“I believe the last time I was on a ship with you, I declared that I never wanted to be in such a situation again,” Jace teased as he placed his hand atop mine, where it rested on the railing.
I grinned as I faced him. “You had a great time.”
He barked out a loud laugh, earning one from me in return. “If you see a darkened sky ahead, be sure to warn me this time.”
“No promises.” I winked.
We both turned to face the deck, where the crew was hard at work. “They’ve been keeping to themselves,” I observed.
“Yes, well, they are very curious as to where we are truly headed. No mortal has ever set foot upon the sand that awaits in The Elora Isles.”
“Theydoknow they’re staying on the ship, right?” I raised a brow.
He turned to me. “We’ve told them many times, but I believe they’re just excited to leave Alaia and not be en route to battle.”
I sighed. “That won’t be the case for long.”
“They know, my Lia.”
I gave him a soft smile as I leapt down from the railing. We stalked across the ship's deck, passing every crew member who was hard at work. When Jace was called away by a deckhand, I continued my waltz forward.
My steps halted as I came across Veli, who stood perfectly motionless at the stern. Her gaze fixed on the sea as if she could still view the land we left behind hours prior.
I warily approached her. “Veli?” I whispered.
“The men that sail this ship have been given specific instructions on where to sail. They are to follow the—”
“Northernmost star,” I finished for her. “We know…is everything alright?”
“This is a mistake, Elianna.”
“Not if we win the war.”
She scoffed. “At what cost? They will not side with you easily just because you carry the blood of the Valderre line.”
A loud, whooshing sound echoed through the sea air as the sun began to set on the horizon. Our chins lifted to the sky as Nox continued to circle above.
“I am willing to bargain,” I answered as my gaze followed the wyvern.
Her violet stare snapped to me. “A fool's bargain.”
“You don’t even know what I would plan to barter.”
“Anything is too great. Do not be reckless enough to believe that the Elora Coven would abide by your rules just because you plan to wear the realm’s crown atop your head. They are notorious for their defiance.”
“And that is why you ran?”
Her eyes narrowed in on me as her talon-like nails dug into the wood of the ship’s rail. “You knownothing.”
“Because you won’t speak of it,” I challenged sternly, the words funneling through my teeth as I tried to hold back my anger.
She turned from me—her gaze now fixated back on the waves. “You will know soon enough.”
Before I moved to shove the witch overboard, I decided that turning back around and finding Jace would be the wiser choice.
Chapter twenty-seven
Avery
