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“Alright.” She crossed her arms. “Thirty gold pieces.”

“Thirty?” Layala balked before Thane could even open his lips. She’d never had even a single gold coin in her life. Only the wealthiest had access to that kind of precious metal. Most dealt in nickel coins, occasionally silver. Thirty gold coins could buy a whole house and a nice one at that, and even if Thane could afford it, it was almost robbery. “Five, at most.”

With a hand on her popped-out hip, she said, “I’m putting my life at risk. I’m not willing to potentially die unless the reward is worth it. Twenty-five gold coins and that’s my final offer.”

“Twenty,” Thane said.

“Done.”

Layala clenched her teeth hard. They could have negotiated down further. And the gall of that woman to suggest Thane would bed her as payment. Thane opened his saddle bag and Tif handed him a sack of jingling coins. She stuck her tongue out at Captain Fella and ducked back inside.

Thane opened the bag, plucked out several pieces, stuck them in his pocket then handed the small sack to the Captain. “Count it if you wish.”

“I certainly will.” She snatched it from Thane like he might try to take it back. She poured it out on the flat top of the stone wall. Layala folded her arms and leaned her shoulder against Phantom. Everyone silently watched her as she moved the coins from one pile to another. Horse tails swished, and the air felt a little tense. Phantom nickered loudly and stomped his front hoof against the plank of wood.

When she shoved the gold back into the pouch, she looked up. “What did you say your name was?”

“I didn’t say.” Thane’s voice held more edge to it this time. “Now take us to your ship.”

Chapter21

With the horses loaded in the holding area, and Tifapine secured below with them, Layala hopped onto the main deck. Captain Fella didn’t lie when she said she captained the biggest ship in town. It was at least seventy-five feet long and held the horses and their group easily.

A human woman tugged ropes loose from the dock and tossed them onto the ship where another waited to collect. Was this an all-woman crew? She’d seen six so far and not a single male apart from her own people. “All aboard!” Captain Fella shouted from behind a huge round steering wheel.

Layala leaned toward Thane. “Can we seriously trust this woman?”

“According to the sailors I spoke with a few minutes ago, she’s good, unhinged but good. None of them will go to the island and they said we’re insane for even asking. She’s our ride, like it or not.”

The ship rocked and bobbed as it moved away from the dock. A woman with black skin and gold circlet jewelry on her wrists and adorned around her neck, pulled on a rope and big white sails fell open with a pop, catching the wind.

Seagulls called and circled above. With the rumors of how dangerous this small voyage could be, Layala’s stomach was upset. She didn’t know if it was just nerves or the rocking motions. Maker above, she hoped she wasn’t the type to get seasick. It was the wind over this massive lake that created waves similar to a sea. The last thing she wanted to worry about was if she would be puking her guts up while trying to fight off potential dangers. What was out there anyway? No one said exactly what they might face. They actively avoided speaking about what lived in the water as if the gossip itself might draw them bad luck.

Layala rested her elbows on the wood railing, looking down at the splashing, white foamy water. Sprays of it moistened her skin and curled the fly-away pieces of hair around her face. The briny, algae scent was present but not overwhelming—if anything the air smelled fresh.

She glanced back at the others, gathered near the center of the ship. Some of them sat on barrels or crates in casual conversation. Leif held his arms wide in the telling of some dramatic tale. His wild orangish hair with braids and knots seriously needed combing. Layala even spotted a couple small sticks…and is that a caterpillar or a fuzzy leaf? “My nana used to tell stories about beautiful women who would lure and enchant naughty boys into the water with their songs,” Leif said. “Claimed she’d toss me to them if I acted a fool.” He gave Fennan a light shove. “Fennan will be the first one they grab.”

Thane was leaned up against one of the masts, arms crossed, and let out a deep-bellied laugh. A shiver tingled along her spine just hearing that sound, his laughter. Maker, he had no idea how beautiful he was.

“Hey,” Fennan chuckled. “I’m a good boy. Never touched a tit in my life. Don’t like to drink either.”

Layala rolled her eyes. From what she’d heard Fennan was quite the lady tamer.

Aunt Evalyn appeared next to her. She looked even less enthused about the topic of the boys’ conversation. “I worry for you.” Her voice was low, purposefully so the others wouldn’t hear.

“And I, for you. It’s dangerous for you to be with us, being hunted.”

“I feel you’ve already been caught in a trap, Laya, and you don’t even know it.” She tugged at the end of her sleeve. “It would be the perfect chess move, gaining your trust, your love, and then asking you to do the forbidden.”

“You don’t know him.” There wasn’t a shred of doubt in her mind.

“He’s charming, quite attractive, and has the charisma of one who’s played the game at court for a long time. I don’t blame you for not seeing it.”

Layala ground her teeth. The time she spent doubting and distrusting him had long passed. He showed her nothing but loyalty and almost died for her. “He’s been the most adamant against me bringing back the Black Mage, even more than I am myself. It will take time for you to see his true colors and not be blinded by hatred, trust me.”

“You need time away from him to get your head clear. You need to come home even if just to think. See your friends.”

“Look, I’ve been down this road. I attempted to kill him, and escape. It wasn’t as if I saw him and instantly fell in love. You need to trust me.”