Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 137226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“Pass me that rope,” I say to Kirney, my right-hand man. “I’m going in after her.”
“You’re daft,” Toombs says as Kirney grabs the nearest rope and I tell him to fasten it around the cleat before I tie the rest around my waist.
I ignore Toombs, climb up on the railing, and jump overboard just as a large wave smashes into the front of the boat, the seas picking up now as if the sorceresses wanted to create an extra challenge for me.
I hit the surface like a net of stones, sinking deep before a wave twists me upside down, the rope tangling in my legs, water going up my nose until it burns. But I find my strength and kick to the surface as another wave breaks over me, the salt stinging my eyes.
The ship has slowed but Brynla and Lemi are still a ways off. I start swimming toward them in time to see Brynla’s lavender hair disappear beneath the waves. Her dog sticks its head under, grasping the collar of her shirt with its teeth and pulling her up through the waves, but even with the dog’s strength, I can see he’s struggling in the surf.
I reach Brynla and grasp her by the collar, then grab the thick roll of fur at Lemi’s neck, making sure both of them stay above the surface.
“I’ve got them! Pull us up!” I yell up at the crew, tugging at the rope around my waist just as another wave smashes against the side of the ship.
Slowly, they begin pulling us up the side of the boat. I hold on to both Brynla and Lemi with all my strength. Brynla spits out water, stirring in my grasp as she dangles above the waves. She glances up at me and for a moment I think she’s going to do something foolish again and cause me to let go, but thankfully she goes limp.
“Almost got ye,” Kirney says from above, and with a few more grunts and heave-hos we’re hoisted up to the railing, where the boys pull the three of us over the edge and into a sodden lump on the deck.
Lemi gives his body a thorough shake, drenching the crew with drool and seawater as a result, then comes over to Brynla, licking her face until she sits upright, breathing hard. For a second I’m jealous of both the dog and Brynla, wondering what it would be like to have someone—human or beast—care that much about you.
“Aye,” Toombs says with a gruff chuckle as he wipes away the drool from his face. “They say it’s bad luck for a woman and a hound to be onboard.” His expression then turns dark. “Maybe next time I don’t stop the ship.”
Despite being an old sea captain who’s worked for my father for many years, Toombs is probably the most moral member of the Kolbeck crew. So when he’s ready to toss someone overboard, I have to wonder if I’ve made some sort of mistake by rescuing the girl.
She hasn’t said anything. She’s sitting with her back against the railing, still catching her breath while her dog lies down beside her, his giant head in her lap. She avoids my eyes and I’m not about to crouch down again. My dick still aches, and not in a good way.
I nod at Toombs. “Get underway again. We’re going straight home.”
“Aye,” Toombs says, heading back to the helm while the rest disperse to help with the sails.
I glance back down at Brynla, watching her for a moment, her chest rising, her focus on her dog. It’s curious that she’s still struggling to catch her breath. I know suen gives the user a wide variety of magic and powers and it’s hard to predict what magic will come through for each person, but one thing that seems common in all who consume it is an increase in strength and fitness. Why is she so weak?
Maybe Steiner’s raven, Moon, or my informant got their information wrong. She’s a good fighter, I’ll give her that, and she seems adept at stealing eggs, at least with Lemi’s help. But I’m starting to wonder what her actual magic is, because I’m not seeing it.
That doesn’t mean I should underestimate her again, though.
I reach into my boot and pull out a foot-long knife. Both Brynla’s and Lemi’s eyes automatically focus on it. The hilt is carved from bonewood, dotted with various gems, with a silver sword emblem to signify the Kolbecks. The blade itself is made from semitranslucent water crystal, which, when dry, can cut through anything, even stone. It doesn’t appear dangerous with its iridescent ridges. Looks like it’s carved from ice more than anything. I shake the water off, then blow on it while undoing the rope around my waist.
“What is that?” Brynla asks quietly, and I can see her curiosity overpowering her. So she likes weapons—duly noted.