Fenmore shuts the door quietly, and her steps quickly fade down the long hallway.
I turn to Maines, and the color has drained from her face.
“Are you alright?” I angle my head. “She can’t bother you that badly?”
She lets out a heavy exhale. “It’s not Fen. I’ll admit, she’s growing on me.” Maines looks out of the large window. “This ship. It’s filled with those creatures. I can’t stop thinking about Barlowe and what he looked like that day. I’m supposed to heal, not kill, and I murdered him.”
“You did what you had to.”
“And Graven?” Maines asks. “You’d argue I did what I had to when I ripped his head off his body?”
“Yes, I would.”
She shakes her head, trying to rid her mind of the thoughts swirling.
I reach for her hand. “You did that to Barlowe to save a life—mine. And the other was self-defense, Maines. If you think about it for too long, your feelings will drive you crazy.”
“I think it’s already driving me crazy.”
“You did what had to be done in that moment, just like we all have.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better,” she adds.
“Then we can work on that.”
“I don’t think I can fight, Briar, and I feel so weak for saying that.” A tear falls down her cheek. “But, if I don’t fight, and something happens to one of you, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Why are you doubting yourself?” I ask. “This isn’t you.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not sure. Lately, I’ve felt... I don’t know how to describe it. I’ve felt off, unwell—almost heavy”
I try to offer her a soft smile. “Then, don’t fight.”
Her bloodshot eyes find mine.
“I think being a smart person is knowing when to fight and when not to. We need you healing anyway,” I say, reassuring her. “No one will think badly of you for this decision, and if you’d like, I’ll announce that as my idea.”
Maines gives me a relieved nod. “Thank you.”
“Let’s go see what these men have come up with," I say with a wink, pulling her to stand. “Then, we’ll let them know how things are actually going to run.”
She laughs, and we cross the threshold down the hallway, leading us back to the others. Hushed whispers fill the room, and the scent of warm baked goods hits my nose in a delightful tingle. Rose stands in the open kitchen, working her magic on something. I feel gratitude fill my chest, knowing that she is here and safe.
Lang enters my mind, and I say a silent prayer that the Gods are keeping him safe right now.
Silas stands at the head of the table. Fen sits to his right, with Warrick next to her. Larkin and Hux sit across from them. Oak sits at the opposite head of the table, with Maines taking a seat next to him. A chair remains unoccupied to the left of where Silas stands, and he motions for me to sit at the head of the table with him.
I walk over to Silas, smoothing my clothes as I take a seat. My gaze cuts to Hux, and he watches me intently—clearly trying to figure me out. I lock eyes with him and raise a brow, letting himtake in everything he wants. I push away the anger and exude only confidence as he drinks me in. Hux jerks his gaze from mine, and I smirk, returning my focus to Silas.
He remains standing and gently kisses the top of my head.
“In four days, a ship will arrive in Andorwood. This ship is accompanied by creatures that could haunt your darkest nightmares. Malachi has chosen not to rally with us and fight.”
I place my hands in my lap to hide the trembling.
Silas continues, “We must have a plan in place to protect the people of Andorwood and emerge victorious. We need to send a message to the mainland that we are not to be fucked with.” Silas’s deep voice booms around the room, and those around the table listen to him intently. “The people at this table are those I trust more than anything.”
I struggle not to make a face, knowing Hux is among the few Silas speaks about.
