“Fine,” he said.
Bee slid her hand across the table and Birdie met her halfway, giving it a squeeze. “Been a long time since I’ve been that scared.” Stone could feel the heat of Birdie’s stare burning into his face, so he focused on his tea. If Bee wanted to turn back, Birdie wouldn’t hesitate.
“We need to vote,” Birdie said. “We knew it was a risk coming here, but with the lack of supplies and the Strix, we have to be practical about moving forward.”
“You’re suggesting we turn back?” Patch reclined in his chair, scrubbing a hand down his stubbled jaw. “What do you say, boss?”
Stone’s glasses fogged over from the heat of the tea. He wondered how long he could say nothing until Birdie punched his leg.A minute, he guessed. “I won’t ask you to continue if you’re not comfortable,” he said. “The Strix poses a real threat as well as Vic.”
Heat scorched Stone’s cheeks. It shouldn’t bother him so much that Vic found a way to sabotage his plans, but the fact was, it did bother him. Even years away from the Outpost couldn’t change the fact that he was always on the losing end when it came to Vic.
“We don’t have enoughastrato make it to Vargah.” Birdie filled the silence for him. “But we can at least use what we have to head that way and hope we pass a cargo ship or a hauler.”
There was very little Stone hated more than failing. Which was why being a smuggler appealed to him so much. It was something he knew he’d succeed at. Something that challenged him and pushed him and gave him a false sense of pride. Like he actually accomplished something with his life. Until, of course, he was caught.
Birdie leaned forward, her elbows braced on the table. “If there are no supplies left in Dire, the sensible thing to do is turn around. The queen will understand, Stone.”
“And abandon our mission? Our king?” Nora’s voice came from the doorway.
Shit.
"So much for rule number three," Birdie mumbled. Stone shut his eyes. He was tired. His bones ached and worry for Aesira chewed away at his middle.
But Ravki was days away.Days. If they could only push a little farther.
“We’re going back?” Her voice came from behind him. Stone’s eyes shot open and when he turned, Aesira was in the doorway next to Nora. Her eyes were bloodshot, her skin pallid, but she wasawake. Breathing. Standing. His eyes trailed to her leg where the bandage was still wrapped tight, a hint of pink scattered across the white cloth. “Is that what you’ve all decided?” she asked. “We’re turning around?”
Stone clamped his mouth shut and to his surprise, so did Birdie.
“We’re not sure,” Bee said.
“Sit, Commander.” Nora squeezed her arm. “I’ll get you something to eat.” The rest of them shuffled in their seats. Birdie switched sides, leaving a space for Aesira to sit next to Stone.
“I’m surprised you’re up,” Bee said. “Strix venom is potent.”
Birdie shot Stone a look from across the table but he focused on his tea again.Strix venom is potent, he thought to himself,if left unattended.The small satchel of tea from Soo sat in his pocket like a secret.
“I’m still a bit lightheaded,” Aesira said, “but it’s lifting.” She bit into a dry biscuit. “Back to the issue at hand. Are we leaving?”
Five sets of eyes landed on Stone and he knew his stalling had run out. “It’s sensible to turn back while we can,” he said, locking eyes with Birdie. "We need water.Astra. The food we have left will cut it close." Birdie shook her head but he could tell from her eyes, she knew he wasn’t going to budge. Because while Stone knew her better than himself, Birdie knew him just as well. “But I believe there’s still value in finding Ravki.”
“Finding Desmond, you mean.” Nora cocked her head to the side. “We’re here to find the king, not just some ancient city.”
“Of course.” Stone’s skin itched. He wasn’t lying, not exactly. He had every intention of bringing the king back to Vargah should he find him, at least now he did, he just also happened to have other interests in pursuing Ravki. Other interests that sat like a naggingfly in the back of his mind. Buzz, buzz, buzzing until it was all he could think about.
“I won’t ask any of you to continue.” He reached for Bee’s hand. “You and Bird can head back. The Outpost isn't far. Aquila will get you as far as she can. You’ll be safer.”
“Right,” Birdie interjected, “and if we run into Vic along the way? We need to avoid the Outpost altogether. Our best bet is heading straight for Vargah and the only chance at survival is sticking together.”
“It’s too far, Bird.” Stone rubbed his temples. “There isn’t enoughastrato make it even a quarter of the way.”
Nora cleared her throat. “Celestria is always listening. Maybe if we pray, we’ll be blessed?”
Patch clucked his tongue and shook his head, a lock of dark hair falling across his forehead. “If you think prayer will help, you haven’t been paying attention,” he said. “There are no gods out here. Only monsters and men.” A flush of red swept over the knight's cheeks.
“Is that right?” Nora leaned forward. “And which one are you?”
A smile stretched over Patch’s lips as he mirrored her pose, propping his elbows on the table. “Which one do you want me to be, sweetheart?”
