Page 108 of Salt in the Seas
This time, the soldier pulled on her arm, and she disappeared outside the hut.
When Sylmar finally returned that evening, he had little to tell them. “They asked all the questions.” He used the wall to ease down into a sitting position, wincing the whole way. “Nori’s father, Elder Algaen, wanted me to identify everyone in our party and why they’d come. I’m not sure they believed me much, but at least they let me talk. I suspect they mostly wanted to see if my story matched Velden’s.”
Velden chuckled, the corner of his lip regaining its teasing lift. “Considering we never see eye to eye, I doubt that worked in our favor. You may have just gotten us all killed.”
Sylmar grunted but didn’t say anything, and Gaeren suspected the old man was secretly pleased that Velden’s humor had returned.
“What did they say about the Seer?” Aeliana asked.
Sylmar frowned. “She’s not available to outsiders. That was the most I could get from them.”
“But Velden’s not an outsider,” Kendalyhn pointed out.
“Just because I’m not fully Vendaran doesn’t mean they don’t see me as an outsider.” Velden gave a wry smile, and Aeliana squeezed his arm. Her face held an understanding that surprised Gaeren, reminding him that she was only half-Vendaran.
For an ironic moment he considered how Enla would never approve of him choosing anyone with so little starblood as a bondmate, no matter how much power she clearly had. And the knowledge that it would irk his sister made it all the more appealing. Then his bond mark burned with a fire he’d never felt before, and he winced away the thought.
“So now what?” he asked.
Before Sylmar could respond, the hut door opened again. The Sun’s glory was fading as it headed for sleep, and Nori’s silhouette broke up their view of the outside world. As Gaeren’s eyes adjusted, he took in her beaming face.
“I’ve come to escort Velden, Gaeren, and Aeliana on a tour.”
Everyone exchanged confused glances at the strange offer. Velden stood, but Gaeren and Aeliana remained seated.
“Why them?” Riveran asked.
“Some are convinced that Velden is Rhodasepha’s son—and my cousin.” Her smile grew impossibly bigger as she looked up at him.
He smiled back, as charming as ever.
“I don’t have any other cousins. Or siblings.” Her smile faded. “Or friends really…” She frowned at the dirt floor, then finally seemed to remember the initial question. “They wish to welcome Velden into the community. I think many of the people want to see him for themselves. Rhoda was well-loved among the Sayhleens. Even those of us who were too young to have met her know so much about her. She was slated to be the next Seer. Her disappearance was felt deeply across the island. The confirmation of her death even more so.”
“What about Aeliana and Gaeren?” Iris questioned further, her crossed arms and furrowed brow almost as foreboding as Lukai’s protective glare.
“Oh,” Nori said, as if she hadn’t realized their inclusion was odd. “Velden made it sound like Sylmar was your leader, but when the elders questioned Sylmar, it was clear that Gaeren and Aeliana hold higher rank as the son of a king and the daughter of a high priestess. They would like to show them our refuge as a peace offering. We consider them ambassadors of Vendaras and would like to treat them as such.”
“While keeping the rest of us locked up in the hut?” Holm asked.
Nori gave an embarrassed shrug. “It’s a start in the right direction. Think of it as a test of diplomacy. If things go well with Velden, Gaeren, and Aeliana, I foresee them going well for all of you.”
Kendalyhn groaned, placing her hands over her face. “We’re doomed.”
CHAPTER 41
Instead of walkingthrough the village, Nori and the soldiers led Velden, Gaeren, and Aeliana around its perimeter until they reached the beach. Aeliana’s stomach clenched when she saw half a dozen dolphins and Sayhleens waiting several lengths into the water.
“Where are you taking us?” Gaeren asked, wariness bleeding from his voice.
“It would be an honor for us to show you our Coral Coves,” Nori said. “It’s our sanctuary from the storms and where many of us seek solitude for worship. Many women even come here to nest before birthing, because the weight of their child is less burdensome in the water.”
Aeliana scanned the horizon. While the waves had calmed, there was nothing else to see for miles. “Is it underwater?”
Nori laughed. “Of course. That’s where coral lives.”
Gaeren backed away, but the soldiers blocked him. “Maybe you’re not aware, but we can’t breathe underwater like you.”
“Even I can only last an hour at most,” Velden admitted.
