Grinning, I turn. “Matthias will be waiting for us, you know. If only so Petyr can make sure I’m not actually dead.”
“That’s not even funny.” He follows as I cross the deck, past the common area and Merrick’s hearth to climb the stairs to where the rudder sits, the spokes polished and oiled to a gleam. Tapping it with my fingers, I stare out across the ship, to the darkness that looms over us. “About time I did some work, I suppose.”
I glance to where Sol’s leaning against the mizzenmast. He harrumphs. “How’s your nose?”
Bleeding.He watches closely as I tug the cloth free and wipe it away, his own wry smile vanishing. “Callan. This isn’t safe.”
“I’ll get us home.” My hands flex on the wood. “Have a little faith.”
“Try to still be alive at the end of it.” His response is terse. “Or we may as well go straight over the edge now. It would be cleaner.”
“Anyone would think you only cared for my maegis,” I mutter, focusing on the horizon. In the corner of my eye, the door to the sleeping quarters swings open, and my attention splits, narrowing to focus on hair of moonlight. Selene turns to Esme as she gestures, pale hands reaching up to tuck the tight bun into place with a leather chord.
Volatusrocks beneath us, and I swear, pulling it back.
The silence from Sol speaks for itself. Gritting my teeth, I yank my attention away. “Not a single word.”
Footsteps sound, pounding into the steps before Rio strides into view. His eyes land on me, and he opens his mouth.
“Say nothing,” I snarl. “Unless it’s about something other than our guest.”
His mouth snaps shut as Esme and Selene follow him up the stairs. Beneath my hands, the oiled wood groans and creaks. I let my eyes run over her, assessing, this time. “You should be resting.”
Selene shakes her head. Behind her, dark wings gleam in the fading light of the sun, casting a shadow across the deck. “They’re a little sore, but nothing I can’t manage.”
But she smiles at me again. The same tiny smile she gifted me before she looks away, and my heart turns over, thumping unsteadily.
“Selene is fine,” Esme murmurs. “Merrick and Leo are coming. He was tying down some loose sacks in the hold.”
Nodding, I ease back on my feet. “Riordan?”
He clears his throat. “Aside from the two grain sacks Merrick found, everything else is locked down as tight as we can get it.”
Not that it matters. Nothing we do will matter ifVolatusdoes not hold. But it eases something in my chest regardless. “You need to get below deck. All of you.”
Esme sounds bored. “Because every time you ask, we always hide away and let you crack on with it. Please. You should know better by now.”
Rio leans back against the railings, crossing his arms. “Besides, this is the most exciting part of the whole journey. Why else do I come?”
“For the drink,” Sol mutters under his breath.
Rio looks wounded. He presses a hand to his chest. “Notjustthe drink, Solomon.”
Esme is staring out at the Never. “And there’s the women. Don’t forget the women.”
Sol’s head bobs in agreement. “Of course.”
Rio’s face smooths out, any amusement wiping away as Leo bounces into view.
“It’s time?” His head swings between us all, settling on me. His eyes are wide as saucers. “We’re going over?”
Rio groans. A faint green tinge tints his cheeks before he scrubs them. “For the love of Hala, don’t say it like that, Leo. Sol gets the height sickness.”
Sol dismisses Leo’s curious stare with a shake of his head. “Merrick, you should take Leo down to the cabin. Just in case.”
Leo’s face falls, and he turns to Merrick. “But I want to watch.”
Merrick’s hands land on his shoulders, squeezing in quiet reassurance. “It would make no difference, Sol. Let the lad watch.”
