Page 157 of The Stolen Crown

She insisted the vulgar way they spoke of their plans for me did not leave much to the imagination for Tait’s motivations to giving himself up. The bleeding beautiful fool even vowed with Lena he would not fight them if they swore they’d never return for me.

“There is something about the number three that is significant,” Maj said, voice low. “Three fae, and Tait would complete their cycle.”

Erik had gone silent, lost in a touch of the violence I saw in the Ever King’s eyes when he faced Larsson not so many months ago. Jonas and Skadi could hardly keep their hands off each other, laughing as they plotted how they’d soon terrify a village of mortal folk.

They were odd. Both had developed a rather dark sense of humor when it came to slaughter.

Livia emerged from the king’s cabin more feral than she went in. Hair braided, rings in her ears, kohl lined on her face, a scarf in her hair. She wore a leather corset, boots to her thighs, and straps of sleek daggers across her bodice.

Sander met her near the rail, both speaking low, curls to their lips, like my two friends could not stand much more waiting before we could attack.

Rage. Violence. Battle. The lot coated the deck of the Ever Ship…for Tait. Gods, the man needed to see this. The things he’d caused to take hold within his people, all on his behalf, were nothing short of breathtaking.

The Ever Crew hummed their eerie songs, like they sensed battle was rising. Swordeater barked commands from the king to load the ember spears.

Dusk shadowed the sky in lavender ash when Tavish finally sent word he felt a fierce warding spell nearby. The spellbreaker joined us on the Ever Ship and took the lead, but sea witches lined every rail across every ship. From Gavyn’s vessel to Avaline’s, they followed Tavish’s orders and sang.

The Far Seas rattled in low, sultry, brutal tunes. All chipped away at the weaknesses in whatever wards Lena cast over Eilifur.

We had to be here.

This had to be it.

I slid a long dagger into a leather sheath borrowed from one of the men and inspected my kohl-lined features in the sheen of a polished cutlass sword. Behind the dark lines and runes on my skin, my eyes burned like a bursting sun.

I kept digging for the familiar fear of battle, the fear of bloodshed, and the fear of failing my house by faltering, by not being sturdy enough.

I could not find it. Fear was there, no mistake, but it bared its teeth over the fear of losing Tait Heartwalker.

I would leave Eilifur with the man, or I did not wish to leave Eilifur.

My father came to my side. Clad in dark clothes with thick leather draped over his strong shoulders, the king looked like the war ender he’d become ten turns ago. “Starlight. Cliffs are showing. Won’t be long now.”

True enough. Mists faded and revealed dark peaks.

I dipped my chin and drew in a long breath through my nose, hating how it trembled when I released it through my lips.

Daj took in my appearance, mouth set. “I’m rather inclined to demand you remain on this ship. I assure you, I’d make it worthwhile. I’ll leave you the whole of a kingdom one day. Tempting?”

I grinned. “Afraid my birth has already bestowed such a burden on me, Daj. I am still fighting.”

“Thought it was worth a try.” He gripped my shoulders gently. “You know your part in the plan?”

“I do.”

“We’ll watch your back.”

“I don’t like the idea of leaving you in the village.”

“Mira, we all have our positions. It’s a hasty plan but a good one. With any luck, we’ll be soaked in blood and on our way back to the Ever before dawn.” My father’s smile faded. “Remember, small burst of illusions, just enough to—”

“To cover our path. I’ll make them all count, Daj. I won’t exhaust myself.” I covered one of his hands with mine. “I know it is not easy to see me take up a blade, but I cannot stand back while he…” I couldn’t finish the thought.

“I understand. More than you know. Just promise me you’ll remember that he’s not the only one who loves you. We need you too.”

I let my father pull me into a tight embrace, my cheek to his chest. “And I need you. How is Maj feeling?”

“Already dressed and lined in blades, knowing she’s seducing me as she does it. But she’s also infuriating with every damn move she makes toward this fight after taxing herself for so long.”