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I brushed my fingers over Riven’s sharp cheek. I tried to call forth my magic that usually rippled just under the surface of my skin, but his didn’t answer the call. The bond between us was just a whisper of its usual hum. I frowned, looking up at Nikolai. “It’s happened before but never like this. Do you have any elixir for him?”
Nikolai swallowed thickly. “We’ve already given him everything he brought aboard.”
My body went cold. If Riven’s pain was this bad while medicated and sleeping, I couldn’t fathom what he must have been feeling on that island. I’d pushed him too far. I reached for his hand, pleading with my healing gift to give him whatever he needed, but Syrra wrenched my hand away.
“He needs to be seen by the healers.” Syrra knelt so we were speaking at the same level. “We will be at sea for weeks if you expend all your magic trying to numb his pain.” She looked up at the sail; the wind had not been in our favor. And I had been unconscious long enough that Damien’s spare ships could have closed the distance between us. We only had the speed advantage while my gusts filled the sail.
“There’s nothing more we can do for him?” My words scratched against my throat, coming out breathy and shaking.
Syrra lowered her head. “I am not a healer. Even if I was, this is something I would only trust to Feron.”
“Do you think he will last the trip?”
Syrra’s frown was all the answer I needed.
I took a slow gaze at the deck. The Shades were patched and mended as best as we could manage, but there were too many ofthem to disembark anywhere in the kingdom. We needed to sail for the Faeland where Damien’s navy and soldiers were not around every bend.
Myrrah was sitting in front of the ship wheel, steering us into the wind. I stood and waved my arm. “How far are we from Koratha?”
“We’ve just passed the south eastern tip.” Myrrah pulled on some rigging and the sail swooped to the port side of the ship. “From here onward, we sail southwest until we pass Exiles Rest.”
Hope fluttered in my chest. My head snapped back to Nikolai. “Do we have any canoes aboard?”
He tilted his head in the direction of a tiny vessel at the bow of the ship. We hadn’t towed it to the Order with the others because it only had enough seats for two. Now it was the only vessel left aboard.
It would have to do.
I called over my shoulder at Myrrah. “How close can we get to shore at Faevra?”
Myrrah locked the ship wheel and pushed her chair to the edge of the upper neck. Deep lines hovered over her brows as she peered down at me. “I must admit, Keera, I thought your rescue mission was a bit more detailed than bringing us to a ruin. Nothing grows among those stones and the king’s soldiers are stationed along every road.”
I crossed my arms. We didn’t have time to argue if Damien’s ships were in pursuit. “Can we sail close enough to paddle a canoe to shore or not?”
Syrra grabbed my shoulder. “One canoe cannot ferry all of us to the portal. We would be sitting defenseless with no way to escape if a ship were to appear.”
“We won’t set anchor, only slow long enough for you and Nikolai to get Riven to shore.” I turned to Nikolai but he was already uncovering the canoe.
Syrra straightened. “You expect me to leave you and all these Halflings when your magic is not fully restored?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
Syrra shook her head. “Damien could have a ship just behind us. Slowing down to save one life while risking so many is not the wise decision.”
I placed my hands on Syrra’s shoulders. “If this were a ship full of refugees, I would agree with you. But look around, Syrra.” I waved my arms in both directions. Every Shade that could was busying about the boat, armed and ready for a fight. “You are the finest warrior I have ever met. And that is why I trust you to get him back safely. But I am in good company.”
Gerarda appeared at my side with Elaran right behind her. They lifted their arms and placed an open palm across their eyes and then their chest. It was the salute of an Elvish soldier. Syrra blinked back tears as she returned the gesture and nodded once.
“I will get him home by daybreak.”
I watched through Syrra’s spyglass as she and Nikolai paddled Riven to shore. He was bent along the shallow bottom of the canoe so only his head was visible between Nikolai’s back and Syrra’s knees.
Myrrah locked the wooden steering wheel into place and moved her chair beside me. “He means a great deal to you.”
My breath shook as I nodded. “He does.”
I didn’t need to say anything more. Myrrah could read it on my face. “I’m glad you have opened yourself up again. You are stronger than me.”
I turned to Myrrah and grabbed her hand. I had so many things I wanted to say to her, so many ways I wanted to apologize, but none of them crawled up my throat.
