Page 152 of Blood of the Stars

Larkos studied him for a long time, something that used to leave Gaeren feeling young, unable to measure up. But something in his first mate’s face made Gaeren stand a little taller, a little surer. He needed Larkos to say yes. If the older man refused, Gaeren would probably have to lead Sylmar and Daisy to the royal family’s secret pass through the mountains. There was no other way for her to reach the Myndren Mountains by Summer Solstice.

“Fine. Only if”—Larkos held up a hand before Gaeren could express his thanks—“each man makes his own choice. In the past, I’ve threatened demotion if they didn’t take a job. It’s the only way to guarantee consistency. But I won’t do that here. There are a few men I can’t even ask. I’m not confident they’ll keep their mouths shut.”

Gaeren nodded. “The people I’m bringing are hard workers. Some of them even have experience at sea, and we can train those who don’t.” He thought of Orra and her stories, then imagined Velden at the bow and Kendalyhn burning food right alongside Breeve. He could get by with a skeleton crew if the Recreants all pitched in.

Larkos held out his hand to seal the deal, then hesitated. “What if the plans they’re keeping from you include war against your family?”

Gaeren swallowed hard, glancing at the door but imagining the palace beyond it, where his sister and parents remained unaware of his treasonous actions. “I won’t encourage violence against my family, but with the decisions my parents are making, I can’t blame others if that’s what it comes to. Still, I will defend Enla to my death, and I will ask both you and these other Recreants to spare her life if you can.”

Larkos stared him down. “I can’t fault you for that. Calia would have my hide if I tried convincing you to do anything less for your sister. I just don’t envy the Recreant who comes up against you. Because one will.” The sadness in his eyes heightened the gravity of his warning as he brought his hand down to shake with Gaeren.

The sprite’s deals warred in Gaeren’s mind even as he gripped Larkos’ forearm. He would protect Daisy and defend Enla, and he suspected the combination would be his end. The sprite had practically guaranteed it, but as long as both women were safe, the cost wasn’t too high.

While Larkos hired dock boys to watch Starspeed, Gaeren sent Riveran a message through Gullet, then he hopped down from Starspeed, kissing his hand and patting the hull. “See you soon.”

After securing a horse from the blacksmith in town, Gaeren headed for the camp he’d left the day before. It was hard to believe it had only been that long. At first, Gaeren thought he was lost among the various paths exiting Elanesse, but then he paid closer attention, retracing Skunk’s path from the day before until he found the clearing. He pulled up short, looking at the signs of an abandoned camp, trying to discern when they’d left. It didn’t even look like they’d used the fire that day. Had they left yesterday? Right after Gaeren?

He tuned into the wisps of memory around him, confirming that theory, but also catching hold of something more recent, something familiar. His starlock warmed with his suspicion.

“Holm?”

Skunk’s ears flattened as if he also sensed the other man’s presence, or maybe his horse.

Sure enough, Holm rode into the clearing, his face a bit sheepish. “Had to make sure you were alone.”

The lack of faith stung at first. He’d traveled with these people for weeks, gaining and building friendships on top of trust. But hadn’t he wanted them to keep Daisy safe from all threats?

“Of course. I’m glad you did,” Gaeren said.

“You had a tail on you most of the day.”

Gaeren winced. “You mean besides you?”

Holm chuckled.

“That’s Enla’s doing. I’ve gotten used to the guards, but I think I lost them just outside the city. I usually do.”

Holm nodded. “Well, come on then.” With his quiet confidence, he turn his steed and began weaving through the trees. Gaeren followed until he finally caught the scent of smoke on the wind, then the clank of dishes and the stomping of hooves. Voices murmuring.

Then the keening of a dying creature.

CHAPTER 61

“Hush, Felk.” Aeliana ran her hand over the winex’s forehead. Wrinkles bunched his skin, making him more grey and dusky than silver. He closed his eyes with a moan and curled up on her bedroll. The last time she’d watched his rebirth, it hadn’t seemed so painful.

“Mama,” he whispered. He hadn’t called her that for weeks, and the word sounded strange on his elderly lips. This could have been his fifth life cycle, or it could have been his hundredth. “Tomorrow… tomorrow I won’t know you.”

She shook her head even though his eyes stayed closed. “Tomorrow you meet me again.” She gripped his hand tight in hers, speaking a confidence she didn’t feel.

“You remember my last life. You remember how I hurt you?” The lines around his eyes deepened.

She hesitated, unwilling to lie. “I remember. But that was a winex who’d been mistreated. You won’t be like that again. Not as long as you stay with us.”

“But if I am, you’ll kill me. Sylmar will kill me. Anyone here would kill me before they let me hurt you.” His wracking cough came out in spasms, and she passed him a cup of water. Most of it spilled down his cheek.

“I could never kill you, Felk,” she whispered.

His eyes opened a crack, their blue still as brilliant as they’d been his first day. “You must. I don’t want to hurt you.”

---