Page 21 of To Touch A Silent Fury

“Not yet,” I said. “I need to say goodbye.”

Seth hadn’t come. I’d arrived at the docks shortly before the boat was due to leave, and it was customary for any friends to wave off the departing. But he wasn’t here.

“There’s nothing here but the island itself,” Thread Ersimmon said, unhelpfully. “Come, you’ll catch your death.”

“Death and marriage, my inescapable Fates,” I muttered, still staring at the pathway, hoping Seth would come running into view. He must have somehow forgotten, or overslept.

“There’ll be time enough for pitiful lamentation when we’reonthe boat. The Games are in ten days. We’re cutting it close to the bone as it is.”

“I care not.”

“You’d rather be Broken, then.”

“No,” I said, finally turning to him, my ire spilling out. “I know my Fate, and Iwillunlock my power. But there was nothing said about meeting the groom before he wins.”

Thread Ersimmon raised an eyebrow. “You’d prefer to stay on this island another week?”

He had me there, and he knew it. I didn’t want to be here even a second longer, and I’d made no secret of it. I could imagine the torment the boys would put me through if I remained another week. The jokes they’d make, the snide comments about my slim hopes of ever trapping a man.

I had to go, but I hadn’t seen Seth since before the announcement. What if I never saw him again? And then the thought occurred to me. Was he choosing to stay away? Maybe my Marriage Fate had changed his opinion of me.

I groaned. “Just a few moments longer, please.”

Men scurried around the boat, loading the last of the empty pallets onto it. All this week’s produce had long been carried away. A horn sounded, and once more Thread Ersimmon touched my shoulder.

Someone approached from behind me. The captain had already nudged us once, and I knew now my time for waiting was up.

“Who are you waiting for?”

That wasn’t the captain’s voice.

I whipped around, startling the Thread. “Seth?”

And there he was. Pale Seth, with his white hair falling in his eyes. He smiled down at me, cautiously, already standing on the boat. I crossed the gangplank in two strides and leapt at him,throwing my arms around his shoulders. He caught me with a muffled laugh.

“On my blood, Seth,” I said into his neck, so relieved I hadn’t missed him. Then I pulled away from him, and my feet touched back to the planks below. “Why are you on board?”

Someone rang a bell, and a sailor pulled the matted rope from around the post.

Seth paused, his face contorted. He was just as bundled up as I was, ready for the journey with gloves and a thick overcloak, and I couldn’t discern anything beyond what was written on his face. Thankfully, I had a lot of experience with his face. He was avoiding something.

The Thread cleared his throat, and I turned to look at him. “He was invited to attend the Games.”

I looked back at Seth in shock and delight. I couldn’t believe my luck. I wouldn't be alone? “That’s wonderful. Who invited you?”

He didn’t match my expression. Instead, he looked a little green. The boat hadn’t even moved from the dock yet. “The Dragon Prince, by proxy.”

“The Dragon Prince?” I echoed, offering him a hesitant smile. “Moving up in the world, are you?”

Again, the nausea on his face. “Not quite.”

I blinked, folding my arms. “I don’t understand.”

Seth glanced at Thread Ersimmon, and then back to me. “He’s my cousin.”

The ship lurched away from the dock and my balance slipped. Seth reached for my arm, but I moved away, stepping to the side and holding the wooden rail.

The wind rattled above me, but I felt breathless nonetheless. “What?”