Page 79 of Blackheart

The woman snuggled into the bladebreather’s side, petting his mane. “Bad days always end, as will his,” she said.

The storm raged on for weeks to follow. I spent most of my time spewing up lunch, having tea with Trista, playing cards with Beck and his friends, or lying in bed watching the bladebreather soar. Its rider kept to the sky, rarely ever on deck.

I thought we would never make it to Castivian.

Then the morning came when I didn’t wake up needing the chamber pot. Instead, I woke to the sound of?—

“LAND!”

Part 3

Chapter 25

Eiden

“Tell me, are you well, brother?”

—Correspondence from Lord Xavian Steele to Lyonsreach

The port citytwinkled under the first light of dawn, deep blues and purples filling the skies.

I had expected the Castivian capital to be grim, but I was wrong. Eiden was a mural of a city, even from a distance. A vibrant array of jewel toned buildings with black roofs hugged the coast behind a harbor filled with little boats with glowing bulbs attached to their sails.

Salty winds kissed my face as I braced my hands on the ledge of the ship.

Somewhere out there, my brother was waiting for me.

Was I ready to meet him? I wanted to, yes, but what could we possibly have to say to each other? Where would I live? What jobs did Castivian have to offer a Blackheart? Did it matter anymore that I was a Blackheart?

“Are you ready?” Riven asked.

The rising sun smeared orange across the water. Soon, the capital city of Eiden would wake to our arrival.

There had always been Dark Natured people in Castivian, ones that never knew the Waywards. Were the people here skilled with their Nature? What did it look like if someone was well practiced with their Dark Nature? Was it dangerous here?

Was I ready?

“I hope so.” It was the most honest answer I could give.

Riven leaned on the ledge next to me.

“Areyouready?” I asked.

Riven looked out into the distance. “I know I’m ready to get off this ship.”

I grinned, but he didn’t. He looked almost disappointed.

As we docked, the masses crowded the bridge for departure. I couldn’t blame them for being eager, though I’d likely be bruised from the relentless crashing of shoulders.

Riven led the way, shielding me from those who were aggressively desperate to get off first.

At the dock, he went to retrieve Kostini. The animals were last to disembark.

I stood alone with all of my belongings packed away in a bag at my feet, save for the clothes on my body, Singer, and the orb.

Ship bells tolled as waves lapped against the posts below. All sorts of people made their departures and arrivals. They hauled luggage and dreams past fishermen who were out with their nets and buckets, casting lines, while traders unloaded their goods along the docks.

None of the ships in the bay bore the Drakington falcon or the Lestivian swan. Who was Castivian trading with? I had never learned what was beyond the neighboring kingdoms.