules throughout the palace, including these specific locations. Additionally, we’ve managed to bring some assets on board, mainly servants and a few lower-tier guards. This time around, our presence will be more public. Starling will pose as Princess Aella and participate in the upcoming trials set to take place in one and a half weeks. Her role is partly to distract the royal family during our search for the weapon, but her ultimate objective is to win. Sparrow and Myna will accompany her as handmaidens, and will remain in Vilea after. The rest of us will assume positions as servants and guards within her entourage.”
“Remind us why the Fledglings needed to come,” Heron says, his tone suggesting this isn’t the first time this conversation has taken place. “Myna knows the etiquette and protocols. She could easily have played the part.”
Myna snorts and shakes her head.
“That could have worked,” Raven says slowly, “except Myna is more valuable if she can disappear and help with the search. Besides, Starling has received specialized training for a role such as this.”
Heron lowers his chin, taking in the information, while I fight to keep a straight face.
A knee brushes against mine beneath the table, drawing my attention to Nyssa. She offers me a small, reassuring smile, and I return it with quiet gratitude for her unspoken support.
It feels surreal to listen as the others discuss this part of the mission. Instead of the anger I might have expected, a wry sense of amusement takes hold. Nyssa and I are the only ones who know the truth about my identity. Even the most revered Nightwings in the Aviary remain oblivious, shrouded in the same carefully maintained ignorance.
“Starling has a charm to change her hair and eye color to match the princess’s and will make her transformation before we reach Eretria.” Raven’s tone brooks no argument, and Heron narrows his eyes at me from across the table.
I offer him a cheerful smile in return.
