“I’m sure you think you’re very lucky,” I spit. The wind is violent now, tossing my hair every which way.
“I don’t, and I blame you.” Dayton places a firm hand on either side of my head. “This is all your fault. I was fine before.You made me stop pushing Farron away. You made me believe in some sort of destiny. You made me believe love was real. You have ruined everything, and I will never stop loathing you for it, Rosalina.”
My heart near beats out of my chest, and electricity tangles in the air as Dayton grabs my chin and pulls me toward him—and I can do nothing to stop him.
Bright blue light covers my entire vision. I scream, and Dayton tugs me back against his chest as a bolt of lightning strikes the mast with a deafening crack.
“Storm incoming!” one of the crew calls.
“That came on too fast!” another shouts from the crow’s nest.
The boat rocks as waves crash against the hull, sending a spray of water on deck, but Dayton keeps an iron-clad grip on me. A torrent of rain erupts from the clouds, soaking us. Another strike of lightning sparks across the sky, illuminating the dark clouds. In a flash of light, I see the crew’s panicked faces, and Wrenley, staring down at us from the upper deck. Her face is wild and furious, eyes like electricity itself.
“We need to secure the ship, then get everyone below deck,” Dayton says.
I nod, and he steps away from me, in one moment transforming from the carefree Summer Prince to a commander of the sea.
“Batten down the hatches,” Dayton calls. “Secure the cannons and get below deck!”
Pitch-black clouds turn the sea into a churning darkness. Huge waves pelt the ship on all sides. I scramble, terror seizing my body. Dayton keeps shouting orders while the crew work furiously to take down the sails. The lightning that struck the mast has left the sails hanging awkwardly.
Furious wind whips through them, tearing the canvas. Other crew members attempt to tie down the cannons and barrels. Farther up, Dayton ushers some crew below deck.
“Come on, Rosie!” he shouts.
I run toward him on the slick ground, struggling to maintain my footing as the ship pitches and rolls with the swell. The ship dives forward as we slide down a huge wave. I fall to my knees, suddenly nearly horizontal on the slick surface. I need to stop myself.
My first thought is to summon my thorns, but the ocean flooris too far away. Scrambling, I reach out and grasp the side railing, stopping me from slipping farther.
Dayton’s shouting, running toward me, but he’s barely audible over the cacophony of the storm. With a groan, the ship levels, and a huge wave pours over the deck, soaking me, but I keep my grip tight on the rail until I’m sure we’re no longer pitching down.
“I’m okay,” I gasp, standing, wiping the water from my eyes.
Dayton stops, a stupid, relieved look on his face. “Come on, Rosie,” he calls, before throwing his arm around an injured crew member. Quickly, I rush after them.
A crack sounds through the air. The top half of the mast snaps. I retreat and it barely misses me as it strikes the side of the ship, breaking apart the railing and tumbling into the churning ocean. My breath is ragged. If that hit me—
A rope swings in my vision, trailing after the mast. I don’t have time to move. It strikes me in the stomach, and I slam against the deck. Another icy wave pours over the side of the ship, engulfing me and dragging me closer and closer to the edge.No, no, no, no.
My fingernails cling uselessly to the slick surface, and I scream as I careen closer and closer to the broken railing. Magic. I have to use magic. The water turns to ice beneath my fingers, causing me to slide faster. “No!”
The ship tilts and I spin, missing the opening but slamming my head hard against the railing. Pain radiates through my skull. The world spins and dips, and it’s so cold. My body becomes limp as a ragdoll before all goes black.
CHAPTER 45
Dayton
“Everyone’s here?” I gasp, peering down the hall below deck. Wrenley is huddled with the rest of the crew.Good, good. “Rosie, get down.” No answer. I turn. Only pelting rain and wind. She was right behind me. “Rosie?”
I rush back up on deck. “Dayton, it’s not safe up there!” Wrenley yells after me. I ignore her.
There’s only one crew member left above deck, the first mate, Huxton. He’s tied himself to the wheel and has a wicked, crazy grin on his face.
“Huxton!” I yell, each step an effort. “Anyone else on deck?”
“Nay, captain!” he calls. “Just me and the storm!”
“Rosalina!” I scream, throwing myself into the wind and rain. These waves are like nothing I’ve ever seen: fifty feet high at least, pitching the ship up and down, crashing over the deck and rolling off the bridge. I don’t see any end to them. “I’d like to know what fucking sea deity I pissed off today.”
