Chapter 59
It’s well after midnight by the time Captain Solyen’s crew files up the gangway to the ship. On board, they mill around, laughing and getting ready to sail.
Rynthea and Algar are still fast asleep at Irina’s inn.
I could tell they were worried about me.
While they ate their stew and drank ale at the tavern, I sat on the porch, drowning in my thoughts.
And when it was time for them to go back to Irina’s, I told them I was going to hang outside and watch the sunrise over the harbor.
I hate lying to them—it makes me no better than Thane. But my lies are to protect them, not use them. That makes a difference in my mind.
As I turn my plan over in my mind for the hundredth time, Enver stops by with a gentle hello.
He apologizes for doubting me, then offers tea and my favorite honey loaf.
This is the first time I’ve turned the sweet bread down.
I’m not in the mood to talk to him, and, picking up on that, he gives me a hug around the shoulders and leaves.
When I spot Captain Solyen stumbling his way toward his ship, I collect my belongings and jog toward the port.
“Here.” I stand on the deck of the Emellie, stuffing a handful of coins in his palm. “I need to get to Meriva now.”
He examines me closely, eyebrows drawn together, trying to understand the urgency.
“Please,” I add softly.
“What about the other three?”
“The Shallows was a lot for them. They aren’t strong enough to travel yet.
” And they’re going to be furious when they find out I’ve left without them.
Guilt makes my stomach churn. The ship ride to Meriva will take nearly fourteen hours.
If I want to make it there in time, I have to leave immediately.
“Maybe you can give them passage in a few days?”
“Yeah. All right.” Solyen hollers for his crew to prepare to sail.
As I walk on board toward the cabin, I notice a dark silhouette in the distance.
Sitting on the beach, close to the ocean, is Thane.
That stupid tome is in his lap, and he’s looking my way.
I can’t make out his facial expression, but I do see his eyes spark that familiar gold as he closes the tome and stands up.
I enter the cabin, settling into one of the chairs at the table and mentally going over my plan again.
As the boat starts to move, an abrupt flurry of gold appears a few steps away from me. I gasp when I see Thane with his nostrils mildly flared. He strides right up to me with a frown.
“What do you think you’re doing, Zaira?” he asks in a gravelly voice.
“What does it look like? I’m going back to Meriva Empire.”
“In the middle of the night?”
“Yes. I need to get back so I can bargain with Seferin to save my sister,” I inform him, folding my arms.
“He’ll kill you,” he counters in an irritated, matter-of-fact tone.
“Not if I trade my life for Analla’s. My blood freed the tome. Maybe he can use that.”
“He’ll kill her and then squeeze every ounce of life out of you,” he seethes with a frown. “Going directly to him is reckless and foolish, and you know it. Otherwise, you’d have done so from the beginning.”
“Exactly,” I respond, and he looks me all over, confused. “Which is why there’s more to my new plan…but I can’t do it without your magic.”
His eyes narrow a bit. “Why didn’t you just come to me first, then?” he asks. “I told you I’d help.”
I work hard to swallow. “Because I needed to know you were one hundred percent willing to come aboard for me—that for once you weren’t just thinking about yourself.
If you hadn’t, I still would’ve tried anyway, and yes, it may have resulted in failure, but at least I’d go out knowing I did everything I could for Analla. ”
He seems to contemplate all of this as he studies my face. Then his shoulders soften. “I said I’d help you save her, Zaira. I know you don’t want to believe it after everything, but I meant that. I’m right here. Put me to work.”
My traitorous heart flutters. I was expecting a bit more resistance from him, but there’s a look in his eyes. One of certainty along with a whisper of desperation.
Though I feel myself softening for him, I shake my head.
“This doesn’t change anything between us,” I add, pointing a stern finger at him.
“I want nothing more than to be angry with you and to never speak to you again, but that would be selfish on my part—especially when I know you have something we can use.” I point at the tome still tucked under his arm.
“Is there a spell in there that allows you to hear me if we’re in different locations? ”
“There is a mindflare spell,” he returns, “but I don’t need the tome for that. It’s a common spell. I just need a lock of your hair or a drop of blood to make it work.”
“And what about a spell to enhance the properties of an elixir?”
At that, he narrows his eyes. “I’m sure there’s something in the tome I can work with. Why?” His head cocks a bit. “What are you planning, Zaira?”
I gesture to the chair beside me. “Sit and I’ll explain.”
He does, and as I go over everything I have in mind, his eyes widen more and more. This plan is dangerous, with a very slim chance of survival.
But if we do it right—if we go in prepared—even he knows that it just might work.