“Come on, Red.” Boman took Niya’s arm. “Best not test her. In my experience, she’d do anything for a laugh.”
It felt like a miracle, but Niya made it up the towering steps to enter a cool, shadowed hall, smelling of desert jasmine and yucca, a tangy sweetness.
Giant bowls of fire lined the way forward, peppered between massive stone columns that held up a beautiful mosaic ceiling.
The patterns were geometric and elaborate, reminding Niya of some of the stained glass windows found in the Council buildings in Jabari.
At the thought of her home, a sharp ache seized her heart.
How she missed her city of birth. The tight alleys that held memories of her and her sisters running through them after dark. Larkyra and Arabessa would certainly enjoy the splendor she walked through now. At the thought, Niya was gripped by a desperate wish to see them. If only for a moment so she might tell them all that had happened since they’d been parted.
Niya moved with the wave of her crew as they were guided down another grand hall, tall doors opening to usher them into a throne room. Like many courts Niya had seen, this one was lined on either side with court members, curious gazes wrapped up in fine clothes and fluttering feather-woven fans.
At the very back, three figures sat atop a dais in high-backed chairs made from a mixture of wood and stone. This was where their group halted, lowering their trunks, as Alessia approached the royal family, whispering something low.
Queen Runisha, who sat in the middle, peered down at them. Her garb was a dusty hue, cinched tight at the waist, which accentuated her rigid posture. Her black hair was teased and gathered tight into multiple twisting buns, where a similar crown as her husband’s, a branch-like creation curling around sapphires and orange citrine, rested. The pair also shared similar green eyes, but while King Anup looked upon them bored, hers were alight with curiosity and intelligence.
She waved a hand as if to say, Go on.
Alōs swept forward, bowing low onto one knee. The crew followed in an awkward wave of pirates attempting to show chivalry. Taking in the scene, Niya smiled in amusement but did the same.
“Your Graces,” began Alōs, looking up to the three figures, “we thank you for welcoming us into your beautiful city. We have traveled far to reach the wonder the rest of Aadilor calls the lost gods’ gold. Though we are lowly rats of the sea, our visit is one of peace and rest.”
Listening to Alōs, Niya was quickly reminded of how silver tongued he could be.
“We come offering gifts in exchange for hospitality,” continued Alōs as he signaled at nearby crew. They brought forward and opened their trunks. Piles of sparkling riches shimmered from the cases: jewels and silver coins. Appreciative gasps and murmurs filled the hall from the court members. Saffi had explained that it was a portion of the pirates’ pillaging, taxes of a sort, saved for times like these, when they needed to stop in friendly waters to refuel. Treasure in trade for food and rest.
“Rise, pirate.” Queen Runisha’s voice vibrated deep in the hall. It was a husky, pleasing sound. A mother’s hum. “We do not see visitors here often, especially not of your variety. But the storms and mist have let you pass, as they have once before. Yes, the land remembers you, Lord Ezra, as well as a few of your companions.” Queen Runisha’s gaze brushed past him and landed on Kintra. “It is good to see you have proved again to be worthy of an audience. Now tell me: While your gifts are welcome, it is your words I wish to validate. Have you truly come in friendship?”
“We have, Your Grace.”
The queen remained skeptical.
But Niya’s attention was pulled from the exchange when a flash of red caught her eye.
Princess Callista sat to the queen’s left, silent, obedient, learning. And while she certainly was a vision with her smooth brown skin wrapped in a dusty-rose robe, it was her gold crown that had Niya’s heart jumping into her throat. The hall fell away, the crew, the court members, the words spoken between Alōs and the queen. For all Niya could see, could taste, was the brilliant red stone resting in the middle of Princess Callista’s diadem.
The Prism Stone.
Niya’s magic flooded her veins at her jolt of shock.
It was here. Right in front of her. In front of everyone. A round oval of purity, glimmering red and bright, like newly spilled blood, amid a wrapping of gold leafing in the young girl’s crown.
Niya fought every urge to snatch it and run.
This is it, her mind screamed.
What caused Alōs’s desperation.
What Esrom needed.
What promised Niya’s freedom.
It’s here!
Niya felt torn in two, from knowing she needed to remain still and uncaring among her companions yet desperately wishing to point to the stone and yell, Mine!
She looked to Alōs at the front.
Has he seen it? Nothing in his stance gave it away. But then, there. In the intensity of his gaze as it held on to the young princess. It was the look of a wolf finding its prey.
Callista blushed under the attention.
Niya had a moment of empathy for the girl, for who knew the depravity the pirate lord would stoop to so he could reclaim what he had suffered so greatly to find.
“I will put to the test your words of peace, Lord Alōs.” Queen Runisha’s voice returned Niya to their exchange. “And when I say ‘test,’ I mean it. We will extend our hospitality, but know my soldiers outnumber your crew tenfold.”
“May I assure you, then,” he said, charmer’s grin present, “any test I’ve been given I’ve passed with flying colors.”
Queen Runisha smiled as well, a game seemingly now afoot. “Then, great people of the valley”—she turned her gaze to her subjects—“come forth and meet our new friends, for tonight we will be dining with pirates.”
The hall erupted with movement as the gifted treasures were carried away and servants slunk from shadows to guide the group of pirates to where they would be staying within the palace.
Niya’s magic jumped along with her haste as she squeezed through bodies to get to Kintra. Had she seen the Prism Stone as well? Niya’s mind spun, plans forming for how they could take a crown from a royal’s head without them noticing.
But when she was only a few steps from the quartermaster, a touch of magic, strong and familiar, caressed the back of her neck.
Hello, it seemed to say.
She spun, brows pinched as she searched the cavernous hall.
Who’s there? she thought.
And then, as though the lost gods smiled down on her this day, she saw them.
They stood amid an animated conversation taking place between a group of court members, but they paid them little mind as their violet eyes clung to her, a crooked smile on their lips.
Niya’s heart gave a leap.
Achak, her old friend, was here.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Despite the excruciating voyage to the Valley of Giants, Niya decided she quite liked this kingdom. For so far, since arrival, everything was going according to plan and more.
As Niya reclined deeper into the hot spring, where she and the rest of her female crew members bathed within the mountain palace, she looked across her secluded pool to Achak.
Steam scented with jasmine and honey rose around the sister’s black, luminous skin, her bald head glistening with water droplets.
“I’ve missed baths,” sighed Niya. Letting her overworked muscles relax into the warmth.
“And they very much appear to have missed you,” said Achak, scrunching her nose. “You reeked badly, my dear.”
Niya splashed water at Achak, but it merely hit up against an invisible barrier of their magic. The sister hadn’t even moved a finger to create it.
“Show-off,” muttered Niya.
“Jealousy is a quick sign of weakness.”
“Yes, well, so is mortality.”
Achak raised her brows. “How wise you’ve become in this short time.”
“I would not describe my time so far aboard the Crying Queen as short.” Niya pursed her lips, a twinge of annoyance digging into her chest. “Every sand fall feels like a lifetime.”