Page 178 of By the Flames of Her Fury

“So, thank you,” I said, finally meeting his gaze. “To the Starke who saw past an angry girl in a bar and gave me a chance to do something better with my life. To get here.” Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Everett leaning against the mast. He gave me an encouraging nod.

I looked back at Starke. “To finally get back home.”

Starke’s lips curved up in a sad half-smile. “I’m glad you found what you were looking for.”

He tapped the rail, then put his hat back on, tipping it toward me one last time before turning on his heel. When he was out of earshot, I let out a long breath and slumped against the rail.

Everett took his place, instantly wrapping me in his arms. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I mumbled into his chest. “That was hard.”

He kissed my head. “I’m proud of you.”

I grunted. “Stop being so perfect.”

“Would you rather I toss you overboard?”

“Maybe,” I said. He instantly knelt and tackled me at the knees, throwing me over his shoulder. A squeal of laughter slipped free. “Wait! Don’t do it!”

I giggled as he swung around, his fingers gripping the backs of my thighs. I bounced against his back when he moved across the deck. Upside down, I saw the doors to the cabins below creeping forward, then he pushed them open with his foot.

He came to an abrupt halt, making me smack into his backside. “Sorry, we didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said. There was a smirk in his voice.

“What? What is it?” I scaled up his back until I could turn around and face forward. In the shadows behind the doorway lurked Kieran, his arms bracketing a very blushing Odessa against the wall.

“Oh,” I said, drawing out the word. I pinched my lips to keep from laughing. “Looks like this hallway’s taken, Swift.”

“I’ll say.” He chuckled and slowly backed away. Kieran rubbed his temples, red splotches creeping up his neck.

“Please, do not tell Tessa you saw this,” he rasped. “She will never let me hear the end of⁠—”

“Don’t tell Tessa what?” Tessa’s black braids popped into view beside Everett and me. “That you two have been sneaking around this ship like a couple of teenagers?”

Everett and I burst into laughter. Kieran hid his face in his hands, shaking it back and forth. Odessa put a comforting hand on his chest, and the gesture pinched my heart. They were good for each other. There was a softness, an innocence, in a way, to both of them.

Kieran murmured something in Odessa’s ear, and she nodded, then slipped under his arm and down the hall. Kieran straightened his collar and followed Tessa, Everett, and me back to the main deck to join our makeshift crew in readying the gangplank as the Saltmourne port grew nearer.

“I have asked her to come with me,” Kieran suddenly said. “To the Veridian Empire.”

Tessa choked. “You what? You just met the girl!”

“Not permanently. Merely to see how she fares there. With passage opening up between us and the Triad Realm, it wouldn’t be too difficult for her to go back home, or for me to spend time in her land, as well. We’re still working out the details.”

Everett clapped his shoulder. “I’m happy for you. Maybe now Tessa and Arowyn will have someone else to tease.”

“Don’t worry, Ev. We’d never forget about you,” Tessa crooned.

“At least I’ll have Vera on my side.” Everett pulled me into him and nuzzled his nose in the crook of my neck.

“You’re sweet,” I said, giving his cheek a quick peck, “but don’t think I’ll go easy on you.”

Tessa cackled and pulled me away. “You’re gonna fit in just fine, Vera.” Looping her arm through mine, we skipped ahead of the boys, and I tossed a wink over my shoulder at Everett.

He shook his head with an exasperated sigh, but I didn’t miss the spark of pride in his eyes.

The next couple of days passed in a whirlwind. We were relieved to hear that the Saltmourne High Council sent a rescue mission for the remaining members of our crew shortly after we went missing, and they all returned safe and sound. We helped Starke’s family and the former prisoners get settled in Saltmourne, worked out a deal with the harbormaster to charter one of his ships to take us home, and I packed up what little belongings I’d accumulated in my year here. Mostly clothes, broken weapons, and a box of trinkets from all the places Starke and I traveled.

Odessa and I visited our workspace at the harbormaster’s office, and I had to admit, it was bittersweet to leave the place. All those late nights spent by the candles, poring over dusty tomes, and recreating maps of the realm. My finger brushed over a stain on my desk, where Starke had snuck us a bottle of rum while on the job, and I’d knocked over my inkwell trying to catch it.