Balance of the World
Chapter 3-Pirates

Chapter 3: Pirates

“It’sbeautiful!” Zoey grinned with wide eyes.

Eliassmiled as he held the teardrop necklace in front of her and she reached for it,but he jerked it out of her reach, dangling it above her head.

“Ithought you’d like it,” he chuckled when she tried to reach again, but hedangled it higher above her head.

“Notfair!” Zoey laughed. “Give it here!”

Eliaslaughed as he teased her, like a cat with a ball of yarn.

Theystood on the shore of the ocean, a raft sitting not too far from them. They stood on the shore of the Shae Ocean,a raft sitting not too far from them. They were going to meet the King of Kalina. Captain Kaysar Pitkam. They could see his ship from the shore and itwas only a few miles from where they stood.

Zoeystopped reaching for the necklace to place her hands on her hips and pout,making Elias stare at her in worry.

“What’swrong?” he wondered, lowering the necklace slightly and Zoey went to grab itagain, but Elias yanked it up again, laughing.

“Elias!”Zoey nearly whined. “Come on! Stop teasing me with the pretty necklace!”

Sheplaced a hand on his shoulder to hoist herself up and Elias stared at her inamusement as she kept her eye on the necklace. She suddenly felt something brush her bottom lip and her heart skipped abeat. She shot surprised eyes at Eliaswho also looked at her in shock.

“I’msorry,” he murmured, handing her the necklace.

“It-It’sok,” she mumbled, taking a small step away from him as she fiddled with thenecklace.

“No,”Elias mumbled. “I-I shouldn’t havekissed you…without asking.”

Zoeyswallowed as he started toward the raft, saying, “We should get to the Mela Ear. His Majesty is waiting.”

“That’sa pretty name for a ship,” Zoey smiled, trying to change the subject as Eliaspushed the raft into the water.

“It’sElvish for Love Sea,” he explained, wading up to hisknees in the water, then turning to her. “Get in.”

Zoeynodded and quickly jumped in, Elias following her as the raft drifted away fromthe shore.

“Elias?”she called and he looked up at her as he sat. “On the shore, I noticed a line on the sand before we set off. What was it?”

“Thatwas the border between the sirens and the mermaids,” Elias explained. “The left of that line is siren territory andthe right side is mermaid waters. That’swhy we’re sailing farther right, and why the Mela Ear is anchored farther right as well.”

Zoeynodded in understanding with a smile as she sat then asked, “Now what?”

“Now,we wait,” Elias replied.

“Waitfor what?” she wondered with a slight frown.

Atthat moment she suddenly felt a splash of water on the back of her neck,followed by a giggle then a splash. Shespun around but saw nothing except the MelaEar on the horizon. She heardanother splash behind her and turned to Elias only to replace a beautiful mermaidsitting next to him, smiling and not even noticing Zoey was there.

Themermaid had a shimmering aqua blue tail hanging partially in the water, herskin creamy white, a slight offset to her bleach blonde hair that fell to hershoulders. Her eyes were bright pulls ofamber and they were glued to Elias as a graceful hand came up toward it tostroke his jaw with a slender index finger.

“Hello,Elias,” she sighed with a smile. “Towhat do I owe this pleasure? You haven’tvisited me in some time.”

“I’mvisiting Kaysar,” Elias smiled.

Themermaid pouted cutely and he chuckled at her as Zoey felt herself getting alittle annoyed that she was being ignored and cleared her throat. The two looked to her with wide eyes and shewaved sarcastically to Elias with a tight smile.

“Hi,remember me?” she called irritably.

“Ofcourse,” Elias smirked, seeing her irritation then gestured to the mermaid tointroduce, “This is Liona.”

Lionalooked Zoey up and down as the redhead smiled, but after another moment ofbeing under Liona’s intense glare, she began to feel a bit uneasy. She still held the necklace Elias had givenher and decided to put it on to keep herself from fidgeting.

