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“Mine,” Mia corrected.
Swallow’s smile gentled. “Apologies, Seraijah. I will carry it for you.”
She nodded, still looking a little unsettled by the pirates. She glanced at Tyrell’s limp body, but she didn’t hesitate to take Grayson’s outstretched hand.
That alone helped loosen the knot in his stomach.
They moved back into the night. Mia glanced at the tethered horse they’d ridden since Edgewood. “Do we have to leave him?” she asked Grayson softly.
Zadir answered. “I’m afraid horses hate sailing more than Spewer. Best to leave the poor creature, my seraijah. I’m sure he’ll be cared for.”
Mia’s concern lingered, but she didn’t hesitate to walk with Grayson and the pirates as they made their way toward the docked ship that waited for them.
“You’ll love theSeafire,” Zadir told Mia as they walked. Grayson wondered if he was trying to distract her from leaving the horse behind. “She’s the fastest ship to ever sail these waters,” Zadir added. “Which is for the best, since we’ll need to sail like an entire kingdom is chasing us.”
Weeper grunted. “It’s like Zoroya all over again, but without the goods.”
“On the contrary,” Zadir said, smiling at Mia. “I think we have our most precious cargo yet.”
Chapter 49
Desfan
Liamdrewabladewith lightning speed and laid it against Sahvi’s throat. “You know what to do,” he said to the Zennorian criminal, his voice dangerously soft.
Sahvi’s eyes were round, his hands frozen at his sides. “Get back, you useless dogs,” he barked at his guards.
The warehouse was taut with the tension of this moment; the air itself, and everyone in it. Desfan, Karim, and Fang stood frozen as the balance in the warehouse shifted. Desfan’s mind raced.
Rahim Nassar.That’s what Sahvi had called Liam. And the prince hadn’t shown any reaction—like that truly was his name. Was Liam KaelinRahim Nassar? The Mortisian merchant and smuggler who had been impossible to locate these past few months?
Liam was the Shadow of Ryden; he must have had many identities. Desfan had just never imagined that one of those would be so established. So complete. SoMortisian.
Liam hadn’t told him any of this, which meant Desfan couldn’t predict what the Rydenic prince would do next. With his knife against Sahvi’s throat, he now commanded everyone in the room.
The Zennorian drug master’s throat bobbed under Liam’s steady knife. “I thought you were dead.”
“I once thought the same of you.” Liam readjusted his hold on the dagger and slid closer to Sahvi.
The Zennorian tensed. “Now, Nassar. There’s no point in revisiting past grievances.”
“I think you and I are going to have to disagree on that. Your past sins may have a very negative impact on your immediate future.”
Sahvi glared. “What do you want?”
“Information. About Skyer.” He leaned in. “Or should I say,the Dawn.”
Sahvi’s dark eyes narrowed. “You play a dangerous game, Nassar. You would be wise to stop.”
“You must have proof of Skyer’s treachery,” Liam said, completely ignoring Sahvi’s words. “Tell me where it’s hidden.”
Sahvi’s chin lowered slightly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m not an idiot, Sahvi. Two years ago, I swore I saw you die. And you hid very well, especially in the beginning. It must have been a deep hole you found to crawl in to avoid Chizumbo. He took over your entire enterprise while you hid. I assume Skyer helped you then, and that he’s been helping you rebuild your empire. Give me the proof I need, and you might survive this night.”
Sahvi said nothing.
Liam waited, drawing out the long silence.
