Page 114 of Seaborn and the Seven Seas

“I don’t want to ever forget you,” I murmured into his shoulder, tears pooling my eyes. “Not in this life. Not in any other.”

The wind moved across the summit. Somewhere far below, the sea waited. But Calroy’s wings wrapped around us. For now, we let the world fall away, holding on to each other and never wanting to let go.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Calroy and I returned to the village before dawn broke, slipping back into our own cottages. Jina, Minha, and Fraya were sitting up talking among themselves when I entered and stopped by the doorframe.

Three pairs of eyes landed on me at once.

“Where did you go?” Jina’s smile was already forming before she’d finished the question.

“For a walk,” I said.

“A walk.” Minha’s gaze moved over my windswept hair and the wrinkled tunic. Her mouth curved. “How was it?”

“Fine,” I said, my voice flat as I approached the beds.

“Just fine?” Fraya tilted her head.

“Very fine.” I crossed my arms. “Are we done?”

Jina covered her mouth with both hands, shoulders shaking. Minha fell back onto her cot. Fraya looked at the ceiling, humming.

“Get some sleep,” I said. “We leave at first light.”

“Yes, goddess,” Minha said, still laughing.

I pulled the blanket over my head and smiled, my face pressed into the pillow where no one could see me. Despite what lay ahead, I held on to this moment—just a woman, not a goddess in love with a man who had searched the world to find her.

Sleep did not come and morning came too soon. We filed out and met The Priestess in front of her cottage. Calroy, Rowhan, and Palto were already there, waiting at the edge of the path, the three of them standing apart from each other.

Calroy caught my eye and winked, that knowing smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.

My face flushed. I looked away before anyone noticed.

Too late. Minha was already watching me, smirking.

The Priestess stood with hands folded, expression unreadable as always. She looked at each of us in turn, then settled her colorless eyes back on Minha.

“You were born fighting. That is a gift. Know the difference between courage and recklessness.”

Minha said nothing, but her jaw worked, and she gave a single nod.

The Priestess moved to Fraya. “You have spent your whole life standing between others and harm.” Her voice softened just slightly. “Continue that path. For the world needs someone like you. But also know that you are not required to bleed for everyone.”

Fraya’s chin lifted, her eyes glistening.

The Priestess smiled at Jina. She was quiet for a long moment, studying her the way she had studied me when we first arrived.

“The sea knows your name,” she said, “even if you don’t yet know why.” She reached out and pressed two fingers briefly to Jina’s sternum, just above her heart. “When the water calls you, don’t be afraid to answer.”

Jina blinked. “I don’t understand.”

“You will.” The Priestess stepped back. “Soon.”

She strode to Rowhan. He straightened under her gaze, discomfort crossing his face—a god unused to being read.

“You know what you did. The fact that you cannot undo it will either destroy you or drive you forward. The gods cannot afford your guilt on the field. Put that aside and do what must be done.”