I lifted my head as a breeze formed from the ship’s movement, fanning my face. “Yes, because sometimes the water doesn’t want to do what we are asking it to. It fights us. When we create a water spear or water sword or a wall, that’s easier to command. But creating something big or something that has a lot of moving parts might drain an elemental faster because of how much power it takes to control it.” I cocked my head. “And some elementals are better at controlling the sea or rivers while some are more skilled at creating water.”
Mia leaned her elbow on the railing, propping her chin in her hand. Her eyes crinkled in such a familiar way. Maybe if we became friends, I could ask if we’d met. “Are some elementals stronger than others? Royals or guards?”
I shook my head. “We’re all given equal power, though some of us train harder, are more adept at fighting with our magic or using it for different purposes.”
“And all the courts are like this?” Mia asked.
The ocean rolled under the boat, and the crew members darted glances at me, starting to catch on that I was the one doing this. For once, I got something other than glares sent my way. In fact, it seemed like some of them might actually be admiring me and my magic.
“Yes,” I said. “But our magic tends to be weaker in other courts, giving them advantage over us. If I were to visit the fire court, my water magic wouldn’t be as strong there. Whereas, if someone from the frost court came to Apolis, their magic would be weaker. It’s why most elementals tend to stay in their own court. Some travel for trade or other reasons, but in general, we like to stay in our home territory.”
Mia tapped her finger against her chin. “That makes sense,” she said. “Is that why you all avoid conflict? Compared to our lands, the elementals always seem to be at peace.”
I tipped my head. “That and the fact that we have peace treaties in place, trade agreements, alliances. Breaking any of those could mean severe consequences.”
She slowly shook her head. “Then why would you ever have fallen for Bastian?”
The question took me off guard, and my magic faltered, the ship lurching. I stumbled, quickly sticking out my hands and regaining my balance.
Mia’s face turned stony. “Surely you must’ve known the consequences of leaving your land behind. Leaving your people. Your magic weakened. Why would you tell him you’d give all that up? Unless you were just toying with him?”
My own anger flared at that accusation. “He’s the one who betrayed me.”
Her jaw locked, and she crossed her arms. Right then, a gust of wind blew past us.
“Wind!” someone yelled.
Mia straightened. “Thank you for your help, but I think we can take it from here.” She stalked away.
I rubbed my arm muscles, sore and weak after that use of magic. The crew got to work as the wind picked up further, clouds darkening above.
So much for getting on someone’s good side.
Chapter Seventeen
After three days at sea, I was growing tired of sitting around and watching the crew scurry about, doing their duties. I assumed Bastian had a talk with them because they’d finally left some food for us, but other than Bartholomew, most of them completely ignored our presence—other than to shoot glares our way. Just so we remembered how unwelcome we were.
Kara seemed to harbor the most hatred toward us. Toward me, specifically. Every chance she got, she’d sneer at me, shove me if I was in her way. I swore she’d even stuck out her leg and tripped me on purpose one time, though Leoni and Driscoll said they thought it was an accident.
I tugged at Bastian’s necklace that hung around my neck, looking around the ship, at crew members up on the mast, managing the helm, cleaning the lines and canvas, swabbing the deck. I yearned to know more about how it all worked, how they kept this ship operating so smoothly.
I watched Bartholomew as he sat on the opposite side, scribbling in that journal he always seemed to carry. If anyone would be willing to tell me more about how this ship functioned so I could participate in some of the tasks, it would be him.Driscoll and Leoni were belowdecks napping, so I took the opportunity to meander over to Bartholomew and plopped down next to him.
“Working on your newest song?” I asked, and he paused, setting down his journal.
“Yes.” He tapped a pen to his chin. “About a princess of the sea and the pirate who won her heart.”
“Then stomped all over it,” I muttered. “Don’t leave out that part.”
“Ah, well, every story has two sides.”
I crossed my arms. “But let me guess, you’re not going to tell me Bastian’s side?”
“Not my story to tell,” Bartholomew said.
“Right. You’re a bard who tells everyone’s stories except for the one person whose story I’d like to hear.”
The crew wouldn’t speak to me, but even if they would, I had a feeling they were under orders to not answer any questions about the shadow court or why they’d kidnapped our boys. Bastian remained tight lipped as ever and barely acknowledged me. It was like I had a disease he was afraid of catching, and whenever we happened to be in the same space, he’d brush past me without a word.
