“I’m making sure we dock in one piece after the storm that just blew through,” Larkin responds. “I wouldn’t want us to sink a second ship in less than a day.”
He grins this time, but only at Silas. A smile brighter than the sun catches my attention, and I take the opportunity to introduce myself, even though his hostility hangs in the airaround me. Either I’ve done something to offend him, or he’s an asshole.
“It’s nice to meet you officially, Larkin.” I extend my hand, but it is met with emptiness.
I look at his face; it’s sun-kissed, with a few freckles scattered across his nose. His white hair sits just above his ears—it’s well-groomed—and sways gently in the breeze.
A memory flashes into my mind. Larkin—that name. I’ve heard it before, and the person I heard it from makes this meeting very interesting, so I smile broadly.
Larkin dips his head in my direction, refusing to make eye contact. “You too.”
My brows furrow at the exchange, but I keep my hand extended for him to take, not backing down from the diss.
Yeah, an asshole.
Silas notices the unfriendliness and clears his throat as my hand hangs in the empty air.
“Larkin,” Silas warns, and tilts his head. “Don’t be rude.”
Larkin bites the inside of his cheek, turning toward me. His stern face doesn’t show kindness or remorse as he shakes my hand firmly. “Apologies, Silas.”
I grip his hand, almost too hard, and grin sarcastically. His deep eyes lock onto mine, and a flash of shame causes the darkness in his eyes to flicker before disappearing as quickly as it had happened.
I still feel snubbed and somewhat embarrassed, so I pull my hand away from his and tilt my head.
What did I do to him?
I hesitantly brush it off and look over the railing of the crow’s nest. The vast world around us is captivating, and the way the blue sky meets the dark water on the horizon makes it seem as if the world goes on forever. There’s no end in sight—just sky and water. A thought flickers in my mind that I could sail awayforever with Silas. We could hide on the seas for the rest of our lives and pretend none of this is happening. But that thought quickly fades.
Silas places a hand on the small of my back while Larkin moves to the opposite side of the tower, giving us space, or perhaps to get away from me. I’m not sure.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Silas breathes, his mouth by my ear.
“It just seems to go on forever. I’ve never seen this much of the world at once,” I respond, completely in awe of the beauty around me.
Turning to the side, I see a piece of land nearby, and I can faintly make out the Kingdom of Andorwood. Even though we are arriving with the sun still gracing us with its light, the kingdom is dark and quiet. A tall, brooding structure sits farthest away; its jagged black towers pierce through the dense clouds, casting long, eerie shadows over the desolate town below.
The island itself seems to absorb the sun's glow as we sail closer. Andorwood appears as isolated as the tales have said, as if it has been forgotten by time itself. The flickering lights on shore are the only indication of life on the island, and a disturbing feeling runs up my spine. Magic oozes from the landmass, and I can’t tell if it’s from the people or something larger at play. But, I know it fills me with unease.
“Home, sweet home,” Silas says, breaking my intense stare.
Chapter 5
My mouth parts as I take in the dark kingdom in front of us. “Everything is about to change.”
He jerks his chin in a nod. “Everything.”
The ship’s wooden hull groans as we approach the shore. Our surroundings quickly fill with the sounds of the ship coming to a stop. The crew below begins to hustle, ensuring each deck area is prepared for our arrival. I grab Silas’s hand while Larkin heads off to assist the others below, shifting into a bright light of mist. A loud splash catches my attention as the ship’s anchor drops with a sharp clang, followed by the sound of it settling on the bottom. The thick air holds an unsettling stillness as we prepare for what’s next.
Silas inhales deeply, holding his breath momentarily—as if to steady his pounding heart. “We should head down.”
I lean in, pressing my lips against his, wanting that connection before the chaos begins. Silas kisses me back, deep and slow. We linger in this moment before I pull away. My heart races, and anticipation settles into my veins, causing my shadows to bubble, as if preparing to defend.
“Silas…” I gaze into his troubled eyes. “I am yours, and you are mine.”
“I am yours, and you are mine.” He breaks his stare, looking toward the kingdom—as if staring into the eyes of the civillians. “They will know that.”
My feet hit the solid ground for the first time in what feels like years, and a soft groan leaves my lips. Though I stand firm, a rocking sensation moves through my body, and will likely remain in the weeks to come. Maines, Oak, and Silas stand by my side as we stay on the pier, while Rose remains on the ship with Captain Darcy and Myah. She’ll come to the castle once we call for her—once we ensure it’s safe.
