“The world really is ending, isn’t it?” Arwin whispered.
“It’s heading in that direction.”
“Can you truly stop it?”
“I’m going to try.” Vi looked over at her companion, the woman’s eyes locking with hers.
“We’ll have to keep training you with that scythe, then.” Arwin gave her a light pat on the shoulder, the touch brief but shockingly reaffirming. “So rest up today, princess. We’re back at it tomorrow.” All Vi could do was nod, startled by the woman’s sudden change in attitude. “Speaking of… How many days are we going to be stuck on this thing this time?”
“That’s an excellent question.” Vi returned to her bag, grabbing the journal.
“I was about to ask for a headway—more than ‘away from Adela’.” Taavin joined the conversation.
“That headway sounds good enough to me for now,” Arwin declared. “I’ll take the helm. You should give her a look-over and make sure her wounds have healed…” Arwin glanced between Vi and Aldrik. “And I suspect you may want some time with your father.”
“Thank you.” Time with her father was a luxury Vi could barely comprehend. She almost didn’t know what to do with it now.
“So where are we heading?” Arwin looked over Vi’s shoulder at the map.
“Risen,” Vi announced. She looked up at Arwin. “There, you can kill Ulvarth.”
“You sound almost eager about that,” Arwin mumbled with the tiniest grin on her mouth. Vi ignored it, looking to Taavin.
“And we can find out the truth about this.” She held the watch, broken metal jutting against her hand uncomfortably. “And find a way to stop Raspian.”
“Risen it is.” Arwin took the journal from her, bending over to scoop the compass from the satchel. “North, then northwest after we pass the southern tip of Meru’s crescent?”
“You have the right idea,” Vi affirmed.
“Then I think I can manage for a while.”
Taavin was already descending the stairs as Arwin went up. Vi looked over her shoulder again at the Isle of Frost. There were still no signs of ships in pursuit, and the land was growing smaller and smaller with each passing minute.
“Looking for theStormfrost?” Taavin asked from her side.
“Yes. Though I don’t think they’ll give chase…” She thought back to the magic she’d unleashed—the pirates going crazed, red lightning mixing with blue and yellow fire. As her thoughts wandered, Taavin’s hand drifted over her and he murmured spells. The haziness in her head began to clear and the last of the aches vanished. But before Vi could thank him, Taavin’s fingers rested against the watch. This time, no magic lashed out at him.
“What happened?” he asked again.
“I used the words the elfin’ra had used on me to control Adela.” She could still feel the echo of power rumbling within her like a dark storm.
“You used those words?” He looked up at her, his expression darkening. “Are you insane?”
“Maybe. It was that or die,” Vi said firmly. She didn’t want to be made to feel guilty for doing what it took to survive.
“Those words are Raspian’s work… As Yargen’s words evoke her magic, those evoke his.” Taavin tapped the watch. “You invited his power into you willingly.”
Vi clenched her jaw as she looked out over the ocean. She could continue insisting it had been to survive… but was it? Or had she wanted to find the most brutal way to end Adela’s life? Where did her justice end and her darkness begin?
“No wonder it reacted poorly with the watch,” he said grimly. “Yargen’s magic was likely trying to protect you.”
“Protect me from what?”
“Vi,think.” Taavin gripped her upper arm to the point of pain. “Raspian seeks a living host to let him walk among this land once more, and fully usher in an Era of Darkness. To do that he needs one of us, or the ashes of the flame. If youinvited his magic into you…” Vi felt her shoulders tense, and it had nothing to do with the pain of Taavin’s grip. It felt like a crank was winding the muscles in her neck, making her head hurt all over again. “One way or another, as his power continues to grow, he’ll find a way into this world. Let’s not make it easy for him.”
“I won’t,” Vi whispered. “I won’t use those words ever again.”
“Good.” Taavin relented, quickly releasing her as if he hadn’t realized he’d been holding onto her. His fingers trailed down her arm, wrapping around hers tightly for a long moment. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”
