Page 49 of Sun, Moon & Shadow

“So, you suspected he wasn’t human?”

“Not at first,” he said. “But once I saw your Fae form, it was difficult to deny.”

“Well, your instincts were correct. My father was from Silvergard.” Her eyes flitted around the tight quarters, avoiding his. “My mother told me that my true father is Omen of Raven’s Isle.” Nova winced, turning her face to the wall.

Callan’s spine went rigid. Although he’d considered Nova might have ties to the Lunar Court, which could make her a target, he never imagined she was the daughter of the Shadowbringer. In the wrong hands, this knowledge could mean her death.

Callan jumped to his feet and burst through the small hatch onto the deck. Several crew members snapped their heads in his direction at the sudden noise. He rushed to untie the lines securing the ship to the dock.

“Arik, give me a hand.” He waved his friend over, and they worked together to shove off.

“We must return to Nivali immediately,” he said. Arik nodded and took his place at the base of the mast.

“Oars!” Arik bellowed his command, and the sailors dipped their wooden paddles into the sea, quickly turning the vessel around. Callan stood beside Arik as the boat cleared the dock, and the two of them raised the sail, adjusting the angle on the mast to account for a strong wind pushing in from the west.

“I need to see to Nova. I’ll be back on deck as soon as I’m able,” Callan said.

“This wind is going to push us closer to shore. Storm’s coming out of the west.” Arik jerked his chin toward the thick gray clouds gathering off the starboard side.

“Perhaps we can skirt the storm if we cut in closer to the coast. Not too close, though,” Callan warned. “The last thing I need is Silvergard breathing down our necks.” Arik accepted his orders with a fist over his heart, and Callan slipped back through the hatch.

Nova sat hunched forward, her face buried in her hands. She lifted her head when he entered, steel eyes red-rimmed and puffy, pale cheeks damp with fresh tears. She ran her sleeve over her face and coughed once, clearing her throat.

“I’m so sorry, Callan. My father is the reason your parents are gone.” She looked down at her hands. “You must hate me.”

Callan sat on the cot beside her.

“Look at me.”

Slowly, she lifted her face to his.

“Nothing in this world could ever give me cause to hate you,” he murmured. “But I am worried for you.”

He brushed a thumb over her cheek, and she leaned into his touch.

“How is this possible?” he asked.

Nova dabbed at her eyes with the cuff of her shirt and recounted her mother’s story, shooting glances at him from the corner of her eye.

“I can’t believe this secret remained hidden for so long,” he said, mind whirring. “You must never share this information with anyone else. Omen is every bit as dangerous as your mother said he is. If the truth got out, your life could be at risk.”

“I never want anyone to know about this.” She shook her head rapidly, twisting her hands together in her lap. “I can’t bear the thought of anyone believing I’m a monster.”

“You’re no monster.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, drawing her close.

“But what if I am?” she whispered, as if she feared speaking the words aloud. “My mother said he wasn’t always as he is now. What if something happens, and I . . . change?”

“You are nothing like your father,” Callan insisted, hopeful his certainty would be enough to put her at ease. Convince her that he could never fear her. He cursed Omen and his vile shadow that seemed to fall on those Callan cared for most. First his parents, and now Nova.

She tilted her face up at him, wide eyes searching his.

Gods, he wanted to kiss her.

“You should rest,” he said, releasing her.

Nova obeyed, laying her head down on the cot and closing her eyes. Not long after, her breathing slowed to a measured rhythm, and Callan knew she was asleep. He reached out and gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

Callan sat beside her for a long time, watching her forehead crease and relax in her sleep as he considered all she’d shared with him. For a moment, he wondered if this was what Evander had been so secretive about, but he quickly dismissed the idea. The simplest answer was the most likely: Evander desired Nova and saw Callan’s obvious attachment to her as an inconvenient obstacle. The ship took a sudden hard turn, nearly sending him tumbling off the edge of the cot. Nova remained asleep. Callan barged through the hatch and onto the deck.