But he was here, so that must’ve counted for something.
And Tommy… he hadn’t evenlookedat her since they rescued her. If he didn’t forgive her, she may not be able to forgive herself. Tommy had been kind to her. He’d cared enough to ask her about herself the night she sank Draevyn’s original ship. And even tried to give fatherly advice after explaining he became a privateer after Blackwood’s beast sank his ship decades ago.
Her heart twisted at the memory, and from having been that beast.Twicenow for him in particular.
Once they were out of sight, Jak stepped up to Jenli’s hammock. “I was serious about that favor. We need to speak with you. Alone.”
Jenli tilted her head. “Ah. So, it appears this isn’t a fun little family visit.” Her front teeth sank into her bottom lip. “Business, I presume?”
“Serious business,” he said firmly, casting a glance toward the others still moving about. “Business not even privy to her crew yet. And we would like to keep it that way if possible.”
She hummed and gave a lazy nod. “Come on, then. We’ll go to my bedchamber where it’s more private.”
Draevyn gave Esmyra a curious look and she shrugged.
Jenli leapt out of her hammock and led the three of them up the stairs. They climbed higher than the others had dared, past theobvious doorways, until they reached what seemed to be a dead end of a wall covered by tapestries.
But when Jenli waved a hand, her vines crept along the walls like obedient snakes and drew back one of the tapestries, revealing a hidden chamber wrapped in vibrant color.
The room was circular, the walls hidden beneath layers of deep green and bright tapestries embroidered with gold thread. Small candles sat on curling branches overhead, alongside glowing fungi that cast a soft amber light.
A large, round mattress sat nestled against the far wall on the floor, with plush, mismatched quilts and pillows piled on top. The floor was layered with thick rugs, and strange trinkets hung from the ceiling like crystals, bones, and dried flowers.
The room didn’t feel cold like a throne room, or the barracks below the deck of her ship. It felt like a tiny little sanctuary hidden in the heart of their realm’s most dangerous forest.
It feltsafe.
“Make yourselves at home,” she said, flopping onto her bed. “Now, what was it you needed to ask of me? And why were you blubbering about gods out in the swamp?” Her eyes grew sharp, flicking between the three of them.
A long silence stretched between them.
Jak averted his gaze to the floor, Esmyra was at a loss for words, and Draevyn stood rigid at her side.
Because where could they even begin?
Esmyra finally stepped forward. “How much do you know about Rymelle’s gods?”
Jenli stiffened. The color drained from her face, and the air in the room thickened. She no longer seemed playful or indifferent, but wary and guarded.
“Thatis a part of my life I’ve buried,” she said coldly. Her stare moved to Jak, who still refused to look her in the eye.
Esmyra glared at him, wondering what he must’ve left out of the story as they journeyed here.
“And I don’t dig up corpses. Nothing good will ever come of that. Has anyone ever told you that curiosity killed the owl?” Jenli finished.
“It’scat. Curiosity killed the cat,” Jak grumbled.
Jenli lifted a finger. “Keep asking questions and they’re going to change the phrase, cousin.”
“We wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important,” Jak rushed out. “You know I wouldnevercome to you with this if it wasn’t necessary. If it wasn’t life or death.”
She leaned forward. “You think it’s that simple? Tell me, Jak, do they even know what goes on in the temples?”
“That’s why we’re here,” Esmyra admitted, stepping forward. “Now I know whatever goes on with the gods and their High Priests and Priestesses is the best kept secret of our world, but you escaped. And you must have a reason.”
Jenli’s eyes narrowed. “Jak, what the hells have you told them?”
“Only that I helped you hide.”
