Page 16 of Under Restless Skies

At the restaurant, Laristella didn’t allow me to serve tables. The few times I tried, I was soon accosted by greedy, inappropriate stares, so I gladly returned to the kitchen.

I sit on the hammock and try to relax, rest, something, but my stomach growls, and I decide to check Alayel’s bag and get some of his bread.

It’s all I’ve eaten since last night, and all we’ll eat on the island, as anything else could smell too strongly and attract attention.

The bag is on his hammock, beside him. Actually, still over his shoulder. My fingers find the clasp. I ease it open, but the bag shifts away from my hands. In a second, Alayel sits up, a dagger pointed at my throat.

I step back and suck in a breath.

His eyes widen, and he relaxes his arm. “You scared me.”

That has to be a joke. “I did?”

He shrugs, looking so sweet and innocent, but not the least apologetic. “You were about to open my bag.”

“I wanted some bread.”

He gestures to the ladder. “The smugglers have food for us.”

The thought of going up and eating with those men is almost enough to fade my appetite. Almost. My stomach’s still growling.

Alayel and I go up to the cabin, where Felien gives us some rice and pickled fish. Everything tastes poorly seasoned, and eating while being leered at is nothing short of uncomfortable, but I tell myself I’ll need the strength. Alayel is friendly and entertains the boat owner, who boasts about dangerous trips across the ocean. I would be captivated—if the man wasn’t so nasty.

His talks make me think of my brother and his dream of becoming a sea merchant. Sometimes I wonder if it’s because he wants to visit the world, or if he’s looking for something—or someone—but it’s not my place to quash his dreams. He’ll have to join a merchant company as an apprentice in an unpaid position, but to do that, he’ll need the funds to cover his trip. If I enter the Sky Academy, or rather, when I enter it, I’ll save all my wages to make sure he goes on a prestigious ship, where he’ll learn what he needs to succeed.

It’s one reason why I’m here, and why I can’t fail.

After we eat, I stand at the edge with Alayel, watching as the boat moves fast over the ocean. We’re doing a long detour, as we sailed away from Dragon Island last night, and we’re now returning.

According to Alayel, boats can’t travel directly west to the riders’ lands. They have to sail out first before turning south toward Dragon Island. It’s why I couldn’t see any land in the morning.

But we’re getting closer and closer now. Closer to the enemy’s land. The idea that I’m about to steal some dragon eggs still feels like a feverish dream.

Hopefully it won’t turn into a nightmare.

4

Lightning flashes, and seconds later thunder cracks in the distance, a low rumble promising a rain that hasn’t reached us yet. The island rises on the horizon: our destination.

A pang twists my stomach as a dragon with blue and green scales circles its rocky hill, flapping its wings calmly, looking like a bird from this far out. A long way to swim.

I take a ragged breath, asking Vigorlu to give me strength.

Another flash, another distant crack of thunder. I force myself to breathe.

“Ready?” Alayel asks as he tightens a rope around my waist. That way, we’ll be together, and he can pull me if needed, which I’m hoping won’t happen.

I nod. My throat is so closed I’m not sure if I can make any sound.

He then turns to the smugglers. “Tomorrow.”

Felien raises a corner of his lips. “We’ll be here.”

The canteen holding my contract is latched to my belt. Alayel’s bag is bound tight against his body, carrying fresh water, bread, the dragoncurse bottle, and a net for the eggs. Everything in it will be soaked through, except the bread, which is sealed in waxed leather.

The rain still holds off, even as thunder rumbles again and thick, gray clouds smother the sky. The green dragon still flies around the hill, and my entire body feels rigid and odd.

And then Alayel’s descending a side ladder toward the turbulent ocean. I follow, my hands slick on the rungs as a wave crashes against the boat, spraying me with cold mist.