Page 66 of A Sea of Fate and Starfire

“Your war?” Cebrinne echoed in disbelief. “Thaan swore his loyalty to your Videre and then slayed her. Your colony is small because he destroyed it decades ago. This is your war as much as ours.”

Xiane released a bone-deep sigh. “We’ve made it this far only because we’ve remained hidden. Quiet. We don’t bring attention to ourselves. We can’t afford to.”

Cebrinne shook her head. “That isn’t living, it’s surviving.” Selena silenced her with a hand, but Cebrinne stepped around her sister. “Every year, Thaan steals Naiads. From the mountains, from lakes and rivers. He attacks colonies and picks their leaders off one by one. He separates infants from their parents, desensitizes younglings until they’re drones, forces himself into his servant’s bodies, their minds, and holds them captive for years.”

I ground my teeth together. Cornering Xiane into agreeing to join us hadn’t been my intention, but she glanced around from face to face now, like we’d somehow caught her in a trap. “Hiding is the only thing that might save us.”

Selena closed her eyes. “If everyone hides inside their homes to ride out the storm, the storm will only live on, and the only world you’ll know is a cage of your own making,” she said softly, taking Pheolix’s hand to lead him away. The blind Naiad glanced back like he’d wanted to add something. But he chewed the corner of his mouth, following Selena.

Cebrinne glared into Xiane’s eyes. I could only imagine what it was to have her life—her freedom—shortened to a small span for the second time in her existence, only to watch Naiads like Xiane shy away from their own. “Did you hear Maren?” she demanded. “Thaan knows the stone is here. You think he won’t eventually find you? You think he doesn’t know that you’re here now?”

Xiane crossed her arms, relinquishing a step into her cavern, shadows dropping over her body. “I think it’s time you all leave us.”

Cebrinne’s arm dropped. She turned without another word, marching after her sister.

Aegir brushed his fingers coolly through the point of his beard. “Paria will always find an ally with Venusia, Xiane,” he said. “In case you ever change your mind.” He stepped away, the humans moving to allow him room to pass through.

Kye’s hand spread across my lower back, a calm, smooth weight against my spine. I straightened my shoulders, the stones heavy in my palm and around my neck. Xiane’s eyes shone in the almost-dark, thick with apology. “I just can’t risk what little freedom we have.”

I nodded. Placed a hand on her shoulder. “That’s the thing about freedom. It’s a gift, but it’s never given. You have to fight for it.”

I turned then, taking Kolibri’s reins and drifting through the rock island to the edge of the sea, my humans and Naiads behind me. If Xiane stayed to watch us dive below the waves, I never knew. I didn’t look back.

30

Maren

Only hours into our return trip, I had to pull from the group, leading Kolibri over slimy winter rocks and mud to the refuge of land. The surface level of water, frigid even before lending my sun-warmth to Darkness, now felt like swimming through a current of death.

Kolibri rode to shore, her long tail separating into hind legs, hooves clacking over hardened river clay. I’d already transitioned back to my own legs, not bothering to swing one across my saddle, leaning sideways into her broad neck. Kye’s draw of air behind me rattled in my ears.

“Where is everyone?” he asked, pulling his blindfold from his eyes.

“I’m sure they’re turning around now,” I managed through clattering teeth.

I felt him shift as he glanced at me, his hand cupping the nape of my neck. “Sun’s fucking balls,” he cursed under his breath, rolling his weight off Kolibri, boots squelching as he hit the muddy ground.

I let him pull me off, the tremor in my muscles so pronounced I vibrated against him. But I hadn’t lost the ability to shiver yet, the blood in my veins still warm enough to give me that at least. Wind snapped at us like a jealous lover. Kye held me close as he stepped higher up the embankment.

“But Kolibri—” I murmured.

“She’ll be fine,” Kye said. “She survived the ancient plagues. She probably started them.”

“Is she cold?” called Aitne’s voice from the water. More splashing followed her.

I glanced over Kye’s shoulder, scales glittering from the water’s edge. “Don’t look behind you.”

Kye sat me in cold, dry grass. “Truth won’t kill me twice for the same offense.”

“You don’t know that,” I hissed through chattering teeth, but the Naiads changed quickly, hauling their human escorts ashore.

Aitne tromped up the loam, Diara close behind her, arms crossed against the cold. “I’ll search for some wood,” she said, tucking her red, dripping braid over her shoulder.

They trekked up the side of the ravine, one at a time, and I tried to ignore the jab of wounded pride at the thought I was the reason our travel would be stalled. My hand found the Scale of Safiro, a hard weight inside my pocket.

Aegir dropped to his knee at my hip, a hand raised as he lifted water from my crown. His call was like a comb running through my hair and clothes, a slight tug and pull as he worked. Selena handed him a heavy fur, already dry, with one hand as she turned to work on drying off the moving bodies around her. Nori swept grass away from my feet, Olinne laying stones in a small circle. Cebrinne and Diara had already returned with weather-beaten driftwood.

“You can’t feel it at all?” Aitne asked.