Xaydin had been right. She didn’t have to go home. There was nothing tying her there except a misplaced sense of obligation. She definitely owed her mother nothing.
Not even love.
But leaving behind everything wasn’t easy, either. There was a lot to be said for familiarity. Even when it was bad. Better the devil she knew than one who could be worse.
What if there were no devils at all?
That seemed impossible. No life or situation was ever perfect. She’d be trading one set of problems for another.
The only question was if they’d be better.
Or worse.
While better was the fluff of her dreams, the worse was what terrified her. As bad as her mother was, she knew there were even greater monsters out there.
I can’t let go.And that was her fault. She’d never have the courage to leave. Her mother would always anchor her to the hell that was her life.
Because at the end of the day, she knew that while Xaydin may care about her now, it wouldn’t last. She’d be on her own, and when that time came, she’d rather be on her own in her own kingdom than make an enemy of her mother who would banish her forever.
As wonderful as Xaydin appeared at present, he wasn’t worth everything she knew and what little she had.
Ronan pausedas he neared the Vaskalian border with Tenmaru. Even though he was disguised as a peregrine falcon, he knew better than to cross into their kingdom. While Tenmaruns were exceptionally polite and had rigid rules regarding hospitality, they hated shifters as much as other kingdoms.
Perhaps more.
And just because he was friends with the Tenmarun princes, it wouldn’t guarantee his safety if he were caught by certain oni or yokai who didn’t follow etiquette. Rather, they ripped the wings off creatures such as he.
So he glided away from the current that was carrying above the treetops, down toward the docks that were just south of Tenmaru.
Gaharah was a bustling Vaskalian port. From here, it was easy to catch a boat to Cosaria, Umara or Oath Island. Each was within two days’ reach from here.
Or for those with more courage, they could sail to any of the other kingdoms.
It was what made this port city one of the most important territories in all the kingdoms. News, supplies and goods from all over were brought to this port.
So it was here he’d ask after a certain mer prince who had an unorthodox relationship with a land-based creature.
He circled over the ships, then felt his heart lighten as he saw a familiar vessel. A small sloop flying Marauder colors.
What luck!
Ronan made straight for it.
For the most part, the boat was devoid of crew. So much so that he almost flew away.
But a flash of gold caught his eye.
Sitting with her back propped against the mast was the one he’d hoped to see when he spotted this vessel.
Dressed in brown leather and a black pirate hat, she was carefully peeling an apple with a knife far too large for the task.
Leave it to Mischief. She never did anything the easy way, hence her name.
Ronan flew to the deck and landed just a few inches from her booted foot.
She stared at him curiously, then shook her head. “Better be good news, Ronan. I’ve no use for you otherwise.”
Same old Mischief. And she was a woman of great beauty. Dark skin that she painted with a large gold star on her forehead. Gold lines ran down from her dark eyes. He’d never understood why she painted her face like that. She was exquisite without it. And maybe that was why. The paint added roughness to her delicate features so that others wouldn’t be numbed by her beauty.
