“They’re just not practical for my line of work.” Arwin started for the laces of her chest leathers and Vi quickly averted her eyes, giving the woman some privacy. “I really don’t care how small my waist is.”
Vi set the scythe to the side and quickly undressed before crossing to the tub next to Arwin’s. She stepped up onto the ledge that surrounded it, dipping her toes into the water—feeling around for the small step she knew must be there. Finding one, she brought the other leg over and sat. What Vi had thought was water turned out to be a bright teal substance that reminded her of the consistency of an egg yolk. Any potential to be unnerved by such a comparison dissolved as a rush tingled up her body to her head, making everything feel light. Every muscle in her body relaxed all at once.
“Oh my…” Vi sighed softly, sinking back into the tub, the back of her head resting against the edge.
“Nice, isn’t it?” Arwin slung her arms over the side of her tub closest to Vi, chin resting on her forearms.
“I’ve never felt anything like it. It’s as if my whole body has vanished.”
“It’s one of Sarphos’s concoctions, actually. We worked on it together back before…” Arwin’s voice trailed off. Vi looked over to see the woman staring off at nothing. Vi didn’t question her; whatever memory had drawn her away was hers alone. The last thing she wanted to draw Arwin’s attention to was her moment of vulnerability. “It’s made from the shift,” Arwin continued hastily, as though the pause hadn’t happened at all. “Using water and other ingredients, he’ll use the shift to merge them together and make something new—shift it into something else.”
“He’s a skilled healer, and an even better man,” Vi murmured, thinking of all he’d done for Taavin and her, despite them being his supposed enemies. That would be another challenge if Vi somehow managed to find a way to convince Arwin to come along with her. How would she get her to ignore Taavin’s identity? Perhaps it was better to go after Sarphos; he already knew who he was dealing with.
“He is. And nothing at all like his brother,” Arwin continued.
“His brother?” Vi remembered when she’d first inquired about Arwin and Sarphos’s relationship—he’d said something about Arwin being engaged to his brother. So the mention now had her more than a little intrigued.
Arwin pushed away from the side of her tub, mirroring Vi’s position with her head lounged back. She stared upward, speaking more toward the ceiling than Vi.
“Sarphos’s brother and I were engaged to be married. He was nothing like Sarphos—strong willed, a fighter, reckless, everything a young girl foolishly dreams—or lusts—about. There are times I wonder what would’ve happened if I knew what I know now, and had been smart enough to fall for the kind and stable Sarphos instead…” Arwin’s voice was filled with longing. But Vi didn’t know whether it was for Sarphos’s brother, or a life that could’ve been with Sarphos himself.
“What happened to him?” Vi asked gently. “Not Sarphos, obviously, his brother?”
“He’s gone now.”
“I’m sorry.” She straightened, moving the thick waters around with her hands, watching the flowers dance on the surface as she stirred up currents beneath. This could be her opportunity. Vi took a deep breath. She just had to find strength enough to be vulnerable… How was it, out of everything she’d done, that was starting to terrify her the most? “I’m afraid I may lose someone important to me as well.”
“Who?”
“My father.”
“You said you were here to find him. Why is the King of the Dark Isle on Meru?”
“Emperor—we don’t have kings on the Dark Isle anymore,” Vi corrected without thinking. Luckily, Arwin didn’t seem offended. “My mother is sick with the White Death. So my father embarked on a journey to Meru to find a cure. He didn’t know then what the cause was.”Didn’t know his journey was hopeless, Vi thought but couldn’t bring herself to say. If only she’d known earlier. If only her father had known. Then he would’ve been safe and sound back with her mother.
“I take it this journey didn’t go well?” Arwin asked solemnly.
“It didn’t… He was captured and is being held hostage.”
“By the Faithful?”
“No, he never made it to Meru. Adela captured him. Now she has him on her Isle of Frost and… I know he’s alive… but every day that passes is another when his life could end. Even when I’m so close to reaching him.” Vi turned to Arwin, surprised to see the woman stony-faced and serious. “Before I do anything else, I have to get to the Isle of Frost.”
“You’re going to the Isle of Frost?” Arwin whispered.
“Yes.”
Without warning, Arwin stood. Vi looked away quickly, giving the woman privacy as she left the tub.
Had she said something wrong? Had she offended her somehow? Vi ran through the conversation in her head.
“Get out,” Arwin commanded gruffly. Vi turned slowly, but the woman’s back was to her as she tightened the bindings on her chest. “We’re going to see my father.”
“Arwin… I didn’t mean to offend—”
“You didn’t offend me.” Arwin looked over her shoulder with a fire in her eyes. “But you have presented me with a unique opportunity.”
Chapter Sixteen
