A hand made of ice clasped her shoulder. “You are a hassle, girl, and a breathtaking trial of my patience.”
“Adela?” Eira’s voice had gone soft with shock at the pirate queen’s presence, little more than a whisper.
“Well, then, let’s get your friends. They seem useful enough to be worth the trouble of saving them. I can always use more powerful sorcerers in my debt.” Adela looked over her shoulder and shouted to the crew, “Cast off! We’ll rejoin you at the gate.”
“Understood!” Crow shouted back.
“Eira.” Cullen leaned halfway over the railing. “Please be careful…and good luck.”
The words were like a beam of sunlight striking through the night. His worried expression tempered with confidence. The grim line of determination his mouth was set into. There was no guilt, or grief. No pained twisting of his lips. He wished her well. He supported her—even when it meant her running back to Olivin.
“I will be.” She nodded, trying to exude more confidence than she felt. “You do the same, all right? Keep everyone safe until I get back.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Eira didn’t dare waste any more time. Adela was already halfway to the opposite side of the river. The pirate queen was truly a sight to behold. It looked almost as if she were flying. Her leg and arm of ice merged with the bridge, propelling her across.
The second I get my power back, I am learning how to do that, Eira vowed, and she began to run behind.
Adela made it to the opposite docks before she did, landing with an explosion of ice. The Pillars were ready, having seen them coming. But their Lightspinning shields did little against icicles that moved like sentient spears. Eira maneuvered aroundAdela, finishing off two who had managed to deflect the brunt of her attack.
Olivin and Yonlin stood in the center of a V of ice. Completely unharmed.
“Eira, what…” Olivin was at a loss for words.
“Thisis the friend you wanted to save?” Yonlin’s attention darted from Eira, to Adela, to Olivin, and back. “The one from Solaris who was involved with thepirate queen?” He slapped his brother’s shoulder. “Dummy. In what world would she need your help when she hasthat?” He motioned to Adela, who was making quick work of the Pillars without even taking a step.
Eira bit back a laugh.
“I am inclined to agree.” Adela outstretched her hand, summoning her cane. Eira didn’t miss how she had been swaying slightly before its use. Adela always seemed so strong and capable. Like she could conquer the world. But she was also at least eighty-five years old. Even if what Ferro had told Eira long ago was true—that Adela had elfin blood in her—that was still past middle-aged for most long-lived elfin and elderly for any human.
“You two need to leave,” Eira said firmly.
“We came to save you,” Olivin protested.
“Oh yes, savingthem. We’re doing a great job of it.” Yonlin nodded sagely. Eira was surprised to find Yonlin had a marvelous sense of humor. Though, it was hard to be jovial when on the brink of death, and she hadn’t seen him since his recovery. “I think they just saved us.”
“Just, go.” Eira turned to Adela. The other boat was already beginning to get speed in the harbor, no doubt thanks to some Cullen-supplied wind. “We have to get back to our boat.”
“No. We’re on foot and these two are coming with us.” Adela started down the docks.
“I’m sorry?” Despite his objecting tone, Olivin did as he was told, following behind Adela with Eira.
“I’m the infamous pirate queen, not a charity.” Adela glanced over her shoulder at the three of them and a scowl twisted her lips. She muttered under her breath, “Nor a bodyguard…”
Rather than be offended, Eira found amusement at the comment. The whole situation was surreal. Pillars were hunting them down. The only other boat they had was leaving without them. Olivin and Yonlin weren’t supposed to be here at all. And the pirate queen, miraculously, was the one keeping them alive. Genuinely helping as she was able.
“What do you want from us?” Olivin stayed one step ahead of his younger brother, as if trying to keep himself between Yonlin and Adela.
“You are young and capable. I’m going to need your help with Ofok gate.”
“Ofok gate?” Eira repeated.
Adela reached the top of a stairway and pointed. They stood high among the buildings of the tiered city of Ofok. Eira followed the river with her eyes. It was the largest gap between structures in the marshy city—a ribbon of golden haze from all the lamplights and storefronts that lined it. Where the river joined the sea was a massive gatehouse, nestled into a thick sea wall, that arched over the river’s mouth.
The arch was the only structure made in stone. It loomed over the river with a raised portcullis that resembled jagged teeth.
“Look at my monument.” Adela was full of bitter pride. “They honestly thought such a thing could keepmeout.” She scoffed.
