“Alyss is with them,” Ducot said, almost in tandem with her thoughts.
A dull ache throbbed against her ribs.Her friend, herbestfriend… The goodbye she might never have a chance to say was ashen on her tongue. Eira continued to stare at the line of frosted sea that churned behind theStormfrost, arcing in the direction of Meru. No land was in sight.
The pain was more muted than she’d otherwise expect because she wasn’t surprised. Alyss had made it clear that this life wasn’t for her. And then there was whatever was blooming between her and Yonlin… Not to mention, there hardly were printing presses at sea suitable to bind and distribute a book.
“Adela didn’t give anyone much time.” Ducot rested a hand on her shoulder, as if he could sense her turmoil. “Our pirate queen returned with you, wounded herself, and told us it was time to go. She didn’t want to delay and be wrapped up in the aftermath.”
“Yes. That’s not her concern,” Eira agreed. She could imagine it perfectly. Adela had no business to be on Meru and wouldn’t want to outstay her welcome, lest hostilities turn toward her.
“We can go back,” he encouraged. “Get another small vessel from the Isle of Frost, something that will be much less suspicious. Though, you’re as recognizable as she is now.”
“Luckily I’m good at illusions.” Eira wasn’t going to get her hopes up for returning to Meru. She was at Adela’s whims now. Taking a small boat for a personal trip likely wouldn’t be in the cards. “And Cullen?”
“Ask him yourself what possessed him to return to the jaws of the beast that is theStormfrost. The manranto the docks to make sure we didn’t leave without him.”
“What?” Eira whispered.
“He’s down below now, I think. Took the night shift so he might be?—”
Eira was gone before Ducot had a chance to finish.
Heart thundering louder than her feet down the stairs and into the first level of the vessel, Eira threw herself into the twilight of belowdecks. Her eyes were drawn immediately to the hammocks they’d last occupied. But they were empty.Ducot wouldn’t play such a cruel game…
“Over there,” Crow mumbled as she passed, eyes still red with sleep.
Eira followed the woman’s finger, too speechless to even give her thanks. Sure enough, there Cullen was. Laid out and deep asleep.
The distance between them closed in a breath. Her arms were around him. The hammock spun and they toppled to the floor, him flailing and shouting, her bursting with laughter.
He stilled as her laughter slowed. Cullen sat and she did the same. They simply stared at each other. Matching, bittersweet smiles.
“I thought you would’ve gone back to Solaris,” Eira admitted.
“I told you that wasn’t what I wanted.” He reached out and cupped her cheek, his thumb grazing against her skin and sending shivers down her spine.
“I saw you with the Imperial family, it looked so right.”
“Anywhere that isn’t next to you couldn’t be right for me.” His other hand framed the opposite side of her face. His thumbs caressed over her eyebrows. He drank her in with his eyes and Eira eagerly awaited his verdict. “Your hair…”
“You like it?” Not that she would change it now if he didn’t.
“There is nothing you could do that would make you less stunning in my eyes.” He drew her forward. His lips met hers.
She still didn’t know if she would want to kiss him for forever. If this was meant to be always. She couldn’t promise him she’d never want to explore another lover on the side, perhaps even with him. But the uncharted territories of their future were as thrilling as the corners of the map yet unexplored.
It didn’t have to be forever.
Right now, he made the day brighter, and the pain a little more numb. He made the nights less lonely and the hours pass a little faster.
So Eira leaned into the kiss. She grabbed him by the collar to half crawl into his lap. Damn whoever might see. Let them. She was Adela’s heir, the frozen tyrant. She was free of the madman who’d hunted her and she’d never be made to feel guilty for anything ever again.
If she wanted, she would take. If she needed, she would have. And, for now, he was everything she needed and then some.
46
The Isle of Frost was lit up brighter than the Yule night celebrations hosted in the Solaris capital. Bonfires dotted the slopes of the hills and mountains that curved protectively around the far side of the island. There was dancing on the docks and gaming in the streets.
This pirate’s paradise had truly come to life in a short time. Ships dotted the sheltered bay, all flying a top flag of black. But their smaller flags were a variety of different symbols that Eira had begun to learn. The White Kraken Crew was particularly warm to Adela. Gray Sharks were slightly less so, but if Crow was to be believed, they were aligned with anything that let them get their swords bloody and coffers full.