“So,when are you leaving?” Liona snapped at Zoey and Elias shot a wide-eyed stareof disbelief at her.

“Liona!”he scolded. “That was rude! Behave yourself!”

Zoeyrolled her eyes as she looked out to the water, and Liona looked to Elias toargue, “It’s only a question, Elias. What is it you want, anyway?”

“Couldyou get us to the Mela Ear?” heasked, hesitantly.

“I won’t,” Liona shot back,defiantly. “But I can have two of myfriends do it.”

Shegave Zoey a hard glare before diving into the water and splashing Elias as hertail hit the water. He growled inirritation as he was drenched and Zoey couldn’t help but giggle making Eliasglare at her for a split second.

“She’snot bitter…much,” Zoey muttered and he shook his head in exasperation as theraft suddenly started gliding a little faster toward the ship. “What’s the history with you two?”

“She’stried, several times, to convince me to love her,” he sighed. “She’s done everything short of casting alove spell on me. I admit she’sattractive to a point, but her personality lacks something to be desired.”

“What’sthat?” Zoey muttered, regretting asking the question.

“She’svain,” he replied. “She is spoiled andextremely jealous.”

“Jealous?”Zoey falsely gasped. “Her? You’re joking!”

“Yoursarcasm is not appreciated,” he retorted.

Zoeycouldn’t help but giggle, making Elias smirk and she waited another momentbefore asking, “Can I ask you something?”

“IfI said no, would that stop you?” he smirked and Zoey stuck her tongue out athim, making him chuckle before replying, “Go ahead.”

“Whydo you wear that mask?” she murmured and didn’t fail to see him stiffen and herolled his shoulder to loosen up before looking to the water again.

“Iwear it to hide the part of my face that reminds me of my past,” he replied ina low voice. “It’s something I don’tlike to talk about.”

Zoeynodded in understanding, but said nothing as she looked to the water aswell. She unconsciously began humming tofill the silence that had suddenly swept over them. Elias glanced at her with a small smile thenlooked at her in surprise when she began singing the words to a song he’d neverheard before. Whether he’d heard it ornot, he was enthralled by it. Or perhapsit was the sound of her voice? Eitherway he couldn’t stop staring at her and he certainly didn’t want her to stop.

Zoeydidn’t look at him as she sang, but she knew he was staring at her. She saw him out of the corner of her eye thathis mouth was slightly agape as well. Shefinished off a verse and stopped, still not looking at him and when she didn’tcontinue, Elias looked to her in wonder.

“Whydid you stop singing?” he questioned, drawing her gaze to his.

“You…didn’tseem like you were enjoying it,” she admitted.

“Iwas,” he insisted, honestly. “Please,continue. Your voice is soothing.”

Shestared at him for a moment before giving a smile and looking back to the water,resuming the song. When she reached theend she felt herself blush when she heard Elias start clapping. She tried waving him off but he shook hishead in argument.

“Youhave a great talent, Zoey,” he murmured. “Don’t let it go to waste.”

Zoeynodded but said nothing as the raft slowed and bumped into something. She spun around and saw the Mela Ear as big as life in front of her.

“Ahoy!”Elias called, standing and helping Zoey to her feet as well. “General Elias Blackwood requesting permissionto come aboard to visit Captain Kaysar Pitkam, King of Kalina!”

“Permissiongranted!” a feminine voice called back.

Zoeyfrowned in wonder as Elias began climbing a rope ladder hanging from the shipand she followed him up. He helped herover the railing as she reached the top and she stood close to Elias, watchingthe crew of men bustle around the ship.

“Well,well! General Blackwood!”

Zoeyjumped as Elias only smirked, turning them both toward the left as a piratewith short, black hair and bright brown eyes approached them with a drunkswagger.

“YourMajesty,” Elias greeted as he bowed, tapping Zoey to do the same.

