Page 129 of Adversary to the Villain

They all quietly agreed with Edwin, including Lyssa. She wandered toward the window where Ms. Erring stood, watching Cassandra and Clarke climb on top of each other to get closer to Becky’s hands for head pats. “They’re so sweet.”

“They’re a nuisance,” she said fondly, lifting the small animals into her arms. “But I suppose not all bad.”

Lyssa smiled, then wondered at the way she suddenly felt unsettled. It took her a moment to realize it was because the room was no longer sunny. Then something moved behind the stained glass window.

A giant eye.

“Ms. Erring! Move!” Lyssa cried, throwing up her glowing hands.

And before any of them could make it to the door, the room was swallowed by the guvre’s fatal venom.

Chapter 65

Evie

Evie was leaning on the ship’s railing, overlooking the water, when her father found her.

“I remember how much you used to enjoy stargazing.” His voice was discordant, grating against her soul. It was a sound that had caused such comfort but also such pain.

“I won’t reminisce with you, Papa.” She didn’t look at him, just kept her eyes ahead, her bare arms growing chilly from the wind hitting the sails.

He sighed. “I heard your mother left again. I’m sure that was very painful for you.”

She couldn’t hold back. Facing him head-on, she said, “No. I was well prepared to be left again. I’ve grown accustomed to it; I learned that from you.”

For just a brief flash, her father appeared regretful. But then his look turned calculated. “I suppose you think Trystan Maverine wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“I know he wouldn’t.” She pushed off the railing and walked past her father, her head held high.

“But he would. Hewill.” It was the sureness in his tone that let the doubt creep in, and she stopped. “Don’t you see the damage you leave behind? Everywhere you go, destruction will follow, and he will come to hate you. Because as heir to Rennedawn’s throne, he was born to do just that. You cannot resist the inevitable.”

She spun around and smiled. “Then understand this. You are nothing. Call me the kingdom’s doom if you like. All you’ll ever be is the lackey at the side of a corrupt king. I feel sorry for you.”

Pressing a hand to her chest, she started to retreat to her cabin, but Captain Jones appeared before her, handing her a flask and two thick blankets. “What’s all this?”

“The Jellyfish Jones sleep aid.” He winked at her and gave her a kind kiss on her cheek. “I’m sorry for all this. Truly.”

Evie patted his hand, wondering if he knew what a difference it made for her to see a father apologize. And mean it. “You did the right thing, and I’m glad for it. Which cabin should I take?”

“End of the hall, as far as possible from where the Valiant Guard will be.”

She took the ladder down, trying to ignore the whistle of one of the Valiant Guards as she walked up to her door. No violence. “Ow! You wretch!”

That hadn’t stopped Trystan.

“Oh, I’m sorry. My leg slipped.”

She didn’t turn around, just felt his chest meet her back and his quiet murmur, “Go.”

She opened the door, and he swept in after her, closing it, catching her before she crumbled. “I spoke with my father. I hated it.” She sounded meek and unsure. Her strength did not work with her father.

She moved toward the small cot in the corner, dropping Jones’s blankets and “sleep aid” down.

“Do you want me to kill him for you?” Trystan asked softly as he followed her, his dark eyes scanning hers—searching for damage, no doubt.

“No.” Evie felt haunted by all the things she’d never be. “I want him to be alive and well when he loses. I want him to have to witness his failure.”

Trystan’s lip curled, his handsome face deeply shadowed in the candlelight. “You have a gift for maliciousness.”