Page 176 of Salt in the Seas
“Sifting the soul is different from tuning in to memories.” Kendalyhn rolled her eyes.
Aeliana used the distraction to knock the other woman to the deck, holding her dagger under Kendalyhn’s chin. “How so?”
Kendalyhn shoved her away before standing and tucking her dagger back into her belt. “Memories can be erased, but motivation can’t be unlearned. The desire to serve a master who’s branded you would still stand out when sifting your past.”
“What did you see when you sifted Holm’s soul?” Aeliana sheathed her own dagger and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Kendalyhn hesitated. “His devotion to Iris. I suppose Mayvus found some way for that motivation to mask anything else I might see.”
Aeliana flinched. “I suspect that’s why Sylmar doesn’t trust it. Not when lives depend on it.”
“How is your somatic training going?”
“It still feels muted,” Aeliana admitted. “Like the well of energy I once accessed has run dry.” Except even that wasn’t quite true. She still felt the power surging inside of her and through her starlock. But now it rejected her efforts to use those somatic skills. She’d reverted back to being able to heal minor cuts and injuries, but little else.
It shouldn’t have frustrated her. Not after she’d wanted to be rid of her magic for so many years. But now that she’d seen the good it could do, she hated losing access to it. Nori’s glassy eyes flashed in her mind again, a constant reminder of the cost of losing her magic.
“You should train extra with Lukai,” Kendalyhn suggested. “He doesn’t mind. Especially now that things have normalized between you two.”
Aeliana nodded. Things had gone better the last time she’d trained with Lukai. Her skills seemed to improve faster now that they’d worked through the mess of their bond. But the sense of wrongness around her grew, and a pain started in her palm that felt strangely reminiscent of her old bond. But it was in her right hand instead of her left. She ran a finger over the brand mark connecting her to Durriken.
“I think I might go lie down instead,” she said slowly.
“If you need to talk later, you know where to find me.” Kendalyhn’s offer was both encouraging and strange considering Aeliana knew she’d find the other woman with Lukai.
She made her way to the captain’s quarters, which now had a distinct feminine flair after Iris, Kendalyhn, and Aeliana had filled it with seashells, hair pins, and clothing. Aeliana set aside the clean garments that needed folding and lay down on the bed, closing her eyes and doing her best to reach out through the brand instead of collapsing into an exhausted slumber.
The tether grew taut when she sensed Durriken’s presence, then his memories came forward, revealing waters full of ships as well as icebergs.
Where are we?The question filled her mind more than it came out in words, but Durriken seemed to understand.
I came to the Northern Sea like you asked. But this is what I found.Their words carry on the wind. They speak as if they follow Mayvus’ orders.
Panic surged in Aeliana, threatening to break her hold on her tether with Durriken. They wouldn’t be able to pass a fleet like that and remain undetected. How could they possibly reach her parents?
Should I destroy the ships?His words came out in a growl, and Aeliana sensed the heat of the fire in his throat, eager to be released.
No.Mayvus could be aboard any of the ships.
All the more reason to get started.Durriken brought his stump against his chest, stroking it with his good set of talons.I have a mind to take her apart piece by piece. Give her a taste of the pain she caused me. It’s messier than fire. But far more satisfying.
No. Aeliana tried to send the word through more firmly.Her life is tied to my mother’s. That’s why she didn’t die when you took her to the cave. Even if you could kill her, it might kill my mother.
Sylmar’s theories about the sisters needing to be together to die felt too impossible to trust. But even worse, if he was right, the curse would keep them both from dying. Any injuries inflicted on Mayvus would cause Emeris to suffer the same fate.
The conflict Aeliana sensed from Durriken left her uneasy. He didn’t have the same affection or interest in Aeliana’s mother’s safety. The only thing holding him back was that he knew it would upset Aeliana. She had to hope that would be enough to stay his fire.
Can you tell what they’re doing? Are they planning to sail to Myndren?
I’m not sure. A memory flashed through Durriken’s mind and in turn Aeliana’s. A time when Durriken’s perch in a cave brought him close enough to the soldiers to catch bits and pieces of their conversations without his presence being known. They spoke mostly of the promises they’d been given by Mayvus, their certainty that they could leave the frigid land of Ahmranas and live comfortably under Mayvus’ rule.
We can’t travel through the Northern Sea to get to Myndren. We’ll never get past them.
Aeliana felt more than heard Durriken’s affirmation.What if I just burn most of the boats?His eager offer eased some of the tension that had been growing along their tether.
Not yet.I promise, if there’s a need, you’ll be the first dragon I let use his fire.
He harrumphed.I’m the only dragon. And you couldn’t stop me from burning them if you tried.
