“I say I look forward to it.” Somehow, she sounded sincere. Despite the uncomfortable introduction they’d first had,the unfortunate circumstances they’d originally got to know each other under…they’d formed something that resembled a friendship. No…perhaps that word was too familiar. An understanding, at the very least.
They were both women of action, charting their own courses. And while Lavette’s choice in path of navigating politics appealed to Eira about as much as returning to the Pillars’ pit, she could understand it. She, too, had a destiny she sought to forge and—Eira glanced over her shoulder, back at her friends—people she wanted to protect.
With a few quick steps, Olivin came up. Just as Eira had been about to say that she hadn’t been intending to summon him, his focus fell solely on Lavette.
“So, what will you do now?” Olivin asked her.
“Help my people, as I’m able. Try to piece together the remnants of my life with the new pieces fate has handed me.” The remarks were made lightly, but Eira suspected they were anything but.
“Is it daunting?” Olivin seemed genuinely curious.
“In some ways…exciting in others.”
The two conversed for the entire length of their walk. Eira was content to be a silent observer. Olivin seemed particularly keen to learn the future of Qwint, and Eira took a moment to be grateful to have someone at her side who was so willing to learn about the political landscapes of ports she would likely have to navigate around in the future.A future fleet master, indeed, she mused.
Crow was waiting for them at the docks, the dagger Eira had entrusted to her when they arrived in hand. Eira was all too grateful to have the blade strapped to her thigh once more. Crow had been sleeping on the boat, guarding it. Eira suspected it was more that the woman found being on dry land for more than a day or two utterly unpalatable. The prospect of getting outof port must’ve had her bursting with excitement as the entire vessel had been scrubbed from top to bottom.
There were a few ministers who had come to the docks to see them off, but it wasn’t a grand affair. Intentionally so, Eira suspected. The last thing they wanted was to invite questions about what Adela’s rumored bastard daughter had been doing in Qwint, and why they were just letting her leave.
“I’d say keep safe,” Lavette said as she and Varren followed them alone down the docks to the ship, the other ministers electing to hang back. “But I know you all won’t.”
“You’re right about that.” Eira held out her hand.
“Don’t forget all we’ve spoken of.” Lavette clasped it firmly.
“I won’t. We both have obligations to uphold,” Eira said, earning a curious glance from Varren. Neither she nor Lavette bothered to explain. He had the sense not to ask.
“Good luck with the Pillars.”
“Good luck with the next election.” Given all that Lavette had said about the systems in Qwint, Eira suspected she needed luck more. At least killing a man was straightforward.
The gangplank beckoned. As Eira ascended, frost coated her fingertips in anticipation. She could already feel the currents shifting beneath the hull as though her control was upon it.
The others said their goodbyes to Lavette and Varren, one by one. Eira noticed Alyss slip something into Varren’s pocket when she hugged him.
“What was that?” Eira kept her voice hushed as she continued to review the rigging. It gave her a good vantage to see most of the goodbyes.
“A bit of encouragement.” Alyss winked. “I don’t think he’ll ever do it on his own.”
“Do what?”
“Come now, you’re not that dense.” Alyss grinned. “You know he pines for her.”
“Ah,” Eira huffed softly. “That he does.”
“I told him to take it from me and just tell her. Love stories don’t start until you let them.” Alyss shrugged and went belowdecks, no doubt to unload her things.
The sentiment brought Eira back to the goodbyes, the last person who lingered—Cullen.Love stories don’t start until you let them, Eira repeated to herself. Was that what she had been doing with him and Olivin? Initially, she’d like to think not…but now?
Her chest ached again, and Eira suspected that this time it had little to do with the still healing wound.
“I wish things had been different between us,” Cullen said softly to Lavette. Eira kept her head down, but didn’t stop herself from straining her ears to listen.
“I don’t,” Lavette said with a bright and airy laugh. Eira dared an outright look at Cullen to see how he took that. He couldn’t hide the flash of hurt from his eyes. Lavette rested a hand on his shoulder and said reassuringly, “We weren’t made for each other. Maybe, in a different place, or time. But you didn’t know what you wanted, then. And when you had the space to decide, well…it was never going to be me.” And Lavette didn’t sound wounded about it in the slightest.
“You’re probably right.”
Eira shamelessly looked at Cullen outright. She’d never heard him sound like that. She’d never seen that easy smile or tilt to his shoulders as he shifted his weight. It had been weeks, months. She had held him, kissed him, but had she really stopped tolookat him? Hear him?
