Page 177 of Salt in the Seas
But you’ll wait?A strange mixture of remorse and hatred ran through her, feelings from Durriken that weren’t her own.
I’m not eager to kill so many again. Not unless there’s a true need. If you find a need, I will be there.
You’re not a weapon for me to direct. It’s your choice.The confusion she’d sensed gave way to peace.
I know.She let the tether slide through her as she loosened her hold, like a rope gliding through her hands as it lengthened the distance. When the view of the ships in the frigid waters receded to give way to the captain’s quarters ofTo the Deep and Back, she took in an unsteady breath.
Something about the room felt different. The door was open and light flooded in. Had Iris or Kendalyhn been in?
“What did he see?”The gruff words startled her, and she sat up, whipping around to catch Sylmar sitting at the desk, his staff laid out before him.
“How long have you been here?” she asked.
“Not long.”
“Why are you here?” She glanced between him and the door. She had no reason to fear Sylmar, but the surprise at his presence left her on edge, making her wish someone else was here for this conversation.
“It was time to work on your magic. When you didn’t show, I thought maybe you were avoiding me.”
She winced. “I’m not avoiding you. I’m just—my magic feels like it’s fading.”
“Perhaps it’s finally normalizing,” he muttered. “It’s almost like your magic leeches off of those around you. Healing when you’re near Lukai and Marnok. Tuning in to memories when you’re with Gaeren. I wondered if maybe it would be different now, without Gaeren’s presence.”
“I thought you said the noetic skills came from Durriken.” She frowned. “Leeching magic off others doesn’t sound like any type of magic you’ve described.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Doesn’t it?” It felt like he was insinuating something. Instead of trying to figure out his cryptic comments, she changed the subject.
“We can’t keep traveling this way.”
He stiffened. “Why not?”
“Durriken showed me the Northern Sea. It has icebergs like we feared, but it also has something far worse. Dozens of ships. An entire fleet. They seem to be with Mayvus, although I didn’t see her. We could never get past them. Not by water.”
Sylmar frowned, and she imagined him weighing the few remaining possibilities.
“And this information came from Durriken?”
She nodded.
“Because you’re tethered to him through your brand mark? Are there any other connections you have that we should know about?”
The full weight of his implication sank in, stinging deeper when she realized he suspected she was leeching others’ magic through brands and blood magic.
Aeliana stood, eyes narrowed. “I’ll go share my news with Velden and Kendalyhn. Don’t ever forget that you’re the one who asked me to maintain my brand with Durriken. You instructed me to learn about Vendaran culture and history so I can step up and lead. I’m doing my part, but if you won’t fully trust me, you’re setting me up to fail. I don’t know what more you want from me.” She turned to leave, but Sylmar grabbed her arm.
“I don’t know either. I don’t feel like I know anything anymore. Not after Holm.” He sighed and scrubbed his free palm over his face.
His vulnerability gave Aeliana pause, making her soften her tone. “Iris is right. Holm wouldn’t want us losing trust in each other because he fell prey to Mayvus’ methods. The strangeness of my magic has nothing to do with Mayvus. Half of my blood is Lorvandan. I may never get all my magic back because of it. And yes, I was raised around blood magic, but don’t ever assume that means I’d turn to it. I’m only using the connections I have the way you’ve taught me.” She shrugged off his hand, but before she left the room, his voice rose once more.
“What if I’m the one who’s branded?” His voice came out strained. “What if I don’t even know it? She had access to my blood for years. Who’s to say she hasn’t pulled out some old vial and made herself privy to all our plans?”
Instead of turning, Aeliana stared at the doorframe, contemplating the possibility while running her finger along the pattern of the wood. “We beat her once. We can do it again.” She glanced over her shoulder.
He nodded, then looked away. “I’ll speak with Larkos about turning around. He was never keen on sailing through the Northern Sea in the winter anyway. Gave me all sorts of warnings about how we’d be forced back to land by icebergs and sea monsters.”
“So what? We’ll travel inland? Or go back around the Southern Horn?”
Sylmar’s mouth pressed together in a grim line until it disappeared beneath his facial hair. “Perhaps. But if she’s formed an army that large with ships, it’s far worse than I imagined. It’s too late for us to go to Myndren. She’ll beat us there and tear it down.”