Sheglanced at him before giving a curtsy as best she could without a dress andKaysar smirked at her in amusement murmuring, “And who might you be, love?”

“CaptainPitkam,” Elias chimed in. “Allow me topresent Zoey Walsh, the newestresident of Kalina.”

“Newest, ye say?” Kaysar noticed.

“It’sa pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty,” Zoey nodded with another awkward curtsy,making Kaysar smile at her in amusement.

“Well,aren’t you a charming lass?” he complimented, taking one of her hands into hisbejeweled one and bowing grandly at the waist, kissing the back of her handsoftly. “I’m Captain Kaysar Pitkam. The pleasure, rest assured, is all mine.”

Zoeysmiled, unable to help blushing and didn’t fail to notice Elias straighten witha scowl on his face out of the corner of her eye.

“YourMajesty,” the masked general piped up as Kaysar stood tall again, letting go ofZoey’s hand. “If I may have a word withyou?”

“‘Acourse,mate!” Kaysar grinned at him. “Hang on amoment.”

Heturned to look around his bustling men then shouted, “Miss Nassar!”

Zoeyjumped at the sudden bark he’d let out then smiled when she saw a young femaleappear from a hatch and hurry toward them. She had sapphire blue eyes and long black hair that stopped midway downher back and wore a red sash over her head. Zoey instantly realized she couldn’t be a human girl, however. Looking at her eyes she noticed slits ofblack cutting the irises in half and her ears were delicately pointed.

“Youyelled, Sir?” the elven girl said with a straight face and even tone, makingZoey give a giggle.

“Yes,”Kaysar nodded sharply at her. “I’d liketo show Miss Walsh around my fine vessel and keep her entertained while GeneralBlackwood bores me with reports on the warfront.” He turned back to Zoey and continued, “Zoey,I’d like you to meet my first mate, Namir Nassar.”

“Callme Namir,” she nodded to Zoey. “It wouldbe my honor to give you a tour of the MelaEar.”

“Youlead, I’ll follow,” Zoey smiled.

Thetwo men watched them walk away to begin their tour and Kaysar turned to Eliasto wave him toward his cabin, shutting and locking the door once they wereinside.

“We’llhave to talk in here, mate,” he explained, heading toward his table, gesturingto the walls, resuming, “Some parts of this hull have ears.”

Hesat and reclined in his chair, Elias standing at attention in front of him onthe other side of the table.

“Iwanted to talk to you—”

“Aboutthis lovely lady being the Enuria?” Kaysar finished with a smirk, causing Eliasto shoot a wide-eyed stare at him. “Iknew the moment I saw her. I just havesome questions for you.”

“Andwhat would that be, Your Majesty?” Elias wondered.

“You’reher Protector, aye?”

“Aye.”

“Fallenin love with her yet?”

Eliasstared at his king in utter disbelief before replying, “I-I’m not sure what tosay to that…”

“Yesor no? It’s fairly simple. Either you love her or you don’t.”

“I’veknown her for one day!”

“It’spossible to fall in love in a day. Why,the moment I laid my eyes on that elf-lass gone pirate I’ve got for a firstmate, I fell hook, line and sinker for that one.”

“Well,that’s you Kaysar,” Elias replied,realizing now that the king was speaking as his friend. “Though I will admit, I replace her rathercharming. I enjoy being with her.”

“It’slove.”

“Impossible.”

“Impossible,eh? I saw the look on your face when Ikissed her hand. You. Were. Jealous.”

“Unnerved that you were being a bit too familiar with her for my liking.”

“Greenis a nice color on you, mate,” Kaysar smirked then asked, “Where did she staylast night?”

“Myhouse,” Elias replied, making Kaysar’s smirk widen so he quickly continued, “Inmy guest room. But I can’t keep herthere for long. No doubt Jellina knowsshe’s here and who she is.”

