Ice blue eyes peer over a shoulder, darting past me to Cyran on my flank.
Eve’s a whole separate obstacle.
She’s angry.
She has right to be. Contract lost and her matron demon refusing to offer another, she’s bitter. It’s something I can understand if the reason the succubus gave is true. The best I can do is give her time. It may seem like it now, but Ves isn’t the only reason I chose to save her.
I did it because she deserves another chance.
She’s paid enough—changed and grown from her mistakes. She’s no longer the arrogant, heartless fae I met long ago. Who she’s become deserves the chance at an unbound life, even if she never sees past her anger to recognize it.
She sweeps up the stone steps to the dock as our surroundings peek through the fog, and I keep close pace. The length of theJaded Kelpiedarkens through the haze, and its Captain and a few crew stand in wait.
“Been here since twilight,” Connak greets with a wave “Didn’t want to risk you thinking we abandoned you.”
His eyes land on Ves.
“What happened?” his tone takes on a concerned edge. “We’ve ahealer. Dendrea!” he shouts over his shoulder up at the deck.
Ves stirs, her brows creasing as she curls into me.
The Captain gestures to the gangplank as Eve passes, somewhat taken aback by her blatant disregard to his greeting.
“Is she sick?” Connak asks, studying her. No doubt drawn to the creeping vines and veilflowers. “Are you putting my crew at risk?” His hand darts out, grabbing my shoulder.
Forced to stop, I heave a sigh.
Cyran grabs the Captain’s wrist and removes it from my shoulder, keeping a firm grip. The Captain’s eyes swing from mine to his.
“I advise you keep your hands off anyone in our party,” Cyran says in a low warning.
At this, Eve’s head whirls and the rest of her follows. She storms toward the Captain, candle clutched in her hands, a scowl plastered on her face.
“She won’t be a threat if you get us to Ollora,now,” she near snarls at Connak. “We need to get her off this godsdamned island.”
“And I need to protect my family,” Connak counters, unafraid of the fae female able to stare him square in the eye. “Which means not exposing them to… to whatever this is.” He shakes his head as he gestures at Ves.
“Eve, Cyran,” I say, using a much quieter voice.
Eve huffs through her cowl as Cyran releases his grip.
“I assure you she is not sick—not with anything you or your crew can contract,” I say. “Illa Ysari runs in her blood. She sleeps to prevent consumption.”
Connak’s brown eyes shoot wide. “Winged fae,” he breathes.
Let that be the extent of his understanding.
“You called, Cap’t?” a female voice rings from above.
A mousy-faced female peers over the railing of the ship, her golden braid swinging over a shoulder.
“Keep close, Dendrea,” Connak answers as he takes a step back, putting more space between himself and Eve. “We’re carrying precious cargo today.” He lowers his chin, meeting my stare. “Take her to my office. We’ll have you back to Galyne in no time.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Ollora.”
His eyes narrow. “That’s three days’ travel.”
“And you’ll be paid accordingly,” I reply.
