Adela closed the ledger and returned it to the shelf. “I’m sure you’ve well learned by now that we must pick and choose our battles. Is it worth it to me to risk exposure and the headache of fighting and running for a few bags of oranges? Is risking the lives of my crew worth such a meager reward?” She shook her head. “I have long since learned when to take risks and when not to, not just for my own well-being but on behalf of the people who trust me. I’ll put their necks on the line when it really counts and they know it.”
“You remind me of someone,” Eira murmured.
“Let me guess, yourself?”
Eira snorted. “No, the Crown Princess Vi, if you can believe it.”
Adela paused mid-step between her desk and her usual chair. It was a brief moment where her eyes went glassy. Eira resisted commenting on the change in demeanor. Adela clearly worked hard to cover it. But something about the mere mention of Crown Princess Vi had given the pirate queen pause.
Ducot had mentioned something about Adela intentionally avoiding Meru, as well as strict orders not to harm anyone or anything. Adela had always avoided elaborating on the decree. Could it have something to do with the crown princess?No, the timing wouldn’t work. Adela hadn’t been seen around Solaris or Meru for nearly twenty-one years. Which would be around the time of Vi Solaris’s birth, but Eira doubted a baby was doing anything to threaten the pirate queen.
Perhaps Vi’s parents?The birth of their children might have caused Vhalla and Aldrik Solaris to issue a clear threat. But then why also Meru? The treaties weren’t in place that early…
Eira was going to make her head hurt with all the speculating. For the time being, she’d file the knowledge and oddity away. Something to test with a mention here or there, or perhaps connect future occurrences with.
“I cannot say I have had the pleasure of meeting Vi Solaris.” There was no emotion to Adela’s words. “But I imagine it is something that all rulers are familiar with. And I am the queen of the seas.”
Right as Adela went to sit, she paused again. This time staying perfectly still. A scowl overcame her face. A low growl was barely audible in the back of her throat. Suddenly, the pirate queen looked like a feral animal, backed into a corner and ready to strike.
“I should have known this could not be done the easy way.”
“What is it?” Eira stood as Adela straightened.
“Do you know how to use that?” Adela nodded to the dagger still wedged in Eira’s belt.
“Yes. What’s happened?”
“If I find out that it was your friend who alerted them to our presence…I will make you watch as I utterly destroy him.” Adela took a step toward Eira. The pirate queen took up all the space, all the air in the small cabin.
“Olivin would never betray me,” Eira whispered, not knowing if it was true. But itfelttrue…
Even though Adela hadn’t answered Eira’s question, she was beginning to piece together what was happening based on how on edge the pirate was.
“We shall see.” Adela stopped at the door, her hand on the latch. “I will not go out of my way for you, Eira. Keep up or die.”Somehow, it didn’t sound malicious. It almost sounded like a test.
Eira drew the dagger Ulvarth had given her. The one that she was still determined to drive through his chest. “I’m ready.”
“Good.” A slight and wild smile crossed Adela’s lips. Her eyes spoke of murder. Her movements whispered death. She threw open the door and magic erupted.
14
Eira staggered at the initial explosion of flames. The whole ship was ablaze in an instant. She jumped, nearly bumping into Adela to stand in the cool shelter of the woman’s presence. Just as fast as the flames began, they hissed, extinguishing into a thick mist that blanketed the vessel.
Adela cursed under her breath. Eira thought she heard the words “flash beads,” but couldn’t be sure.
Ice crackled across the deck, underneath fresh tongues of flame, as two mighty magics warred. Men and women leapt onto the vessel. Adela swung her arm. A sheet of frost covered the wood before their feet landed. Three of the four scrambled, falling back as the grips of their shoes lacked purchase. The fourth managed to find his footing but Eira dashed forward, tackling him to the ground. Even though the frost wasn’t of her making, and even without her magic, she still understood ice and water as though it were an extension of her. An old friend that was eagerly awaiting her return.
The fourth cracked his head and blinked into the rain. Eira had his body to break her fall and she could recover faster, pushing onto her knees at his side. The man’s eyes quicklyregained focus as they met Eira’s. She could feel his body tense beneath her, almost quivering with a sick excitement.
“It’syou.” The man wore a pin on his breast with three circles interlocked, stacked vertical. However, instead of one line connecting them, as was traditional for the symbol of Yargen, there were three lines—the symbol of the Pillars.
These people weren’t fellow vagrants. They weren’t the law of the land who had uncovered pirates in their midst. They were Pillars. Even this far from Risen and Warich, the Pillars were here. They were organized.
And they were hunting her.
Eira had stayed her blade when she’d tackled him because she didn’t want to kill one of Ofok’s leadership or law. She wasn’t a pirate; Adela had made that much clear to her. But a Pillar changed everything.
He opened his mouth to speak again. Eira moved faster than he could get a word out, drawing her blade across his throat. The man gurgled blood, hands flying to try and apply pressure. It was already too late, and she moved on to the next.
