Page 30 of Death’s Kiss (The Order of the Tide Raiders #1)

M y crew, along with Vash’s, spends the next few weeks reading over anything and everything containing lunar phases. Not knowing exactly why we need to memorize them makes things difficult, but having the hint at all helps to quell the anxious thoughts pestering me at all hours.

The morning before the second pillar trial, we received an unexpected request to dine separately from the northern raiders later that evening. We’re to instead join the other captains and their superiors in one of the smaller chambers located beneath our stronghold.

The dress code is standard uniform attire, so I think little before changing into a fresh navy set, readjusting my hair around the golden pin, and strapping on my usual array of concealed blades.

I begin separating from the rest of my crew as they head for their own dinner, and I aim for the tunnels below.

Kleio grabs my hand before I leave, telling me earnestly, “I’ll wait up for you.

I think I might have found something in that last tome you brought in.

I can show you when you get back, and we can see if it’s anything. ”

I give her a rare soft smile in thanks.

Kleio has been practically killing herself these last few weeks.

She stays up late almost every night, pouring over books and scrolls with me. She has quizzed Vash and me on every single moon cycle and its tiny significance, both to the Tide Raiders and the landmasses. I honestly think she’s more prepared than either of us at this point.

I leave them at last and set off to wander the underground channels.

Tonight's dinner is hosted further down underground than I think I’ve ever been.

I journey deeper and deeper beneath the North Order until I'm finally greeted by the twinkle of candlelight and the soft hum of idle chatter. I didn’t recognize any of the last ten or so chambers I’ve passed, and I certainly don't recognize the one I enter now.

A grand mosaic covers every wall and even spans across the ceiling of the domed dining room.

The tiles merge together to create an unmistakable image of a wave wrapping around the entirety of the large cavern.

In inspection, I tilt my head up and discover little blue-tiled droplets falling from a collection of gray, shapeless clouds in the makeshift sky.

I come to recognize the scene at last.

'The Great Deluge' is what we raiders call it, but I've heard the landmasses have other titles, such as 'The Days of Many Waters'. It’s the event that changed our world a thousand years ago, almost to the day. It’s the reason behind the first sacrifice, ‘The Soteria Daughter,’ whom The Sons and Daughters still continue to worship fanatically.

Her sacrifice is said to be what stopped the great flood from wiping out the realm of Pontus.

Speaking of which, my attention flits to the long table filling most of the room; each one is bathed in blue silk cloth and dotted with candles. I glimpse the Hiereus who tasted my blood seated at the opposite end, and my stomach turns uneasily at the sight of his seaweed veil.

I'm made only more anxious upon finding our spots are assigned.

The four cardinal Grand Preceptors are already seated at the far end, chatting and drinking loudly.

They don’t pay any mind to us captains beginning to file in.

I drift along the table’s edge, hoping dearly that I’ve been placed as far from Hiereus Philistos as physically possible.

I'm relieved when finding my name written on a plate near the middle of the table, far from him and his necklace of sharp teeth.

That relief is short-lived.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” mutters a deep voice from above.

I look up to find Captain Agni frowning down in obvious irritation at his nameplace on the seat next to mine.

His scar is made more vivid in the light of the flickering candles.

It shines like real gold, giving his otherwise perfectly sculpted face an overt warning sign.

The sight of it up close is still so startling and brutal that I find myself blinking away in an effort not to stare.

Then, with an air of hostility not lost on me, the prick pulls out the chair on my left and slumps down into it.

I shift away, determined to ignore his presence as best I can for the remainder of the night.

I'm also determined to ignore the deeply buried sting that his outright revulsion towards me still impossibly inflicts. It’s really quite pathetic.

“I thought I was due for a spot of luck.”

Glancing up again, I find the owner of the pleasant, rolling timbre, as he slides easily into the chair on my right. Ansil, or rather Captain Tetsuo, gives me a half smile as I doubtfully meet his pale ashen eyes. His smile widens at my expression before he sweeps his gaze over me appreciatively.

Captain Tetsuo lowers his voice to ask, “There’s no rule against admiring the competition, is there?”

