How enticing.
She evaluated every honeyed word, listening to what he said and what he didn’t. Tarn may not need her map, but he was a collector. A user of people. He needed her forsomething.
He made no promise not to betray her, and she wouldn’t promise that either. Because she had a mission, and the outcome garnered no loyalty. He would never trust her, but she could, however, wait until he lowered his guard.
Sliding her hand into his cold palm, Dyna gave him a sly smile. “Does this mean you intend to make me Queen of Azure?”
Tarn returned the smile. “Why else do you think I waited?”
An answer without an answer. He was good at those. Well-practiced when he was constantly in the presence of a truth rune. It reminded her very much of Leoake.
“I will toast to that.” Dyna tossed back her head and drank every drop of wine.
Every useless emotion was buried in a dark pit inside of her, and every weakness faded. Her worries. Her exhaustion. She felt strong. Clear of mind. All that weighed her down faded away.
For once, she was sure of herself.
Tarn smirked as he drank from his cup. “Cheers.”
She smiled, determined to beat him at his own game. “So, about these plans?—”
A knock at the door interrupted her. Lieutenant Olsson came in with the man from Xián Jing. “We are ready to set sail, Master.”
Tarn nodded and took a seat at his desk. He eyed the map with a crease forming in his brow. “Set a course for the Misty Isles. We will replenish provisions there in Hager’s Port before making our way to Mount Ida.”
Dyna’s heart sank into her stomach. “Hager’s Port? I thought you were still searching for the Druid.” Her tone was inquisitive but perfectly innocent while inside she tensed.
If they left Kelpway before the others arrived, it would throw off her plan. Her heart rate started to climb at the thought of going out to sea without her Guardians. Lucenna may not be able to track her that way.
“After three months of searching Dwarf Shoe, it’s clear he is not here. I have been stagnant in this town long enough,” Tarn said as he read over a chart. His cold eyes narrowed on the quiet man. “Remind me, Sai-chuen, what purpose do you serve?”
The Xián Jing man tilted his head. “I did say the Druid would be a challenge to find. He must have caught wind of me, but I have received word he was last spotted in Little Step.”
“And you are telling me this now?”
“He is either departing the state or taking the train. Both would require leaving the ship.”
Which Tarn preferred not to do. He didn’t want to call attention to himself.
“I disagree.” Dyna crossed her arms as she sat on the edge of his desk. “The Druid won’t be lurking in cities of stone. He will be in what feels safeand familiar, like the forest. If you ever want to find the fae, find a crop of trees first.”
They were random facts. Her last statement was vague and, in some ways, true with her experience, so the rune couldn’t call her a liar. She needed to stall for time and stay in Dwarf Shoe.
Sai-chuen’s black eyes lifted to her, his expression unreadable.
“Trees…” Tarn repeated skeptically.
Dyna shrugged. “Do what you wish. I am only saying it’s worth looking into. There happens to be a small woodland in Argent Cove near the coast.”
And it was the next port over. A day away.
She slid off the desk and strolled outside, lingering by the railing as she looked out at the city of Kelpway. Zev wouldn’t make it in time, but luring Tarn to the next port was the next best thing … if he took the bait.
The breeze blew against her as Dyna held her breath, waiting for his decision.
After five minutes, Olsson left the captain’s quarters. “Weigh anchor and hoist the sails!” he barked to the men. A swarm of action broke out. His heavy steps climbed the stairs to the quarterdeck above her, and she overheard him say to the helmsman, “Chart a course for Argent Cove. The master wants us flying on water with the next wind.”
Dyna hid a smile. Soon the sails inflated, and they were out on the sea.
