Page 58

I smirked. “Murdock is a fool, but he’s the only one who can manage Erik’s poisonous blood.”

“And how is that?”

“The man wanted prestige so desperately, he dosed himself with drops of Erik’s blood to build immunity to it. The moment my cousin’s voice was discovered, King Thorvald offered the position to any boneweaver who’d risk the poison. Murdock took the challenge.”

Mira snickered. “Rather cunning. Bloodsinger won’t be able to be rid of the man now.”

“The reason why Murdock gets away with aggravating behaviors others may not.” I repositioned her wrist in the tunic-sling and put a bit more distance between us, hoping she would not notice the way I wiped my palms down my trousers, anticipating a sting of pain. “There is a pond where I first found water, larger than the small pools nearby. It seems clean enough. I’ll cover the gash to avoid infection, but you should soak your wrist.”

“We’re leaving the shore?” Mira’s eyes widened. “Three hells, finally. I’ve been desperate to explore more of the isle. We really ought to know what we face out there, don’t you think? Not to mention, there could be more food to forage. Perhaps we might find honey. Oh, honey, Hearttalker. I would love a bit of honey.”

I knew enough about the princess to understand that when excitement took hold, she tended to ramble. Unbidden, my lips split into a smile.

Mira paused her busy rant and grinned back. “You know something? You have an…adequate smile, Tait Hearttalker.”

“Tame your compliments, woman. They’re too much.”

She snickered. “Ass.”

I cleared my throat and stood. “Come on, then. We ought to go before dark.”

Mira brushed off the dirt from her hem and strode past me with a wide grin. At her back, I could not help but think she had a smile as bright as a sunrise breaking the shadows of a storm.

Trees were thick and gnarled near the center of the isle. Like serpents sprouted from the ground and hardened into lush greenery. Branches drooped and the undergrowth was made of vibrant green vines speckled with coral blossoms.

Mira’s radiant appreciation for new and curious sights spilled out through the whole of the journey to the pond.

Gasps and sighs came from the beauty of the flora and colorful shades of creeping creatures on leaves and twigs.

Every ten paces, I’d hear, “Hearttalker, did you see the wings on that insect? Like massive eyes staring back at me,” or “Bleeding gods, this snail has a shell the size of my palm. It’s like glass. Tait, did you see?”

I indulged a few grunts or nods but did not let on how her thrill lifted some unseen weight off my spine, as though the burden of keeping us both alive lessened when faced with Mira’s delight. To offer such a truth would unravel what frayed strands of control I still managed to hold.

Apathy was wiser. Necessary.

By the time we reached the pond, Mira had collected half a dozen shells with intricate patterns, a handful of colorful feathers, and at least ten sizes of leaves along the way.

I carried the treasures, an injured wrist being the excuse for why she could not manage the haul.

“Careful,” Mira said when I bent over to unload. “Don’t break the shells.”

My mouth tightened, but I took more care in placing the feathers, shells, and leaves on a flat stone. “What uses will these have?”

“Honestly, Hearttalker, have you no imagination?”

“Very little when our lives are dependent on useful things for survival.”

Mira snorted. “Well, maybe we can use the snail shells for…water…scooping.”

“Water scooping?” One brow arched. “What of the leaves?”

“Perhaps we find that they’re medicinal.”

“Liar.”

Mira gingerly slipped my tunic from her swollen arm. “Fine. I’ve not seen such things before, and maybe I want to make a broach out of the shells or…or use the leaves to make a unique pattern on fabrics. Satisfied?”

I sat atop a stone to remove my boots. “Easier to admit it the first time, Vicious. I already figured you had some garish design in mind to brighten the world when you started gathering.”