My eyes roll upward at his shameless attempt at flattery, but I can’t stop the small tugging from the corners of my lips when responding, “Not that I’m aware of, no.”

"Well, thank the drowned gods for that. Otherwise, sitting me beside you would be grounds for sabotage,” Captain Tetsuo responds with a roguish wink.

I take a sip of my water in an effort to tame the blush that’s beginning to warm my neck. I refuse to notice the way Captain Agni stiffens from my other side in outward disdain.

Risking another glance at my new dinner companion, I realize with no small amount of surprise that my crew was correct about their initial assessment of Ansil. He is a pretty boy.

I’ve only ever observed him from across a room or training field, but up close it’s more than obvious.

His length of dark hair has been swept back into its usual top knot, and a tight braid has been carefully woven against the right side of his head.

The potent angles of his face combine with the soft features of his nose and mouth, making him just as beautiful as he is handsome.

The rest of the captains find their seats, and I discover Vash has been placed on the opposite side of the table from me. He appears less than thrilled to be sitting between Corvina and Dhara.

Captain Tetsuo and I start up a surprisingly enjoyable conversation about how he’s finding the North Order. We chat away effortlessly about the first pillar trial and how impressed he was by our leeches' handiwork in repairing his leg.

Once everyone has been accounted for, Raider Dornon stands between Grand Regent Beldham and the western Grand Preceptor Ator.

His face is flushed from drinking, and he taps on his glass a bit too hard when calling our attention.

“Captain’s, I’d like to thank you all for joining us on the eve before your second pillar trial. ”

As if we had a choice.

“I think you’ll all find this next challenge particularly unusual. It has been carefully crafted with the intent of testing you on the second portion of your education received within The Order, alliances and weaknesses.”

I meet Vash’s stare across the table, and we share a subtle look of understanding .

Our officiant sweeps his bright-eyed gaze over each of us in eager anticipation before raising his glass in toast. “As before, I wish you each the best of luck. To Nawai and back.”

Our echoing voices fill the mosaic cavern.

I find the sound of it almost eerie.

After the first course is laid out and everyone has eased back into their conversations, Captain Tetsuo leans closer to me and asks with a conspiratorial whisper, “So, did you stab him with your fork or something?”

My eyes widen in confusion, and he nods over to Captain Agni, who’s shifted so far away from me that he’s practically on Brisa’s lap.

I barely refrain from grinding my teeth in annoyance and instead give my best attempt at a casual laugh.

“Him? No, I think my presence alone is more than enough torment for poor little Agni.”

A muscle in the southern captain’s jaw feathers, and I swear the grip on his knife tightens, but Olsson gives no further indication that he’s heard me. He continues to talk to Corvina, who is sitting across from him, as if I haven't spoken at all.

Captain Tetsuo’s dark brows rise, and his gray eyes glimmer with amusement. "Well, I certainly don’t find your presence tormenting. I actually have a question for you. Is it true that you northern raiders like to use glaciers in the colder months to balance on in the ocean?”

The interest in his face is so sincere, while his eyes twinkle with excitement, that I can't help but laugh a bit at his description as our empty plates are cleared and the next course is served. I'm surprised to discover we’re being treated to an especially sweet wine.

“You mean ice surfing?” I ask, and he nods eagerly.

I laugh again before clarifying, "Well, they aren't glaciers, not really. We are in the north, but not far enough north for all that. In the deep winter months, tiny chips of real glaciers will sail down past our isle, and we’ll use them to ride the curves of the waves all the way up to the shoreline. It’s—fun.

” I catch myself smiling and take an ambitious gulp of wine in an effort to stop.

“I’d wager that you are particularly good at that activity,” Captain Tetsuo says, his eyes flashing from over his wine glass before taking a drink himself.

I suppress my grin when admitting, “Current reigning champion.”

The western captain rests a hand against his chest in mock surprise. “I had no idea I was dining with such a renowned master! I should have brought something for you to sign.”

Rolling my eyes, I can’t help but laugh again at his ridiculous display. On my left, Captain Agni downs the entirety of his wine in one swift drink before laughing in response to a comment from Corvina that I didn’t catch.

