Breakwater Read online

  She glanced over her shoulder as I tied off the silk. I’d wrapped her from just above her chest to just above her knee. Scrounging in the closet I found a second cut of sheer material, a pale blue dotted with seed pearls.

  “Lark, that means he’s afraid of me,” she breathed. “It gives us power.”

  I wasn’t so sure. “Maybe. But he’s wary of me because I killed Mako.”

  A slow smile slid across her face and for a moment she looked so like her mother that I stopped moving. “We have more power than you realize, Lark.”

  “I don’t give two worm shits about power. We just need to survive as long as it takes to get us the hell out of here. I think we can both agree that if Father is to back anyone, it should be Requiem’s sister, Finley.”

  I took the seed pearl material, tied a swath of it over her breasts which finally gave her decent coverage, then wrapped it in a slow loop down her body, tying it off at the bottom.

  “You missed your calling, Lark. You could have been a fabulous dressmaker.”

  I snorted. “I’ll keep it in mind if this job doesn’t pan out.”

  She giggled and then stopped. “You look terrible. We need to clean you up too.”

  There was no denying she was right. I was covered in blood, bits of Mako’s gills hung from my hair and my leather was crusted with dried salt.

  “No. Let them see me like this. Covered in their champion’s blood. Requiem . . . I don’t think he’s afraid of us, Bella. Not for an instant. He is not a stupid man.”

  “He should be afraid of us,” she said, her haughty tone telling me her arrogance was back full force. Which in that instance was a very good thing, seeing as we needed to face him down at dinner.

  I helped arrange her hair so it hung in long loose curls around her face. The length spooling down her back helped to give a bit more skin coverage. The only jewelry we had left between us was Griffin’s gift to me. The tooth corded on leather that kept me safe from the lung burrowers. The tooth of a griffin was a powerful talisman.

  I slipped it off my neck and over hers. “Here, put this on. A reminder to them that while you may wear their pearls, you are a child of the earth. A child of the beasts and a power to be reckoned with.”

  Her back straightened and she covered my hand with hers. “Thank you.”

  A knock came at the door and we turned. I stepped back, allowing Belladonna to take the lead.

  “Enter,” she called out, sounding every inch the princess she was. Barefoot and wearing material meant to demean her, she swayed forward as the door opened. A tall gangly boy who couldn’t have been out of his teen years, and looked to be a younger version of Dolph, goggled at her.

  “Spit it out, boy.” She snapped her fingers and I fought not to smile. Maybe Father was right to have sent her after all. Then I remembered he might be trying to bump us both off. I had no way of telling Ash how poor things were going.

  “The dinner is ready.” He gave her a bow, which also gave him a chance to check out her bare legs. I reached out and put a hand on Bella’s shoulder.

  “We need to send a message to your father.”

  She frowned at me. “Boy, how do we do that?”

  He swallowed hard. “You could send a seabird. Would you like me to get you one?”

  “Yes, immediately.” Belladonna snapped her fingers at him a second time.

  He backed out, closing the doors behind him.

  “That was good thinking, Lark.”

  The boy, Urchin by his stuttering introduction the second time around, didn’t take long. He thrust a piece of paper at us, a seagull tucked under his wing. “He’ll take the message right to the Rim.”

  Belladonna took a piece of paper and I all but snatched it from her. “I need something to write with.” She frowned at me, but blessedly didn’t argue.

  We searched the room; there wasn’t a single pencil or quill. I should get into the habit of always carrying a bag with the bare necessities. Parchment, a quill, small things that could be useful even if my weapons were taken away.

  “Here,” Belladonna handed me a hunk of kohl we’d used around her eyes that was smooth on one end. “This should work.”

  I took it and smoothed the paper against the wall. There had to be a way to say things were going wrong. That we were in trouble. The message would go through Ash first; at least, that was what I was counting on. If Father truly was against us, he would ignore the message, but Ash said he would come for us. And I was banking on that. No matter how badly I wanted to prove myself capable of taking care of Belladonna and this assignment, we were in over our heads.

