31. There is a Bright Side

"Icannot wait to tell Lukas what I witnessed today," Davyn whispers as we make our way down to the brig. Carlos is ahead of us, carrying on his conversation single-handedly.

"Are you sure he'll understand," I hiss, "what with his magic addling his brain and all?"

Davyn laughs under his breath. "I'm impressed you found a way to free Tiago."

"We can't leave him here."

"What will we do with him when we reach Shalada?"

"One thing at a time," I answer. "I haven't planned that far ahead yet."

A familiar, inhuman scream greets us when we're almost to the brig, and I wince.

"Don't be afraid, Miss Eldemyer," Carlos calls back. "I assure you, we have the monster contained."

The real monster appears to be walking just ahead of us, but I'm smart enough to keep that thought to myself.

"Carlos," I hear the mage say urgently before we round the corner and see her. "I'm glad you're here. We—" She stops herself when she sees her captain has company.

I'm wary of her and her truth enchantment. It's advanced magic, something I've never attempted. Thankfully, it takes a tremendous amount of energy, and the poor woman already looks spent.

"Go ahead, Albertina," Carlos says. "Captain Greybrow and Miss Eldemyer came to give me a formal apology for yesterday's incident."

"Tiago is gone."

"Gone?" Carlos exclaims, his expression turning murderous. "How is that possible?"

Albertina casts us a suspicious look. "That's what I'd like to know. He was here when I arrived. I only went in with the monster for a few minutes, trying to sedate it so it would stop making its horrible racket, and when I came out, his cell was empty."

Carlos turns to us sharply. "You don't know anything about this, do you?"

Davyn raises his hands. "We've been with you since we set foot on the ship."

"That's true." The captain's expression eases. "My apologies. I made a hasty judgment."

Davyn nods, uncomfortable.

At least we know what caught Felicity's attention now—the keys to Tiago's cell. The question is, where are they? And how is she going to sneak him onto the dinghy? It's one thing for her to slink around the ship. It's another to drag him along with her. He's not a small man, nor does he look particularly agile.

"I think it's best if you return to the Serpent now," Carlos says. "We have a prisoner to find."

Unsure how to stall any longer, we let the captain lead us back to the main deck.

"When will you be ready to set sail?" Carlos asks.

"We should be ready now," Davyn answers. "Lukas was preparing things when we left."

Carlos looks startled. "Is that safe? Putting him in charge?"

"He's having a good day," I assure him.

Davyn glances down at the dinghy bobbing in the water at the bottom of the rope ladder, his eyes on the canvas tarp. It's impossible to tell if Felicity's under it, but there's not much we can do about that now.

Davyn climbs down first, and I go after him. I can tell he wants to check under the tarp, but we don't dare.

I find my spot across from Davyn, holding onto the rope ladder to keep the small boat close to the side of the ship while he unties the knot securing us in place. And then we row away, nearly silent.

"Felicity?" Davyn says quietly when we're a dozen yards from the Sea Rose.

She doesn't answer.

"Felicity?" he repeats, his tone forceful and worried.

But again, his question is met with silence.

He rows with greater force, punctuating the movement with a curse. "Now what?"

"Look at the bright side," I say. "It's not the first time she's made the voyage between the Cursed Isles and Shalada while hiding like a ship rat."

Davyn meets my eyes, pressing his lips into a thin line—obviously not amused.

"You know it's true."

"They're looking for Tiago now. They'll tear apart that entire ship."

The odds are against her.

"It'll work out," I assure him, though my words lack conviction. "And when they discover the mage's tome is missing, they'll assume Tiago is the one who took it."

Davyn pauses, realizing I'm right. "If Felicity can stay hidden…"

"This could all work out in our favor."

He glances toward the open sea and the mist that gathers upon it. "As long as Brinhelga doesn't attack while we cross her territory."

"What is Brinny anyway?"

Davyn exhales, weary. "No one knows."

Seagulls cry overheadas we follow the Sea Rose, heading toward the southeast. The wind is at our backs, and it's not raining. I'd like to think that's a good sign for the return trip.

I stand at the back of the ship, watching the hazy Cursed Isles fade into the horizon.

We accomplished our mission, locating Katsacale's infamous treasure and the mage's tome, but I feel uneasy.

"You're worried about Felicity, aren't you?" Lukas says as he joins me. He leans against the rail, his eyes on the islands.

"I'm only worried about the journal. I don't believe it would be any great loss if Carlos were to find the thief and toss her overboard."

He gives me a look, knowing it's a partial lie. I suppose I am worried about Felicity, but only because Davyn is attached to her.

Whyhe's attached to her, I have no idea. But that's between them.

"You're going to have to forgive her eventually," Lukas says.

"I don't see why."

"I believe Davyn means to marry her. We're going to be one big happy family."

I grimace, the thought obnoxious. "Are you certain?"

He nods.

"I suppose I'll have to find another pirate to fall in love with," I say flippantly. "Seeing as how your family is tainted."

He chuckles, bumping his shoulder into mine. "If she apologizes, will you accept it?"

I stare at the sea as it churns behind us. "Do you think I should?"

I trust his judgment more than my own. He senses things I cannot, knows things I'll never know.

He doesn't answer right away, taking time to think about the question. "That's not a decision I can make for you. But I think Felicity genuinely regrets her part in your abduction. And I think you'll feel better if you forgive her."

"Be the bigger person and all that?"

"Yes, all that."

"Fine. I'll forgive her—for Davyn's sake."

"That's gracious of you, Sunshine." He chuckles as if pleased. "Davyn's mood is darker than yours. I should probably go pester him."

I smile. "Go on."

He brushes a kiss over my knuckles before he leaves the forecastle for the quarterdeck, leaving me to my thoughts.

A while later, Wilder joins me, leaning on the rail and breathing in deeply. "It's good to be away from the archipelago."

He looks better. The color has returned to his fair skin, and his eyes are bright again.

"How are you feeling?" I ask.

The mercenary turns his back on the rail, leaning against it as he surveys the ship. "Like I could fight a sea monster."

"That's fortuitous, seeing as how we might have to."

"So the rumors about the shells are true? Both were destroyed?"

"I'm afraid so."

"I wonder how big Brinhelga is?" he muses, his dark eyes crinkling with thought.

"I would like to know what she is."

"She's probably nothing but a myth, created by Corakisffan sailors to keep pirates out of their territory."

"You think so?"

"I think it's possible."

The mercenary goes still. "What is that? Do you hear it?"

"The faint screeching?"

"Yes."

"It's the mole troll the Sea Rose has taken hostage. He's gotten more vocal since we set sail. Albertina's sedation charm must have worn off again."

"It's ghastly."

"Just be glad you're not on their ship."

"For many reasons." He pushes away from the rail, looking edgy and bored. "I'm going to ask Bryan to make me some tea. Would you like to join me?"

"You go ahead."

He nods, wandering away.

I listen to the monster's screams, grimacing. Wilder's right—it's really quite horrifying. If they don't find a way to keep it quiet, I'm afraid it's going to lure something right to them.