Just when I began to think I had everything figured out, the Starsseemed to havesomething else planned for me.
I allowedall ofthose mixed emotions to simmer within me, knowing Byn would feel each one. Though, heseemed to be moreconcerned by what I was feeling than I was, as he started to rise from where he sat with his sisters without taking his eyes off me.
I shook my head and motioned for him to stay. I offered a soft smile instead—the ship was too large for him to hear me from where we were each situated—and hoped that conveyed enough of my thoughts to calm him.
I had somebody else to check in on, anyway.
I stood from the wood of the deck, brushing my black leather pants off as I did so.My sapphire blue top matched the ribbon that held back my thick mess of wavy white hair perfectly, though the sleeveless top had a mix of silver and gold accents stitched into it. To finish the outfit, I had donned my gloves as well as the circlet Byn had given me a couplemonthsback.I’dgrown much more comfortable wearing it recently, the weight a sort of protection to feel atop my head.
Caelia and Callum had headed to the farrailing,their heads dipped close together in what seemed like an intense conversation. Behind me, I could hear Rayven helping to train Laurence in some of the more advanced Southern fighting moves the spy knew. Theolder male, despite having been in the Northern army, had needed to brush up on his Southern battle skills. Plus, extra training would only do the males goodin order toblow off their pent-up steam.
Though I still didn’t see who I was looking for.
Heading below deck and into the belly of the ship, I headed for the corridors of small cabins.Passing bythe kitchen on the way, I said a quick hello toChess, who was currently dictatingtothe kitchen staff to help him stock up on elixirs and such.
Poking my head into each unclaimed cabin,I finally found hertucked away in the second to last room in the narrow hallway.
“Matea?” I called out softly once I finally found the space she was occupying.
A shuffling sound came from within before my sister responded, “Here, Aviva. Come in.”
Slipping inside, I shut the door behind me before gently perching next to Matea, who sat on the edge of the thin bed that occupiedthe majority ofthe slim space. She was peering out of the small circular window, looking up toward the sky.
“I should’ve known I couldn’t hide from you,” she said, though her gaze remained on the clouds above.
“Never,” I joked, gently nudging her with my shoulder. “What’s ailing you?”
“Is it that obvious?” Matea sighed.
“How do you think I found you? I could smell the sorrow wafting offyou from down the hall.”
At that, Matea barked out a surprised chuckle.
Weremainedlike that for a few quiet moments, listening as the waves hit the side of the ship, spraying up and wetting the window we were peering out of.I’dlearned that my sisterwasn’tthe type to be so easily forthcoming with her emotions, so Iremainedsilent, giving her the space and time she needed to express herself—if she so chose to.
After a few more waves hit the side of the ship, she finally revealed what was bothering her.
“You know, this is the closest I’ve ever been to where my father is from.”
Ah, I thought. I had been curious about how visiting the Isles would affect her, butshe’dinsisted on not leaving me to do this without her by my side.
“And how are you feeling about that?” I asked, treading lightly on the subject. Matea still held onto the hope that both her fatherandour mother were somehow still alive. And Ididn’thave any plans to take that faith from her.
“I’m not sure,” she sighed, sounding resigned. “I always dreamed of coming here with him.He’dshow me all his favorite spots, take me to where he used to live before he met Mother andrelocated forher. But hedidn’thave any family he left behind—at least that I know of—so is there even anything for me here?”
“Sometimes, those we care for live on through the things they loved,” I offered. “If you get a chance to sneak away whilewe’rehere, by all means, goexplore. Do what you need to do, Matty.”
She looked my way and narrowed her eyes slightly at the nickname, though sheremainedsilent for another moment before nodding.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Good.” I made to stand up, but before I could, Matty’s hand wrapped around my wrist to pause me.
“I have something for you,” shestated, releasing mein order toreach into her cloak.
I watched with eyes full of curiosity as she pulled out two stunning bejeweled brooches. They were identical, both depicting the beautiful tree of the Ashford family crest.
“Nan and Pops got them made for us,” she explained. “You’rea part of our family now, remember? They figured you should have something official to show for it.”
