Slave to Sapphire
Chapter 34

Night had fallen by the time Iris woke up. The starlight cast a dim glow in the room. Cora snored quietly in the bunk below her, and Sabine slept soundly in the other bunk. Iris climbed down to the floor. Dinner had been left for her on the desk. Iris savored the thick warm soup and tore into the hard bread. She hadn’t realized how hungry she had been and devoured the food. A pewter cup of cold water had been left out for her and she drained it. When she finished, she sat in the chair staring out the window into the dark ocean. Her thoughts wandered to Ezekiel. She should never have had sex with him, it made her duplicity that much worse. The image of his hurt when she left him in the carriage was stamped in her mind. But the thought of not having shared that intimacy with him also saddened her. Iris had never shared herself with someone who cared for her so deeply or possibly loved her. It made Iris think of the future that Ezekiel had offered her. It was a pretty picture that he had painted for her, but she would never be able to reconcile the differences between her and Ezekiel. After everything Ezekiel had saved her from the mines. Had the Grand Ruler found out about his involvement in her escape? Was Ezekiel being punished for his actions? Iris sighed she didn’t want to think of Ezekiel anymore; it made her yearn for the nothingness that only azure could bring.

She got up from the desk and left the cabin with Samson at her heels. Iris looked up at the night sky in awe, she had never seen such a clear night. The moon was only half full, and the stars set the sky ablaze, she could make her way on the deck by the light they cast. She walked to the railing of the boat and rested her elbows on it. There was no wind, and the ocean was an inky black reflecting the starry night, the separation of the ocean and sky indistinct. Despite the lack of wind, the ship skimmed through the water. Iris gazed at the water and imagined that the ship sailed through the night sky itself. She didn’t turn at the sound of footsteps approaching. Samson would warn her if it was someone to be concerned about. Julian stood silently beside her, placing his elbows on the railing so that his elbow was barely touching hers.

“The way the stars reflect off the ocean reminds me of your eyes,” Julian stated.

Iris snorted and fell silent, before speaking again. “I can’t make sense of why you came back for me. I had given Maddox all of the information I promised you.”

Julian continued to look out to the ocean, contemplating how to respond. “Maybe because I care what happens to you.”

Iris laughed dryly. “You are going to have to come up with a better explanation than that.”

When Julian said nothing, Iris spoke again, “What does Volos do with all the source stone that it purchases from Orinth?”

Julian turned to face Iris. “Volos has found a way to use the source stones to power things.”

Iris was confused. “What do you mean power things?”

“It’s hard to explain, but take this ship, given the lack of wind it shouldn’t be moving. But using source stone we can make it move across the water.”

Iris was taken aback.

Julian continued, “I don’t know exactly how it works, but the wind on the journey between Orinth and Volos is very fickle, some days it will gust, but it can be still for weeks at a time. Without the source stone, ships can be stuck for months out at sea. This is why Orinth does not sail any ships to Volos.”

“So, Volos purchases source stone from Orinth so its ships can move without wind?”

“Volos uses source stone to power many things, such as carriages without horses, running water and much more. You will be amazed when you get there.”

Iris was at a loss for words as she grappled with the concept. The mechanics of it didn’t make sense to her. Maybe it would be clearer when she got to Volos. She couldn’t deny the speed at which the ship moved though.

“I am sorry you weren’t able to kill Lucious.” Julian’s statement hung in the night sky before sinking down into the sea.

Iris’ jaw tightened. Maybe there was still a way to return to Orinth once she was stronger and in better control of her abilities as a conduit. Iris had spent years building up her clout in the gangs of Scarlet Town and growing her trade of azure. She had then been consumed with her need to ensure her friends safety and Lucious’ destruction. Now that she was headed to Volos, she felt adrift.

“There is more to life than survival and revenge,” his voice cut through her thoughts.

Iris turned to face him. “I wouldn’t know.”

Julian’s face softened. “Over time your desire for azure will fade, and soon you will forget Ezekiel. You will have a future in Volos.”

