The first Fate adds, “Sealing your ascent to the throne.”
They speak in riddles and rhymes that I don’t understand. I try to speak, but can’t. I have so many questions. Nothing they say makes sense.
A thunderous crack sounds above us, followed by a burst of light. Fuck. A glowing angel appears.
“Wake up, Azrael.” The Fates hiss in unison. “Be gone.”
My eyes fly open. I’m panting, body aching. I jump out of bed, but nothing happens. I’m all alone, no longer in the dream realm. It all felt so real. I shudder, not ready to relive the dream just yet. I can still hear the echo of the Ringmaster’s words about love. Could he be right? Does love—or even the thought of it—exist in our world? Or were my dreams a reminder to follow my heart?
Chapter 13
Mercy
Warm rays of sunshine beam down on us as we exchange a week’s worth of secrets we’ve each been hanging on to. Miriam scoops a handful of salty seawater and dribbles it over her arms to cool off. I do the same, relishing in the sensation of each drop carving its own path. I repeat the process, seeking relief from the relentless sun.
“I can’t believe how hot it is already,” Miriam complains. “It’s going to be a miserable season. We barely even had spring.”
I sigh. “You’re right. It went right from rainy to miserable, but at least we have a great view.” I point at the shirtless men unloading the ships.
The docks are bustling and busy, which makes for good people-watching today. The muscular workers move swiftly, unloading large boats filled with spices and luxurious fabrics. Each man has a purpose and a job to do. They move as one, and it’smesmerizing to watch—their tan, tattooed bodies, hardened and rippling in the sunshine from years of service on the trade routes. Many of them have been working on the boats from the time they were sixteen, the same as Tavien.
Miriam cracks a smile. “You’ve always enjoyed that particular view?”
I roll my eyes. “Are you complaining?”
“Who, me?” she quips. “Never.”
I snicker. “Where were we?”
Miriam pretends to think. “You were just about to tell me something interesting.”
I laugh. “Oh, was I? I think you’ve got some confessions of your own to make.”
Waiting for my cousin’s response, and feeling relaxed, I let the tide lap over my skin, grounding my body as one with the sea. If I stayed long enough, I wonder if it would claim me. We’ve waded in up to our knees with our dresses gathered in our hands to keep from soaking them. Our skin glows—healthy and sun-kissed already. Hers from working in the markets. Mine from tending the garden and small orchard of fruit trees—gifts from my uncle, the wealthy merchant trying to care for my mother through it all. Not just out of duty to his only living family, but because he truly cherishes her. The same way I do. I hardly know the man, but this alone makes me feel close to him.
When she doesn’t answer after a few minutes of silence, I casually ask, “Is he on this run?” I’m hoping for an update on her secret courtship.
Miriam lights up at the mention of her secret lover. “Kaelric left on yesterday’s boat and won’t be back for a while. They’re sailing east.”
I arch a brow in surprise. “And you weren’t going to tell me if the two of you finally—you know?”
She blushes. “I’ve been carefully taking the supplement since my first blood. But Kaelric says he won’t touch me until we’re properly engaged.”
“Isn’t the eastern trade route dangerous? He didn’t want to—not even before he left?”
Miriam bites her bottom lip, and I instantly feel bad. I didn’t mean to make her worry.
“It’s mostly just sea beasts and sirens, according to him. He’s grown up along the eastern trade route, so I guess it doesn’t really bother him.”
I nod, relieved it’s not as dangerous as I’ve heard. “That’s good. But if you two get married, would you ever consider going with him?”
“Absolutely not. I’d stay here. I wouldn’t feel comfortable staying in his home or with his family. His father is a Lord. Mine’s a merchant. I wouldn’t want to embarrass myself,” she confesses.
I always forget Kaelric’s family owns an armada of ships. His father is a very wealthy Lord in a far-off land. This trade route is his to run—a gift from his father on his twenty-second birthday. Each of his four children divides the routes between their fleets to continue the family business. Kaelric is the youngest of the brothers, and even though he’s not in line for a title, their union will benefit my uncle greatly—which makes it hard to understand why Kaelric is afraid to ask for Miriam’s hand.
She interrupts my thoughts. “What about you, Mercy?” she asks. “Would you run away to the circus? Would you leave all this behind?”
My mouth drops open in surprise, and she giggles uncontrollably, laughing until tears fill her eyes. It earns us a puzzled look from Tavien. She waves, and he goes back to skipping rocks.
