“Yes, well, loyalty can transform those you love into the most ardent, yet obstinate creatures.”
Eira readily nodded in agreement. “What will you do to them if they refuse?”
“The same rules will continue to govern them—if they do as they’re told and make themselves useful, I can find a place for them on my vessels.” A thin, crescent smile arced across her lips. “I think motivating them should be easy enough. Seeing as I have you in my palm andyou’rethe one they’re standing by.”
Eira’s stomach clenched. She was the leverage Adela held over her friends. Both Eira’s friends and her magic were the leverage Adela had over her. The pirate queen, unsurprisingly, was positioned as the one with absolute control.
“I have one more question.”
Adela motioned with an open palm in a gesture that read as,continue.
“Are you genuinely trying to restore my magic? Or are you stringing me along?”
Her hand settled back on her cane. “What use are you to me as a Commons? There would be no motivation for me to keep you here without your magic. If I simply needed deckhands, I could find much better than you. And, if I were to set you free, it would be more advantageous for me to do so with you lackingmagic, as then you could not use my name to your advantage. I would not be keeping you here, Eira, if not for restoring your powers.” Adela’s eyes shone. “I want to see you listen to these echoes for myself. And then, I want you to teach me mastery of them.”
Eira nodded weakly, Lavette’s objections about Adela’s nature heavy in her mind. But what else could she do? Right now, Adela was her best chance. And…oddly enough…they might be safer with the pirate queen than anywhere else. At least, for now, she knew that the Pillars couldn’t get to them. If there was one thing Eira knew Adela wouldn’t abide, it would be an attack on her ship and crew. She wouldn’t allow herself to be made to look weak—a trait Eira found herself admiring.
“Then we should continue.” Eira leaned forward, extended her hands, and braced herself for more hours of a chill that grabbed her very soul by the throat.
Eira stood on deck with Crow as the ship finally drifted to a stop alongside one of the many parallel docks that ran along the marshy banks of the center river of Ofok. It resembled the docks of Warich, but taken to the extreme. Like the houses that came before it, most of the small city was suspended on pylons driven deep into the wet earth. Some of the boats looked as though they’d been tied in one particular spot for years, the ropes dripping stalactites of algae as craftsmen and restaurants ran businesses on their docks. The stilted houses she’d seen as they approached Ofok were now dense, honeycombed together so tightly that one balcony became another’s entry.
“Her Frostiness made it clear what she expected of you while we’re roped up, correct?” Crow said curtly, looking out from underneath her hood.
Eira had also donned her cloak, per the pirate’s instructions. She hadn’t objected since her face was recognizable enough following the tournament and showing it was a risk not worth taking.
“Don’t disembark. Don’t go to the other ship. Stay in place and mostly out of sight,” Eira tiredly repeated Adela’s order. The attempts to restore her magic had exhausted Eira to her core.
“Good. The three of us are going to resupply.” As Crow spoke, Puck and Zaila were shrugging on heavy coats, even in the heat of summer. Eira heard metal clanks and suspected there were daggers and other weapons stitched inside. “You stay in place and defend the boat if anything happens.”
“With what?” Eira held out her empty palms. “I still don’t have my magic.”
“Still?” Crow seemed flabbergasted. “Just what have you been doing in there all these hours? Playing carcivi?”
“Maybe. Jealous I’m getting so much quality time with Her Iciness?” Eira arched her brows and Crow huffed. She’d long since picked up on how deeply Crow’s loyalty and admiration ran for her leader. Eira dropped her expression, tone becoming serious once more. “I had a dagger among my things—gold hilt, a notch down the fuller. At least give me that?”
Crow must have been expecting the demand. Or she had already been told to give Eira the weapon, because it was waiting in the large pack she’d slung over her shoulder. Eira expected more hesitation before she handed it over. But Crow wasted no time.
“Here. But don’t you dare get any ideas.” Crow took a half step closer as she passed it to Eira, voice dropping to a whisper, side-eying the few people going about their business on thedocks. “Adela might know better than to show her face, but if you cross her, don’t think she won’t freeze this whole city to the bone in an instant just to get to you.”
Eira had no doubt that the pirate queen would, and could. “I know. She has my magic hostage. I’m not going to do anything that would risk her helping me.”
“Good.” Crow released the blade and stepped toward Puck and Zaila.
As the three of them exchanged quiet conversation, Eira unsheathed the blade, inspecting its edge. It was still wicked sharp. Being armed was a relief. Even if she could do little with it compared to her magic…it wassomething. She turned the blade over once and then sheathed it, tucking it into her belt and allowing it to slice through the helplessness she’d been suffering.
When she looked back across the deck, the other pirates were gone. Their silhouettes faded into the people passing through the docks. Well, it seemed like they trusted her.
Biting back a sigh, Eira walked to the opposite side of the vessel, away from the docks. Adela’s other boat, with her friends, had moored up on the other side of the river. She leaned on the railing. Ducot was talking with Pine and Fen. Noelle was there, too. The competitors from Qwint crossed over. Alyss and Cullen wrapped up a conversation, and the former joined the group.
Cullen lingered behind, at the back of the boat. His eyes swept across the river and met hers. Even though it was impossible to make out his features, she could see the slight sag to his shoulders as he straightened slightly. Eira bit her lip to keep herself from calling out. She clasped her hands together, gripping them so tightly they shook.
If she called out to him now, he would stay. If she showed him even the slightest bit of need. He would stay for her.
The choice was his to make and she had to give him space to make it. She couldn’t influence him. If she did, she’d forever regret it. She’d forever doubt his intentions.
So she waited, savoring what might be their last few minutes together, even though they were a river apart. The wind picked up, carrying on it the scent of rain. He stepped backward, and then away from the railing. He joined the rest of them.
Every, steady, even, step of his was a pound of her heart. Slow but relentless. It stuck in her throat. Eira tried to swallow it down, but couldn’t. Nausea overtook her. She swallowed again.
