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These were warships, yet Regner hadn’t been able to resist gilding them. Intricate swirls and patterns decorated the hulls, the gold gleaming even at this distance. The wasteful opulence made my stomach churn. I’d walked through the slums in his kingdom. I’d seen how his people suffered.
“All that gold is going to end up in the bottom of the ocean one day,” Lorian said softly from behind me.
I nodded, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the fleet cutting through the waves toward us. Regner had designed the ships to inspire awe and terror. But they symbolized all the reasons he was corrupt. His lust for power and wealth was sickening.
I’d thought we would have more time. I turned to glance at Daharak. From the sick look on her face, so had she. It was the pirate queen’s people who’d been sent north as a distraction.
I squeezed the trowth stone in my hand until I thought it might crack. These had been Galon’s idea and would allow all of us to communicate, as long as no one moved out of range—a few hundred footspans or so.
Regner’s ships closed in, and my gaze locked on the weapons fitted to the side of the ships. “Lorian?”
“I’m not sure what they are,” he said, stepping closer with a frown as he gazed at the ships. Unlike us hybrids, the fae didn’t need spyglasses to be able to see that far into the distance.
We’d prepared for Regner’s cannons. But these were much longer, and they gleamed silver—clearly new.
I lifted the trowth stone. “What are they, Daharak?”
“I don’t know,” she replied, her voice tight. “And that isn’t a good sign. I’ll ask my fleet commanders if they’ve seen anything similar before.”
A few minutes later, her voice echoed from the stone.
“One of my fleet commanders believes they’re elemental cannons.”
“What does that mean for us?”
“They’ll be loaded with something that would channel magic—likely something similar to an oceartus stone. And then a human with an elemental power like Madinia’s or Galon’s would pour their magic into that something. When they fire, it’ll be as if a powerful hybrid or fae has unleashed their full power mere footspans away from our ships.”
My heart leaped into my throat. I was willing to bet Rothnic had helped create those cannons.
Lorian watched the ships contemplatively. As much as I knew he wanted to let his power roar free, there was a chance we might need it later for the barrier if the others were unable to bring it down.
“How long will our wards last?” I asked him.
“It depends on how powerful each warder is. Galon can hold his ward for hours when not under constant attack. But Regner has likely been preparing these cannons in advance. We need to get this done quickly.”
Someone tapped my shoulder. I turned. If Telean was at all concerned, it wasn’t evident on her face. I’d begged her not to come, but she’d merely patted my cheek, insisting that I might need her when I wielded my power.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
I nodded. “You promised you’d stay away from the fighting.”
“I will. But first, I have something for you.”
“What is it?”
She handed me a glass vial. “A healer in Gromalia owed me a favor.” She frowned. “And yet he still attempted to empty my purse.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a tonic. For your vision. You may not have time to use spyglasses and such. This will enhance it, allowing you to see across long distances when you focus. You may feel a little dizzy and nauseous when you first begin, but it will fade.”
“This is unbelievable. I’ll have eyes like the fae. Thank you.”
She patted my shoulder. “You can do this, Nelayra. Your parents and grandmother are watching.”
My eyes stung, and I leaned down, kissing her cheek. She smiled, turning and walking back to the pirate I’d convinced to stay with her.
Taking a deep breath, I lifted the stone. The first part of our plan would be up to me. “Tell them to fire everything they have.”
