“Then be glad of that. The alternative makes moments meaningless.”
Niya studied her friend. “I still cannot believe you are here.”
“Every creature deserves a holiday,” explained Achak, resting her head against the rim of their pool.
“Holiday? From what?”
“Our lives, child. Queen Runisha is an old friend of ours. Plus, the people of the valley hold some of the best parties in all of Aadilor. We try to visit often.”
Niya took an offered bar of soap from a passing servant, whipping up suds in the steaming water. “I didn’t realize your life was so stressful it required holidays.”
“We’ve helped raise you Bassettes, have we not?”
Niya gave a snort. “Are you sure it’s not the other way around?”
Achak grinned. “My brother fights to say his piece, but it would be improper for him to be here, among all these naked ladies.”
Niya listened to the echoing laughter flowing around the high-ceilinged bathhouse. Therza had dunked Bree into the waters of a nearby pool, the young girl wasting no time to kick her companion’s legs out from under her so she would fall in too.
“Say something else that will annoy him,” urged Achak. “I’m thoroughly enjoying this.”
Niya looked back at Achak. While she was close to her sisters, to be so close as to share one body and hear them constantly in her mind seemed a quick recipe for madness.
Nevertheless, she played along. “I think it’s time he trimmed his beard. It’s looking like a bear has taken up residence on his face.”
Achak’s body twitched, but the sister tensed her muscles and stayed present. She laughed, the twinkle a mixture of voices.
Niya settled into the familiar sound with a contented sigh, so long it had been since she had seen a familiar face. “I’m happy you’re here,” she said with a smile, turning to run soapy water down her shoulders. “It has—”
“Child,” Achak cut her off with a frown, the bath rippling out as she slid to her side. “What happened?” She traced one of the red welts on Niya’s back.
Niya’s cheeks burned, and not from the steam, as she scooted away. “What it probably looks like. I misbehaved.”
Achak’s face morphed quickly into the swirling features of the brother before snapping back to the sister. A dual voice spoke. “And who shall we be sending to the Fade tonight?”
“No one.” Niya shook her head. “At least not tonight, anyway. Alōs has unfinished business.”
“Your captain did this.” It was not a question.
“I disobeyed an order.”
Achak studied her for a long moment, the splashing sounds of the other women around them filling their tense silence. “What kind of order?” the sister eventually said.
Niya played with the bubbles in front of her. “Evidently, an important one,” she said, hot shame filling her chest at the idea that this would get back to her family. They didn’t need more reasons to believe she could not do as she was told. That she was merely all fire and reaction.
“Mmm,” was Achak’s only response, the sister’s eyes remaining narrowed as she settled back into the bath.
“It is in the past.” Niya pushed to move on.
“As were many of your problems which still affect your future.”
Niya snapped her brows together. “I am trying to do better.”
“Your new wounds prove otherwise.”
“They were worth the bargain,” she ground out.
“More bargains?” Achak’s eyes widened. “I thought you said you were trying to do better.”
“I am. This one I shall win.”
Achak shook her head. “Famous last words of many a gambler.”
“You may condescend all you like, but I know what I’m doing.” She raised her arm to display her binding bet, which now sat half-removed.
Achak studied the black lines before meeting Niya’s gaze again. “I suspect this has something to do with why the Crying Queen has come to the valley. Tell me, what is your purpose here?”
Niya hesitated, glancing to her shipmates in the other pools. While she had promised Alōs she would not tell them about the Prism Stone, she had said nothing about sharing with those off the ship. Plus, this was Achak, not just any passerby. Slinking closer to the sister, Niya lowered her voice as she shared all that had happened since sailing upon the Crying Queen. It felt good to unload, to be in the confidence of an old friend. When Niya was done, Achak’s gaze was far away as they looked out to the cavernous bathhouse.
“We wondered when this would happen.”
“What do you mean?”
“The issue with the Prism Stone.”
Niya stared down her companion. “You knew about this?”
“We have roamed this world longer than most. We know many things. The stolen Prism Stone was no secret to those like us.”
Her magic was a flutter of shared shock. “Why did you never tell us about it, then? About Alōs being royalty? That Esrom could rise to the surface within a year if it is not brought back?”
“A litany of questions.”
“All deserving of answers,” she said in annoyance. “I shared my knowledge—now you must share yours.”
“You could never retain all that we know, child.”
“Achak,” Niya said with a huff, her temper a quickly fed flame.
The ancient one waved a hand of indifference at her tone. “Alōs’s past was his story to share,” explained Achak. “You never asked of his lineage before, so we didn’t see reason to bring it up. Plus, who he was, not to mention this stone, did not matter to the Mousai.”
“It mattered to me!” said Niya loudly, drawing a few curious eyes.
Achak held her gaze, her eyes’ violet hue assessing. “Yes, but at the time would it have changed the outcome of your relationship with the pirate? If you knew him to be a Karēk, a banished prince, would that have helped you resist his seduction? As we know you, once you are set on a decision, you follow through, consequences be damned. Young love is like rain; it falls fast and doesn’t care who it hits in the process.”
“I was not in love,” Niya hissed. But of course she had been, or had thought she was. A dumb, foolish, naive love. Achak was right. None of it would have mattered. If she had known Alōs to be a prince at the time, and a banished one at that, it would have had her infatuated with him further. What an imbecile she was. Might still be now.
“Whatever you need to call it,” said Achak, “it has brought us to where we are now. Our paths are paved forward, child, not back. There is no use in questioning what might have been.”
Niya didn’t respond. She wasn’t done pouting.
“But the stone, the other half is here, yes?” asked Achak.
Niya sighed. “The princess wears it in her crown.”
“Of course,” Achak laughed as she shook her head. “Life is never boring when a Bassette is around. That is an obstacle to be sure. We look forward to the following entertainment. We assume there is a plan?”
Niya moved her hand in the water, watching as the ripples spilled away from her. “I am meant to talk with Kintra and Alōs before the feast tonight. Evidently, they are hatching this plan now.”
She was still annoyed at Kintra for brushing her off earlier in the throne room. She’d approached the woman regarding what they were to do next, given the other half of the stone was sitting a mere few steps away.
“The captain and I will reconvene and let you know,” was all the quartermaster had shared before she had stayed behind with Alōs as he’d continued to talk with the royal family. The rest of the crew had been shuffled out to wash and prepare for this evening’s events.
“And are you not to help with this scheming?” asked Achak.
“I help by being at their disposal,” said Niya, trying to keep the annoyance from her voice.
“Mmm, an agreement which is part of this new binding bet, I imagine?”
Niya was tired of discussing binding bets and actions still to come. So instead of answering, she asked, “What I want to know is why Alōs would have stolen such an item from his people if it would put his kingdom at risk of surfacing.”
“Perhaps he didn’t know that would be the outcome.”