Page 5 of Salt in the Seas
When Aeliana had touched the arrow that took her from Lorvandas to Vendaras, Orra had sensed it. But the strangely powerful woman also begrudgingly admitted she’d been weak the night of their battle. Perhaps too weak to sense Mayvus using the onyx stone to go from Vendaras to Ahmranas.
“What’s this?” Emeris asked, reaching for Aeliana’s parchment.
“I found more vials of blood in that passageway you suggested I search.” She flattened the parchment against her lap, pointing out aspot on the crude map she’d made of the fortress. “That makes eight stores we’ve found and destroyed.”
“Good work!” Emeris beamed at Aeliana, which sent an unfamiliar rush of pride through her.
“Do you think there are more?” Aeliana asked.
“Of course. We haven’t found her stash of my blood yet. Or Durriken’s.”
It was the only reason Aeliana had kept the brand on Durriken. Sylmar wanted her to use it to gain information, but that felt too much like something Mayvus would have done. If Mayvus had truly been dead, Aeliana would have cut out the brand herself. Durriken deserved to be free. But if Mayvus had a stash of his blood, he could easily be branded by her evil aunt once more. Keeping the brand was a form of protection for Durriken, even if it felt invasive.
“We need to find them all before she returns—keep her powerless,” Emeris muttered, bending over the parchment.
“What about the eastern gardens?” Aeliana asked. “I haven’t looked there because it’s where the winex nest.”
Emeris shook her head. “She spent more time in the western wing.” She pointed at a spot on the parchment. “You should try this turret. And maybe this hallway. I think there’s a servants’ passage that hasn’t been used for years.”
Aeliana took the parchment back and made a note on it.
“When Holm’s not out searching the caves,” her mother said, “he’s been clearing out the Sungazer for me. I’d like to start praying with people a few times a day. Iris thinks I’m strong enough now.”
Aeliana smiled. “That sounds good for you.”
“You’re welcome to join me. The people are eager to welcome you in as my daughter.”
“I might be able to come.” Aeliana squirmed at what was likely a lie. Praying would be strange enough. She’d grown up around humans in Lorvandas learning to worship the Stars, while the Vendarans gave praise to the Sun. But that was just one small sobering reminder of how little Aeliana understood about Vendaran culture and how unfit she was to follow in her mother’s footsteps.
Until this year, she’d hated the magic that lived and bred in herstarblood. Now she was here among other half-lights, descendants of both humans and Stars. She’d finally come to terms with the magic in her blood, but she still had so much to learn.
Emeris held out an arm, beckoning Aeliana to lean against her. When Aeliana did, her mother settled her chin on Aeliana’s head. “Holm found several of Mayvus’ journals in there. It would be good for us to go through them. Maybe find evidence of the curse so Sylmar will finally believe me and rebuild a defense.”
Aeliana’s heart picked up its pace. Her mother had insisted some curse connected her to Mayvus, tying their life forces together in ways beyond even blood magic. It was magic no one had heard of, so the others all filed it under the category of “things Emeris was confused about.” But Aeliana had seen Emeris’ confidence the night they fought Mayvus—the way she’d been willing to sacrifice herself because it would mean killing Mayvus.
It was the reason Aeliana believed her when no one else did.
“Have you started reading them?” Aeliana asked.
“I’ve tried, but reading makes my head ache. So far I’ve only seen recent notes about her tests on the winex.”
Aeliana shuddered, not sure she wanted to know what horrible things her aunt had done. She sat back up to face her mother. “The night of the battle, Lilik told me she was breeding them and testing their blood in the dungeons. She probably stored more there.”
Emeris narrowed her eyes. “Then we should check the dungeons next.”
CHAPTER 3
Gaeren handedthe tavern owner a slip of paper. “Any chance you’ve come across a traveler named Rildan? Looks a bit like this.”
The owner squinted at the drawing. The new priestess-in-training in Gahldric Valley’s Stargazer had drawn it after Gaeren had shared his memory with her. It wasn’t perfect because he wasn’t as skilled at giving memories as he was at receiving them, but it was good enough.
“Can’t say I have.” The owner passed the drawing back, then resumed wiping down the bar. The entire dining area was empty save for one man slumped at a stool, lost in his drink far too early in the day.
“If you hear of him,” Gaeren pressed, “could you send word to Gahldric Valley’s Stargazer? Or maybe tell him his daughter’s looking for him there?”
The tavern owner frowned. “I’m no messenger.”
Gaeren sighed, reached into the pouch at his belt, then threw some coin on the counter.
