Page 151 of Blood of the Stars

Gaeren hesitated, tempted to tell Larkos that Enla had approved a voyage to the Northern Sea, that she wanted the salmon found in colder waters. He might even be able to convince Enla to approve it now that his parents suspected he might meddle in politics. The thought should be a relief after weeks of worrying he’d never sail again. But he couldn’t trick Larkos or their men into doing what came next.

“Are we alone on the ship?”

Larkos cocked his head. “Aye.”

Gaeren headed for the captain’s quarters, waving for Larkos to follow. “Good. I have something else in mind.”

Larkos leaned back in his chair, which groaned under his weight. The old man’s mouth hung open slightly, and Gaeren felt a hint of pride that he’d managed to shock his first mate.

“They’ve given Mayvus a kingdom?”

“Technically it’s a queendom.” Gaeren tapped the small desk between them. Normally the close quarters felt safe and secure on Starspeed, but today he was plagued by an uneasy restlessness and was eager for answers.

“And she killed an army of Recreants?”

Gaeren shrugged. “I didn’t see that for myself, but if the army was there, they didn’t survive.”

Gullet let out a squawk from his perch on the back of a third chair as if confirming Gaeren’s words.

“Sun’s fire,” Larkos breathed out. “When were they going to tell the people?”

Gaeren frowned at the reminder of his past complacency. “They plan to hold a coronation for her next spring, so you can’t tell anyone until they’ve announced it.”

“I meant about Islara.”

Gaeren winced. “Probably never. We just arrived, so I expect the news to start trickling in from traveling merchants. They’ll make sure it’s unrelated to Mayvus being gifted a province. Just a terrible tragedy that we’ll mourn as a nation.”

Larkos shook his head, his face twisted in disgust.

“I want to go after her.” Gaeren leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “The people I’m traveling with are headed her way for a reason. I think they know how to defeat her. I don’t know their plan, but they’re a small sect of Recreants, mostly progenies. They’ve brought the girl with them because she’s Mayvus’ niece. Her mother’s held captive by Mayvus.”

“How is bringing Mayvus’ niece going to suddenly make Mayvus a good person?”

Gaeren sat back in frustration. “I don’t know. They were never willing to discuss their plans in front of me. But they seemed to think Aeliana was key.”

They sat for a moment, the slap of water against the ship the only sound between them. The rocking motion calmed Gaeren far more than his mother’s magic. He knew his request appealed to Larkos as a Recreant. But deep down, this was far more about protecting Daisy. Despite the fact that she was a Wyndren, and despite the truth that she had plenty of others, including herself, willing and able to provide protection, he couldn’t stop himself from looking out for her safety. She needed this boat to get her there. Fast.

“Also, we need to stop Mayvus before Summer Solstice,” Gaeren said.

“You just said the coronation was next spring.”

Gaeren scrubbed his palms over his face. “I know. But they need to get there before Summer Solstice. Again, I don’t know why.”

Larkos’ gaze turned skeptical. “Look, you’re asking us all to commit treason. To assist in warfare against an ally of Elanesse. I can’t ask these men to go on a mission like this on a whim. You have to know why.” He jabbed his finger against the desk. “Even knowing why isn’t enough. You have to believe in the why. And you have to get these men to believe in it too.”

“But you’re Recreants.” Gaeren’s voice rose, making Larkos’ gaze flick to the door.

“Recreants don’t share minds any more than Loyalists. I can’t know what Recreants in the south are planning unless they send me a message, and they haven’t sent me any message. Which is no surprise. Out of all the provinces, ours is the least trusted. Recreants in Elanesse are more likely to be spies than true Recreants.” Larkos stood, signaling that Gaeren was out of time.

Gaeren beat him to the door, blocking it with his body. “But you trust our men. If they believe in this mission, if they want in, we should do it.”

“I’m not going to put these men in harm’s way. Everything is too risky. Traveling to the Northern Sea is dangerous enough on its own. Icebergs barely poking out the surface but the size of your hull underwater and beasts that aren’t wanting to share the water. On top of that, if the wind hits just right, it’ll send us straight into the cliffs. There are too many unknowns.” Larkos reached for the handle, but Gaeren leaned a hand against the door.

“If you make this decision for them, you’re no better than my father. You want a democracy? Prove it. Let these men make the decision for themselves.”

Larkos sighed. “I wish it were that simple.”

“Maybe it can be,” Gaeren said.

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