Page 226 of Commander’s Mate

I wanted to say something kind.

Nothing kind was true enough.

Deyan opened her eyes again.

“Breskaa.”

“Yes.”

“You go there.”

“Yes.”

“Bring her.”

Zared did not promise.

I watched him choose the truth.

“We will try.”

Deyan stood.

She was shorter than him by nearly a foot and a half.

She still looked like she might strike him.

“Try?”

“My warriors will risk their lives. I will risk mine. We will free every person we can reach. But I will not promise your daughter is alive when we arrive.”

Deyan’s face broke.

I thought she might scream.

Instead she touched his chest.

Not gently.

“Then bring me truth.”

Zared went still.

“If she lives, bring her.”

“Yes.”

“If she is dead, bring me that.”

“Yes.”

“If nothing remains—”

Her voice failed.

He covered her hand with his.

“Then we bring you everything we learn.”