  Our boat is sideways and taking on water.

  The words were thick and dark, the lines scratched in with more than a little aggression. I folded the paper and slipped it into the carrier on the seagull’s leg. The gull gave a squawk as I took it from Urchin and strode to our balcony. Flinging the windows open, I tossed the gull high into the air. It flapped its wings, settled into the air currents and flew to the west. At least it was going the right way.

  Belladonna raised one eyebrow at me. I stared at her, keeping my face carefully blank. “Princess, I do believe they are waiting for you.”

  A tip of her head at me, she clapped her hands together sharply. “Boy, we’re ready.”

  The doors creaked open and the boy stuck his head in, color rising in his cheeks. “I said my name is Urchin, and I am an Ender in training.”

  “Fine, fine.” Belladonna waved a hand at him. “Take us to dinner, I’m starving.”

  Another awkward bow from Urchin as a glower shimmered over his face, and then he led the way through the long halls. They stretched in seemingly endless lengths, the ceilings so far above our heads I could barely make them out.

  The palace was built with soft pastels, pinks, blues, creamy whites, and yellows. Like a dream, gauzy and surreal. I drew in a deep breath through my mouth, tasting salt and the night air cool against my tongue. Tiny orbs of water filled with weird fish that glowed were strung along the pathways, seemingly flickering in the ocean breeze. Their light dimmed suddenly with a particular hard snap of wind; an impossibility, yet there it was. Shadows and light danced across our path and the fish globes struggled to stay lit, and I knew the moment for what it was.

  An omen of things to come.

  Urchin cleared his throat, his long fingers tapping against his thighs. He stopped at a large doorway, stepping in front of us. “My father wanted me to give you this. But asked that you burn it after you read it.”

  Belladonna took the note, read it, and handed it to me. “Does it mean anything to you?”

  I skimmed the note, frowning as I read.

  Let nothing pass the gates to your home, for you will not see the dawn if you do.

  Lifting the note, I held it to one of the candles. The paper caught quickly and burned down to my fingers. I flipped the remaining ashes to the ground. “No, but that doesn’t mean we won’t understand it when the time comes.” At least that was what I was hoping.

  Urchin nodded, pushed the doors open. Made of sandstone and engraved with scenes of battle, I only caught a glimpse of the images—tentacles reaching from the depths of the ocean—before my eyes were drawn forward.

  Though the room was fairly well decorated, my eyes could only see one thing—a single table a hundred feet long stretched the length of the room and laden with food and drink. The smell was overwhelming, and my stomach growled, urging me forward.

  Belladonna put her hands to her stomach. “Do not let me make a pig of myself, Lark. I fear I will if allowed free rein.”

  I fought the grin that wanted to spread across my face. “I might let you, just so I can say that I saw you stuff your face.”

  Her shoulders shook with repressed laughter, something I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen. I knew why, though. We were giddy with hunger and thirst, our bodies making us fools.

  Urchin led us through the room and I struggled not to stare at the lay out. Above our heads hung a massive kelp bed held aloft by something I couldn’t see, lit with tiny lights and strung with pearls and starfish. I froze as something moved within the swirling plant’s beds. A sea otter swam through the kelp as if it were water over our heads and not air. That display would take a lot of power, but I didn’t see any Sylph’s—air elementals—around holding it together.

  The tiny creature grabbed at a fish that shot past and swirled in a circle as it played. A second otter joined, and they twinned around one another in a dance that should have been impossible.

  “They don’t know they aren’t in water. The Sylph ambassador set it up before she . . . left.”

  I turned to see Ayu staring at the otter with me. “Left. Is that what we’re calling it now?”

  “For now, yes. You’d best hurry. Your ambassador is ahead of you, and I doubt you want to let her out of arm’s length.”

