Page 55 of The Shadowed Oracle (The Bonded Worlds #1)

Chapter Thirty

The path to the docks was lit only by flickering glass lamps.

Callinora, Tyla, and Ingrid walked in a single line down the pier, passing empty skiff boats, fishing vessels, and war-sails as they neared the disguised ship readying to take them out into the Jemii sea, up the gulf, and on to the Occi Isles.

The sound of the slow lapping against the bow felt loud in comparison to the deathly quiet around them.

Whispers rose to strangled grunts from the small crew, and Ingrid began to feel the gravity of it all setting in.

It was not unlike the sinking feeling she’d had when leaving home, and when leaving Earth, and when leaving the cabin in Peloria Forest.

The cycle seemed never-ending.

Tyla and Ingrid stood at the post holding the line of the ship, staring at a hooded Callinora in front of them. There were no tears, no hugs, but there was a heaviness hovering between the three females.

“Come with us,” Tyla said for the hundredth time. She had given many reasons for the princess to join them, and had now resorted to begging. “Please. You’re not safe here.”

Callinora only smiled crookedly. “I am a princess in wartime, my dear world-walker. I’m afraid nowhere is safe for me.” She didn’t need to mention all the other reasons to stay put. The risk was far greater in the Occi Isles than it was among Ballius and the other advisors.

“Are you sure?” Ingrid asked. “We could take you somewhere along the way?”

“Stop.” Callinora balked. “Not you too. Quit fussing. Besides, who else would take care of Alkaleese?”

Ingrid yielded in agreement. “That reminds me. Did I mention that she?—”

“Likes the soft bristle brushes?” Callinora interjected. “And those purple vegetables with the long stems? Which are called skerrit root, for the one-millionth time. Honestly, my lady, with how much you take from my kitchens, you should be able to remember that.”

Ingrid bowed slightly. “Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express my full gratitude to you all.

” Callinora dug inside the pocket of her long fur coat, revealing a small emerald green journal.

“But I thought this was a start. It was my mother’s.

Written inside are all the spells, concoctions, and potions she knew of.

I don’t have use for most, but who knows? ” She lingered on Ingrid. “You might.”

Ingrid was suddenly self-aware of the thin layer of disguise placed over her eyes, but Callinnora quickly disabused her of that notion.

“Or you and your brother,” the princess said to Tyla.

“And our valiant knight Dean, of course. Ealis might still deem one of you worthy of her gifts.” She overenunciated the last bit, mocking the snobbish accent of the pious high lords in her court.

Ingrid wanted to laugh. She wanted to smile and thank her for the gift she was now clutching to her ribs.

But just then, Raidinn, Dean, and one of Callinora’s soldiers had come to the front rail of the deck.

Ingrid caught Dean giving her a warm smile, communicating that the time had come. They were ready to sail off.

“Princess, you should return to the castle,” the soldier added.

“Before anyone notices your absence.” His name was Veston.

Of the soldiers coming with them to the Isles, he was the highest ranking.

Long, dark-red hair, piercing pale blue eyes, and boxy shoulders that he kept stiff and upright at all times.

“Sorry, general.” Tyla turned to him and nodded politely. “I’ve been keeping her.”

“I’ll be leaving in a moment,” Callinora said.

She took a step forward, looking like she might wrap the two females in an embrace.

Instead, she gave a ghost of a smile, her eyes welling.

The story she planned to tell to any inquisitors asking about the world-walkers’ departure would not include a heartfelt goodbye.

“Right, well, before we get too sentimental. Off you go. May the Mother hold you. May the Sea carry you. May the Sky smile upon you.”

They were old blessings. The same ones she’d likely recited to her husband a hundred times before he set off on a similar route. Callinora had missed him, Ingrid knew that, but the princess was only now showing the true extent of her loss, holding it in until the very last.

The sadness in her eyes was as bright as the stars now, her tears dropping soundlessly into the sea as the crew untied the line, and the captain gave his word, and the ship carrying her last hope began drifting into the dark night.