“It’s just that none of us are actually cosmically fucked.” She chewed her lip in thought, the next words slipping out in one breath. “Well, maybe Kane, but that’s different.”
Erinna wanted to pester, but the look of surprise on Asher’s face made it clear that she’d divulged too much information.
“You know about the drought in Crunaya?” asked Asher after a moment of consideration.
Erinna shook her head. She knew Crunaya was in the center of the southern continent. One of the smaller kingdoms located in a desert oasis. The Yarrows had purchased high-quality glass once, before being ghosted by the vendor. But she didn’t recall a drought.
A frown tugged at Asher’s lips. “Well, we’ve been forced to replenish our water supplies through Morindor until the rains come back. But they keep raising prices, and there’s only so much wealth we can achieve at home.” The stormsinger shook her head, as if wiping away bad memories before continuing. “Kane offered me a chance, gave the best deal on the market. Every sailor out there worth their stuff knows the harder it is to get someplace, the rarer and more valuable the treasure. Whether it’s material, or knowledge.”
“Getting to this island was worth the risk, then?” Erinna added, taking the time to soak in the warmth.
“Danger is kinda part of the job description.”
At least they had enough wits to know that libraries and forts built by mages and left abandoned most likely harbor unforeseeable danger within their walls.
“I have to be honest. I wasn’t expecting this kindness.”
“Well, it helps that you’ve repaired our ship.” Asher winked.
A laugh escaped Erinna’s lips. It had been a while since she felt this comfortable with someone else. Like she could get somewhere close to friendship with Asher. With Inez, and Brax. Erinna clung to that feeling as she took the comb to workthrough the knots in her hair with vigor. Asher started to work through the knots in her shoulders, and the two lapsed into companionable silence.
A sharp whistle rang out from camp, shattering their peace. It was time to return to camp and face reality once more.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Talent hummed at her fingertips, like ice beneath her skin. The thread connected to something warm, like honey and sunlight.
Erinna traced the connection. Followed the thread until she found a bright, warm light like a setting sun. Erinna spread her arms wide, ready to call it to her, aching to consume it.
“Bring her to me.”
She startled awake. Palms clammy with fear. The Weeping Queen was waiting for her. Waiting for Erinna to take whatever that warmth was.
The thread still tangled on her fingertips. Erinna followed the remnants of arcanum, her eyes landing on Inez’s sleeping form.
Her Talent extended to Inez. It wanted to connect with the thread of life around her heart.
Erinna jolted upright. Panic gripped her chest as she tried to squash the unwanted bloom of Talent back down where it belonged. Where it had stayed for so many years before.I have to leave, Erinna thought, unwilling to give in to whatever instinct drew her toward Inez.
Something wanted that connection. Erinna reached for the mug beside her mattress. The tea leaves were cold and stale,but she downed the remaining liquid, praying it would keep the Weeping Queen away.
Air.
She needed air.
Erinna pulled on her boots, not bothering to stay another moment in the small leaning hut she shared with her friend. Unsurprisingly, a few pirates remained awake. Some kept watchful eyes over the courtyard. A couple of scouts disappeared into the thick underbrush to ensure that no one had followed them to the island.
Erinna, fueled by fatigue and desperation, crossed to one of the ale casks that Brax was so fond of and poured herself a healthy serving. She took a sip, earning a few approving nods as she moved toward the closest, unattended hearth. She was so terribly cold and craved something warm. Anything that could fight the chill beneath her skin. She pulled a small log over the warm coals and willed it to catch.
She scooted as close to the smoldering coals as she could—almost close enough to burn flesh and singe the hairs on her arms and legs. But she needed to work out the pesky chill in her bones and joints.
“I suggest you move back. You’ll burn yourself,” said a voice that had become all too familiar.
“I know what I’m doing. I’ll be okay.”
Kane had no problem with her short response and clearly didn’t take the hint to leave. He settled in a spot beside her and leaned into the fire himself.
