A beat of silence passes over the deck before Dayton turns and stares at …
Ezryn.
My heart sinks. I know what Dayton is about to ask.
Ezryn is looking out at the horizon. He closes his eyes as he feels Dayton’s heavy gaze on him. “Don’t ask me, Day.”
“Ez—”
Ezryn storms toward Dayton, grabs his arm, and pulls him away from the others but I can still hear his harsh whisper, “Do not ask me to do this thing, brother. You do not know what I have done to be here. To return to her.”
“I know, I know.” Dayton grabs Ezryn’s shoulders, then puts his hands on his face, his hair. “I have no right to ask this of you. How can I? But I will. I’ll ask it.”
Ezryn’s eyes squeeze shut. “Please, don’t—”
“Accompany my sister and see her safely across the desert. Protect her with your life.”
Pain sparks across my mate bond, both mine and Ezryn’s. My knees buckle, but I turn away so Ezryn cannot see the anguish on my face. Because through that pain, we both know there’s only one choice Ezryn can make.
“I have just returned to my mate.” There’s a hitch in Ezryn’s voice. “I swore I would protect her—”
“Give me that vow,” Dayton says. “I will take it, and I will see no harm comes to her. As you will see no harm comes to my sister.”
“It is my blood who you will face,” Ezryn says. “Kairyn awaits in Hadria—”
“Let me take vengeance for you, brother,” Dayton says. “Let no more kin’s blood stain your hands.”
Ezryn paces away and lets out a growl of frustration. He shoots a hand toward Delphie and Nori. “How am I supposed to protect them? They’re half-feral! They spent the three days in Corsa Tuga causing more havoc than a crew of pirates.”
“She will listen.” Dayton gives a pointed look at his sister, and she rolls her eyes.
“How can you trust me with this task?” Ez’s voice lowers so much, I can barely hear it. “Your mate would tell you I’m a childslayer.”
“My m-m—Wrenley has been through a lot. Don’t mind her. It doesn’t matter if she trusts you,” Dayton says. His eyes search Ezryn’s face, pleading. “I trust you with what is most precious to me. Say you will do this thing.”
Ezryn closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath. Then he looks to me.
Tell me what to do,he whispers in my mind.
But more words crash through, words I don’t think he intends for me to hear:I can’t do this. I failed to protect you against Kairyn. How can I protect them?
I look over at Dayton, the pain etched on his face. Their brotherhood is so strong; I can’t imagine him trusting anyone else besides the princes of Castletree with such a task. Then I look to Delphia and Nori. Two brave young women who are risking their lives for the people of Summer.
Finally, I look to Ezryn, the mate I thought may be lost to me forever.
How can I bear to have him leave my side again? We only just found each other. It’s notfair.
Nothing about these last few months has been. Yet, we face it all the same.
Ezryn will protect Delphia and Eleanor. His heart is strong enough. Dayton knows it. I know it. Ezryn needs to know it, too.
Which means I have to let him go.
Even though every part of me is screaming, I hold my mate’s gaze. I swallow back my tears and lift my chin. Through our bond, I say,The people of Summer need you. You must accept this duty.
A look of sorrowful resignation crosses Ezryn’s face. “Fine,” he rasps. “I’ll do it.”
Kel and Papa in the labyrinth. Farron and Caspian in Cryptgarden. Ezryn, Delphie, and Nori out in the Ribs. Dayton and I in the arena.
