Page 98 of Salt in the Seas
“The first memory I have is from that cave. It only makes sense that I made some sort of deal with them, and the price was my memory.” He glanced at Emeris, his need for her approval or forgiveness written in the raw emotion on his face.
“You were desperate,” Emeris whispered.
He nodded. “And as much as I don’t care to admit it, the sprites gave me what I wanted.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m not sure I regret it.”
Emeris sighed and sat back in her chair, her face uncertain for the first time since Marnok had started his story.
This time, Marnok reached across the space between them and squeezed Emeris’ hand. Her gaze went blank, and Orra sensed she was receiving memories from Marnok, secrets he wasn’t willing to share out loud, whether it was because of General Nels’ presence or Orra’s and Rildan’s.
She itched to seek out the information on her own. Her magic flowed not just in her blood, but in her very skin and hair. Every bit of her tingled with the opportunity to stretch out her power and draw in the information she sought. But even if she was willing to waste the magic she’d slowly regained, Marnok wanted to keep those memories private for a reason, and she would not interfere.
Emeris blinked back tears and nodded. “You’ve sacrificed so much. I can’t judge you for your choices. It’s between you and the Sun.”
He smiled, his lips wavering, and dropped her hand. “Thank you.”
Emeris’ gaze remained distant, and Orra feared she was falling back in the past once more, giving in to the safety of her memories instead of the unknowns of the present. Rildan nudged her, likely having the same suspicions. Emeris blinked and sat straighter, clearing her throat.
“And what about the witches?” General Nels asked. “How big of a threat are they to the Wyndrens?”
Marnok gave a short laugh. “If Mayvus survived a dragon attack, then I’d say we have far bigger things to worry about. Maybe we can let the witches and Mayvus go at each other while we quietly find the starbridges.”
A small smile crossed Emeris’ face, one that Orra tried to mirror for Marnok’s sake, but she felt the fear behind his words. They weren’t through with the witches yet.
CHAPTER 37
Gaeren was aboutto force his way into the ship’s hull to go after Aeliana when the door leading below deck opened with a crash, slamming into a table before flinging back to catch on Velden’s boot. Gaeren froze as Velden’s dagger came into view, followed by the water shackles around Dreyfus. Gasps from the crowd made it clear he wasn’t the only one who noticed.
Guess it was time for a new plan.
Velden swung his dagger around wildly, ensuring a wide berth from the next set of ticket holders who had just crossed the plank.
“You all came for a show, so today you get one.” His voice rose even louder. “And I won’t even distinguish between buyers and onlookers. It’s a free show, and it will be a grand one, because it will be this man’s last.”
Behind Dreyfus, Aeliana emerged carrying a magnificent Sayhleen tail that almost looked fake with its brilliant colors. She caught Gaeren’s eye over her hefty cargo, but he couldn’t get close enough to tell if she’d already come up with a new plan. He could try pulling it from her memories, but it seemed more prudent to focus on Velden’s current chaos.
“This man shows off a beautiful Sayhleen tail.” Velden turned back to Aeliana, gesturing for her to hold it out as evidence.
She did as he wanted, but Gaeren could see she didn’t like it.Velden’s grief was driving him mad. How were they going to rein him in?
“But he hasn’t been honest about how he came by the tail. Tell us, Dreyfus, how did you find such a prize?”
Dreyfus licked his lips, his eyes scanning the crowd, looking for an escape. “I caught her in my nets. I tried to save her, but by the time I got to her, she was already dead from another injury.”
Velden clucked his tongue. “So, shall it be your word against mine?”
“No.” Dreyfus’ voice rose a little higher. “She was injured or something. She left a trail of blood in the water. If I hadn’t gotten to her first, the sharks would have.”
“It’s funny,” Velden said. “I’d think if you saw a woman bleeding in the water, you would attempt to help her instead of harpooning her.”
“Maybe,” the man said, narrowing his eyes at Velden. “But she bared her teeth at me, and I got the sense she wasn’t quite tame.”
Velden flinched, his dagger drawing nearer to Dreyfus’ neck. The other man leaned back, exposing his neck more as he avoided the glint of steel.
Aeliana tugged on Velden’s sleeve, and he glanced her way, his gaze softening a bit.
“I need you, Velden,” she said. “If I don’t have you, who will keep Sylmar in check?” Her smile wavered, but Velden shook his head.
“I’ve waited twenty-five years for this moment.”
