“No,” I mutter, frustrated.
“He’s right.” Rynthea places a gentle hand on my shoulder. “You did everything you could, Zaira. You truly went above and beyond. I don’t see any other way for your sister to get out of this alive. I’m so sorry.”
An ache takes over my whole body. I stare at Rynthea until my vision blurs and then look at a hazy version of Algar and Zephra. When my tears fall and a sob racks my body, they wrap their arms around me and hold me close.
Neither of them says a word.
They simply allow me the time to cry.
To process my denial.
To understand what I’m about to lose.
But neither of them knows my tears are just a coverup.
Chapter 59
It’s well after midnight by the time Captain Solyen’s crew files up the gangway to the ship. On board, they mill around, laughing and getting ready to sail.
Rynthea and Algar are still fast asleep at Irina’s inn. I could tell they were worried about me. While they ate their stew and drank ale at the tavern, I sat on the porch, drowning in my thoughts. And when it was time for them to go back to Irina’s, I told them I was going to hang outside and watch the sunrise over the harbor.
I hate lying to them—it makes me no better than Thane. But my lies are to protect them, not use them. That makes a difference in my mind.
As I turn my plan over in my mind for the hundredth time, Enver stops by with a gentle hello. He apologizes for doubting me, then offers tea and my favorite honey loaf. This is the first time I’ve turned the sweet bread down. I’m not in the mood to talk to him, and, picking up on that, he gives me a hug around the shoulders and leaves.
When I spot Captain Solyen stumbling his way toward his ship, I collect my belongings and jog toward the port.
“Here.” I stand on the deck of theEmellie, stuffing a handful of coins in his palm. “I need to get to Merivanow.”
He examines me closely, eyebrows drawn together, trying to understand the urgency.
“Please,” I add softly.
“What about the other three?”
“The Shallows was a lot for them. They aren’t strong enough to travel yet.” And they’re going to be furious when they find out I’ve left without them. Guilt makes my stomach churn. The ship ride to Meriva will take nearly fourteen hours. If I want to make it there in time, I have to leave immediately. “Maybe you can give them passage in a few days?”
“Yeah. All right.” Solyen hollers for his crew to prepare to sail.
As I walk on board toward the cabin, I notice a dark silhouette in the distance. Sitting on the beach, close to the ocean, is Thane. That stupid tome is in his lap, and he’s looking my way. I can’t make out his facial expression, but I do see his eyes spark that familiar gold as he closes the tome and stands up.
I enter the cabin, settling into one of the chairs at the table and mentally going over my plan again.
As the boat starts to move, an abrupt flurry of gold appears a few steps away from me. I gasp when I see Thane with his nostrils mildly flared. He strides right up to me with a frown.
“What do you think you’re doing, Zaira?” he asks in a gravelly voice.
“What does it look like? I’m going back to Meriva Empire.”
“In the middle of the night?”
“Yes. I need to get back so I can bargain with Seferin to save my sister,” I inform him, folding my arms.
“He’ll kill you,” he counters in an irritated, matter-of-fact tone.
“Not if I trade my life for Analla’s. My blood freed the tome. Maybe he can use that.”
“He’ll kill her and then squeeze every ounce of life out of you,” he seethes with a frown. “Going directly to him is reckless and foolish, and you know it. Otherwise, you’d have done so from the beginning.”
