I didn’t either, but if I knew anything, it was that secrets didn’t stay buried forever, and I had a feeling I was getting closer to unearthing whatever Bastian was hiding.
Chapter Thirty
We arrived at the earth court a few uneventful days later. I barely saw Bastian as he hid away in his cabin, and I kept myself busy by continuing to help the crew with their tasks, learning more about what it took to keep a pirate ship running.
Elwen spread out before us, a thick forest sprouting along the coastline, the trees tall and filled with dark green leaves. The air had gotten cooler as we’d traveled farther south, and I rubbed my arms against the chill of the wind.
Guards were stationed at the docks, their armor shining green with the earth court emblem: a tree carved into their chest plates. I hadn’t seen Elwen when it had been in ruin, but Liliath had worked so hard to rebuild her court in such a short amount of time. Some of the trees were still barren, blackened with no leaves on them, but for the most part, this was the Elwen I remembered visiting so many times growing up. I hadn’t expected it to be so... normal after the extensive damage that had been done. From the coast, it would be a few hours’ ride to Liliath’s castle, and my stomach flipped at the thought of askingLiliath for the pixie dust. Yes, she’d stolen it from me. Well, her husband had. But now I’d have to ask for it back, and that meant I’d need a good reason. One that she’d hopefully understand.
Bastian had insisted on taking down his flag, which was far too noticeable.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Leoni said as she came to a stand next to me.
“You and me both,” I replied.
She’d been distant, too, barely speaking to me over the last few days.
“So remember,” Driscoll said, approaching us, “if Liliath asks, I got kidnapped along with both of you by the pirates. No choice but to come along.”
Leoni smoothed out her tunic as the ship slowly approached the docks. “Why would they kidnap you?”
“For my good looks and charms, obviously. And because I’m great company. Unlike some of us, shorty.”
Unlike Leoni, Driscoll had been chattering nonstop since that attack by the seafolk.
“Why don’t you want Queen Liliath to know the truth?” Leoni asked. “You’re a grown man, Driscoll, and she’s not your mother.”
He scratched his jaw. “No, she’s just my best friend and my queen, and it might hurt her feelings to know I chose to come with you all rather than return to Elwen and be her ambassador.”
The docks came closer, busy with many ships arriving for the wedding from all over. I spotted the king and queen of the sky court swooping through the air, their white-feathered wings spanning wide and looking glorious with the sun splitting through them.
They had no heirs, and no one knew who would succeed them when they passed on. Traditionally, heirs always assumedthe throne in the courts. It was up to each court when an heir could ascend, whether it was at a certain age or when the current ruler died. Either way, none of the courts had ever been faced with a situation where there was no heir to take over.
Just another issue the courts would have to address at some point.
I clapped Driscoll on the shoulder. “Why don’t you just tell Liliath the truth? Tell her that you want to do this for yourself, that you want to be more than just an ambassador.”
He scoffed. “Just tell her the truth? Just be honest? Just come out and say what’s been bothering me?” He made a face. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
I turned my gaze back to the docks as we approached. The guards stuck out their hands, vines shooting from them that slithered toward our ship and pulled us in perfect line to exit onto the dock.
“Who goes there?” a guard shouted from down below.
I cleared my throat. “Princess Gabrielle Aster of the water court.” I gestured to Leoni. “I’ll be bringing my guard along with me.”
“Guards,” said a deep voice from behind, and I swore, cutting a look at Bastian as he smiled broadly. He raised two fingers in the air. “As in two.” He gestured between himself and Leoni. “Both of us will be guarding Her Majesty.”
The guard’s brows furrowed as he looked from me to Bastian in confusion. I’d told Bastian that it would be risky if he came along, and he should stay back on the ship and let me handle this. I thought we’d been in agreement, especially after Kara and Mia chimed in, both on my side.
I sighed heavily. “Two guards,” I said, and Leoni’s head snapped in my direction, her gaze ablaze with fury.
Driscoll raised his finger. “And the ambassador to the earth court. You might know me? Driscoll Bayliss.”
The guard gave him a blank stare. “Yeah, whatever.” He tipped his head toward me, his tone softening. “Welcome to Elwen, Your Majesty.”
Leoni, Bastian, Driscoll, and I exited the ship and were greeted by a woman who led us from the dock, across the beach, and toward a long line of horses. Other guests were mounting their horses, while members of the sky court flew above us and over the treetops.
“These two are yours,” the woman said, pointing at a black horse and a brown one. She handed us a piece of paper. “And here’s a map, though the horses are trained and know the way. It’s a very straightforward journey.”
