“What in Xaimur’s hells is—” Solyen can’t even finish what he’s about to say because a throwing star slams into a wooden beam right above his head.
Thane throws a massive whorl of gold at a cluster of sorcerers in dark hoods and buffers on the dock who are sprinting toward the ship, then creates a thick wall of fire. It stretches to the sky, and the sorcerers leap back, glaring at the fire with illuminated eyes.
But one of them in the middle stands their ground with their fists clenched. Wafts of purple surround their hands and brew in their eyes. They’re slighter in build than the other six of the guild.
“Hey!” someone shouts. I turn my head to the sound, and two Meriva guards are storming toward the chaos, swords already drawn. The person with purple essence turns their head slowly, and that’s when I see a thick, silky braid lying over their shoulder. It’s a woman. She throws up a hand, blasting the guards and disintegrating them to ash.
Literal ash. Just like that. With hardly any effort.
I don’t have much time to consider the fact that so many of The Shadow Guild are standing on the other side of Thane’s mounting fire, especially when he shouts, “I can’t hold them off for much longer! Move this fucking ship!”
I swear Solyen sobers up in that very moment, dropping his ale and running for the helm. The boat lurches in an instant, and Analla crashes into me as we’re both thrown toward the center cabin. My back hits the door as she hisses, “Shit,” and yanks my arm. She hauls me to the side, just before a barrel of ale rolls in our direction and slams into the cabin door.
“Crystal’s sake,” I breathe, watching the wood splinter and the liquid drench the deck, spilling in different directions. I hear Thane grunt and notice his arms shaking as he holds up both hands, trying to keep the fire in place. From here, I can see a streak of lavender cutting through the middle of his flames and the woman stepping right through them with a sword in hand.
Thane roars louder, keeping his stance. The fire wraps around her, but she fights against it with a shield of lavender. Then, when we are far enough away that the attackers are no more than specks, Thane drops his arms and slams his palms down on the ship’s railing. He breathes raggedly, head hanging low, sucking in much-needed air.
Numb, I stand in the middle of the deck as Meriva grows more and more distant, the tips of the Crystal Palace gleaming in the moonlight. The Shadow Guild appears to be nothing but ants as they scatter, likely returning to Seferin’s keep. They know not to linger in Meriva for too long, especially after killing two guards.
Once we are a safe distance away from the kingdom, Thane finally lowers his defenses and turns around to meet my eyes.
I stare at him.
He stares at me.
And because I’m so overcome with relief and elation and my blood is humming with adrenaline, I hurry across the deck and throw my arms around his neck.
He catches me and holds on tight, releasing a satisfied sigh over my shoulder before saying, “I’m here. I’ve got you.”
Chapter 64
The ship bobs and dips as I help Analla into the cabin and lead her to a bed that Conred has prepared for her. He’s also offered her a bar of soap and one of his tunics so she can wash and change out of the filthy nightmaiden’s dress she wore in Seferin’s dungeon. Conred is taller, so of course the shirt is too big, the hem stopping just below her knees and the neckline sagging to reveal her collarbone. It’s better than nothing.
“Here you go.” I return to Analla after scooping fresh water from a barrel into a tin cup and offering it to her. “Drink this. You need to hydrate.”
She takes the cup, guzzling it down so quickly, water dribbles from the corners of her mouth and down her chin. I get her a refill, and she drinks it much slower this time. Once done, she places the empty cup down and releases a satisfied gasp.
“The guy that saved us,” she says, meeting my eyes. “Who is he?”
My heartbeat stutters at the mere thought of Thane. “Just…a friend.”
“Friends don’t hug like you two did,” she counters, eyeing me suspiciously.
“He helped me during my journey, when I was looking for the prosperity stones.” I wave a flippant hand, as if it’s no big deal.
But it is, in fact, a big deal.
Major, really, considering he’s sitting right outside of the cabin. “Like I said, it’s a long story. I’ll tell you all about it when you’re a bit more healed.”
Analla scans me with slightly narrowed eyes like she always does when she’s reading me. “You love him.”
It isn’t a question. It’s a matter-of-fact statement that causes my heart to bang a notch quicker.
“W-what?” I sputter.
She only smiles, lying on her side and placing her head on the pillow.
“I—I don’t think it’s that…” It can’t be that, can it? Love an assassin? Ashadowassassin? No…
