Skylar Cathal
“Your beta didn’t exaggerate,” Fjorda said, glancing between us. “But what you ask is not outside the realm of possibility.”
“Can you secure other ships to sail with you? Enough to carry all my pack?”
“I have a fleet that docks on Starfall Island,” Fjorda said, the corner of his mouth turning upward with a wink. “Did you really think I only oversaw theOpal?”
I was about to answer when he held up his hand.
“Don’t bother.” He sighed with a half-smile.
I chuckled. “So, you’ll help us then?”
“I see this as a mutual benefit for your people and mine,” Fjorda replied, extending his hand. “Heal the wilt, and you, Alpha of the Solace pack, will have the aid of my ships and the crews to ferry your people across the sea.”
I grasped Fjorda’s hand with a beaming grin. “Thank you.”
“Thankyou, Champion,” Fjorda replied.
“But the veil?” Shaw asked. “Won’t it prevent you from sailing through?”
“I believe it will fall after the Heart is unleashed and the wilt is destroyed,” I answered.
“And then my ships will set sail.”
“What if it doesn’t?” Shaw asked.
“So negative,” Fjorda teased. “Do you always have such a dark outlook?”
Shaw frowned. “I’m cautious. Unlike you,” he said, glancing at me. “You’re likely to act on the first thought that enters your head.”
“Which is usually a good idea.”
Shaw sighed. “Uh-huh.”
“Can’t deny it.” I winked.
“Captain!” Fjorda’s first mate called out from across the deck. “The veil. We’re here.”
“The ship awaits your key, Champion,” Fjorda said, sweeping his arm to the side. “You part the way, and I’ll steer us through.”
I nodded and began making my way toward the front of the ship, with Shaw following close behind.
“You ready for this?” I asked, glancing over my shoulder at Shaw.
“As I’ll ever be,” he answered. “So, the dagger will cut through its magic?”
“That’s the theory.”
“Theory?”
“A well-tested and proven theory,” I countered. “The second key opened the veil. Why wouldn’t the third?”
“Didn’t it dissolve? Or disappear?”
“Yes,” I said, reaching the front of the ship.
“And don’t you still need this alpha’s dagger to unlock the Heart? What if it—”
