Page 55 of The Edge of Darkness

“This is what’s best for me.” I gestured to my surroundings. To the High Lord and the commander on the quarterdeck. “With them, and with you, I’ll always be safe.”

Silas nodded several times, regarding me for a long moment. “You have more power than all of us combined. But I will still lay down my life for you to make sure you never have to be in a position to use it.”

His words hit something deep within me. “I could never ask that of you, or of Remic. Or anyone, for that matter.”

“You need not ask. It’s in our nature as Dionachs. It’s what gives us purpose.”

“I know,” I said a bit softer. “Still.”

We both grew quiet, setting our eyes on the waves.

I’d never seen the sea before. The endless, blue horizon was all I’d imagined it to be: vast, overwhelming, beautiful. The waves brushing up against the ship created a lulling chorus, carrying us away from everything I knew.

“About the storms . . . You were saying . . .”

“Oh yes, right.” He cleared his throat. “The storms create a barrier that encircles the isles. It keeps away outsiders. The witches don’t complain because they like their solitude. Once you’re through the brunt of it, the waves calm a bit, and then it’s just the rain.”

“Why the rain though?”

“No one really knows. It was like that when Torin settled it. Some days it’s more of a heavy mist. Other times, it’s a monsoon.”

“Thank the gods for shielding magic, then.”

“That will only get you so far,” Silas corrected. “On the isles, magic is stifled. Once you set foot on land, any power that is not of a witch or Dionach will falter.”

I whipped my head to him. “Does Niall know about this?”

Silas sighed. “No.”

“Great.” I shook my head. “This isn’t a good way to start, Silas.”

“Gods, I know.” He rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. “I just didn’t plan on having to explain everything to someone first. I’m still getting used to this . . . dynamic.”

I nodded. “I’ll talk to him. And you should too. He’s very reasonable, once you get past the dark façade.” I offered him a smile, and thankfully he seemed to ease up a little.

“Thank you. And I know he’s only doing what he feels is necessary to protect his mate and his court. I understand. I think once he speaks to Nivelle, he’ll feel better about this entire situation.”

“I believe so too.”

The waves swelled, and sea salt spray misted our faces. I bristled at the chill, while Silas’s wings fluttered behind him.

“So, Nivelle . . . What’s she like?”

Silas blew a breath out and shook his head. “I guarantee you’ve never met anyone like her.”

“Is that a good or a bad thing?”

“Honestly, I couldn’t tell you. She’s . . . intense. She’s one of the most powerful witches the isles have seen in a few thousand years. I think it’ll be rather interesting.”

“What makes you say that?”

“For one, I really don’t know how this is going to play out.”

“Well, she’ll receive us? Won’t she?”

Silas hesitated. “She should.”

“Should?”