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“Money.”

“Bounties carry enough money. More than what I pay for a dangerous journey,” I countered, forcing my mouth to stretch into something that looked like a smile but was far more threatening.

“Knowledge,” he whispered. “Because I think there’s more to know here than meets the eye. And information pays better than anything.”

If I agreed, I’d be taking a known danger on board. Hells, several known dangers since he was insinuating that he expected I hire the others that Jym had specifically warned me about. If I said no, he’d have the guard on us before we could set sail. But why put himself in a position where he’d be surrounded by enemies?

“I just want a bit of fun and adventure,” he quipped, relaxing his stance and spinning toward the others on the dock. Most of whom were simply drawn into the show. “The open sea, enough sollions to live as I like, and some pussy to keep me company are all I ask.”

When his gaze settled on Sharlyne, my vision burned so hard all I saw was red. A violent wave of cold water dumped over my head, putting out the fire, and I peered through the flow at Lou who had her arms raised, redirecting the ocean over the side of the pier to stop me from striking.

I wasn’t the only one, though. Fiorge had been hit hard as well, but he didn’t seem to have the same wielding abilities I did because he was collapsed on all fours, vomiting up murky water.

“Enough,” Lou said. “If you come, Fiorge, you will keep your hands and cock off everyone on that ship. If you don’t, the mermaids will have a new toy to play with.” She pointed her gaze right at his crotch with a silent promise to sever any troublesome parts.

“We leave as soon as possible,” I said, flipping the wet hair from my shoulders. “Stock her up and prepare. Captain,” I turned to Jym. “I leave it to you to be sure the crew is in line.”

One nod at Galan, and he tossed the velvet bag full of sollions at the old man, who caught it neatly in one hand, still puffing on the pipe hanging from his lip.

We marched away up the boardwalk back toward the inn, the sun finally washing some color into the world. In my periphery, Sharlyne strode beside me, silent and focused on something outside of our line of sight. As angry as I was at my sister for putting herself in harm’s way, I knew better than to dismiss anything she advised. Recalling the small dagger, I reached into my sleeve. Curiosity had me wondering why it hadn’t come into play. Though perhaps it had after all. The blade was missing.

“They’re on to us,” Galan said half-way up the hill toward the inn.

“He wants something,” I countered, but it burned not to know what.

“We could just kill them,” Lou offered, though I suspected she did so to rile me.

“I don’t strike first to get rid of an inconvenience,” I answered, though I’d been tempted enough when Fiorge had alluded to something happening with Nyah. “I am not Balram. But if and when they show their colors and attack, I will not hesitate.”

“I think I’m going to enjoy watching you relieve him of his head.” Galan clapped me on the back as the roof came into view, a large black form curled around the top.

Thirty

Nyah

Icame to, sputtering and wheezing. Forcing myself to my feet, I realized quickly that I was back inside Rune’s head. My pulse pounded in my temples, and I backed into the full-length mirror that shook when I collided with it. I’d just been freed of the horrid spiderlike darkness when I’d passed out in Rivven’s arms. I swallowed, hugging myself as I tried to calm my panicked thoughts with reassurance that it was gone now and no longer invading my body.

My body.

Gods, I wished I had my own body. Sliding to the ground with a sob, I allowed myself to cry. I had three days of reflection ahead of me to deal with it. Though who knew how long I’d been unconscious already?

When Rune finally did arrive days later, I was distracted by the way her usually rigid posture had morphed into an easy gate, not to mention the way she seemed to glow from within. I suspected I knew where the change had come from and was relieved when she avoided giving me details or asking more questions I didn’t feel equipped to answer.

Instead, she hugged me, kissed my cheek, and smiled. “Have a wonderful time. Next time we trade, I’ll get to know what it’s like to be at sea!”

Her enthusiasm lifted my spirits. This was the Rune I’d fought for. The woman who could finally see the world with fresh eyes away from her father’s tyranny. I hugged her back, squeezing tight, and stepped out into the world with a grin on my face.

I immediately recognized we were in the courtyard at Lou’s. Nearby, Sharlyne sat, feet folded beneath her on the grass, and as expected, Rivven was by my side, leaning against the trunk of the shady tree I was so familiar with. I threw myself into his waiting arms, cheek against his chest where I could find the comfort of his heartbeat.

He pressed his face to the top of my head, rocking us a little. “You had me worried, little spy.”

I tilted my face up to find his warm brown eyes filled with love and concern. As much as his fire sent my heart fluttering, this was the gaze I longed for—the one he gave me when he could be himself without the weight of the world on his shoulders. It was what he deserved.

“I’m okay now. I just never want to run into that poison again.” I shuddered against him, and his arms tightened around me.

“I have to go round up a few more crew members for the journey and secure some extra supplies. But if you need me here⁠—”

“Can I come?” I asked, straightening. I already knew the answer from the way his expression hardened.