“Leaveher here tonight,” Kaysar offered. “We’ll take good care of her. Nofiner crew than on the Mela Ear. Especially Namir. The things she can do with a sword…”

Kaysartrailed off at the thought of her before Elias agreed, “Yes, she’ll have tostay on the move. I’ll be here tonightafter I finish my duties in Edan.”

“Shecan borrow my fine cabin,” Kaysar grinned. “Only the best for the Enuria, and you can—”

“Sleepseparately,” Elias finished, making Kaysar smirk again.

“Youshouldn’t fight your feelings, mate. It’s nice to fall for somebody once in a while.”

“Lasttime I did that, I let my guard down and ended up with this mask on myface. Not that anything like that wouldhappen now, but I won’t take that risk. It could endanger her life. Ihave no feelings for her or any other female.”

Kaysarsat up and leaned on the table, narrowing his eyes at the general.

“Liar.”

Meanwhile...

Zoeystumbled behind Namir as the elf dragged her by the wrist through the ship,showing her every room. The girlsfinally stopped in a rum cache and Namir stood at attention in front of Zoey.

“Thisis the rum supply,” Namir explained. “This is the most important room in the ship. The Captain enjoys his rum very much.”

“I’msure,” Zoey laughed, softly.

“Doyou have any questions?” Namir wondered.

“Ihave a few questions to ask about you,if you don’t mind,” Zoey smiled.

Namirstraightened, her eyes shifting before she asked, “What about me?”

“Justthe basics,” Zoey shrugged. “Why don’twe start with how you ended up a pirate?”

“Well,”Namir began, stepping toward a barrel to sit on it as Zoey quickly found abarrel as well to sit next to her. “It’sa bit of a long story.”

“We’vegot all day,” Zoey smiled.

“Alright,”Namir nodded. “Well, the elves live deepin the forest in grand houses made of trees. We don’t come out much, except to go to the shore to gather fish, shrimpand other sea-life for meals. One day,my family and I went to the shore and I went exploring. Well, I was walking and walking and off inthe distance on the ocean I see this ship. Next thing I know, I’m face toface with the King himself. He asked totalk to me, and who would I be to refuse the King? Well, we talked for some time and I realizethe sun is beginning to set. I tell himI have to replace my family, and he walks with me till I do, but I can’t replace themanywhere.

“Yousee, Elf families can get very big. Me? I’ve got twelve brothers andsisters. I wouldn’t blame my parents ifthey lost track of me. Well, Captainoffered that I stay on his ship till my family came back for me. Trouble is, they never came back. Days, weeks, months passed and no sign of them. It’s been five years and they have yet to come back to that spot.”

“Weren’tyou afraid?” Zoey breathed.

“Notreally,” Namir shrugged. “I’ve gotfamily right here. Captain and the restof the crew are my family now. I’m justfine.”

Zoeysmiled and nodded in understanding then wondered, “Should we get back on deck?”

“Aye,”Namir smiled with a nod and they stood to head up the nearest hatch.

“Alright,Blackwood!”

Thegirls looked to Kaysar’s cabin when they heard him talking to Elias at thestarboard railing.

“I’llsee you tonight then, eh?” the captain guessed.

“Yes,Your Majesty,” Elias nodded. “As soon asI prepare a few things with my men in Edan.”

“Elias!”Zoey called, running toward him and he looked to her with a small smile as shestopped in front of him. “You’releaving?”

“Yes,”he nodded, flatly. “I’m still a general,after all.”

Zoeysighed in disappointment and gave a pout at the deck but she looked back at himwhen he assured her, “I’m coming back. Iam your protector as well. I can’t very well leave you for too long, canI?”

“Aslong as you come back,” she insisted and threw her arms around his neck for ahug then whispered, “Be careful.”

“Iwill,” he promised in a murmur, hugging her tightly and not being able to keepfrom looking over her shoulder at Kaysar who was grinning in triumph.

Zoeypulled away and left a small kiss on his cheek, murmuring, “Bye.”

