CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Bear.
— From Lyvia’s list.
“Lyvia!” Evony shouted as I slipped, vision tunneling as my consciousness ebbed.
Tiberius tilted, bouncing me back to the center. The dark waves of the Juniper came up on our left, and Ti banked, angling sharply toward a large ship leading the fleet.
Take us back to the city,I murmured.
Ti’s derisive snort sent my heels weakly digging into his sides as he hurtled down the center of theHydra.
Astraeus clapped softly, his rings clinking against one another, as he swaggered to where Ti stopped, panting heavily.
“Nicely done.” He nodded toward Evony and Tiberius. His typical, insufferable swagger dimmed for the briefest moment as his eyes landed on me. He was at Tiberius’s flank in an instant as I began to slide off his back and into his arms.
“Get off,” I slurred, doing my best to shove him away. Despite the fact he’d figured out Bear’s message, I hadn’t forgotten his threat from weeks before to stay the fuck away.
His hands held my arms, steadying me as my knees buckled.
“Get off!” I snapped, giving him a weak push. I wobbled, my legs shaking before ceasing to work entirely, and he caught me around the waist.
“Raek!” he called as Marian moved to my side. Her hair was tied back, and she’d donned her own armor. She eased me to a sitting position on the deck as I rubbed the bridge of my nose, an ache pounding behind my eyes.
Gods, I’dneverbeen this spent.
TheHydrarocked as an air cannon boomed from below deck. I glanced over the rail to see the cannonball smash into one of the gates to the city on the eastern shore, a perfect hit. My stomach twisted.
“I need to get to Mount Telum,” I said to her as she surveyed me with a look of concern, taking something from Raek without looking. I had to get back. We needed to take Saros and end the fighting as soon as possible. “This is my city.”
“The siege will take time,” she said, shoving a hot mug into my hands. “Drink.”
I scowled, taking the mug and a slow, shaky sip of bitter tea.
“Thank you. I’m good now,” I murmured as I handed back the mug and shoved shakily onto my feet.
“Lyvia,” she scolded, signing my name with a jerky snap of her wrists.
I took a step toward Ti, ignoring her as best I could. She grabbed my arm and spun me around to face her.
“They need me!” I snapped. “No one else needs to die in this fight.” My words broke in a choked rasp.
“You need to rest.”
“I’m fine,” I said, gritting my teeth as I reached Ti.
She’s right.
Shut up.
“She’s right,” Astraeus echoed, approaching me, and a wave of amusement rippled off Tiberius.
“But as you might be too stubborn to listen to the people who care about you...” Astraeus stepped to my side. “Don’t make me regret this,” he breathed, his lips brushing my ear.
Before I could stop him, the pirate lord slid my hand into his, twining our fingers. Silver stars danced at the edge of my vision, and I gasped, a blast of energy bursting into my palm.
My eyes widened as power surged through, snapping me awake, as if he’d shoved his own magicintome. The power settled in my chest, the Obscura and Transcindiel coming fully awake and standing at attention. I blinked as the buzzing sensation subsided, the fatigue vanishing entirely. My eyes settled on the deep blue sky beyond theHydra’ssails, stars peeking through the horizon, as if they’d decided to rise early today.
