Page 19 of Salt in the Seas
Aeliana sighed. “Among other things. My mother’s right. Mayvus is alive. We’re destroying her stores of blood and studying her research, trying to figure out how we can weaken her when she returns.”
Kendalyhn backed away, her relief shifting to a smirk as she tossed the pins on the table and crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re actually doing something behind Sylmar’s back?”
Aeliana winced, then nodded, unsure if she’d just given her almost enemy fuel or gained some of her respect.
“All right, princess.” Kendalyhn sat back down and crossed one leg over the other, her brow furrowed. “Your mother might be crazy, but at least you’re not sitting around on your backside waiting for everyone to hand you everything like I thought.”
“I’m not a princess. And my mother isn’t?—”
A knock on the door interrupted Aeliana, and Iris used her wide hips to prop the door open while she peered around a stack of blankets. “Your mother sent me, love. Felk and the others are asking for you.”
Kendalyhn wasted no time standing. “That’s clearly you and not me. I was hoping to get some sparring in this morning anyway.” Her smirk returned. “Have fun talking to…Felk.” She laughed as she scooted past Iris.
The older woman frowned at her back before muttering to Aeliana, “I wish Sylmar had told you to come to me for these things.”
“I think everyone would have been happier with that arrangement,” Aeliana agreed, but for the first time since the battle, she felt like she might have gained some ground with Kendalyhn, and a tiny seed of hope sprouted within her and her lips lifted. Maybe it shouldn’t have been a big deal, but the other woman was the closest to Aeliana in age, and a small part of her longed for a female friend amongst all these men.
Iris tugged her into the hallway and passed her half the load of blankets. “What are you smiling about, then?”
“Maybe Sylmar had the right idea, even if it didn’t seem like it. He’s got some wisdom hiding behind his scowl.”
Iris made a disgusted sound in the back of her throat before leading the way. “Don’t let him hear you say that.”
CHAPTER 9
By the timethey reached the door to the eastern garden, Aeliana’s arms ached from holding the blankets. Murmurs and sighs escaped from the courtyard where the winex had settled.
“Your mother’s already in there,” Iris said. “These next two days will feel long.”
“Saying goodbye to thirty winex will be much harder than just saying goodbye to Felk,” Aeliana agreed.
“I meant because they’re all whining about being in pain. Then tomorrow they’ll all be crying like newborns.” Iris used her elbow to push down the handle and balance it open, once more with her hip.
The sound of Emeris’ lullaby mixed with the whimpers, then replaced them as the winex all settled down. When Iris and Aeliana peeked their heads over the blankets, most of the winex had their eyes closed with soft smiles on their lips. The shimmery silver of their skin had dulled to a dry grey, and many of the creatures had labored breathing. Still, Aeliana had learned not to fear for their early death. Nothing that ailed them ever took them earlier than their lunar cycle. They would all still be here tomorrow, when they returned to their infant state.
Aeliana’s gaze focused more on her mother, uncertain if the lullaby was familiar from a real memory of it being sung to her as a child or one her mother had shared. The few memories she had from before shewas kidnapped were fragments that couldn’t tell a complete story. She’d received others to fill in the gaps, but they were from her mother’s perspective, and they felt fabricated because of it.
After tucking her blankets around the winex who didn’t have them, she settled next to Felk, whose eyes fluttered open.
“We set aside extra stores of food the last few days,” he murmured. “Iris knows where, so don’t let her fool you into thinking she’s working extra hard to provide it. It should last us until we’re strong enough to help again.”
“Is that what you would do out in the forest?”
He nodded. “We should probably head out and do that again the next cycle. There will be too many of us for the fortress.”
She frowned, then smoothed the wrinkled skin between his eyes.
“Any sign of your friend?” He took her free hand in his and let his eyes close once more.
“Not yet. I expect I’ll see Gullet arrive before any of the men.” Even though the hawk could arrive first, she still watched for the sailors on the edge of the cliffs. There was only one lookout where she could see the water. If they came from the southeast, she imagined seeing the tip of a ship rising from the waves.
“He’ll come back soon,” Felk reassured her.
Aeliana’s face heated. “I’m just eager for him to give you your memories. By the time he’s here, you’ll be reborn again. My mother can only give you memories of the cycles you’ve had here. You’re missing so much.”
“It’s our way,” Felk said quietly. “I don’t mind it.”
Aeliana squeezed his hand. “I know. I just want you to remember all the history we have together.” She bit her lip, trying to explain the difference without hurting his feelings. “Your kind is able to love deeply in a short period of time, but for us, love grows over time and adds layers. I want you to see those layers even if you don’t need them, because they’re important to me.”
