Isle of Wysteria: The Reluctant Queen (2 page)

Alder’s mouth hung open with indignation. “How dare you impugn my honor? I'll have you know I had never even kissed a lady before I met you.”

Athel’s beautiful features pinched and twisted into a nasty scowl. “That explains why you are so terrible at it, fustilarian scum.”

Athel pounced at him, slashing her saber in a cross-strike aimed at his legs. He gawkily backed up enough to avoid it, nearly dropping his weapon in surprise.

Athel somersaulted to her feet and gripped her saber with both hands. Slowly, the two combatants circled each other.

“So you are the expert in kissing, now?” Alder asked. “Tell me, how many men did it take to earn your accreditation?”

Athel cartwheeled to one side. Alder furtively slashed at her with his saber, but the blade bounced harmlessly off the armor hidden in the folds of her Wysterian combat gown.

All the commotion had caught the attention of the other crew members. Mina was the first to climb up on deck.

“By the Martyrs, are you two at it again?” Mina asked, her long white tail waving impatiently behind her.

Athel spun her saber around theatrically and pointed it at Alder’s face. “She said you made her feel things no one ever had. Have at you, knave!”

Athel slashed downwards with a roar like a lioness. Alder barely managed to block with his own weapon, locking their sabers at the hilt.

“You were a fool to make me thine enemy!” Athel announced. “Don’t you know that a true Tanabori never forgets?”

Athel took a step forward. A full head taller than him, she forced him backwards as their arms shook from exertion in the hilt-lock.

Alder smiled. “And you were a fool to think that I had come alone. Already a hundred bows are aimed at your head this very moment.”

Athel huffed and her head came down in frustration.

“No, Alder, the line is, ‘And you were a fool for ever challenging me to begin with. What do you think was in that wine you drank?’”

“Really?” Alder asked, pulling out a small notebook and thumbing through it.

“Yes, don’t you remember? The assassin’s guild only pledged their loyalty to Tanabori in book four after the old king was removed from the throne by his stepson, Artesian. They ended the duel with Kalfarn, not Montesson.”

“Ah, yes, of course, my apologies...” Alder said as he scribbled down the new information. “I was confusing books two and four again, wasn’t I?”

“It’s okay,” Athel cooed with a grin, “
The Voyages of Tanabori
has a lot of duels, it’s easy to get them mixed up.”

“I will set aside some extra study time tonight,” Alder mentioned. “Your new book collection in our quarters is becoming quite extensive.”

“How is your shoulder doing?” Athel asked, looking him over.

“Quite well, actually,” Alder said, rotating his arm. “Deutzia healed it so completely, I think it’s actually more flexible then it was before.”

Alder flinched a little with pain. “Of course, blocking your sword leaves it a little stiff.”

“You're actually getting much better.” Athel reached out and pulled him to her and gave him a kiss. It started out as just a little peck, but quickly bloomed into a full, passionate kiss. Alder hesitated for a moment, then returned her ardor. Athel adored kissing her husband...

Husband.

She felt a little silly inside every time she thought about it. It was all still so new. She wanted to giggle, but in a good way. A simple, honest emotion that she could feel without having to pretend to be mature, without any fear of judgment or critique. It felt safe, it felt pure; it felt right. Everything else seemed to fade away around them as they embraced. The cool breeze of the approaching evening wrapped her long hair around him. It was as if the breeze itself acknowledged her desire to just hold him so tight they would become a single being.

Mina could only stand there and watch, her fox-like ears twitching back and forth in irritation. “There’s still a ton of work to be done to get the ship fixed; we don’t have time for all this goo-goo stuff.”

“It’s all done,” Athel announced, releasing her starry-eyed husband and sheathing her weapon. “Alder and I finished rebuilding the booms an hour ago. We can leave as soon as Odger finishes repairs on the stone-core.”

Mina let out a low growl and her lip twisted, revealing an ivory fang. “Fine. Well then...go find something else to do. Both of you! This kind of behavior is improper for Navy officers while on duty.” Mina turned her lavender eyes to the side and for a brief moment, she looked sad. Athel made to speak, but Mina held up her hand to silence her. Mina smoothed out her white fur, then gave a smart salute. “I'll see you both at dinner.”