"Oh, she’s a cheat,” Vash chimes in from across the table, having obviously overheard our conversation.

“You’re just upset to be runner up for three years and counting,” I toss right back.

He chuckles with a shrug of admission, and I flash a small smile in return.

Vash and I have both made an effort to be more cordial since that evening on the nets.

Our history isn't settled by any means, but if we’re going to rely on one another in this next trial, then we can’t afford to be at each other’s throats.

“I’d like to see it sometime, this ice-surfing,” Captain Tetsuo comments, drawing my attention back to him and his charming smile. The candles glow brighter and taller as I shift an inch closer to the western captain while the next course is brought in and laid out.

“I’ll show you one night, if you’d like,” I offer tentatively, taking another sip of the wine.

His charming smile broadens, and I’m surprised once more by his obvious beauty. "I'd really like that, Captain Boreas. Maybe I could teach you how to play rogue's gambit in return.”

“What’s that?” I inquire, immediately intrigued by the idea .

“It’s a dice game and loads of fun. We play it whenever we’re battened down until the storm makes its way through. I think you’d really enjoy it.” His voice is low, and his eyes are playful.

“I do love a game. I'll hold you to it,” I promise, and the room feels a bit warmer.

“Please do,” he encourages with a look that makes a forgotten feeling in my core begin to stir.

I’m about to ask him more about the West Order, very aware of how we’ve begun to inch incrementally closer to one another in interest, when I hear the sound of glass shattering and feel the spray of liquid hitting the side of my face.

Blinking in shock, I slide my gaze over to find Captain Agni’s chalice shattered into fragments on the table before him.

The wine managed to miss him entirely, spraying me and my plate instead.

“My gods, ” I snap angrily, grabbing the newly soaked napkin that saved my uniform beneath.

"Don’t be so dramatic,” Agni snaps back peevishly with a wave of his bloody hand.

They’re the first words he’s actually spoken to me this entire evening.

“ Dramatic ?” I hiss, using the edge of the now purple cloth to try and blot the wine from my hair. Something in my gut turns unpleasantly as I counter furiously, “You just smashed a cup full of wine all over me!”

The southern prick rolls his amber eyes at the mosaic tiles above, as if he finds my argument tiresome. “It was an accident,” he replies dryly. “Besides, you were barely even hit.”

I twist fully in my seat to give him a glare while trying to get the red liquid out of my white locks.

“You got it in my hair and ruined my food!” My voice rises an octave, and I ignore the other captains watching our interaction.

The Grand Preceptors and Regents, along with Hiereus Philistos, are too locked in their own spirited conversations at the far end of the table to even notice .

"Oh, please ,” Agni drawls, glancing pointedly at my barely touched plate. “As if you were actually eating. That mouth of yours was far too busy yapping to bother picking up a fork.” He scoffs.

My head feels fuzzy with the rise of my temper.

I curl a lip up high in anger. “Well I didn’t realize you were paying such close attention. I didn’t think someone such as yourself would ever deign to eavesdrop on a squid .”

His gaze flashes with irritation, and his voice drops to a low, ominous rumble. “I’d hardly call it eavesdropping. Your pitiful attempt at flirting was loud enough for anyone with ears to note.”

Blood heats my cheeks, and the fogginess in my head worsens. “I’m sorry that having a civil conversation with anyone outside of your own cardinal is so unfathomable to you, but not all of us have such a hard time comprehending what it is to be pleasant .”

Agni’s face pales with displeasure. From the way his mouth begins to twist, I know his next words will further prove my point. But before he gets the chance, something strange happens.

The pressure that's been building up and up inside my skull starts expanding into my vision.

Terribly familiar black spots begin dancing along the edges of my vision.

I suck in a breath of confusion as pain creeps into the base of my neck.

My mind works with aggravating slowness to put together the pieces. Too slow for me to turn to Vash to warn him. Too slow for me to even shift back properly in my chair. I’m barely able to breathe out two words before the world tilts on its side.

“ The wine .”

With a merciless yank, the drugged liquor drags me under its dark velvet blanket.

The last thing I see is a wide pair of bewildered amber eyes before I fall utterly unconscious into Captain Agni’s unsuspecting lap.