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“I’ll find a way,” she said.
His eyes flared for an instant, but he didn’t reply.
“Are you going to have me killed now for saying that? You should. I won’t stop until you’re dead. ”
“You’re angry that I’ve established my rule here. I’ve been assertive—perhaps to a fault. I understand. But let me tell you something. People need to be commanded. They cannot be in doubt over who leads them. Do you want to see another situation like in the Komodo? Do you want that kind of chaos to happen again? Here, when we have the opportunity to start over?”
“What happened in the Komodo was your doing. You betrayed Hess. ”
Sable pursed his lips in disappointment. “Aria, you’re smarter than that. Did you really think Dwellers and Outsiders were going to hold hands and forget three hundred years of separation and hostility? Name one civilization led by two people—a pair. It doesn’t happen. Do you know what the fastest path is to creating enemies? Forge a partnership. I’m a better Blood Lord for the Tides than Reef would have been. Or Marron, though he seems able enough. I’m best suited for the responsibility. ”
She couldn’t look at him anymore. She couldn’t argue with him. She didn’t have the strength.
The scent of smoke drifted in from outside. It smelled different from what she’d grown used to. Not the burning of forestland, or the stale smell of the fires in the cave. This was the scent of campfire, clean and alive, like the one she and Perry had built together only a night ago. The memory of him coaxing the flames to life between his hands filled her mind—all she saw until she realized Sable was staring at her.
With every second, his irritation became more evident. He wanted her to understand him. He wanted her approval. She didn’t want to ask herself why.
“You’re actually making me miss Hess,” she said.
Sable laughed—not what she’d expected. She remembered the sound from her time in Rim. She’d thought it appealing then. Now it sent a chill through her.
“I’ve ruled thousands,” he said. “I was ruling at your age. That should comfort you. I know what I’m doing. ”
“Where are those thousands now?”
“The ones I need are where I want them. And all the people out there—Horns and Tides—are mine now. They won’t draw a breath unless I allow it. That means there will be no disruption as we rebuild. Because of me, we’ll survive here. Because of me, we’ll thrive. I’m simply giving us all the best chances possible. I don’t see how that’s wrong. ”
“Killing Reef and Gren wasn’t wrong?”
“Reef would have challenged me. He was a threat, and now he isn’t. Gren was in the way. ”
“Reef was only trying to protect the Tides. ”
“Which I also want, now that they’re mine. ”
“Why are you here, Sable? Why are you trying to convince me that you’ve done the right thing? I’ll never believe you. ”
“You respected Peregrine. That means you’re capable of good judgment. ”
“What are you saying? You want me to respect you?”
He stood very still for long moments. She saw the answer in his piercing gaze. “Given enough time, you will. ”
Again, she could think of nothing to say in reply. If he believed that, then he was well and truly insane.
* * *
Sable began his campaign to win her over with an invitation to supper. He had set up an area outside, up the beach, with a fire for himself and his most trusted circle. He asked her to join him.
“Fish soup,” he said. “The Tides’ specialty, I’m told. Nothing to rave about, in all honesty, but it is fresh, unlike the horror of the Dwellers’ prepackaged meals. And the stars, Aria . . . I cannot begin to describe them to you. It’s as though the heavens themselves—the very roof of the universe—have been scattered with embers. An incredible sight. I want to show it to you, but if you choose not to come, I understand. ”
He was an expert manipulator, offering her the heavens. The stars! How could she refuse?
She remembered how he’d manipulated Liv, too. Sable had told Liv, his purchased bride, that he would grant her freedom if she wanted it. He could be kind, when kindness lured a person to take a sip of poison. He could be charming and considerate. He could fool a person into believing he had a heart.
Did Scires only come in two kinds? As forthright as Liv and Perry, or as dishonest as Sable?
She shook her head. She didn’t want to eat. She didn’t want to see stars. She wanted to see Roar and Talon. But Sable wasn’t offering her that.