Alder and Athel watched Mina as she walked across the deck, past the oversized potting plant where Deustzia was currently planted. Her long branches swayed happily in the breeze, lapping up the last of the fading light. When Mina finally disappeared below deck, Alder leaned in towards Athel.

“She seems quite irritable of late.”

“That’s putting it mildly. She and Evere have been squabbling ever since we left Thesda,” Deutzia shimmered.

“I am not sure I understand why,” Alder said aloud.

“Well, he found out that she hates his people, and she found out that he hates her people,” Athel explained. “It’s kind of complicated.”

“But they are married, and they love each other; that is all that matters,” Alder observed.

“I’m afraid the Twelve Seas don’t always flow that way, my young sailor.” Athel said, raising her hand up dramatically.

Alder blinked. “That was from one of your books, wasn’t it?
The Rings of Grendelabra
, if I am not mistaken.”

“Very good,” Athel cooed, giving him a peck on the cheek. “You get two points for that.”

“By the seas, I can’t believe you are still wasting your time with all those foreign adventure books of yours,” Privet commented as he stepped out of the shadows towards them. Privet was a stallion of a man, back straight and shoulders broad, especially compared to Alder, who always had a bit of a slouch. Everything about Privet’s body announced experience and strength, while Alder’s pale little body often looked like a stiff breeze might knock him over. It was fair to say that Athel found Privet just as physically attractive as she always had, but it was in the eyes where she now saw the greatest difference between them. Whereas Alder’s eyes burned with resolve and determination, Privet’s eyes were wavering and unsure.

“Were you able to find the seeds I sent you for?” Athel asked, wiping the perspiration off of her forehead.

“Yes, I found them,” Privet said, tossing a small bag into Alder’s hands. “You wouldn’t believe what I had to go through to get them.”

“How long were you back there?” Alder asked, looking around as if half expecting to find another hidden person.

“Long enough to watch the two of you embarrassing yourselves.”

Athel gave a wry grin and elbowed Alder in the side. “Hey, Aldi, it seems our little display bothered him. Do you think he is jealous?”

Alder rubbed his side and looked Privet over thoughtfully.

“Yes, my Lady, but I don’t think he’s willing to admit it to himself.”

“I don’t need to hear this,” Privet snorted as he walked away. “Have fun with your bony little husband, Athel.”

“He’s not bony,” Athel defended, putting an arm around Alder and pulling him in close. “He’s...lean.”

“You are most gracious, my Lady.” Alder said, straightening himself up as tall as he could.

“Aw, don’t be so stiff with me, Aldi,” Athel chided, slugging him in the arm. Call me Athi, we're married now.”

“I am aware of that,” Alder said, rubbing his arm. But you are the heir-actual to Wysteria. It would be disrespectful to address you so informally.”

Athel chuckled. “Aw, come on. No one around here cares about that stuff.”

“I do.”

“Okay, well, I know you do, but that is because you are a big stuffy head.”

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome. What I mean is that no one back on Wysteria will ever know that you broke some antiquated custom while we were out here.”

“I would know.”

Athel placed her hands on her hips and decided to switch tactics. She gathered her red hair and draped it over one shoulder, the way she knew he liked. She dreamily hooded her beautiful light brown eyes, and deftly ran a finger back and forth across his chest.

“Aldi,” she said in soft velvety tones. “It would make me really happy if you would call me by a pet name, even if it is just when we are alone together.”

She felt a tinge of satisfaction as he reacted. His face blushed adorably, and she could feel his heart racing in his chest.

“Pleeeease,” she pleaded in her most sultry voice, running her fingertip over his lips.

He bowed formally. “I’m sorry, my Lady, but that just wouldn’t be proper.”

She grunted and stamped her foot. “Oh, come on, don’t you respect me enough to give in just a little?”

He blinked. “It is precisely because I respect you so much that I cannot give in.”

“Fine!” she shouted, stepping back. “I swear, you dig your heels in about the most random things.”

“There is nothing random about etiquette,” he reminded her.

“Stop it! You sound like my mother,” she warned, feeling her anger rise.

“Stake your temper,” Deutzia warned as she shimmered from across the deck. “Remember what we talked about.” Athel took a moment to rein in her emotions before continuing.

“Look, I’m getting kind of hungry, we'll discuss this more later. I’m sure you need to start on dinner preparations.”

