“As long as it takes.” Lachlan’s eyes darken, as if the events of the last several days have spun through his mind.
I reach out a hand and rest it gently on his forearm. “Are you okay?”
He places his other hand over mine, stroking the top of myhand with his thumb. “Just ready for this excursion to be over so I can get ye back home.”
“Home?”
“Aye. Where I’m not worried about demons creeping down from trees or having to share ye with councilors.”
I snort. “We’ll be going to war soon. You realize that, right?”
Lachlan nods, but doesn’t let go of my hand.
“Are you going to hover over me the entire time we’re in battle?” I joke.
A fierce gleam enters his eyes. “I’m never leaving your side.”
The crew races around the deck. Boots stomping and calls being yelled as our boat enters the marina. Ashur stands under a flood of light in the middle of the dock. His burgundy robes appear almost black as he lifts a hand in greeting, but he’s too far away yet to call out a greeting to.
“Do you think Ashur feels betrayed?”
“I’m not sure,” Lachlan murmurs. “He gained quite a lot under the imposter’s rule.”
I bite my lip. I was worried he might be more difficult in the future after his display in the throne room. I guess we’re about to find out.
A flutter of wings followed by a gravelly caw has me looking away from the city. A large raven lands on my shoulder.
“Ah, that’ll be a guard for your return letter,” Lachlan says, as I stare in shock at the raven gripping my arm.
Without magic here, the ability to shift back is gone.
“And who might you be?” I ask the bird.
Oily black feathers seem to gobble up the remaining light, but there’s a kindness in his eyes.
“Looks like Evander,” Lachlan chuckles. “He’s small.”
The bird pecks at him and I laugh. “Don’t be snide. He’s beautiful.”
Evander tilts his head towards me and flits down to the railing.
“I’ll be right back with that letter!” I throw over my shoulder, heading to the captain’s room for pen and parchment. Dragut beats me to it and is coming up the stairs with our packs and the supplies I need. He hands them to me silently, a knowing glint in his eyes.
“Thank you,” I murmur, and head down the stairs. A faint glow from the lantern in the captain’s room leads me to it. The wooden door creaks open, the smell of timber and salt filling my nose as I inhale deeply. The chair at the desk is worn leather and is soft against my skin as I sink into it. I stare at the blank parchment a moment, wondering how much I should tell them.
Magic restored to Scota. Lach and I had a moment…Oh, and we’re in Ishtar now.
No news from Mina for me, either. I’ll send her a letter too.
I miss you so much.
How are things now? Did you talk to Tane?
I love you.
I blow on the ink, insuring it dries before folding it in half. How strange my life is now. I remember the years before when all I had wanted were friends and a place to call home.
Standing, I stride across the room and I’m almost to the door before I remember I need to write to Mina. I sit back down at the desk and rifle around for another piece of parchment. Sketches of kelpies, sea dragons, and a constellation of stars. My fingers still and then I tug the last sketch out of the drawer and into the light.
