Page 17 of Salt in the Seas
Riveran glared up at him and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Just you wait; one of these days we’ll find your weakness, and I’ll be sure to exploit it.”
Cyrus pulled Rildan to his feet, then they all spun to take in the view of the wild jungle canopies on one side and the view of the sea on the other. A gap in the trees revealed the scorched remains of Bamboo Island, the surface desolated by Durriken moons prior. New growth attempted to hide the destruction, but it mostly looked unchanged from the last time Gaeren had seen it.
“It’s exactly where it dropped us before.” Cyrus said the words in awe but shuddered, likely remembering his previous experience—with Arvid and Vera present—far differently.
“This is where it dropped me the first time I used it, too,” Rildan said. “I never thought the dusty golden arrow on a Stargazer’s shelf could take me to Vendaras or that I’d live among half-lights. I was only here a handful of years, but I’ve been chasing that feeling of ‘home’ ever since.”
“It already feels like we’re so much closer,” Gaeren said.
“We are.” Riveran’s face still held a greenish tint. “Several hundred miles closer.”
They all grinned at each other as if they’d accomplished that task with their own skill, but then movement caught Gaeren’s attention. The crow’s nest of an unfamiliar black ship rose from the ocean to the right, its dark mast and bow coming into full view as it rounded the shoreline and nearly ran aground.
Before he could warn the others to duck out of sight, a shout came from the ship.
“Maybe they didn’t see us,” Cyrus said as they all drew back within the foliage.
“Four men ashore!” A distant call confirmed the opposite.
Rildan grimaced. “Maybe they’re friendly.”
A strangled cackle drifted across the water. “Bring ’em in!”
CHAPTER 8
“You could at least weartrousers around your room to get used to them.” Kendalyhn’s words came out with a sneer as she entered Aeliana’s dressing chamber. Everything the other woman had taught her so far had come with bite. It was like they were back on the road from Valorian to Islara and Aeliana had lost any ground gained with her since then.
“Why can’t I be Vendaran and wear skirts? Orra wears them.”
Kendalyhn rolled her eyes. “Orra also senses the starbridges being used. And she survived a Star collecting Jasper’s body when it should have burned her up. There’s something off about all the magic she can do.” She shuddered as she swept past Aeliana, then patted the chair sitting before the dressing mirror. It was one of their forced tutoring times, and Sylmar’s prediction that they’d be motivated for quick progress had been proven false over the last eleven days.
Especially since Aeliana kept sneaking away to question Mayvus’ former soldiers about her research.
Now she reluctantly sat, eyeing Kendalyhn’s hands for hidden scissors.
“If you’re not going to cut your hair, you at least need to learn different braids to hide its length.” Kendalyhn glared at Aeliana through the mirror. With Aeliana sitting, Kendalyhn was a head or two taller than her and seemed to relish the change.
“That’s... actually a really good idea.” The admission was immediately followed by a wince as Kendalyhn yanked a brush through Aeliana’s hair.
As Kendalyhn’s fingers moved deftly through Aeliana’s locks, she gave curt instructions, and Aeliana did her best to replicate the intricate knots while mentally running through which soldiers she still needed to question. None of them had been close enough to Mayvus to really have good information. Those in her tight ring of knowledge had either been killed or had run off.
“You’re doing it wrong.” Kendalyhn pulled the braid from Aeliana’s distracted fingers and took over. A frown marred her soft brown skin and broke up her perfectly symmetrical and delicate features. “It’s probably better for you to watch it done right.”
Aeliana tried to rein in her focus. The sooner they got through all these lessons, the less time Sylmar would make her spend with Kendalyhn and the more time she could look for blood stores and get to the bottom of Mayvus’ endgame so they’d be prepared when she returned.
“My mother taught me all sorts of braids.” The more Kendalyhn’s fingers worked, the more her tongue loosened. “We did them over and over while reciting scripture. She told me they were the only crown a priestess should ever take. Even then she was warning me of Mayvus’ plans.” Her brow pinched, and she tugged a section of hair tighter.
Questions sat on the tip of Aeliana’s tongue, but it was rare for Kendalyhn to open up, so she listened, taking in whatever the bitter woman was willing to share.
“When I was older, she let me grow my hair just enough to be scandalous for a priestess, then required me to braid it daily, except she taught me to braid tiny daggers into it.”
Aeliana squinted at the mirror, trying to catch the glint of metal in the knots forming a crown on Kendalyhn’s head.
“I don’t wear them anymore,” Kendalyhn snapped. “There’s no need when I can strap a dozen better ones in plain sight.” Her scowl slowly smoothed out as she continued working Aeliana’s hair, twisting it over and around itself to hide the length. “The hilts were delicate butterflies or finely crafted flowers, but they hid the one weapon my parents hoped I might get past Mayvus’ soldiers.”
“Were you…?” Aeliana sat up straighter. “Did they intend for you to kill her?”
Kendalyhn shoved one final pin in Aeliana’s hair, scraping her scalp in a way that was sure to draw blood. “I was raised to be an assassin. To infiltrate the high priestess’ trainees. But I never even had the chance to apply.”