“G-Goodbye,” he sputtered. “I’ll be back nearsunset.”

Kaysarcame up next to Zoey as she took a small step back and wrapped an arm aroundher shoulders, grinning, “No need to worry, Elias. She’ll be well taken care of.”

Zoeysmiled, slightly when she noticed Elias glare at Kaysar but the general noddedbefore turning to climb down the railing to the raft waiting for him below. As he drifted away, Zoey leaned over therailing to wave to him.

“I’llsee you tonight!” she called as he waved back, Namir stepping up next to Zoeyto lean back on the railing with a smirk.

“Youseem to have taken an immediate shine to the General,” Namir observed, makingZoey look at her in surprise. “Captaintold me you’ve only been here a day.”

“Well—”Zoey choked then cleared her throat. “Hedid rescue me from a group of…thingsthat were gonna eat me, so I guess I’d get attached quickly.”

“Ramrans?”Namir guessed and Zoey nodded.

“MissWalsh!” Kaysar grinned, shooting their attention to him. “Won’t you entertain us with a song?!”

Zoeyfelt the blood drain from her face then sputtered, “N-No…that’s alright. I’m not much good at singing anyway.”

“That’snot what General Blackwood told me,” Kaysar smirked, throwing his arm aroundher neck to rest on her shoulders. “Comealong! I’m sure you know a few goodditties!”

I’m gonna kill him, she thought to herself.

“Whynot, Zoey?” Namir wondered. “What harmcould it do?”

Zoeysuddenly felt herself being pulled to the center of the deck by Kaysar’s armaround her neck and she was instantly surrounded by the crew, Kaysar leavingher side.

“Goahead!” Kaysar waved her on. “Sing alittle something!”

“I-I…uh…Ican’t sing without music!” she tried to excuse.

“That’swhat us musicians are for!” a man laughed behind her and she spun around to seea group of men with musical instruments. “We make the music!”

Zoeygroaned in disappointment and turned to the rest of the crew. Her stage fright instantly kicked in. She began wringing her hands and glancingaround in panic, making Namir frown at her, but Zoey quickly looked away andtook a deep breath. She started an oldsea shanty she’d heard once and the musicians almost instantly started afterwhen they recalled it.

Thecrew seemed entertained. Halfway throughthe song they began stomping their feet and clapping their hands, smileslighting up their faces as they began singing with her. Zoey smiled as she felt her heart start toslow its frightened pace and she couldn’t stop herself from dancing. She was sure she wasn’t doing it right, butthey all cheered her on, and just as the music stopped she gave a grand bow asthey all clapped and cheered.

“Welldone, love!” Kaysar grinned, clapping.

“Thatwas marvelous!” Namir grinned, hurrying toward her and taking her hands totwirl them around.

“Trulytalented.”

Kaysaronly glanced in the direction he’d heard the voice come from before orderinghis crew, including Namir, to get to work as Zoey stared at the man standing atthe starboard railing in a long, royal blue robe.

“Avoice belonging to a true angel,” he added, making Zoey frown at him.

“Whoare you?” she instantly questioned.

“Myname is Felix,” he replied. “I’m afriend of Elias Blackwood. I am here totutor you in Magic Wielding.”

“You’rea wizard?” she guessed and he nodded.

Shesuddenly recalled the prophecy Elias had told her about that night, and why shewas there.

“So,you’ll teach me how to fight usingmagic?” she wondered and he glanced around the ship before beckoning her tofollow him toward a hatch.

“Letus steal away from should not hear of such things as of yet,” he explained asZoey followed him down the hatch, exchanging silent nods with Kaysar.

Oncebelow deck, Felix led her to a supply room filled with barrels and he gesturedthat she have a seat. She did asentreated, looking to him expectantly as he took his own seat on the barrel infront of her.

