Matthias springs to his feet. His fingers brush with Sol’s, interlinking before he turns back to me. “Now—,”
“No,” Esme and Sol snap in unison.
“Wait until we can speak where we won’t be overheard.” Sol brushes the back of his hand over Matthias’s cheek. “Gods, I missed you.”
His whole face softens.
I find myself watching them closely. Examining their interactions, and Matthias notices my stare. His head cocks, but we’re interrupted by a shout from below. He whistles. “Time to go. Petyr was impatient two days ago.”
Rio and Sol pull Callan up, pushing their arms beneath him as if holding him upright. I wonder how many times they’vedone this. Carried him from the ship, half-dead from the pretium. Enough times that they exchange no words with their movements, as if the motions are instinctive.
Callan stiffens, dragging his feet to stop them. “Selene stays with me. Not negotiable. Make sure nobody touches her, if we don’t want the charade to fall apart.”
“Fine.” Matthias taps his fingers against his leg. He eyes me consideringly. “They’ve already sent a messenger ahead. Petyr will be waiting. Tobias is on the dock.”
Rio swears, rubbing at his chest. “That’s me done. He’ll have me on shift tonight. I’ll try to get to wherever you’ll be later, if I can get away. Smee, let me know.”
“I will.” Their eyes meet as Merrick pauses in front of me.
He looks at me closely. “We won’t be coming to the temple with you. But I hope you’ll come to the town, Selene. You would be welcome.”
Leo’s skinny body crashes into me, almost knocking me off my feet. “Say you will.”
My throat tightens. “I’ll try, if I can.”
It feels like an ending. They all walk ahead of me, and I follow behind Callan as Rio and Sol drag him down the gangplank. Matthias hovers, his eyes shifting between me and the men who stiffen as I approach. He shifts back, allowing the others ahead of him and casually taking up a place at my side.
Metal men. So many of them, their eyes barely visible beneath the armor they wear, weapons heavy at their waists. They glint as steel is pulled free, blades angled in my direction as I walk slowly down.
I don’t hesitate. One foot in front of the other, until we reach the ground.
My feet step onto the cobbled stone, and my eyes burn. It feels almost like a mirror of the last time I stood here. Nothing but air at my back, weapons pointed at my throat.
Cool, mist-filled air kisses my cheeks. The scent of smoke and charda wood from the town hearth is noticeable even here, and I breathe in deeply.
I keep my head up. Callan’s voice sounds slurred with feigned pretium but unmistakable. “None of you will touch her. Royal business.”
A soldier steps forward. He pushes up his helm, revealing scarlet eyes. “That appears to be a faeyte, Edgeborn.”
Callan makes a show of pushing himself upright. “Well met, Tobias.”
The response is clipped, almost dry. “Yourcargo isunexpected. As is your condition. Given the length of time we’ve been waiting, I’d half expected a corpse.”
“She is welcome here,” Callan says softly. He ignores the male’s other words. “Tread carefully, Tobias. Consider her presence here, after so long and at this moment. The gods may be watching.”
The male’s eyes shift to mine. They take in my eyes, my hair, my wings, but I don’t feel the icy touch of animosity from him. He inclines his head, stepping away from Callan and addressing his words to me. “Welcome to Asteria. My name is Tobias. I’m head of the household guard.”
I nod. “Selene Amaris.”
“Well met, Selene.” He sheathes the sword at his side. The line behind him mimics his action in unison, the movement eerie. Tobias sweeps our group, pausing. “Riordan.”
Rio steps forward, away from Callan. His frame straightens as he brings his fingers to his forehead in a crisp salute. “Captain.”
“I believe the garrison was expecting you several days ago.” His eyes drop to the bandage visible above Rio’s neckline, but he doesn’t ask.
Rio nods. “My apologies. I’ll head straight there as soon as we get back.”
“Good.” Tobias eyes him with disapproval, before surveying the rest of us. “Callan, there’s a cart waiting. I’ll escort our guest.”
