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With a grunt, Oraik’s head appeared. Then his shoulders. None of the men offered to help him, perhaps assuming he wouldn’t need it. Oraik pulled himself over slowly. He landed on his knees, his back to the men, and slowly stood and turned.

“Welcome, your highness,” Ozeri said. She bowed, and then all the soldiers did as well.

“We were attacked by faeries not half an hour back,” I said. “Someone’s after Oraik.”

“Prince Oraik,” Ozeri corrected me. “Who in horns are you?” Evidently I hadn’t made a strong enough impression before.

“This is my friend Meda,” Oraik said, before I could answer. “Are you captain Ozeri?”

The captain gave him a measuring look, lip curling down. I expect if she enjoyed serving the Colynes king, she might find Oraik wanting.

The two sailors who’d gone down to help shimmied up so fast it seemed like they flew. Behind them came the rope ladder. Inch by inch my boat rose as a group of sailors turned the crank the lines were attached to.

“If you weren’t Galen’s bastard I’d skin you alive,” Ozeri said to Oraik.

“And yet, sadly for us all, I am. We’re headed to Erital?” He responded flatly, naming the Colynes capital.

“Fast as the witch-winds will carry us. And you can explain to your royal father why we are late.”

I feared that Ozeri hadn’t paid me any attention, that she didn’t realize what sort of threat we were up against. That she’d thought I was lying when I said faeries, or that I really meant to say witches.

“Pardon me,” I said, drawing myself up to my full height. “The village we were at was attacked. I’m sure you’ve heard from the Cachians that somebody is targeting members of the royal lines. Two faeries, not witches, faeries—”

“Enough,” Ozeri said, with a voice like iron. “I am aware of the situation, tiffa.” From her mouth the word was an insult. She looked at Oraik, who gulped. “You are not dressed according to your station.”

“Well, no,” Oraik admitted, tugging at the hem of Nikkos’ oversized shirt. “It’s a funny story, actually—”

“You and your consort—” Ozeri interrupted.

“I’m not a consort,” I protested. “I’m a witch.”

“—will go make yourselves decent.” The captain glared me into silence.

I waited for Oraik to snap back at her, but Oraik wasn’t Kalcedon, and apparently he was cowed. He nodded meekly and clasped his hands behind his back, eyes trained on the deck.

“This way,” Ozeri said. “The rest of you, get me back on course.” The sailors sprung into action.

Following Adaya Ozeri, Oraik and I descended into the belly of the ship.

Chapter 30

It was calmer below deck, out of the Etegen’s driving wind. Ozeri led us down a dimly lit wooden hallway, then pushed open the door to a study. It smelled like must and wood polish. Bolts secured a desk, chests, and cupboards to the floor. On the desk a map of the Protectorate was pinned in place. Just above it, through a porthole, I could see the ocean. The ship pointed north towards Montay, and we were on its right side, staring out at blue layered on blue.

“Wait here,” Ozeri said, and left the room. There was a click as the door shut.

“Kalcedon will be looking on the coast,” I realized out loud. We hadn’t stopped running since I’d woken up. Would he stop to scry if he didn’t find me fast enough? Was he already looking?

Feeling anxious and still only half-dressed, I dug my overskirt out of my bag and tied it tight around my waist as a hug.

“Friends of his?” Oraik asked. He looked a little ill. The prince gulped air and rested his hands on top of the desk.

“Those fairies? Of course not. Are you alright?”

“I don’t know,” he moaned.

“Are you sea-sick?”

“I’m just overwhelmed, maybe.”