“Isuppose Elias has told you of the Prophecy,” he guessed and she nodded. “Then you know that you must defeat the MorWitch with the magic I am about to teach you. The Mor witch uses dark magic, something that would corrupt you if youwere to learn it. Do not allow anyone, but myself or anyone I approve of, to show you anything about magic. Wizards, witches and most elves, if taught,are the only ones who can distinguish the dark magic from the light magic.”

“Iunderstand,” Zoey nodded.

“Now,there is a lifetime’s worth of knowledge you must learn within a week, atmost,” Felix continued. “There are somespells you will use often and others that should not be used unless it isabsolutely necessary. Using certainspells can weaken and even kill you if abused. You use energy when you wield spells and that is why it is crucial thatyou know your limits.

“Youshould learn and memorize the words before actually starting to use thesespells,” he explained, reaching into one of his sleeves and pulling out a pieceof parchment to hand it to her, which she took to read.

Spells:

Fly-Eitilt

Throw-Caith

Push-Bhrú

Create-A Chruthú

Heal-Cneasaigh

Destroy-Scrios

Disappear-Imíonn

Return (Deposes) -Ar Ais

Transfer-Aistriú

Resurrect-Athmhúscailt

Dispel-Deireadh A Chur

Stop-Stad

Shield-Sciath

Stone-Cloch

Freeze-Reoite

“Whichones weaken and which ones kill?” Zoey frowned in wonder, still looking at theparchment.

“Allin good time, Zoey,” Felix replied. “First you must memorize them. Ishall leave that with you. Memorize themby tomorrow and the next time we meet, I will test you.”

“Ilook forward to that,” she smiled as he stood to head up the hatch. “I won’t disappoint.”

“I’msure you won’t,” he nodded with a small smile of his own and headed up thesteps.

Shefrowned when she noticed Namir hurrying down the steps, zooming past Felix tostop at the bottom to report, “Zoey! Come quick! We’re trying to getCaptain to take a bath!”

Zoeyfrowned in confusion as Namir ran back up to the deck and the red head ranafter her, shoving the parchment into her pocket. As she stepped out of the hatch, she sawKaysar being pulled to the port side, forcibly, by two men and Namir standingin the middle of the deck. She steppedup next to the elf, frowning at Kaysar trying to be free of the two men.

“Namir?”Zoey called, gently. “What are wedoing?”

“Captain’snot one for bathing,” Namir explained, crossing her arms. “We’re trying to get him to do it. Even bathing in the sea will get the smelloff him a bit.”

“Iheard that, love!” Kaysar growled under the strain of trying to free himself,making Namir smirk.

“Wedo this at least once a month,” she continued. “The mermaids help us, sometimes.”

“Really?”Zoey smirked, coming up with a plan and Namir frowned in confusion when the redhead ran to the port railing to stare into the water below. “Look, Kaysar! There’re some mermaids down here! One of them wantsa kiss!”

Kaysarinstantly stopped struggling and stared at her for a moment before shoving themen away and running to the railing to lean over it.

“Whodoes?!” he demanded, looking into the water.

Zoeysmirked before pushing Kaysar over the railing and Namir ran toward the railingto watch Kaysar fall into the water. However, he spun around and grabbed onto the railing before falling in.

“Well,it almost worked,” Zoey muttered asthe girls both leaned on the railing to look at him and he grinned up at them.

“IfI’m going in, you two have to comewith me!” he ordered.

Hegrabbed one of Namir’s hands and pulled her overboard, making her shout insurprise as she fell into the water below.

“Younext!” he shouted at Zoey, gripping her arm and trying to pull her in as well.

Shedug her heels into the wood, laughing and struggling away from his grip. She suddenly lost her footing a moment later andKaysar pulled her over the rail, making her shout, but she quickly caught hisboot, now dangling over the water.

“You’renot getting away that easy!” shelaughed up at him as he struggled to kick her off.

Withher weight, Kaysar couldn’t hold on long and lost his grip on the rail, fallinginto the water, making Namir laugh as they hit the water with a huge splash andthe two quickly came to the surface for air.

