Page 194 of Salt in the Seas
Aeliana hated the idea of taking down the winex. They looked too much like Felk. It didn’t matter that she’d already killed one in a battle before. That was before she’d befriended Felk. She wasn’t sure she could do it again even if one attacked her.
As Gaeren’s lips settled in a grim line, she realized he had no such qualms.
A dozen feet away, two attacked a man, scratching at his face before he could slice at them with his dagger. Gaeren ran to the man’s rescue, but Aeliana hesitated.
Why were the winex here? It was so out of character it left her on edge.
Without warning, one howled and lumbered her way, its nose to the ground until it reached her skirts. She adjusted her grip on her dagger, knowing she’d have to defend herself if it came down to it, but dreading the idea of telling Felk what she’d done. When the winex looked up, cocking its head, hatred and distrust filled its eyes.
But Aeliana gasped as she took in a black teardrop on its cheek. “Felk?”
The winex stiffened, confirming the name was familiar. It had to be him.
Aeliana’s relief dissipated as the winex snarled and lunged at her.
CHAPTER 74
The weightof the winex took Aeliana down, and her legs got tangled in her skirts, which ripped beneath Felk’s claws. She managed to keep hold of her dagger, but she couldn’t bear to use it, so she let that hand drift to the side. Hot breath reeking of fish and spoiled fruit swept over her face, and sharp teeth filled her vision.
“It’s me, Felk!”
The snarls turned to the low hum of a growl, more like a warning than the start of an attack. “Are you Aeliana?” he ground out, his eyes conflicted. But the sound of her name on his lips brought a rush of relief.
“Yes. I’m Aeliana.”
He cocked his head once again and sniffed more deeply. Then he stepped back, allowing her room to sit up and catch her breath.
“Do you—do you remember me?” They’d been apart for three cycles. It wasn’t possible.
He shook his head, baring his teeth. From the rags at his waist, he pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment, then smoothed it out on the ground between them.
She bent over to take in the perfect calligraphy she recognized as Orra’s handwriting.
“Aeliana?” Gaeren called, drawing her attention back up. He and two other men were at a standstill with the remaining winex, who hadtaken their cue from Felk and backed off. Their bodies rippled with the anticipation of an attack, as if the moment Felk gave approval, they would finish off the half-lights before them.
“It’s Felk,” she reassured him. Even the other winex seemed surprised she knew his name, and she hoped it was enough to stay their anger.
She glanced back at the parchment.
You are Felk. You know this deep in your bones. You are a winex, but you are also a friend of half-lights. You were saved by Aeliana, who took care of you like you were a son. You saved her and loved her like she was a mother. An evil priestess named Mayvus wants to hurt Aeliana. Mayvus gathers troops at Ahmranan’s Viewpoint and plans to attack Myndren. She will go after Aeliana next. Don’t let her.
Beneath Orra’s perfect handwriting was Felk’s child-like scrawl.
Your friend Orra, the Star, wrote this letter. It is all true. Protect Aeliana.
Felk
“You don’t remember me,” Aeliana whispered around the lump in her throat. “But you came for me anyway. Just because of this note?”
Felk’s growls intensified. “How do I understand? How can I copy this and it be the same?” He pointed at his signature and his voice rose in agitation. “And I know it was me. How can I know? My clan doesn’t know it, but I do.”
She smiled. “Because I taught you to read and write.”
He winced, as though the idea pained him. “Why?”
“Because we’re friends. Just like your letter says.” She hadn’t had the opportunity to practice the noetic skills she’d pulledfrom Durriken for several days. Hadn’t wanted to since she needed to focus on regaining her somatic skills. But this seemed like a time worth testing them once more. “Can I show you?” She held out a hand near his arm.
He shrank back, snarling as he glanced between her hand and face. When she didn’t move, his gaze flicked to the parchment once more. He didn’t trust her, and she tried not to let that hurt. But at least he seemed willing to trust his former self enough to hear her out, because he eventually held his arm out for her to grasp.
