Page 227 of Salt in the Seas
“Show her the night Anara was born.”
Orra straightened, but Iris paled, her hand pulling at her collar. “How do you know that name?”
“Who is she?” Aeliana asked, recognizing the name but unable to place it.
“Anara has the stone,” Orra said. “Where is she?”
“I don’t know where she is,” Sylmar admitted, “but if Iris shows Aeliana the memory, I think she can figure it out.”
“You’re not making any sense.” Aeliana tried to recall where she’d heard the name. Memories cycled through her mind as if her noetic skills had returned despite losing them with her brand on Durriken—until one finally clicked. “There was a girl mentioned in Mayvus’ journals. A girl Mayvus had tested the winex fluid on without any results listed. A girl who’d been young when you left Mayvus.”
Iris gasped. “Anara’s alive?”
Sylmar squeezed his eyes shut.
Aeliana glanced between them. “Did Sylmar and Mayvus have a daughter?”
The noise that came from his mouth might have been a laugh. “No.”
“Iris? Did you and Holm have a daughter?” she asked.
Iris shook her head. “I wish,” she murmured.
“Show her the memory,” Sylmar insisted.
“I can’t take memories anymore. I cut out Durriken’s brand.”
“And you tested it?” he asked. “Made sure the skill was gone?”
“My light shields came back. Isn’t that enough?” She swallowed hard, hating the way she sensed herself looking for his approval even now.
“No,” he grunted. “It’s never enough to assume. Test it. If that skill is truly gone, have Gaeren get the memory for you.”
Aeliana scowled and turned her back on Sylmar. Iris shrank away,and Aeliana tried to soften her features as she held out her hands. “Just think of the memory, and when I can’t access it, Gaeren can instead.”
Iris licked her lips and glanced between Gaeren and Orra. “I didn’t know she was alive. I never would have…” She trailed off, then whispered. “Please don’t make me show you.”
Aeliana’s chest tightened. She hadn’t cared about Sylmar’s babbling, but seeing Iris’ response made fear pierce her soul. “I probably can’t see it anyway. Just try.”
Iris raised trembling fingers to Aeliana’s hand, and the moment they touched, Aeliana fell into Iris’ memory.
CHAPTER 90
Aeliana stoodat her mother’s bedside, the curtains and quilt looking oddly familiar. She’d seen them before in her mother’s memories of their time in Celanoft. A scream echoed through the room, and Aeliana bent over her mother.
“Hush now, love.” Her voice came out with Iris’ soft lilt. “On this next one I want no screaming, just pushing. It’s time.”
Her hands pressed a washcloth against Emeris’ brow before a strange calm overtook the room, allowing Aeliana the chance to catch her mother’s swollen belly and her father pacing in the corner.
Her mother stirred once more, then gripped Iris’ hand.
“Push now!” Iris instructed, even as Emeris strained and groaned, her face turning red with the effort.
It took several more contractions, but eventually a tiny head of dark hair emerged, and Iris pulled the baby out and lifted her onto Emeris’ belly. “It’s another girl,” she announced, and Rildan came over, his face beaming with pride.
Iris kept busy, rubbing the baby dry and then cleaning up Emeris, not allowing Aeliana time to process what she’d witnessed.
“Shouldn’t she be crying more?” Emeris asked.
