“I already told you I am not waiting.” He forced her into a quick pace toward the ramp. “You chose this, remember?”
The statement tangled the words on her tongue. She had chosen this.
Tarn led her up the gangway onto the ship’s deck. Fair neighed in protest from below. His hooves beat on the deck as he spun in circles. Her heart tumbled, and Dyna had a sense she should be crying. She didn’t want to leave him, but Tarn was right, he had to stay. Who knew what was going to happen next? It was too dangerous to bring Fair onto the ship.
“Find your master.” Dyna shooed him. “He’s looking for you. Go on, Fair.”
As she walked away, his neighs carried on the wind. All her life, she acted on a whim and hoped for the best, because she was following her heart. It had been bleeding inside of her, dying, but it still spoke. And it was telling her now to go back.
Pressure built behind her nose and eyes. She halted, feeling conflicted, but she came here for a reason.
To stop Tarn.
To find her remaining Guardian and to free her friends held captive here. It would work out in the end. It had to.
When Dyna looked back, Fair had galloped away for the harbor. He would reunite with Rawn soon enough, because she was fooling herself if she thought her Guardians wouldn’t come for her as soon as they realized she was missing. Zev would probably catch up to her first. She only needed to wait. Once they arrived, she would make her move.
Dyna allowed Tarn to lead her onward. The Raiders watched her pass silently. She searched for her friends, but they weren’t on the deck. Well, Sorren and Geon were probably working in the kitchen.
“Where is Commander Von?” Dyna asked. She had to maintain pretenses, though she was looking for him, too. Elon said he had come to Kelpway. “I want to at least greet Yavi.”
“They are below deck tending to their duties,” Tarn said, without looking at her.
The spies weren’t in sight, either. But she did spot new members among them. A man from Xián Jing idled in the crow’s nest, his dark eyes watching her. There were a few dwarves, foreign men, and a female elf coming out of the doors to the galley.
All eyes watched her as she walked with Tarn. The atmosphere felt strange. As if the Raiders were holding their breath.
Olsson stood by the steps. She was at least glad to see another familiar face, though he was surprised to see her.
“Lieutenant Olsson,” she greeted. “You look well. Could you send word to Yavi or Dalton that I am here? I would like to see them.”
She had to pretend to be oblivious to Dalton’s escape, but what about Clayton?
The Raider’s eyes widened further. He shifted on his feet, clearing his throat. He glanced at his master.
Tarn’s cool eyes settled on him. “Gather the men.”
Olsson immediately turned away and quickly marched down the steps. Dyna frowned at his lack of response. He probably didn’t know Tarn had invited her here. She looked around the ship, taking in the black sails. It was an elegant vessel but held no character other than its name.
“Somnio…”She mused. “That’s an interesting name for a ship.”
Tarn glanced at her.
“It means to dream.” Dyna faced him, and they shared a long stare, both thinking of the time she had spent in his dreams. She canted her head. “How quaint.”
He scoffed. “Don’t think I named my ship after you.”
Dyna smiled wryly at the churning waves. Oh no. She knew exactly who it was named after.
In her pocket, she rolled the pewter bottle in her clammy palm. Attacking Tarn in his sleep wouldn’t work since he never slept. Recalling the way he caught Rawn’s arrow out of the air reminded her of his reflexes. Not to mention he had magic. How does one kill a powerful man who never let his guard down?
A plan had been in the back of her mind for months, though she had not let herself really imagine it because it made her skin crawl.
Footfalls lightly tapped on the steps as the she-elf joined them on the quarterdeck. She was beautiful in a childlike sort of way, with waves of dark hair and brown eyes. A white dress fitted her lithe body, but otherwise she wore no weapons or uniform. With a soft round face, pouty lips, and dewy skin, she looked sweet and pure.
Innocent.
The sight of her made Dyna angry, and she didn’t understand why.
