Page 62 of Salt in the Seas
“I love you, Lukai,” Kendalyhn whispered, but before their lips could brush, Aeliana felt Lukai’s body jerk away.
“I’m sorry, Kendalyhn. It’s not right.”
Aeliana caught a brief glimpse of Kendalyhn’s frustration before Lukai rubbed his palms over his face and blocked her view.
“What if she’s dead?” Kendalyhn asked.
“I’d know if she were dead.” He rubbed the mark on his palm, the motion all too familiar to Aeliana since she’d rubbed the same mark on her own hand hundreds of times.
“What if she never returns? What if Rildan lost the starbridge?” Kendalyhn’s face held a strange mix of hope and fear. “When will you decide you’ve waited long enough and live your life?”
The memory cut off abruptly, and the sway of the ship left Aeliana disoriented. She pulled her hands from Lukai’s, her gaze resting on his chest. She didn’t dare meet his eyes for fear of the truth being written in hers.
The thump of Sylmar’s staff sounded beside her, and Sylmarnearly shoved Velden aside. “Did you sift his soul? Did you sense his shame?”
She was more confused than she’d been before. Sylmar said it wouldn’t come in the form of a memory, but this was clearly the thing Lukai felt guilt over. Was her history of blood magic still affecting the way her magic worked?
“I sensed no shame or lies,” she said slowly. “I don’t think I’m able to sift his soul.”
Lukai’s shoulders dropped, his relief palpable. Sylmar stepped back and grumbled about how they’d have to start training her constructive noetic spoke simultaneously with her somatic skills even though, like Velden had said, Sylmar was likely thrilled at the prospect.
She continued to carefully avoid Lukai’s gaze, which meant she soon found herself looking at Gaeren. He studied her, then raised his eyebrows as if challenging her words.
But they hadn’t been a lie. It was clear she hadn’t sifted Lukai’s soul. She’d gotten a memory. And she hadn’t sensed guilt or shame in the memory.
She’d only sensed frustration and longing.
CHAPTER 24
After a restless nightdebating searching the future of those aboard the ship, Orra wandered the fortress halls, her magic levels unaltered, but her worry at an all-time high. Perhaps she should have gone with them. If they didn’t return, eventually Orra would have to hunt for the starbridges by herself, something that had once been a given but now felt like too much to bear on her own.
Everyone around her had a task, whether self-imposed or assigned by General Nels. Even Emeris had returned to the makeshift Sungazer, praying with soldiers on break until Rildan forced her to rest.
Orra wanted to do her part to aid the Recreants’ efforts, but only the Sun knew what that might include. The onyx stone was beyond her reach, and she felt its absence like a lost limb. If she wasn’t searching for a starbridge, what purpose did she have?
A blur of silver sped passed her, followed by almost three dozen more. At three days old, the winex were like small school children, always in trouble but learning quickly. She smiled as Felk led the others to the kitchen, then winced as she heard howls mixed with clattering pans. She rounded the corner to find one of the soldiers’ cooks chasing them out of their favorite room.
Yesterday Iris had set aside meals for them before she left, but now they were on their own.
“Are you hungry?” Orra called.
Several stood tall, peering over their clan members to see who spoke. Felk rushed forward, tilting his head as he studied her. “You have food?”
She bent down at his eye level and patted his head. “If you can be patient enough for me to saddle a horse, I’ll show you where you can get an endless supply.”
Felk’s grin revealed dozens of new teeth that had cropped up during the night. The others all clambered to join them, practically pushing Orra down the hall.
By the time she led them to the beach, they’d begun whining about the wait, but the moment she pointed out a school of tilapia, they went wild with anticipation, scrambling over each other to get first pick. Orra kept her distance, settling on the sand to watch them struggle, then adapt, until all were well fed and there was more splashing than hunting.
Felk returned first, settling on his haunches beside her, his knobby knees near his ears and his full belly protruding. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled and patted his back. “I suggest you all gather more to take back for your evening meal. You can return each morning and do the same so you don’t have to rely on the soldiers to feed you. They won’t be as accommodating as Iris was.”
He nodded, then hesitated. “Emeris showed me memories. Iris and Mama helped us, but I don’t remember you.”
“I’m Orra, a friend of Aeliana’s. I’ve been with you for much of your journey with her, but I usually keep to myself.” She glanced back in the direction of the fortress even though she couldn’t see its turrets. “It seems we both have to make adjustments if we want to fit in here.”
“The soldiers don’t like us,” Felk said, trailing a finger in the sand.
