“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She reaches up with a trembling hand to touch my face. “Do you remember? Years ago, when we first met. I was hiding in that cave, terrified of the villagers who wanted to drive me out. You brought me clothes and said every lady deserves to feel beautiful.”
I remember. She’d been so shy, so frightened.
“I still have them,” Nimue whispers. “I wear them sometimes, when I’m alone in the deep lake.”
“Nimue—“
“Your harbor will remember me now,” she continues, her voice growing fainter. “I’ve woven protections into the water. Any who come with ill intent will find the sea itself standing against them...”
The shadow veil still hides her from the watching crowds but I can see her clearly. Exhausted, diminished by what she’s given, poisoned by her sacrifice. But also proud. She did it. Despite her terror, despite her nature, she saved us all.
“Thank you,” I whisper and it’s not enough.
Coinneach bows to her.My lady’s courage is matched only by her power.
She actually blushes, if water wraiths can blush. “The shadows... could they stay? Just a moment more? Until I...”
As long as you need,Coinneach assures her.
She begins to fade, sinking back through the summoning circle. Just before she disappears completely, she looks at me.
“Be brave, Rhianelle.”
Then she’s gone, and Coinneach lets the shadows fall.
The crowd on the cliffs erupts in celebration. They saw the water stop and transform, their city saved by a goddess.
But they don’t know about the shy wraith who needed darkness to find her strength. They don’t know she poisoned herself to save them. I collapse to my knees, completely drained.The summoning alone nearly killed me. Watching Nimue work was like staring into the heart of the ocean itself.
Svenn catches me before I hit the platform floor. “You did it.”
“Nimue did it. And Ken.” I look at the shadow being, who’s already beginning to fade back into Svenn’s darkness. “Thank you.”
He inclines his head.Water and shadow have always been allies. The lady needed only to remember she wasn’t alone.
Then he’s gone too. It’s just Svenn and me on the lighthouse platform, looking out at a city that should have been destroyed.
The wave still struck Völundr. Our harbor is destroyed, the lowest tier flooded. But most of the people reached safety. They’re alive because of Nimue’s sacrifice. Because Coinneach gave her the sanctuary she needed. Because a dragon matriarch and her kin chose to die rather than let the poison spread.
This is just the beginning. Eirik Bloodhound has more forces and more strategies to deploy.
But today, we’re alive. The city stands.
Svenn lifts me gently. I don’t have the strength to protest as he carries me down the lighthouse stairs. My legs won’t hold me anymore.
When we emerge at the base, the crowd sees us. A cheer erupts from the survivors. They press close, reaching out to touch my hand, my armor, anything.
“You saved us, Your Highness!”
“The sea goddess answered your call!”
“Völundr stands!”
Their joy is infectious. I manage a smile for them, but inside my chest aches. Ksatka and six of her kin are gone. I look toward the harbor where Kiiska floats beside Kaeko, the young male dragon pressing close to comfort her grief. Nimue is suffering somewhere in the deep pond of Astefar, poisoned by her sacrifice. The price of this victory weighs heavy.
Rainer pushes through the crowd toward us. Behind him, I see Shade, Aelfric, and Garrett. Lady Deirdre appears with my handmaidens, their fine dresses ruined by seawater but their faces bright with relief.
