There weren’t any words exchanged between her and Olivin. Their breathing was too labored from the aggressive pace they set back to town. The underbrush of the jungle attacked them anytime they veered a little too far off the beaten path.
“We’re not going to make it back fast enough like this,” Olivin panted. He was right. They were moving too slowly for her liking. Especially after the time they’d spent delegating. Eira didn’t mind consulting her friends…but there was something to be said for rushing in when it came to matters where speed was an element.
Eira searched for ideas. Something to make them move faster. Had it been wrong to have Cullen stay? He could’ve put the wind under his heels and she could’ve held the ship back with currents.
But Eira suspected Adela wouldn’t move theStormfrostfor Olivin, Cullen, Noelle, or even Ducot. This was a favor she had to call in herself.
They blazed a trail through the town, pushing through to get to the docks. Of course, both of theStormfrost’s rowboats were out in the sea, coming and going.
Eira turned, extending her hand to Olivin. “Are you ready?”
“For your marvelous madness? Always.” His fingers closed around hers.
She couldn’t stop a laugh from escaping as she sprinted toward the edge of the docks and jumped, Olivin at her side. The water rose to meet them, pushing aside tied boats and causing buoys to clank and thud together. Power surged through her. The currents swelled. Tiny geysers pressed under the balls of her and Olivin’s feet.
Eira ran, leaping from one wave to the next. Olivin kept her pace, every stride in tandem with hers—identical, so she couldpredict the movements. He charged forward as fearlessly as she did. Trusting her magic to be there supporting him. Eira glanced over at him.
His expression was one of pure wonder, accented by a wide smile. “How are you doing this?”
“Magic, my dear.”
They raced on water swells all the way to the deck of theStormfrost. She could feel the impact on her magic. But it hadn’t exhausted her in the way it might once have. By now, Eira was so accustomed to pushing her magic to the limits, and then some, that this was nothing.
“And to what do we owe the pleasure of that display?” Adela said dryly, a little curt.
“Bold to seem put off by dramatics when you’re a woman who sails around in a ship of ice and mist,” Eira retorted.
Adela’s eyes widened slightly. Crow, at her side, looked positively mortified by Eira’s tone. Eira forced herself to grin through her nerves. She was on the high of power, the edge of worry with the Pillars, and the remaining restlessness that Cullen had worked into her with his tongue and fingers but neverfinished.
Fortunately, and by some miracle, Eira was on good enough terms that Adela chuckled.
She allowed herself a sigh of relief before blurting, “The Pillars are here. They’re around the other side of the island getting a shipment of flash beads from Carsovia. They’re going to take it back to Meru and I want to use theStormfrostto sink their ship to really cripple the Pillars’ influence.”
Adela folded her hands on top of her cane and leaned back slightly, staring down at Eira.
“It’s all true,” Eira insisted to her frigid gaze.
“Very well then.”
Crow balked. “Your Coldness?”
“TheStormfrostis yours for now, Eira. Enjoy your piracy.” Adela started back for her cabin. Eira was too stunned to move for a moment. So she was still standing there when the pirate queen paused and looked over her shoulder. “But, remember, you are at the helm of Adela Lagmir’s flagship. So if you’re going to do this, do it right—completely annihilate them.”
“Yes, Your Iciness,” Eira murmured.
Crow looked between Adela and Eira several times. But Eira continued to focus on Adela’s cabin, even after the door closed. The pirate crossed over to her, stepping in her line of sight.
“Your orders?” Crow’s dark eyes met hers.
“Pardon?” Eira blinked back to reality.
“Don’t we have a ship to sink? Your orders?” Crow’s words took on an expectant tone.
Eira had a hundred thoughts all at once. How often did Adela justgiveover control of theStormfrost? Would her crew even listen to Eira? Dozens of questions that might never be answered.
So there was no point in worrying about them.
“Tell the crew to raise anchor. Double time. Sails ready. I want every Waterrunner and Windwalker—or equivalent—getting wind and momentum behind the ship,” Eira ordered.
