“Kol, the fallen god of the sun and Scourge of the First War, has risen again. He seeks to complete his task from five thousand years ago, to lay waste to the continent and bring all its people under his thrall. The other gods have risen with him, but do not join him. Rulene, Callamus, and Priam stand to fight. They have shared knowledge with the Queen of Onita of aweapon forged in secret at the end of the First War, a weapon with the power to kill a god.”
The room fell into a hushed, tense silence. Darius’s green eyes had grown wide, looking suddenly younger than he had since he’d pulled them from the sea.
Varyn, though, still wore a careful mask, his brows tight. “And what is it that the Queen of Onita needs from me?”
“Your knowledge,” Delaynie answered. “That weapon has been lost, both to time and magic. But it—or information about it—could be hidden in any of the continent’s kingdoms. Our queen sent us here to request access to your libraries, so we can see what lost truths Kizar might have saved.”
Varyn was again silent. Quentin didn’t like the way he stared at Delaynie, the way his sea-green eyes tried to pierce her politician’s mask.
He especially didn’t like the way the pirate lord huffed a chuckle, shaking his head slowly.
“You may be a pretty thing, but you speak with a serpent’s tongue. Tell me”—he took a step forward, leaning into Delaynie’s space— “why shouldIcare about what happens to the continent? The First War was five thousand years ago, and despite the brutality on the mainland, it never reached Kizar. Why should my people help yours when Onita’s trade policies have done nothing but cripple us so much that we’ve had no choice but to resort to piracy?” Varyn’s lip lifted in a snarl, white teeth flashing. “Why should Kizar give youanything, when all Onita has done is force us into the shadows?”
Quentin bit back the growl rumbling up his chest. He held his focus on Delaynie, who was icy as ever, chin still lifted to the snarling lord.
“Because, Lord Varyn. You are a part of this world, just as we are. And regardless of what happened in the past, you should still give a shit about it now.”
“Who are you to tell me what I should care about?” Varyn sneered. “The sea is our sanctuary. Kizar is but a port. This world is bigger than just the continent, and we no longer care about its fate.”
“You can flee, but you can never evade the sun, Lord Varyn. Kol will not stop until he conquers everything beneath it.”
The lord hesitated for a beat, something flickering in his eyes, before giving a nonchalant shrug. “If that happens, we will deal with it. But as of right now, I am not inclined to help Onitans with their mainland squabbles.”
“I guess we always should’ve expected this from monsters who would terrorize a city and slaughter innocents for no gods-damned reason.”
The words were past Quentin’s lips before he could stop them. They’d been sitting there, lurking in his throat ever since this pirate had mentioned the trade policies.
As if money could ever justify murder.
Varyn turned back to Quentin, holding his glare, that curious glimmer again shifting across his face.
Before he laughed.
“I was wondering when you might bring that up. I’m surprised you stayed on your leash for so long.”
“Fuckyou?—”
“You sure do love your threats.” Varyn smirked. “Yes, we attacked your little city. We killed your people. And the fact that your queenstillsent you to entreat with us, even after all that, makes her even more pathetic than I could predict. Of course,” he said, smile growing, “sheknew. Which is why when she gave the order, we obeyed.”
Quentin was ready to sink a dagger into this lord’s neck.
“What are?—”
The door behind them slammed open. A heavy, cloying energy filled the room, one that reminded him of the spray ofbriny water and the crackling power of a storm at sea. They all turned, Quentin gripping the hilt of a dagger and angling his body in front of Delaynie.
A beautiful woman, garbed in glowing white robes and a gleaming golden chest piece, prowled into the room. Her long, colorless hair flowed around her shoulders, her glowing seafoam eyes glittering with contempt in the dying afternoon light.
Varyn gave her a deep, gracious bow. “Perhaps it would be best if you heard the reason straight from the source.” He extended his arm to the woman.
“It is my honor to introduce Krilene, Goddess of Sea and War. She predicted your arrival here…and ordered the attack on Verith.”
Chapter 56
Mariah woke with energy thrumming through her veins.
Not the energy of her magic; those threads were still dormant. It was a deeper energy, a wilder energy, the kind she felt only twice a year.
Her eyes fluttered open to the bright warmth of the mountain dawn.
