Thinking this was it, that they were going under, she lungedfor the side and clung on.
But the ship rose up, unfazed, and soon the deck was clear of water.
When the lightning flashed again, instead of reaching for the rowboat, Safire caught sight of the waves below. Huge and black, they crashed against the hull of the ship, high as the palace walls.
Safire’s stomach rolled over itself. She forced the queasy feeling down as her grip on the wet wood tightened.
What am I doing?
Safire couldn’t swim. She’d never rowed a boat before in her life, never mind in the middle of a storm. She reached into her pocket, touching the smooth glass face of the compass she’d stolen, trying to find her courage.
I must warn Asha, she thought.And this might be my only chance.
She had the compass. She knew the scrin was somewhere in the Star Isles, and the Star Isles were northwest. All she needed was to climb into the rowboat, lower it down...
Again, lightning flashed.
Safire stood frozen in fear as she stared into the inky chaos below.
Count to three,she told herself.On three, you’re going to get into the boat, then cut the ropes.
Safire swiped at her rain-soaked eyes.
One...
She sucked in a breath.
Two...
She bent her knees, ready to spring over the side.
Three!
Before she could jump, a hand clamped around her arm, fingers digging in hard.
“Are you out of your damned mind?”
Safire’s spine straightened.
“Turn around.” Eris’s voice battled the rain. “Nice and slow.”
Safire kept one hand on the wood so that the rocking ship didn’t pitch her overboard, then did as she was told.
In the dim light of the oil lamp overhead, Safire found Eris standing before her, pale hair slicked against her face, rain running down her skin. She had the stolen throwing knife in her hand, pointed at Safire’s chest.
Safire pressed herself up against the ship’s side, waiting for Eris to haul her back into that room.
Instead, Eris let go of her arm. Stepping in close, her gaze bored into Safire’s. Something had changed in her. Earlier Eris had been weary and worn, but now she seemed wide awake.
Her green eyes seemed brighter. Her skin luminous as starlight. Her smile dangerous.
She seemed... more than human.
Safire should have been thinking of the best way to get that knife out of her hand. Instead, she couldn’t look away.
What are you?
Eris glanced over Safire’s shoulder, to the rowboat, then the waves beyond it. “That storm will crush you, princess.” She looked back at Safire like one would at a child who’d just attempted something utterly foolish.
