Page 189 of Blood of the Stars

“Yes, Mama,” he mumbled.

The other winex grinned, their teeth flashing as they exchanged glances with each other. Leader or not, Felk would be teased relentlessly that night.

“It’s too bad they didn’t steal uniforms from Mayvus’ men while they were at it,” General Nels said.

Felk perked up. “You need uniforms?”

The general frowned, addressing Gaeren instead of Felk. “It would be far easier to sneak into the castle with disguises.”

Gaeren sighed and turned to Felk. “That’s a yes. Do you have some?”

Felk rolled his shoulders and glanced at the other winex. “We’ve killed some of the soldiers who attacked us. Many of the uniforms are… damaged. But we could bring the ones that aren’t. Or the ones that could be fixed.”

Daisy shuddered but still nodded. “That would be a great help.”

Even Gaeren found the idea of wearing a uniform off a dead soldier less than appealing, but he supposed it was better than showing up in his sailing leathers and tunic.

“I’m surprised they didn’t eat the soldiers,” General Nels muttered.

“Oh, we did,” Felk said, his mouth widening into something too large to be a smile. He leaned closer to the general. “The dried leather of the uniforms is disgusting. So we peel that off and go straight for the meat.”

General Nels shrank back, his face growing sickly pale in the moonlight.

“Oh, Felk.” Daisy made a face and lightly smacked Felk’s arm. “Stop teasing him.” When she turned back toward camp, Felk’s face drooped with guilt.

Gaeren scanned the other winex, who licked their lips. One even closed his eyes and rubbed his belly. Gaeren’s own stomach churned with revulsion and trepidation. He wanted to assume Felk had more influence over these winex than they did over him, but by the time they knew for sure, it might be too late.

CHAPTER 76

Orra watched Gaeren and Aeliana return to camp, Felk and General Nels in tow. They deposited bolts of purple fabric just outside the tent where Sylmar still debated his plans. Plans that went awry in almost all of the paths Orra had searched before she’d drained so much of her power.

She bent her legs in until her entire body was in the shadow of the tree she sat against, and she pressed her forehead against her knees. The unease of not knowing was a sensation she would never get used to, and it only occurred more and more with each passing day. What if one day her power didn’t return? What if the Sun no longer wished to replenish her blood?

The years the Sun had given her were more than she deserved. She couldn’t complain if her time was up.

“Forgive me,” she whispered, not sure if she spoke to the Sun or Bryton or the generations in the wake of the stone she’d so carelessly thrown.

Tomorrow, if all went well, she would hold the golden arrow once more. But then what?

“Hungry?”

Orra jolted at Gaeren’s question, the surprise on his face a mirror of her own. It wasn’t often that someone could sneak up on her. She’d grown weaker than she’d realized. He held out flatbread, one of the many Kendalyhn and Breeve had burned.

She took the food but merely turned it in her hands.

“Aeliana’s worried about you.” Gaeren took a seat next to her, munching on his own bread. “Sent me to check on you.”

A smile tugged at Orra’s lips. She should be looking out for Aeliana, but everything had gotten muddled. Had she dealt with Durriken to protect Aeliana or to ensure her own access to the golden arrow? Or was it something she did simply because she sensed the Sun calling her to? Did it make a difference why she did it? Or only that she’d done it?

“Well, I guess I’ll tell her you’re just as moody as always.” Gaeren brushed the crumbs from his hands and stood.

“Have you finished reading The Sins of the Stars?” she asked.

He nodded. “Even lent it to Cyrus, though I’m sure he thinks it’s heretical. It didn’t tell me as much as you could. If you ever decide to speak plainly instead of in riddles.”

She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the tree. “There are parts missing from the text, that’s certain. But there are parts you missed because you only look for what you want to see.”

“Such as?”

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