Page 124 of The Crown’s Temptation

"Wait... dunes are sand."

A thoughtful pause.

"Duke Eravic of the Seas of Doom."

I waited.

He considered it.

"I'm not convinced that's an improvement."

"I'll continue practicing."

By the time I left the shoreline, I was surprised to find Fiersa waiting for me.

"Why are you here?" I asked, unable to hide my surprise.

"I considered myself thoughtful enough to leave sweet bread beside your bed," Fiersa said. "Imagine my disappointment when I found your room empty. Naturally, I was forced to investigate."

"Stalk."

She ignored me.

"Without me, you'd be eaten by creatures of death before you could even protest."

"I thought they abhorred leather." I gestured toward my dress.

"I abhor water," she replied, looping her arm through mine, "but I'd still drink it if I were thirsty enough."

Something inside me warmed.

I still hated being dead.

I still missed my children.

I still missed Colsar.

But this was the first evening since arriving in Morrath that it did not feel as though my heart was being ripped from my chest.

"Who exactly abhors water?"

"Fiersa of Morrath," she declared, throwing one hand dramatically toward the sky.

Despite myself, I smiled.

As we passed the tunnel, my eyes lingered on its entrance.

I will come back tonight.

I could not trust anyone here.

Not completely. Not even Fiersa.

The tunnel was mine. So was Colsar. No one would know of either.

When we reached my wing, Fiersa waved lazily over her shoulder.

"Get some rest."