“Wegot him in!” Namir cheered.

“Nowwe have to get him clean,” Zoeylaughed.

“Ibrought soap!” Namir called, pulling out a bar of soap.

“Gethim!” Zoey shouted, seeing Kaysar trying to swim away.

Namirlunged at him, throwing her arms around his neck as Zoey grabbed his footagain. He tried to kick Zoey off asNamir took the soap and started rubbing it on his neck and chest while Kaysartried to push her away. Zoey came to thesurface for air and laughed at the two as Namir still tried to clean him.

“Captain! Stop struggling and it’ll be done in notime!” Namir laughed, making Zoey laugh a little harder.

Zoeywas suddenly pulled by the foot underwater and dragged away from the King andhis first mate. She struggled to get tothe surface to get a proper breath of air, but was only dragged farther down. She felt a pair of hands on her shoulders andher eyes shot wide at the face that suddenly appeared in front of her.

“Eliasis mine!” she snarled.

Namirnoticed Zoey disappear beneath the surface and knew something was wrong. She pushed away from Kaysar, leaving himstunned and her frowned at her in wonder as he asked, “What’s wrong, love?”

Shesaid nothing as she tossed the soap away and dove down after the red head. She swam toward Zoey as she saw her beingheld captive by a blonde mermaid, and it seemed like they were struggling.

What does that scaly tail think she’sdoing?! Namir thought,swimming as fast as she could.

Whenshe reached the two she began to pull Zoey away but Liona pulled her back asZoey grabbed onto Namir’s wrists, Namir gripping tighter to Zoey to try to pullher away from the mermaid. Namir cameclose enough to kick Liona in the stomach, making the mermaid double over inpain and let go of Zoey. Namir wrappedher arm under Zoey’s arms and swam to the surface, but something pulled themdown. Liona was pulling on Zoey’s foot,trying to keep them below the surface and the red head kicked violently toshake her off. Without thinking shepulled her leg up to bring Liona close enough and shoved her hand onto themermaid’s face.

“ArAis!” she shouted, bubbles spouting from her mouth.

Lionasuddenly fell limp and floated away before Zoey passed out, Namir still headingtoward the surface. Once they broke thesurface, Namir pulled Zoey’s head above water, panicking when she wasn’tmoving.

“Namir!”Kaysar called, swimming toward them. “What happened?”

“Zoey’sunconscious!” Namir coughed just as a rope was tossed down from the Mela Ear and slapped the water with asplash. Kaysar grabbed it with one hand,he and Namir holding onto Zoey between them, and they were pulled out of thewater and back onto the ship. Zoey wasset down on the deck and Kaysar knelt over her.

“Oi!”he snapped at her. “Zoey! Wake up!”

Heslapped her across the face with an open palm, making Namir stare at him indisbelief.

“Kaysar—!”Namir attempted to scold him, but was interrupted when Zoey’s eyes snapped openand she began coughing, making Namir sigh in relief and helped Zoey sit up.

“See?”Kaysar smirked. “It worked!”

“Liona—!”Zoey coughed, drawing their attention to her in confusion. “Not herself…She’s jealous Elias was withme. She must’ve been…sprinkled with DarkFairy dust.”

Shecontinued coughing and Namir looked to Kaysar in worry. It made sense. Mermaids would play a bit rough sometimes,but they wouldn’t drown someone, evenif they were jealous of them. Butjealousy could be a strong weapon when mixed with dark thoughts. This was no coincidence.

“Gether something to drink,” Kaysar told Namir, sternly. “Watch her close. Keep her safe.”

Namirnodded as he stood and waved a crew member toward him.

“Ineed you to deliver a message to General Elias Blackwood in Edan,” heordered. “Tell him there’s been anattempt on the life of Miss Walsh and I have no doubt it was cooked up byJellina herself.”