Glancing at Noemi, I remember how the waves almost took her and feel a little bitter. I know the challenges we just endured were made specifically so that people like Killian couldn’t reach the Tear, but I hate that my people suffered so much for this.
I know my actions contributed to their suffering, too. I swallow down my guilt.
Lucien appears at the railing, draping himself over it like a big cat sunbathing. “How did the expedition go?”
Noemi scoffs. “Well, Meryndied, but otherwise fine.”
I clench my jaw briefly before lifting up the Goddess Tear for everyone to see, my hand still wrapped in cloth so it doesn’t contact my skin.
The gem catches the sunlight and sends rainbows dancing across the water.
“A success,” I say.
As we wade atop our direwolves into the surf and start our comparablypleasant swim back to the ship, my eyes lift and meet Lucien’s. He says nothing, just watches me, his expression placid.
But I can sense the Siphon king’s calculation behind his gaze and in the subtle tap-tapping of his finger against the railing.
With this additional Tear in my possession, I’m conscious the balance of power between us has shifted. I now have three of the seven Tears, and he has only two.
Is he going to let this imbalance stand?
49
MERYN
Once we’re settled back on the ship, we gather to consider our next move. I tried consulting foresight, but the only visions I received were confusing swirls of shadow.
Nothing helpful. Nothing directional. Maybe I’m too tired after what we just went through.
We all sit in various stages of exhaustion on the deck, our direwolves collapsed into puddles of fur in the now-blazing sun. Lucien gives Elias control of the helm so that he can join us on deck to confer.
“Isn’t it obvious where we go next?” Noemi asks.
She doesn’t seem pissed anymore, which is a welcome reprieve from Stark and Venna. Both of them will still barely look in my direction.
Venna nods, chewing on her bottom lip. “We’re close to Blumenfall, where the rest of the Bonded have gone. The last fiefdom still loyal to Meryn. We could join them there and use the Tear to bring Killian down?”
There’s an ache in her voice—she wants to be back with our friends and fellow Bonded, helping them in their hour of need. I don’t blame her.
Maybe it is time to make a stand now that we have another Tear. How can I call myself their queen if I don’t go back and help them?
There’s only one unclaimed Tear remaining. Surely, the combination of the five we have here can be enough to bring Alistair—and Killian—down?
“We arenotgoing there,” Lucien says from behind me.
I turn to look at him. His mouth quirks at my glare, amused by my anger. Annoying prick.
“And that would be because… ?”
“This is my ship, and what I say goes,” he says.
“You sound more and more like a spoiled prince every day,” I reply, sinking back on my elbows and closing my eyes for a moment.
“I am a spoiledking, actually.” He pushes off the railing to approach the rest of us where we sit. “Blumenfall is out.”
“Why?” Stark asks, voice cold, rising to his feet to stare Lucien down. “The longer we delay, the more likely it is that the Siphon usurper brings the full force of his power down on our final remaining allies. Killian told Meryn that Alistair attacked them in the first place to punish her. Surely, he wants to see that through. We should strike while we still have the strength to do so. Or has this been your plan from the start, to delay our return endlessly until there’s no strength in Nocturna left?”
Lucien turns to face him, eyes flashing. “Settle down, wolf-boy. I’m here helping your queen find the power she needs to annihilate her enemies and reclaim her throne, aren’t I? May I remind you again that you’re standing on the deck ofmy ship?”
