Reaching into my bag, I pulled out the fae pipe and the pouch of leaves.
“Ah.” Ferris grimaced. “Sothat’swhere my gold went.”
“Mhm.” Sitting back on my rock, I lit the pipe, set it in my mouth, and cast the line back out to sea.
Death defined my entire life. The absence of laughter, the absence of him. Remembering the days before. Feeling like the purpose and point had been buried with them. Trudging through the hours, lost.
Life went on without you. All the world was like a play. The actors moved, but you couldn't.
You were just stuck.
I dragged in the smoke, the unique scent of leaves and clove fae pipes produced.
Maybe one day I could try living again.
But not yet. I had business to finish first.
It would begin in Nazumi. And end in death.
Chapter 38
Mare
It felt strange to be home. I was an outsider who no longer belonged.
Mountains climbed toward the dimming sky, and log cabins dotted their slopes. Snow powdered their roofs, but the evergreen trees covering the cliffs made it feel warmer than it truly was.
Following the winding northern road through the mountains would bring us home, to Casaloch. But we’d be heading straight east—into the Tornaeth plains.
Lady Brighid had provided us with more horses; I no longer had to ride with Reese. Part of me had been utterly relieved to be away from him, the other, terribly disappointed. The ride had been much colder without the press of Reese's constant warmth.
My wound was healing, at least. Swaying back and forth in the saddle no longer felt like an exercise in torture.
My horse's hooves clopped on the rocky paths, leading me past pale Stormborns wrapped in heavy furs. An undeniable airof fear permeated the town. More guards than usual watched the walls, and the people glanced over their shoulders, as though worried a dragon would descend from the shadows. They strode with a hurried gait, eager to reach their destination.
We drew their attention, though. A group of travelers with two Solhearts and a noble Fireborn woman—we might as well have waltzed in with jingling jester bells.
“See?” Brighid drew her horse up alongside Reese. “The city stands. Aenir isn't being torn apart as we speak after all.”
“It still doesn't feel right,” Reese said. “Loitering here.”
“The king can wait a few days for your report.” Brighid rode past him. “And should the monsters strike, well, you’re closer to the south here than at the capital, no?”
“She has a point,” I said.
Reese side-eyed me. “It's bad enough when Brighid and Bláth are together; I don’t need you siding with them, too.”
Liam snorted behind me.
Brighid looked over her shoulder. “I’ll get us rooms. Bláth—refill our packs. Reese—find a bath, you’re covered in blood and dirt.”
I marveled at the woman’s commanding confidence as she rode off.
The gulf between a real noblewoman and me was becoming apparent.
Had I seemed like a pretender all these years?
Bláth rode around Liam and placed a hand on his arm. “Why don’t you come with me? There won’t be another chance to refill rations.”