“Yes, I do,” Alder said with a polite bow before walking away.

“There better be some cheesecake for dessert,” Athel warned.

“Brambleberry, my Lady. It is already chilling in the cooler,” Alder shouted back.

“Good man.”

* * *

Alder was careful to be completely silent as he walked past Mina’s quarters and made his way to the galley. As he approached, he heard quiet sobbing coming from the entrance. Sitting on the floor, her red pigtails drooping sadly, was a tiny golem dressed in a maid’s costume.

“Bunni, what is wrong?” Alder asked gently as he scooped her up with his hands.

“I got kicked out,” Bunni sobbed.

“Kicked out?” He repeated. Without thinking, he took a small cookie out of his uniform pocket and handed it to the doll, which began munching happily as he walked into the galley.

It had been completely trashed. Heaps of dirty clothing were tossed into the sink, a chest of old magazines dumped out onto the dining table. A collection of spyglasses, sextants, and compasses looked like they had been discharged on top of his meticulously stacked clean dishes. In the middle of it all was Captain Evere, the black orbs that served him as eyes squinting in frustration as he tried to nail hooks for a hammock into the wood of the pantry.

“I beg your pardon, Captain Evere, but may I ask, why you have rearranged my kitchen?”

“Ah, there you are lad,” Evere said, placing a large strong hand on his shoulder. “This kitchen area is now my living quarters. Just thought I’d warn you. I'll need you to feed my parrot twice a day.”

Alder furrowed his brow. “But, you don’t have a parrot.”

There was a rustle of feathers, and a brightly-colored parrot came to a rest on Evere’s shoulder. “Then what is this then?” Evere asked. I rescued this little guy when we were on Cocimbas. He reminds me of the Phoenix of Liore, the great bird from the stage play, so naturally I named him Tim instead.”

Evere snatched the cookie out of Bunni’s hands and gave it to the bird.

“My cookie!” Bunni squealed, holding out her tiny little hands. “The smelly bear-man took it! Give it back!”

“I’m not a bear-man,” Evere said, acting hurt as he scratched his graying mutton chops.

“Yes, Bunni, you should show him respect by calling him Captain,” Alder corrected gently. “Speaking of which, Captain, may I ask why you are here?”

“Because I’m tired, lad,” Evere said, attempting to roll himself into the hammock strewn across the pantry.

“Yes, well said. What I meant was, why are you here in the galley?”

Evere leaned back and tilted his hat forward over his eyes. “Mina kicked me out.”

“Did you two have a fight?”

“No, lad, I’m here because I just love hanging out with you and your persimmons.”

“But, I had no idea you were so fond of...”

“Of course we had a fight, you nitwit!”

* * *

Late that night, Tigera was enjoying his favorite part of the evening. After eating a particularly sumptuous dinner, he leaned back in his cell and began using his favorite toothpick. Many islands used local softwoods when making their toothpicks. This certainly lowered the cost of shipping toothpicks from other islands, but softwoods had the tendency to splinter when they were too dry, and then become too soggy and soft as they absorbed saliva. That is why he was so glad to have visited a small bistro on Falmar which stocked their toothpick dispensers with the most perfect hardwood toothpicks Tigera had ever used, before or since. A beautiful dark cherry color, they looked polished. So smooth to the touch, lacking any burrs or stray fibers. Tigera always replenished his supply whenever he traveled there, but now it was going to be difficult, seeing as how he was a major person of interest in an ongoing investigation into the mass kidnappings on Thesda. So, in the meantime, he was very careful to fully enjoy the use of his remaining supply of perfect toothpicks.

He stood up to check his image in the porthole opposite his cell. He had already decided to pick his teeth a second time, if only to enjoy the picking sensation, so looking at his teeth was really just for repetition’s sake more than anything else. But try as he might, he could not catch his reflection. This bothered him for several moments, until it occurred to him that the reason he could not see himself was because the porthole had been left ajar.

He grabbed the bone necklace around his neck, and within a few moments, a small bird had managed to force the porthole hatch open far enough to squeeze its way into the room. Closing his eyes, he could see through the small creature’s eyes as he guided it down the corridor. Flittering past the stone-core, the bird went into the captain’s quarters. Amazingly, The Captain wasn’t there, and the first-mate was passed out on the bed, surrounded by wine bottles.