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Stone’s eyes narrowed on me. “Careful, Fin. I have a ship for you, do I not? And a crew to take you south. It’s a pivot in the plan, that is all—”
“A pivot?” Callon echoed.
Stone looked at Liam and shrugged. “You’re welcome to disembarkLady Libertyif you’d like.”
I tore my gaze from him, knowing he was more bluster than anything else, because he would do whatever I needed him to do—he still owed me.
“Look,” he said, running his hand through his long, thinning hair with a sigh. “I did what I could, Fin. I know it wasn’t in time, but at least you know where your enemies are now.” He peered toward the castle, gleaming in the distance. “And we’ll get the kid to safety. But we have to leave soon. These rough waters are going to slow us down as it is, and I’m assuming we’re going to need as quick an exit as we can manage.”
Heaving out a breath of my own, I rubbed my hands over my head. “I know. They’ll be here—”
“Theyarehere,” Lyra said, hurrying over with Liam in tow.
Hills appeared from inside the ship, and she and I disembarked, rushing down the pier straight for Del. Three guards came into view. I recognized two of them as being the unconscious guards outside Del’s chambers the night I killed Alastor. They flanked Ada as she ushered Del closer.
There was no Garath. Even if I knew he would not be there, his absence still felt unfathomable, even to me.
“Hills,” I called as we jogged closer. “Get the guards on the ship. We have to leave immediately.”
I didn’t wait for a response as I slowed, meeting Ada’s gaze first. Though her expression was set with determination, her eyes gleamed with sadness. I nodded, letting her know I knew everything. Or perhaps I was confirming it had happened; I couldn’t be certain.
She slowed in front of me, and Del wavered, her chest heaving as they came to a stop. Her gaze was almost blank, and my heart tore open at the sight of her in utter ruin.
“Del,” I said softly, leaning in to peer into her eyes. Hills’s commands to the guards faded to nothing as I used the crook of my finger to tilt Del’s face up to look at me. “Hey, tough stuff,” I softly urged. “Look at me...”
Her chin trembled. “He’s gone, isn’t he?” It wasn’t a question, not really, but I dipped my head ever so slightly.
I could tell she wanted to fall apart right there. To break into a million pieces, but there was Liam to think about. He wasn’t safe yet. We needed to get both of them the hell out of there.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, and while I wished I could comfort her more, assuming she even wanted me to, we didn’t have time.
But then Del fell into me like her legs were giving up, and her body shook as she wrapped her arms around me to stay upright. She didn’t cry. It was worse. She kept it all bottled in.
“Del,” I breathed, unable to stand it. Squeezing my eyes shut, I held onto her, barely able to keep my tears in check. “I know,” I whispered, resting my cheek against the top of her head as she trembled, silently unhinged.
I didn’t tell Del it would be okay because I knew it wouldn’t, not for a very long time. And I didn’t repeat my sentiments from earlier and tell her I was sorry because it helped nothing. Instead, I held her for as long as I dared before I heard Callon in my mind.
“Fin, wehaveto go.”
Nodding as if he could see, I lifted my head and gently pulled away from Del. I helped her to stand, worried if I let go she might fall again. “Come on, tough stuff,” I whispered. “Liam is waiting for you.” I gestured toward the ship, her attention snapping to our son instantly.
“Liam,” she breathed, wiping the silent tears from her cheeks. She took a deep, steady breath as best she could, and I watched as her determination and strength bolted back into place. “Does he know?” she whispered, eyes locked on him.
I shook my head.
Del looked at me as she wiped a final escaping tear, and she reached for my face, cupping my cheek with her other hand. “Thank you for getting him here safely.”
“Of course,” I breathed. “You don’t have to thank me for that—”
“And for in the tower,” she added. “With Sid.”
My frown eased, and with a tight-lipped smile, I nodded. “Of course,” I repeated.
Clearing her throat, Del looked back toward an anxiously waiting, wide-eyed Liam barely restrained on the boat with Ada and Hills. With a final deep breath, she hurried towardLady Liberty, and Hills helped her climb aboard.
I made my way back as Del took Liam in her arms, the sound of the crewmen readying the ship suddenly blaring in the still night air.
Instinctively, everyone gave them a wide berth, me included, and I went to ensure Stone’s crew was ready.