  She was right, Belladonna was sitting at her assigned chair. Her hands trembled as she reached for the goblet at her place setting.

  Lifted it to her mouth.

  Tipped her head as her lips parted. The gates to the home of her body opened.

  A cold shot of fear lanced my heart.

  “Belladonna! Manners!” I yelled across the room at her, making everyone stop and stare at us. I strode forward. “You know better. Are you the ambassador or am I?”

  Her eyes widened and then narrowed. “Ender, you overstep.” She lifted the goblet again as I reached her.

  I slapped it out of her hands.

  “Your father would be embarrassed.”

  She shot to her feet.

  Requiem stood behind her. “Ladies, please. There is no need to be so formal. Of course, let your ambassador dig into the meal. It was especially prepared with her in mind.”

  “Of course, it was.” I reached out and grabbed Bella’s wrist, gripping it until the bones under my hands ground together. She whimpered, but I didn’t look at her, I kept my eyes on Requiem. “Perhaps you would like to share a goblet with my ambassador, in a show of good faith?”

  Belladonna looked at me and I glanced at her, softening my hold on her wrist. I saw the understanding hit her and she relaxed. “I think that is a wonderful idea.” I let go, knowing she understood as well as I did.

  Let nothing pass the gates to your home, for you will not see the dawn. The food and drink were poisoned. We were no more safe now than we had been when we first stepped foot into the Deep.

  Requiem shook his head and patted his belly. “Alas, I have already eaten my fill, but here, I will drink to your . . . health.” He scooped up the goblet and downed it in a single gulp.

  How, how could he do that if it was poisoned? I was sure I was right though and was staking our lives on it.

  “So much for manners,” Belladonna muttered under her breath. Louder, she said. “Shall we sit and converse then?” She didn’t touch the food, and relief swept through me.

  Requiem gave her a nod and they sat side-by-side launching into a discussion about the best ways to rule. By force, bribery, fear, or adoration. I stepped back to give them room. Not because they needed it, really. More because it was what was expected of me.

  The night dragged, the smell of food made my mouth fill with saliva and my mind wander. Undines began to leave in twos and threes before Requiem stood. “Lovely speaking with you, Belladonna. You are a creature of fascinating contradictions. Ambassador, princess, lady of culture, and yet there is so much power in you.”

  She tipped her head slightly. “A woman no matter how plain she seems is always a sea of mystery, Requiem. Surely at your advanced age you must know that by now?”

  Oh snap. I had to bite the inside of my mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

  Requiem’s eyes darkened. “You play a dangerous game.”

  I stepped forward. “And you aren’t?”

  He raised his eyes to mine and I realized we were pretty much alone, the three of us at the head of the table. “You two are free to roam wherever you like for the remainder of your stay. Just be warned that not all of my people welcome you as I do, so I cannot guarantee your safety outside your rooms.”

  I didn’t stop the snort that escaped me. Requiem ignored me and dropped his eyes to Belladonna. “Your mother, is she well?”

  Belladonna stiffened, her whole body suddenly vibrating with tension. “She’s quite well, thank you.”

  A slow smile spread across his lips. “I do believe it has been years since I spoke with her. Perhaps I should send her a message, invite her to see me crowned.” He rubbed his hand over his jaw.

  Belladonna stood, pushing her chair back. “I am tired. It has been a long two days. Goodnight, Requiem.”

  She took a measured pace, not hurrying but not dawdling either. I walked at her side, glancing back to Requiem. His smile only widened as our eyes met. He lifted a hand and waved.

  The walk to our room was silent. Belladonna went straight in and began to pace. I stood in the doorway. “Stay here, I’m going to see about some food.”

  “Everything will be poisoned, Lark.” Her gray eyes were clouded with frustration and more than a little fear.

  “How can that be? They all ate. Even Requiem downed a goblet.”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “I forget you didn’t take the schooling we did. Every family has things they are resistant to. Things they can ingest or be infected with, with no affect.”

