Page 39 of Blood of the Stars

“I have additional cargo to pick up.”

After leaving Larkos in charge, Gaeren had a couple of men row him inland, where he hopped from the roots of one mangrove tree to another until he reached his hideout. The swamp gas was particularly bad in today’s heat, forcing Gaeren to cover his nose to hold back a gag. He expected to hear light steps on the wooden boards, maybe even the woman’s voice if she was one to talk to herself.

Instead, he heard heavy footfalls and a deep baritone.

He unsheathed his dagger, cursing himself for not tuning in to his surroundings earlier. Before he could get a read on the situation, the woman called out. “No need to skulk, Gaeren. You’re among friends.”

He straightened, not ready to believe her, but then a familiar bearded face peered over the boards. Riveran held out a hand in some sort of greeting, but Gaeren hardly noticed. His gaze rested on the black X newly tattooed and bleeding on Riveran’s forehead.

The humiliating and permanent mark of a criminal.

CHAPTER 16

“Is it that noticeable?” Riveran’s joke fell flat as his hand brushed the tattoo on his forehead.

Fresh blood smeared, making Gaeren wince. How long ago had he gotten it? Riveran held out his clean hand once more, and after briefly hesitating, Gaeren took it, allowing Riveran to haul him up to the platform. It felt too crowded with three people. And one bird.

Gullet adjusted his grip on Riveran’s shoulder, his left eye drilling into Gaeren.

“Riveran was just filling me in on your childhood,” Orra said from where she sat in the hammock. The glow of her skin had receded, and now her skin actually looked a shade deeper than his sailor’s tan.

Gaeren shot Riveran a questioning glance. That could mean a lot of things, but no matter what it meant, Gaeren didn’t want any of his personal matters discussed with a stranger.

Riveran shrugged. “I haven’t been able to talk to anyone besides Gullet for a few days.” The hawk squawked his agreement.

“Why are you even here?”

Riveran couldn’t hold his gaze. “I didn’t know where else to go.”

Gaeren’s focus strayed to the mark again. This was the trouble Enla had been referring to. Whatever Riveran had done to earn the mark had been public enough that there was no going back. Tampering or removing the mark with magic would escalate his penalty to death.

And yet Enla had said to trust him.

Gaeren was tempted to search the other man’s memories, but he was too afraid of what else he might see. “You’ve had it for a few days? It shouldn’t be bleeding anymore. Is it infected?”

“It was.” Riveran glanced at the woman. “Orra lanced and cleaned it, so the wound is a bit fresh again, but at least it’s not likely to kill me.”

She smiled and patted his arm.

For a moment, Gaeren had a strange pang of jealousy. He had no attraction to Orra, but something in her expression spoke of wisdom and experience, a maternal quality. It was more like he was fighting a sibling for the attention of a parent.

That, he was used to.

“We should get going.” Gaeren turned his back on Riveran. “The boat isn’t far from here.” He rummaged through the books on his desk until he found The Sins of the Stars and tucked it in his coat pocket.

Orra raised her eyebrows. “You don’t want to know why your friend has been marked a criminal?”

Gaeren winced. “Our friendship ended long ago. I have a good guess as to the reason for his mark.”

Riveran scoffed but held his tongue.

“It’s never wise to settle for an assumption.” Orra gracefully sank back into the netting, as if they had all afternoon to rehash the history leading up to the inevitable result of Riveran’s mark.

“Maybe he can tell me about it after you and I get back. It’s important that we get out of these waters before the Sun’s sleep. There are too many places to run aground.”

Orra studied him for long enough that he fought the urge to squirm. How was it that this woman’s silence commanded authority when it was his ship that would take her to Bamboo Island? He was doing her a favor.

“How about he tells us both on the boat?” she suggested. “It’s an eight-day voyage. There should be plenty of time.”

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