Page 196 of Salt in the Seas
See ships! Run!
“Yesterday? How much time do we have before she gets here?” Even as she asked the question, she knew the answer. The merchants attending the wedding had been excited to return to their shops and taverns because they’d seen dozens of trade ships arriving.
Except they weren’t trade ships.
Felk whined like a dog holding back a howl. “None. She’s here.”
CHAPTER 75
Gaeren’s chestseized with panic, then he met Aeliana’s eyes. All their plans to go after the witches were a waste. Even their efforts to convince his parents to fight alongside them were too little, too late. Mayvus wasn’t on the other side of the country, hiding in the Myndren Mountains. She was here.
“Once they left Ahmranan’s Viewpoint, we followed by land,” Felk said. “Ships travel fast, but the swamps are shorter for us. We lost a day, maybe two, for this last cycle and rebirth. But we caught up. We found you.”
Gaeren glanced toward the city, where the harbor was just out of sight. Were the Ahmranans already disembarking? Were they harassing the people and hurting them? Or riling them up to help fight against the royal family?
Then Gaeren turned north, where the top turrets of the palace could barely be made out where the Sun disappeared beyond the mangrove tree line. “We have to warn the others. My sister—” His voice broke.
“Of course,” Aeliana said. “You should go.”
“What about you?” he asked.
“I can’t go to the witches. Not if it means abandoning everyone else.”
The full implication of her words sank in. They wouldn’t haveanswers about the curse before facing Mayvus again. They had no way to stop her without taking out Aeliana’s mother.
“Maybe it’s time my mother just ran.”
“And what will that do to everyone left behind with Mayvus?” Gaeren asked. “Won’t she be indestructible in your mother’s absence?”
“We don’t know for sure that’s what the curse means.” Aeliana closed her eyes, and he hated that his question brought her pain. “But my mother believes it after hearing the curse. She’ll never agree to run.”
“What do you need?” Felk asked.
“You’ve done enough.” Aeliana squeezed his arm. “Take your clan and go. There’s only death waiting in the palace walls. She’ll come for us, and she’ll kill anyone in her way.”
Felk shuddered, then glanced at the parchment once more. “My people can choose. But I will go with you. Our loyalty crossed cycles. I have only heard of that happening with mates.”
Gaeren glanced around. “Is Lilik still with you?”
He smiled. “She prepares nests in the forest. I think she’ll help too.”
Aeliana nodded. “Anyone who wishes to help can head for the harbor. Stop anyone trying to disembark the ships and tell anyone else to hide or help fight. Although they probably won’t listen.” She wrung her hands and bit her lip. “On second thought, just stop anyone trying to disembark.”
He nodded, then hesitated. “You were a good mama.” His face clouded over with confusion, then he loped away, taking the other winex with him.
Time slowed as Gaeren and Aeliana stared at each other, the magnitude of what was coming making the strained moment feel too heavy. Other attendees peeked out from behind buildings and tables. Even Fay came forward to loop her arm through Thallahan’s, her face pinched with worry.
“Why were they here?” she asked.
“They came to warn us,” Gaeren said.
“Warn?” One of the men who’d stayed with Thallahan scoffed. “They attacked us.”
“No.” Gaeren shook his head. “I mean, some of them did. But theybrought us news of Mayvus. She’s on her way to attack the palace.” A couple of people exchanged glances, their looks holding something that almost looked pleased.
Gaeren stiffened, but Aeliana spoke up before he could.
“You think she’ll take out the threat of the royal rule? You think that would be better than your current situation? Your reprieve will be brief. She might take down the royal family and temporarily free you. But then she will enslave you in ways the Elanesses never would have. She will brand those of you with magic and discard those of you who have nothing to offer her. You seek freedom, but it will not come from her. Fight alongside the Elanesses or sit back and solidify your own doom.”