  I gripped the edge of the door. “And the Undines?”

  “Puffer fish.”

  Hands on my hips, I knew our options were not good. As much as we were a long-lived people and could handle a lot of injuries, and even go a for a good length of time without food, we couldn’t go forever without eating and drinking. “I’m going to go see what I can find. You get a fire going so we can cook if I manage to find a fish or two.” I pointed at the blackened and cracked fireplace that probably hadn’t seen a flame in years. She nodded, not arguing.

  “Bella . . .”

  “Why do you keep calling me that?” she whispered. “No one calls me that anymore.”

  I shrugged. “Because right now, you are the sister I remember. Not the one Cassava created, and I am hoping you see that. Lock the door behind me.” Backing up, I waited until she shut the door in my face and I heard the lock slide into place. I put a hand on the door, wondering just how changed my sister was. Or was it all a ruse to suck me under the belief I could trust her?

  I dropped my hand and backed away. Only time would tell.

  Not something either of us had.

  CHAPTER 8

  assing Undines here and there, I kept my pace brisk. As if I knew where I was going and was allowed to do whatever I was doing. No one stopped me; they hardly even looked up as I walked through the palace.

  There were more important things than food. Like answers to my questions, and there was only one place I could think to start.

  I found the healers’ room with relative ease and let myself in. “I’ll be with you in a moment,” a voice called out.

  I didn’t answer, just wandered deeper into the room. Looking at the things laid out. Tools of the trade. Scalpels, pincers, vials, and potions, a mortar and pestle with something shiny and red half ground in it. The shiny red bits moved, and I jumped back, bumping into one of the tables.

  “Ender, I’m surprised to see you here.” Ayu spoke softly to my left. I put a hand on the table, the material under my fingers soft and warm.

  As if a body had only recently lain on it.

  I snatched my hand up. “I want to speak with Finley. I want to see if there is something we can do to support her.”

  She let out a tired sigh and shook her head. “No one has seen the princess in months. She is locked up in her rooms with only guards to keep her company.”

  “And if she’s not dead before the crowning ceremony?”

  Her eyes met mine, the sorrow in them deep. “I don’t believe that is even an option for Requiem. You can do nothing to help her, Ender. Though, I see it in you. You have a healer’s heart and you want to help. It is admirable, but a deadly desire in the Deep.”

  She may have been right, but I had to see for myself. “Would she make a better ruler?”

  “Anyone would make a better ruler. Even Blue, Requiem’s bitch of a wife, would make a better ruler, for she does not have her husband’s cruelty or intelligence. If she were not missing, perhaps she could help temper Requiem. But she was ‘misplaced’ soon after the king died.” Ayu shook her head, braids dancing. “No, there is nothing to be done for it. Requiem has a stranglehold on our people, one we cannot break free of.”

  I snorted. “You all have given up so easily. I thought the Undines were some legendary family with strength to the core of them.”

  Expecting her to be angry, and lash out me, I was shocked when she didn’t. “Not when it has been beaten out of them, Ender.”

  I backed slowly out of the room. “Then perhaps you deserve Requiem as a leader, since you are not willing to stand up to him.” Her eyes followed me and when I turned at the door I heard her whisper.

  “Perhaps this is our punishment for our pride, Ender. Remember that. There is always a downfall when pride lifts you too high.”

  Shutting the door behind me, I leaned against it, thinking. So the people here were downtrodden, and though I felt bad for them, I also didn’t want to get pulled into their struggles.

  Who was I kidding? We were yanked, kicking and screaming, into this. Now it was a question of who would survive this growing storm as it gathered on the horizon.

  The Undines, or me and Bella.

  An older Undine, his hair white and hanging in long curls to his waist, approached from the far end of the hallway. He leaned on a cane, limping as he walked, and his ears stuck out from the sides of his head like handles on a jug. But his eyes were kind, and they didn’t shy from me as he drew close. “Terraling, you look lost. Can I help you?”