Waterborne (Wanderlust 3)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Tanden felt a hand on his cheek. Groaning, he pushed himself up and opened his eyes, expecting to see Jale in front of him.

But it wasn't Jale who was looking at him, head tilted to the side ponderously. The woman had long, reddish brown hair, tousled by the wind, and dark brown eyes. She sat on the sand elegantly, with her legs tucked together beside her, and propping herself up with one hand, which was clutching a scroll. At first glance her dress seemed pale blue, light and fluttery. But as Tanden looked at her, it seemed to shift colours, various shades of blue and white, flowing over her like waves. He couldn't make sense of it.

He felt like he had during his dream—if it had even been a dream—of the goddesses and gods at dinner. But this woman didn't look like any goddess he had ever learned about.

At least if this was a dream, it was impossible to insult her by asking. "Who are you?"

She smiled at him. "Who are you, Captain Tanden?" Her voice almost seemed familiar. "Everyone arguing about who you belong to, who you are, and only I seem to know the truth."

Tanden blinked. "What?"

"You belong to me," she said.

Tanden rubbed his face. "I can't think about that again. I don't even know who you are."

"Yes, you do," she said. "Look at me."

He looked up and gave a start. She was changing. Her pale skin was darkening. Fine lines appeared on her hands and spread over her body. Her dress and hair stiffened. For a heartbeat or two, she was still, then she changed back. The lines, which Tanden suddenly recognized as wood grain, disappeared. The ocean breeze tugged at her hair and dress. She looked real again. Soft and warm.

The only goddess Tanden could think of who was associated with wood was Zianesa, but why would she claim him so assuredly? Besides, he had seen her at the dinner party, and she had looked nothing like the woman in front of him.

"I still don't—" Then he noticed the necklace she was wearing. Two pendants, one with the fish design that represented the Zian ocean god Roe, and one with the wave symbol of Roe's wife, Tolle. The wind tugged at the corner of her scroll, giving Tanden glimpses of a compass rose. She was holding a map. Suddenly he understood. "You're the Ocean Queen."

She laughed. The sound of it reminded Tanden of waves crashing against a ship's hull. "Not quite."

"You're... you're my figurehead," Tanden said. It had to be a dream. "You're the Wanderlust."

"Yes," she said with a radiant smile. "And you belong to me, out there." She waved towards the water. "Not stuck on an island."

Tanden looked out at the dark water. "Why does everybody want to tell me where and who I belong to?"

She touched his hand. "Because that's the question you keep asking. But you know the answer." Her finger rubbed the ring on his index finger. His Tandran crest ring. "You know exactly who you are. You're just a little lost."

Her hand felt so real. Tanden gave her fingers a squeeze. "You're not real. I drew a picture and paid someone to carve you out of the most expensive wood they had. I don't even remember what kind of wood."

"Why does that make me any less real than the goddesses and gods you talk to?" she asked softly. "You've always been so willing to believe. Was it because I wasn't invited to the dinner party?"

Tanden winced and almost pulled away, but he enjoyed the feel of her hand. "I... I don't know what to think. You're gone. And..." He could have sworn his heart stopped beating for a moment. "And Soren... I can't do anything without..."