I stare at her. “Wait. You can do that?”
“Of course I can do that. Ellmo would honestly love it. We’re an entire family of sailors. You think Rian is the only one who knows how to raise a sail?” She scoffs. “I used to watch our da smack his knuckles because he could never get his knots right.”
Rian glares at her. “When I wasfive.” He takes a step forward to face Corrick. “And no one said I was letting you go.”
Corrick’s eyebrows go up. “Letting me?” he echoes. “I rather think you’re outnumbered, Your Majesty.”
Rian inhales a furious breath, and for an instant, he looks like he really is going to throw a punch or draw a dagger or shove Corrick right over the railing—but Erik takes a step forward, forming a bit of a barrier between Rian and Corrick. To my surprise, so does Lochlan. Mouse moves close enough that Rian glances at him warily, then back at Corrick.
Suddenly, a lot of the sailors surrounding us look more alert. I hear the click of more than one crossbow, and I don’t have to look to know they’re aimed at Rian.
He goes very still. His mouth clamps shut.
“Should we put him over the side, Captain?” one of the men calls.
Corrick’s gaze darkens further. His voice is low and dangerous when he says, “They’re talking to me, you know.”
“Corrick,” I whisper, because I know this dark look in his eye. I know what he’s capable of when he’s cornered. I know what he’s willing to do when he sees no other options.
At first, I don’t think he’ll respond to me, that he’s too far lost to this battle of wills or fury or revenge against Rian. But he turns those cool blue eyes toward me. “Tessa.”
“He’s not doing it the right way,” I say softly, “but he reallydoeswant the best for the people of Ostriary.”
“I know,” he says. “Believe it or not, so do I.”
I stare up at him in surprise, and he nods. “I do, Tessa. I can’t speak to any past conflict with Kandala, but I’ve seen the effects of this war. I saw what Oren Crane was doing, and the harm caused.”
But then he looks back at Rian, and his voice is cold and resigned. “I got on board theDawn Chaserin the hopes that our countries could help each other. I acted in good faith. But you never have. Even now, you’re only willing to offer threats and violence. If youcould be trusted to negotiate honestly, perhaps we could come to terms and Kandala could provide assistance, but as it stands, I don’t see a way forward.”
Those words are piercing.
Because I don’t see a way either.
By the way Rian is glaring, it’s clear he feels the same.
Corrick looks to Erik and Lochlan. “Stand down. He’s free to leave.” He glances up at Mouse. “Let him go, Mouse. Don’t harm him.” He looks to Olive. “If your offer to Tessa was genuine, we will gladly accept. I will ensure you’re compensated for any expenses.”
But Rian doesn’t move. His chest is rising and falling rapidly, his eyes a little desperate. He looks to Olive.
“Livvy,” he says softly. “Do something.”
“I think you’ve already done enough,” she says, and I realize her voice is broken and breathy, too. When I look up, I realize she was just as hopeful as everyone else on the islands. The emotion in her voice tugs at my heart.
I think back to the beginning, how Rian sat at the table and spoke to the king. How earnestly he talked about the need for steel. How badly I wanted to believe he was fighting for everythingright. I remember all the people I helped who were so desperate for Kandala to finally be on their side. How muchtheyall trusted Rian—because he’d given them reason to. Good reason! He really has helped so many people.
But I also remember everything Rian did wrong. The people he hurt. The people who died. The way he nearly destroyed so many lives.
I can see why Corrick won’t negotiate with him.
But I also don’t know how we can leave here, knowing thatKandala has a thriving supply of what they need. I don’t know how we can sail away on a ship with Olive, knowing that she’s returning us to a country that’s turning its back on hers.
And just like that, I realize the solution.
Olive is moving away, dabbing at her eyes now, and Erik is reaching for her hand. I grab it first, pulling her around to face me. She sniffs hard in surprise, blinking away tears.
“It’s all right,” she begins. “I wouldn’t trust him either—”
“No,” I say. “I have an idea.” I reach out and take hold of Corrick’s hand, too. “Your Highness,” I say, and he raises his eyebrows.