Iris scoffed. “Don’t presume to know anything about my feelings towards Ezekiel,” she growled.

He raised an eyebrow. “So, you do have feelings towards him?”

Iris punched him hard in the shoulder. “Just because you were close with Ezekiel doesn’t mean you get an opinion on what happened between us.”

Julian rubbed his shoulder. “Ouch, you punch hard for such a small woman. And what makes you think that Ezekiel and I were close?”

Iris stared hard back at him, “You apparently knew that he was in love with me and how else would you have known that he stopped me from dying the night he found me in Scarlet Town?”

He let out a deep laugh. “And here I thought you were observant.” At Iris’ continued confusion Julian proceeded. “I was driving Ezekiel’s carriage that night. He was in a state of absolute panic when he returned to the carriage carrying your unconscious body. He couldn’t stop himself from telling me that you had let your source stone run out and that he was forced to gift you a year of life. When we got back to the Palace, I offered my hand to help you out of the carriage and you looked past me and hopped out on your own.”

Iris stared back at him stunned.

“It’s very rude by the way to not accept someone’s hand when they offer it to you.”

Iris rolled her eyes, “I am sorry If my actions offended your delicate sensibilities.”

Julian chuckled and they stood beside one another, taking in the night sky and the ocean that mirrored it. Eventually Julian left her with Samson standing guard beside her.

They had already been sailing for a couple of days, the journey to Volos would take at least two more weeks. The ship was powered by source stone and whenever there was wind the ship’s crew would raise the sails so that their pace was even faster. Iris sat on the deck watching the ship crew work. The crew was mainly made up of men, except for a woman who climbed the rigging untangling fouled lines and repairing sails. They worked with skill as the sun warmed their tanned skin and bare arms. Iris was still getting used to seeing people without cuffs. The crew were friendly and looked upon her cuff and amarath eye with interest. Once in Volos she would have to figure out a way to have their cuffs removed, if it was even possible. With their life source tied to the source stone in their cuffs, removal could possibly lead to death. Iris shook the thought from her mind. Maybe when Iris reached Volos she could apprentice on a ship and spend her days in the sun climbing high above the ocean.

Maddox sat down beside Iris and gave her braid a gentle tug.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“What’s going to happen when we reach Volos; what are we going to do?” Iris absently fiddled with the hem of her tunic.

“I guess I am still coming to terms with my almost hanging and spending the past two weeks trying not to think of the horrible things Lucious was doing to you.”

Iris turned to face Maddox, the events of the past two weeks had taken over her mind and she was ashamed of herself for not thinking of Maddox’s suffering. “How are you? Were you badly treated in the dungeons?”

“Well, I was shot with a crossbow and then locked in the dungeons for weeks in complete darkness for most of the day.”

“I am sorry Maddox, I didn’t mean it like that, it must have been awful for you.”

“It was, but to answer your question, I wasn’t tortured. They tended to my injury and made sure I was fed twice daily and otherwise left me alone.”

“Don’t you think it is odd that they didn’t question you about the azure shipment?”

He nodded, “I expected them to and became suspicious when they didn’t. Once you told me of Lucious’ betrayal, it made sense. The Grand Ruler and his Inspectors had all the information that they needed. My trial and execution were just political theater. The Grand Ruler needs the public to believe they are against the sale of azure.”

Speaking about azure intensified Iris’ relentless craving. Iris thought of all that they had done in Orinth and how it had led them to this point. She had fought so hard to gain respect among the gangs of Orinth and cement her position as one of the most successful drug runners.

“Maddox, do you ever feel guilty about what we did and who we are?”

Maddox sighed deeply, “Our choices for survival were limited. You never chose to join Exodus Gang. But we did choose to sell azure. I take responsibility for the suffering that my decisions have caused but I do not regret my choices, and neither should you.”

Iris took in what he said, not sure if she completely agreed with him.

“What do you think will happen with our cuffs and source stones in Volos?”

