He has The Shadow Guild’s ink on his back.
Now he’s here.
What more is there to Thane Valkor’s story?
Hopefully, I’ll live long enough to find out. Hopefully, we all will.
Because tomorrow we’ll arrive at The Shallows.
Chapter 47
The bells on the ceiling jingle, and I sit up in bed.
For a moment, I panic, thinking we’re under attack again. But the cabin is still and dark, except for the dim light emanating from a dripping pillar candle in the galley. The creaking and groaning sounds I heard before falling asleep have faded. The bells tinkle on, but the sound is light compared to earlier with the water dragon.
I blow out a breath, squinting at my crew.
Rynthea and Algar are asleep.
I don’t need full vision to see that Thane isn’t on his cot.
Putting on my spectacles, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, then walk to the door that leads to the deck, opening it as quietly as possible. I listen for any sounds of danger, fortunate to come across none. The sea is calm, a soothing, dull roar I could listen to all night. The crescent moon hangs in the sky like a beacon, surrounded by infinite twinkling stars.
I step out with caution, looking to the left where Captain Solyen’s quarters are.
“We’ve already passed The Void,” a deep voice says.
I nearly jump out of my skin in surprise.
Thane sits near the edge of the boat on a bench facing the moon—his mask, swords, and cowl are nowhere in sight, but he does have a dagger in his hand. Suddenly, he flings the dagger at the nearest wooden beam. It penetrates the wood, lodging right in the center. Bull’s-eye. With a flick of his wrist and a flurry of gold, the dagger is freed and returned to Thane’s outstretched hand.
“What are you doing out here, Thane?” I ask, folding my arms as a chill wraps around me.
“Couldn’t sleep.” He scans me up and down, eyes blazing. I’m only wearing a beige tunic that stops mid-thigh and underwear underneath. “Think it’s wise to walk around like that on a ship full of men?”
“They’re all asleep.” I make my way to the bench so I can sit next to him. “Which you should be doing.”
“How can I sleep with you in such a state of undress?” he asks, scanning my legs.
I ignore his comment, carrying my gaze around the deck again instead. I don’t see any of the ship crew.
“I’m with you now, so I’m safe, right?”
“You’re always safe with me, Zaira.”
I smile.
We’ve made it out of The Void unharmed, which is good. The only proof that we passed through is that there are a few tears in the sails.
“I don’t sleep much anyway.” Thane’s voice pulls my attention away from the dead bug.
“I see that.”
He tucks the dagger away with a sigh. “When I was in The Divine, they trained us to withstand sleep deprivation, so we’d always be ready to protect the kingdom no matter the hour. I can catch up to three or four hours a night if needed, but not sleeping has been instilled in me.” He shrugs. “Old habits truly do die hard.”
“Oh.” I hug my arms tighter around myself. I want to ask more about his time with The Divine, but I also don’t want to push it. He’s finally opening up to all of us, but it has to be at his own pace.
The ocean’s rumble and whistling wind occupy the silence.
