Page 15 of Salt in the Seas
Rildan nodded. “I didn’t trust him, but Emeris did. She was always better at reading people. Her pneumatic skills gave her an unfair advantage.” The features of his face smoothed out as the hint of a smile crept across his lips. “She’ll be sure to inform me she was right if I ever see her again.”
“Good,” Gaeren said. “I’ll enjoy watching her rub that in.”
Rildan’s neck cracked as he glanced sharply up at Gaeren. “Are you saying—can we cross the barrier?”
Gaeren reached in his pocket and pulled out the humming golden arrow as an answer.
Rildan’s eyes closed, and his entire body slumped. A whispered word came out on a sigh, but Gaeren couldn’t catch it. The vulnerability gave Gaeren courage to voice his own questions.
“Do you remember me?” Gaeren asked. “From when I was a child?”
Rildan’s eyes fluttered open, then narrowed.
“You look far different than I remember,” Gaeren said, “but I suppose I’ve changed as well. I’ve grown a few feet.”
“Henri?” Rildan’s jaw went slack.
Gaeren winced. “Yes, I guess that’s the lie you would remember as well.”
A guttural noise escaped Rildan’s throat. Nothing like the lighthearted laugh Gaeren remembered from his youth.
“Yet one more instance in which Emeris was right,” Rildan said. “She suspected your identity was false. But was she right about you being the prince?”
Gaeren shrugged sheepishly. “One and the same.” He reached out a hand toward Rildan, and after a moment’s hesitation, Rildan grasped it, allowing Gaeren to pull him to his feet.
Rildan turned to Cyrus and Riveran, his gaze lingering on Gullet. “How exactly did you all end up here?”
“I’m from Gahldric Valley. Name’s Cyrus.” Cyrus stuck out a hand, and Rildan grasped his forearm. “But I intend to go back to help Aeliana. And to study the Vendaran faith more.” He brushed a hand over his priest’s robes.
“And I’ve been searching for Daisy ever since you all disappeared,” Gaeren said.
“Daisy.” Rildan’s eyes lit up at the nickname, making Gaeren realize he’d let it slip after weeks of using her given name. “You two were thick as thieves.”
“Yes, well, I didn’t anticipate finding out she was part of the Wyndren family.”
Rildan grimaced. “I suppose that put a damper on your desire to find an old friend.”
“Not exactly.” Gaeren grinned. “My first mate has been slowly converting me to a Recreant for the last five or six years. I’m not eager for my family to be in danger, but I can’t ignore their corruption.”
Rildan’s brow raised, but he turned to Riveran instead. “Are you his first mate?”
“No. My name’s Riveran. I’m just an old friend along for the ride.” Riveran held out his hands as if to prove he had nothing to hide even though his cap still covered the X on his forehead. “I’m not really sure how Gaeren always tangles me up in his adventures.”
“How did you get separated from Dai-Aeliana?” Gaeren asked. “Or better yet, how did you survive? I saw them stab you before you used the arrow.”
Rildan winced. “We landed on Lorvandas’ eastern shore. I threw the arrow into the woods, hoping they’d go after it, but they took Aeliana with them, leaving me for dead.”
“I’m surprised they didn’t take Aeliana and the arrow,” Gaeren said.
“They probably would have, except it takes time for a starbridge to recharge in the Sun’s light. After being used, they could have stepped on it and never found it because it held no hum. So instead, they ran. A healer found me and patched me up. By the time I was ready for travel, their trail had gone cold, but at least I found the starbridge. I wasn’t willing to bring it near Arvid and Vera in case they tookAeliana back without me. So I left it with a priestess named Della and tried hunting them down.”
Cyrus blinked and fiddled with his horse’s bridle. “Gams.” He shook his head. “I still can’t believe she kept that secret all that time.”
“So why are you looking for me?” Rildan asked. “Why didn’t Aeliana come? Or Emeris?”
“They’re both fine,” Gaeren was quick to say, then he winced. “Well, Emeris was injured in our fight against Mayvus, but Aeliana and another healer are taking care of her.”
A mix of emotions crossed Rildan’s face. “Aeliana’s a progeny, then?”
