Page 150 of Blood of the Stars

“The mysterious woman with the light? Did you figure out her source of power?”

“No.” The word came out more sullen than he’d intended. “I didn’t get the starbridge either. And clearly I wasn’t able to assess the loyalties in Islara.”

He’d found Daisy, though. His mission had been a success for that reason alone, but how could he tell Enla? What would she do if she heard the strongest pocket of progeny Recreants had settled a few miles from here? That they waited for news from Gaeren? Maybe she already did know. Maybe she’d sent soldiers after them already.

“Oh, and I don’t think we should expect to get help from the sprites. Ever.”

Enla’s eyes narrowed, her gaze traveling over his face. “You’ve changed. You’re not as carefree as you once were.”

He squirmed under her gaze. “Maybe responsibilities are finally weighing me down.”

Enla shook her head slowly, still contemplating. “Not responsibilities. People. You were tied to me. I felt it when I sifted your soul. You still are, but now there are more.” Her eyes took on that faraway look that made Gaeren uncomfortable. “The rope connecting us is still thick, but parts are frayed. Now there’s rope to Aeliana, far thicker than the one for Lenda. There are also ropes to Larkos and your men.”

He cleared his throat, not wanting to examine the implications.

“There’s even one connecting you to Riveran.” She blinked rapidly, refocusing on Gaeren.

“What’s your point?”

“I don’t think Mother and Father can keep you in the dark anymore. Now that you care about how their decisions affect all these people you’re tied to, you’ll find the answers whether they want you to or not.”

He supposed it was a compliment. Enla’s way of telling him she approved of the changes in him. But it felt more like a slap. Why hadn’t he cared before? How selfish had he always been? And how much of his inward focus had been orchestrated by his parents?

Enla stood. “After you go to Lenda, you can spend your day how you wish. I’ll understand if you’re not ready to come back here. A lot has changed.” She gave him a long searching look, then pulled him to his feet, forcing him into a hug that he didn’t resist. “I love you, brother,” she whispered.

Her desperate tone startled him as much as the words. Like she was saying goodbye. He hugged her back, memories flooding his mind of the games they’d played as children, the nights they’d stayed up talking about nothing and everything, the pranks they’d played on the servants.

“I love you too,” he said.

She pulled away, wiping tears off her cheeks. In the span of a few breaths, she transformed. Her back straightened; her face became stoic once more. She raised her chin as if addressing a commoner. “May the Sun’s light always shine upon you.”

This time it was Daisy’s face who filled his mind, the same expression leaving her lips but holding hope.

“And may the Stars’ light always guide you,” he mumbled back.

Enla nodded her approval before slipping out from the room.

Guilt pricked at Gaeren as, once again, she failed to check his future. He had no intention of going to see Lenda.

Instead, that afternoon he went to the docks and sought out Larkos, who happened to be checking up on Starspeed. His bond mark itched the whole way. As he approached, he saw the ship with new eyes—not just an extravagant gift, but a distraction, a method to keep Gaeren from meddling in the parts of monarchy he couldn’t “stomach.”

Suddenly the ship’s deck seemed too shiny, the sails too pristine. It was more of a toy than a tool.

A cry pierced the sound of water lapping against the hull, and Gullet sank through the sky to land on Gaeren’s outstretched arm. Gaeren pulled out the tiny scrap of paper tied around Gullet’s leg, but instead of leaving, Gullet hopped on Gaeren’s shoulder, as if waiting for Gaeren to write a reply.

He unrolled the scrap to read: Spoke with Larkos. I’ll be ready to sail when you need me.

Gaeren’s limbs loosened. Finally, he had one person on his side. Who would have thought it would be Riveran?

“Just the man I wanted to see.” Larkos’ deep rumble came from around the mast, bringing a warmth that pricked Gaeren’s eyes. “Riveran said you were coming, but I wasn’t about to wait around all day.”

A slow smile spread on Gaeren’s face. Just because the ship had been a bribe didn’t mean he couldn’t use it for worthy purposes. These men were important. The relationships he’d formed were valuable. And together they would use the ship to make a difference.

Larkos grasped Gaeren’s forearm, squinting at the younger man. “You look like you’ve gone to the Deep and back.”

Gaeren laughed, retrieving his hand to muss the hair he hadn’t bothered combing. “You always told me I was too pretty for a man. Must be an improvement.”

Larkos grunted. “Am I closing the ship up for the season? Or did you convince Enla you deserve another go?”

---