Page 28 of Tides of Shadows

Of course.

His diamonds and white hair glimmered in the moonlight. His hands gripped her hips, guiding the pace.

For a heartbeat I saw his eyes flare silver. Or perhaps I imagined it, it lasted no longer than a breath. But it made me freeze mid-step, and his eyes caught mine.

We looked at each other in that awkward moment. He then hid his face behind the girl. I snorted under my breath and walked on, faster than before.

They lived in their own promiscuous world, and he was just a part of it.

Nothing more.

Chapter

9

Ispent the next few days among the merchants, knocking from door to door. One ship had already sailed. It was time to win others. It was time to secure more contracts to prove to my father and to the rest that the Veymaris Family still mattered. Everywhere I turned I heard the same replies.

“We have ships already, contracts signed for ten years hence.”

“You are too expensive.”

“Why take your fleet, when cheap crews wait in line?”

Each word felt like a nail driven into my foot. I sat now in the dank office of one freight agency by the quay. The reek of stale salt, rotting planks, and sour beer hung in the air. Light slanted through a filthy window as if it, too, wished to leave the place.

Across the table sat the owner, a loathsome fat man whose cheeks sweated with every ordinary breath. His eyes glittered like a rat’s as they roved over me from head to heel.

“I am afraid the times have changed, little one,” he drawled, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief that had not seen water in many weeks. “Veymaris ships do not mean what they once did. We have full contracts and plenty of cheap crews from the Eastern Port…” He leaned forward until his belly nearly rolled over the table. “Yet I would be glad to take care of a Lady of Family. You look as if you would benefit from a proper man.”

He licked his lips. Blood boiled in my veins.

“We are finished,” I said coldly, and rose. The chair scraped as I pushed it back.

He rose too, plainly to bar my way. One more step and his sweating hand would have found my shoulder.

Brenn moved faster than lightning. A long dagger flashed in the gloom, and the blade found resistance at the merchant’s groin.

“One more move,” my guard snarled, “and you will be no man.”

The merchant froze, his eyes widening with panic. He tried to hide fear with an insult.

“What manners are these?” he shouted “I did not know Veymaris maidens carried such a stick up their ass. Good luck finding trade. No one cares for you anymore!”

I turned without a word and left, feeling the filth of that place cling to my skin. Kael and Brenn followed me.

Outside, the port air hit my face. Thick with pitch, fish, and brine, yet somehow cleaner than that room’s stench.

“I will walk the harbor alone,” I said sharply before they could protest. “I must think. Return to the palace without me.”

Brenn knit his brow, “Are you sure?”

I gave a crooked smile though there was nothing to laugh about.

“Yes. You both know well that the most dangerous person in the port is me.”

Brenn hesitated, then nodded. “Send a word when you return.”

I walked the docks with steps that grew heavier. I was tired of politics. Tired of fruitless parley that ended in mockery and rejection. Tired of being a pawn in a game I did not wish to play. Had it not been for Alaric’s sickness, he would have handled these affairs. He possessed patience, a cool mind, and the knack for enduring foolish talk that made my skin crawl. Now the burden had fallen upon me. I wanted instead the sound of waves in my hair and salt upon my cheek. Anger boiled inside me, a kettle left to seethe. Usually I kept myself in check. Now I felt the power slip at the edges of my control.