Tempest and Tide [Nikolai Lantsov]

~ Chapter Nine ~

My entire body is wrapped in a blaze of fury as my eyes fix on Andrei.  I expected to be terrified, to have my every muscle tense with fear, but seeing him now something inside me snaps.

He's just a boy, no more powerful than I am. The only difference is he's been corrupted by power and greed, turning him into something wretched.

The scene on the deck is still unfurling before me, unaware of the turmoil I'm experiencing feet away.

"I have to say when I heard this was Sturmhonds ship I expected a more ferocious foe," Andrei tilts his chin up, facing his cousin in the flickering light, "I'm almost sorry to see that Rakvas most feared Privateer is nothing more than a puppy."

"Well you shouldn't always trust your eyes, looks can be deceiving." Nikolai retorts, his diplomatic smile never slipping, but I know what to look for. A slight twitch in his fingers, the only display of anger he'll allow himself in front of all these people.

He spreads his arms wide, gesturing around with a grin, "So why did you seek out my fine crew?"

"I have to be honest with you, I was confused as well." Andrei steps forward and the look chills me to my core. He paced past the crew toward his cousin, "The Darklings intel said she was here, and for the life of me I couldn't fathom what a Pirate would want with a lady of the court."

I see the eyes of the crew shifting, a rhythmic exchange of small glances and twitched hands. An unspoken language that only they recognize. I've been on the ship long enough to understand. They're readying for a fight.

Stopping before Nikolai, Andrei snaps his fingers together, sending a spark of flame into the night, "You always did enjoy taking what should have been mine."

Another bolt of rage shoots through my stomach. I am not some prize and I'm definitely not Andreis.

The thought disgusts me.

Nikolai rocks back on his heels, face turned up in a mockery of thought, "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."

"Your little doll," Andrei narrows his eyes in irritation, "Lady Beyove."

I barely stop myself from sending that pig over the side of the boat with one well-placed blast of wind.

"Well back in Os Alta I expect," Through the doors' slats I see the Prince tilt his head, looking off into the night with dawning remembrance that even I almost believe, "it certainly has been a while."

"Well we all know that's a lie," Andrei shakes his head in disgust.

Carefully he turns, studying each member of the crew as if he'll find me standing among them. His eyes skim toward my hiding spot and I drop down another step, keeping myself out of his line of sight.

"They can't all be loyal to her."

Andrei steps up, looming over one of the crew. She doesn't flinch, as impassive as a statue. Even in the low light, I recognize Nessa's blonde waves. She received my addition to the crew without question, the first to welcome me into the ragtag group. I owe the rest of their acceptance in large part to her.  

Flicking his finger, a flame dances in the space between them. I see Nessa pull back a fraction of an inch, barely restraining her fear as the flame comes closer. None of the crew are Inferni, but Nessa, she's otkazat'sya. She has no way to compete with the flames.

I shouldn't be able to hear the words Andrei whispers as he leans in toward her, but I adjust the breeze, adding distance to his low growl.

"Do I need to burn it out of you?"

The words send a shiver down my spine. I press my palm to the door, any regard for my own safety dropping away. I'm not letting Andrei hurt anyone else.

Before I can act, Nikolai steps up as if reading my thoughts. He grips his cousin's arm pulling him away, "No one is burning anyone on my ship!"

The rest of the Volkvolnys crew tenses, ready for the slightest signal to pounce.

Andrei and Nikolai glare at each other. They may be family, but the hatred between them is the most potent I've ever seen. Andrei never got over his removal from the succession and he's always associated that betrayal with Nikolai, it's been this way as long as I can remember.

"You forget yourself, Andrei," Nikolais voice has lost its humorous lilt, "I am the Captain here, not to mention your superior officer and your Prince."

"Not my King though."

A lesser man than Nikolai would have fallen for the taunt. Instead, he laughs, tipping back his head and flashing that signature Prince Perfect smile. It's a look I've seen thousands of times, the false grin put on to make him seem fearless. Even knowing it's all a show it's almost impossible to see what's beneath.

"Perhaps someday," He responds, a knowing tilt to his lips. His head lists, blond waves catching the firelight and flashing like a crown.

We can all hear the subtle threat behind his words. The reminder that no matter how much he wants it, King is something Andrei can never be. Nikolai, on the other hand, is a hair's breadth away.

As I catch Andrei's expression I know, for once, the Prince has made a mistake.

His cousin's face has gone scarlet, rage taking over what little rationality he has. I've seen that look before, the night I left Os Alta. It can't lead to anything good.

"You may think you're winning, Sobachka, but you lost sight of the whole board." The fire plays over Andrei's fingertips as he sneers, a taunting glint in his eyes, "The queen is more important than some little pawns in a game like this, but you, well you left yours all alone."

Even from here, I see Nikolai go still as understanding begins to set in.

"You might win, but I had her all to myself," A smirk plays over Andrei's face. He leans closer to his cousin, the next word barely a whisper, "She broke in the end, they always do, I just regret that you weren't there to see it."

My heart thumps with fury and I press my forehead against the door, trying to steady myself. It's not a lie, but it's not the full truth either. He may have made his move but he failed.

And I am far from broken.

Through the slats, I see Nikolais' entire frame go rigid. His fists clenching behind his back.

Don't be stupid. Please don't be stupid Niko.

I can see the moment when it all snaps. The Prince's fingers flex once, then he lunges. A knife appears from nowhere, slashing through the air. At the same moment, flames snap forth from Andrei's fingers. A blast that rivals the sun. 

I don't think in that moment, my body reacting without a thought.

I lunge.

~~~

i believe...

Nikolai always secretly loved the idea of soulmates. He's seen his parents fail to love each other time and time again and somewhere along the line he began to hope that there was someone out there meant just for him. Someone that would truly love him.

~~~

So if you're here you probably like the story - that or it's one am and you're reading to procrastinate doing work - possibly both. Either way, I have an announcement for you! I am working on adapting Tempest and Tide into its own original work. I'm describing it as Grishaverse meets Princess Bride (if Buttercup was useful). This was started at the beginning of 2022 and is still in progress so follow me to get all the latest info!