Maddox flicked her braid, so it fell over her shoulder, “Iris, you worry about everything. Just over two weeks ago I had seconds left to live. Maybe in Volos they have come up with a way to remove the cuffs from us or give us more life source. Do you think Julian will just let your source stone run out after the risk he took in going back to Orinth for you?”

Iris stopped her fiddling and looked at her source stone, “I don’t know, I have years left in my source stone and I don’t trust Julian.”

“Why not? He held up his end of the bargain.”

“Now that he has all the information that I gathered in the Palace, my usefulness to him has worn out. I still don’t understand his motives for rescuing me, he has no reason to help me or you.”

“Not every relationship is transactional, Iris.”

Iris shrugged her shoulders. Maddox stood, leaving her to ruminate over Julian and what her future would look like in Volos.

Iris was deep in thought when a shadow cast over her, she looked over her shoulder to see Julian approaching. Iris turned to face forward again. She wasn’t in the mood for whatever Julian wanted to talk about. Julian tapped her in the butt with his shoe as he passed her by.

“Come on, get up. Let’s spar.” He said over his shoulder.

Iris stood up. “Did you really just kick me in the butt?”

Julian turned around to fully face her while continuing to walk backwards to an open space on the main deck. “I really did, are you going to do something about it?”

“Why would I want to spar with you?”

“Because I received excellent combat training in spy school and physical activity will help you forget your craving.”

Iris doubted anything could make her forget her craving for azure. But smacking the smug look off of Julian’s face would help. “I already know how to fight, but I guess there is always room for improvement.”

Julian smiled and Iris walked to where he was standing. Iris didn’t know the first thing about sparring. No one had formally trained her how to fight, everything she had learned was from experience. Given her stature she relied heavily on the element of surprise and always bringing a dagger to fight. Iris positioned herself in what she thought was a good fighting stance. Julian looked her up and down and winked. Iris lunged at him, swinging her fist at his face. Julian caught her wrist and flipped her on the ground. Iris found herself laying on her back looking up at Julian’s triumphant face. Julian outstretched his hand and pulled Iris to a standing position.

“There is definitely room for improvement,” he drawled.

Iris preferred to not be humiliated, but Julian was right. Iris could use some training to be a better fighter. Iris didn’t know what lay ahead in Volos but it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared for a fight.

“We will start off by improving your stance.” Julian’s face was serious as he spoke, having dropped his smug expression.

“Yes, teacher,” Iris replied in a mocking tone.

Julian walked behind Iris and placed his calloused hands on her shoulders guiding her body. The warmth of his touch reminded her of Ezekiel. She needed to erase all thoughts of Ezekiel from her mind. Iris stepped away from Julian’s touch. “You could just tell me how to stand.”

Julian backed away from her. Assessing her, he nodded. Once Julian was happy with her stance, he coached her on the proper technique for holding her fist when punching. Julian had her go through several punching combinations. Iris focused on doing exactly what she was told, keeping control over body as she went through the movements that Julian directed her to do. Sweat dripped down her back as she pushed her body through the motions. Julian had been right, the more she exerted herself physically the duller her craving for azure was. Though the craving never fully left her.

When Iris was completely worn, Julian stated that she was now ready to spar with him. Iris was not one to back down from a challenge. She got into her stance and Julian moved on her with speed and power. Iris managed to dodge his first blow and block a second, but it was a matter of seconds before Iris fell hard on the wooden deck.

“Again,” Julian ordered, reaching his hand out to Iris.

By the time Julian ended the sparring session, Iris was drained, and she was pretty sure her tail bone was bruised. Julian never hit Iris with his full force, but she would be tender tomorrow. Julian pulled Iris up a final time. Iris was frustrated with her skill level and irritated at Julian for pushing her too hard. But she wasn’t thinking of Ezekiel or her need for azure.

“Same time tomorrow?” Julian said. Iris couldn’t tell if it was a question or statement. She held his stare for a moment before walking back to her cabin. She would be back tomorrow.