Page 72 of The Flame and the Forsaken

“Aye, well, it had to be said, and now we can move on,” Rylahn answered gruffly. “You hit the Eastern Shelf, which you’ve captained more than once before...”

“Aye, and were caught by a rogue wave. Actually,Iwas caught off guard, was thrown into the deck wall, and the rest is...”

“A blur,” Mariel said. “Until I came to on the shore.”

“If not for her, I wouldn’t be alive.”

“Well, we’d havestarvedif not for you. You had fish for us on the second day, and the boar, the one that almost killed me? Let’s not forget my foolishness, getting my ankle twisted.”

“You’re the one who pushed us to find the well. The cabin.”

“Which would have done us no good in the long run if you hadn’t saved my arse from the boar.”

“You saved mine first. And you kept me sane.”

“Sane? I couldn’t even identify a hallucinogenic mushroom properly?—”

“All right!” Rylahn lifted his hands. He tapped the air. “We’ve been at this for hours. I think I’ve heard enough. Stewards?”

“Aye, I ken we have,” Argus said, nodding.

“The two of you have been on quite the adventure,” Damian said, “but an adventure is all it was. Erran, Mariel, we’re so pleased you’re both safe and back home, and would discourage you from any sea voyages in the near future, lest you tempt the Guardians further. Rylahn, we’ll send you our full report within the week.”

“Aye.” Rylahn stood and shook their hands. “With gratitude, men.”

“It was our honor, mate,” Damian said. “Send for us if more is required.”

“That will nay be necessary.” Rylahn watched them leave. He flattened his hands to his vest and stepped away from the table, then came around to where Erran and Mariel were seated.

He knelt before both of them, bowed his head, and pressed a hand to each of their knees.

Mariel wanted to look to Erran for a read on what was happening but was too stunned to do more than gawk at her father-in-law, crouched in front of her in what almost seemed like submission.

“I promised the Guardians my entire kingdom for your return. If they ever come to collect, I will pay my debt with gladness.” Rylahn pursed his lips and breathed in. “Welcome home, son. Daughter. I apologize for the interrogation, but may we now all put this unfortunate incident in our past, where it belongs.”

“Thank you, Father.” Erran leaned in and kissed the top of Rylahn’s head.

It was over. Obsidian Sky was over. There were many moments she could assign to its ending, but Erran’s father being confronted with her identity and dismissing it seemed the one most fitting.

And if it were so easily undone, had it ever truly mattered?

Rylahn used Erran’s chair to push to his feet. He flexed his cheeks, clearing emotion to make room for business. “Get some rest, both of you, because we leave for Warwicktown at first light.”

The revelation pulled Mariel from her gloom. “Warwicktown?”

“Lord and Lady Warwick have invited us to celebrate the birth of their second child, a daughter. Esmerelda. Lord Warwick has chosen Erran as Esmerelda’s father-in-honor, so his presence is required.” Rylahn stood but halted midway, his tight expression suggesting painful discomposure. “I should tell you, Yesenia and her husband will be there as well. They’re visiting from the Easterlands for a few weeks, and she herself is coming as the bairn’s mother-in-honor. I can assume this will nay be a problem?”

“Nay... of course not,” Erran murmured. He scratched at the beard he hadn’t yet shaved, shifting in his seat. “Not at all.”

Mariel watched the way he tried to hide his uneasiness. That he had to hide it at all was troubling.

Inch by inch, the island felt more and more like a dream.

“I hoped you’d say as much. I’ve invited your brother as well, Mariel, in gratitude for his role in bringing you both home. Rest up, and I will see you both at dawn.”

Erran couldn’t takehis eyes off his bedchamber door. Mariel was already inside, readying for a bath or already in one, and the only place he wanted to be was in it, with her. The longer he delayed, the longer it would be before he could assure her the Yesenia matter was nothing to be troubled by.

Instead, he was dancing around his sister’s attempt to pull some admission or reaction from him that would feed her gossip mill.

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