LYVIA
Spell caster must be a Mystic.
– Forbidden Whispers of Persuasion, Restricted Root Level, Living Library.
Lyvia – Borva, Votruvia
My hands made quick slaps against my leathers as I paced the dock, the caw of white seabirds clapping over the activity of Borva’s shipyard. A pressure rose in my chest at the task at hand, my mind fogging whenever it drifted to returning to the Land of Light and Life.
Keep moving.
A flash of black caught my eye from above, and I squinted against the blazing blue sky. I shaded my eyes as Tiberius soared over the island, a skittish Tempest wavering behind him.
You’re going to burn a hole in that deck, Tiberius muttered as he circled overhead.
My boots thudded as I reached the end of the dock, the rough waves of the Crimson Sea splashing up my leathers before I pivoted.
She’s improving. I changed the subject as I tracked Tempest overhead.
Tiberius scoffed.She’s insufferable.
Amusement bubbled up, but it dissipated as Drystan’s form moved through the bustling pirates loading supplies onto Kellan’s ships. My stomach twisted in inadequacy. Had I fucked up the caeluma transformation? Xenelpha said the caeluma were the key to defeating the Embodied…Why didn’t Tempest bond with Drystan when I transformed her?I was so certain I’d done it right…
Drystan stopped when he reached Vulcan, and the two of them bent their heads in conversation. I reached the harbor walkway and began to turn when a hand appeared on my arm.
Sunshine hopped from the waves to Kellan’s dark eyes as he pinned them on me, his brows narrowing as he scanned my face.
“We can find someone else to go,” he said quietly, his hand drifting to the side of my face.
My hand clasped over his as I pulled it down between us, and my eyes slid along the faint scars on his neck. The ones I’d left with my nails last year after theHydrahad attacked theCenturion. So much had changed over a year later. I shook my head softly.
“No,” I murmured, my eyes darting to theHydra’sflag flailing wildly in the wind. “I can do this.” The lie rolled off my tongue, and I resisted the urge to meet Kellan’s gaze.
“I know you can,” he murmured, moving closer. “And I know you will. You’re a better person than I am.”
My brows furrowed, and I turned back to him. His eyes were soft as they darted between mine.
“You’re a better person than you think you are,” I corrected him, looking back at the hills rolling in the distance. The beautiful green land of Borva, where orphans and fugitives from the other Votruvian Islands found refuge.
Raek’s call interrupted the quiet moment, but Kellan kept his eyes on mine. His thumb brushed a line against my jaw before he looked away.
A flash of brilliant red hair drew my eye to the approaching group. Naomi’s hair glowed in the sunshine, long ripples of it drifting across her low-cut dress as she strode arm in arm with Mother Eghan. Raek led the small farewell party to where we stood.
Naomi’s light brows furrowed as she scanned the limited space between us. Mother Eghan reached for Kellan, and the pirate lord wrapped his long arms around her, murmuring in her ear.
Raek nodded as he reached a hand forward, and I clasped it in mine.
“Good luck. Take care of him.” His head bobbed in the direction of his captain.
I offered him a firm nod before Aeriden’s arms wrapped around my shoulders, and he pulled me into a back-cracking hug. My eyes pinched shut as I squeezed him back.
“Stay safe, Sis,” he muttered.
“You too, Aer,” I whispered, a vice wrapping around my chest at the thought of leaving him, even for a few days.
Raek and Aeriden were to gather the rest of Kellan’s fleet and continue preparations for battle… The time and place of which we had no idea.
My eyes cut to Vulcan and Isla as they approached with Drystan.
