A low chortle rumbled from my lips. “No wonder you never seemed jealous of him. . .”
“He isn’t half the lady-killer I am, Lady Aethra. Why would I be jealous?”
Happiness bloomed in my chest for the first time in my life—not brought on by Eleos’ spells, or fleeting vice. The warmth enveloped me, and a smile tore across my lips. Leaning my head against his, I closed my eyes.
Ainwir loved me. Eleos loved me.
Maybe I wasn’t worthless after all.
* * *
The sea separating Duath Nun from the Merchant Isles was surprisingly small, for how well it had kept the two nations apart. After a few days at sea, land appeared on the horizon.
Standing at the bow, I watched Duath Nun draw closer, hardly able to believe just how different it appeared.
Great mountains rose on the horizon, the color of sand. Lush vegetation swayed by the shore, verdant and green. From the waters grew countless feathery reeds that bucked beneath the wind.
Our ship slammed into the bank, scraping across the seabed. I flinched, listening to the delicate wood grind and groan.
“Well,” Percy said. “I don’t think we’ll be making a return journey.”
“Not on this.” Seraphim agreed, hugging her wounded arms to her chest as she climbed over the deck. “Phaedrus will be right behind us on his fancy ship, though.”
Seth glanced at me, and I expected him to offer me a hand down. Sighing, he turned away and climbed down after Seraphim. Whisper leaped after him, grateful to be off the deck.
After everything we’d been through, was he really going to give me the cold shoulder again?
Eleos approached me, offering a hand instead. “Need help, for old time’s sake?”
“I’ve got to set down a ramp for Athena anyway,” I murmured, heading below deck. Eleos helped me drag the bridge and throw it overboard, allowing Athena to safely descend to the beach.
Percy greeted the horse when she found her footing. “The last of the horses. I can’t believe you made it this far.”
“Thank princess,” Seth said. “She got too attached.”
“Athena saved us at Red Bluff,” I called. “I could hardly abandon her, now.”
Descending the ramp, I took my first step onto Duath Nun’s soil. Or,sand. A strange sensation enveloped me, like I’d passed through a barrier, or broken the surface of the sea. Disoriented, I spun in place, but everything looked normal.
Dismissing the odd feeling, I ran a hand down Athena’s neck. Grabbing her lead, I guided her after Seraphim. “What now? We’re out of supplies and gear.”
“There’s a city not far from here.” She said, pointing. “That’s its marker.”
Following her finger, I noticed a black obelisk rising from the trees. Ancient and eroding, the faded runes carved on its surface were foreign.
“But we need rest.” Seraphim paused, catching her breath. “Or we’ll die before we get there.” She surveyed the beach. “Let’s get out of sight of the shore.”
Glancing behind me, I watched the sea until I could see it no longer, wondering when Phaedrus would give chase. Who would he bring with him, and how far would they pursue us?
Deep in the trees, we set up camp. Seth and Percy searched for firewood, while I laid out my cloak for Seraphim and ordered her to sit. She released a heavy groan, wincing with pain.
Checking her bandages to see if they needed redressing, I struggled to meet her eyes. “I. . .”
“Don’t apologize,” Seraphim ordered. “Evidently, my brother is a powerful psyche. Even more so than Eleos.”
“When do you think he became one?”
She studied the fronds of a nearby tree. “When his love died, I’d imagine. Or perhaps when he lost his child. Phaedrus had nothing if not empathy for all things. I’m not surprised Psythos blessed him.”
