Page 117 of Cathmoir's Sons

Arch grumbles. “They could beat us to the target. We should go back out now.”

I glance at Rhodes. He doesn’t seem tired. But I don’t want to overtax him, or Gabe, and I could certainly use a break. Now that we’re back on land and no longer connected, my shoulders and thighs are aching.

Law pads out of Danny’s tech-tent and wraps a towel around my shoulders. “I think you should rest before attempting a second dive,” he says, gently squeezing water out of my hair.

“I agree,” Rhodes says. “Neither of you are used to swimming like this. The currents are strong and even with Gabe and me towing you, you’re expending a lot of energy. I think you should rest.”

Arch crosses his arms over his chest. “I’ll take Val with me if you two need a break but I’m going back out there now. I’m not letting them snatch our prize.”

“There’s no reason to think they’ll try,” I point out. “They consider it a death trap.”

Arch looks away from me, out into the Straits. “We’ve been lucky so far. We can’t count on our luck holding. We need to be out there.”

“You could try to ward the mount,” Danny offers as he joins us. “Keep them away.”

Gabe begins to protest.

“Sure, that wouldn’t antagonize the tritones or anything,” Rhodes says. “Look, I might not know how you operate, but I know plenty about underwater ecosystems and if you start throwing Fire or Air wards around down there, you’re not just going to fuck up the local ecosystem, you’re going to attract the attention of anything with a drop of magic in its blood. Whatever’s there has been there a long time. It’s going to be well-guarded. You don’t lose anything by waiting.”

Arch shakes his head and glares at the horizon.

“I agree with Rhodes—” I begin.

Arch scoffs. “Of course you do.”

Law’s growl rumbles over the sounds of the surf and seabirds.

“Be reasonable,” I say. “Let’s stick to the plan. We take a three-hour break and then we dive the mount this afternoon. If you’re concerned about the tritones after we meet the leaders, Rhodes and Gabe can try to ward the mount in some way that doesn’t damage the local ecology. Agreed?”

I can tell Arch doesn’t agree by the way he refuses to meet my eyes. I watch him for another moment, unsure if I should continue to argue or leave him alone. This isn’t the first time we’ve disagreed about how to run a hunt, but I’m usually the one to cave. It’s Arch’s team; he’s our leader.

For the first time, I don’t feel any impetus to give in. Yes, it’s Arch’s team, but I don’t really need them. I know just a thing or two about running a hunt. Between my boys and Teddy’s, I’m not worried about tackling anything we might find. I wouldn’tever cut the team out of one of my finds, but if Arch throws a tantrum and storms off, and the rest of the team follows him, it won’t end the hunt.

Maybe I don’t have much of a poker face and Arch reads all of that in my expression. Or maybe he realizes he’s surrounded by Water, Air, and Fire mages, none of whom owe him any loyalty.

He grunts and trudges off toward Danny’s tent.

“Point, Kellan,” Gabe says quietly.

“I don’t like arguing with him like that,” I murmur back. “He’s usually an excellent team leader with a firm grasp on how to best use everyone’s talents. And I’ve never known him not to put the team’s safety first.”

“He’s out of his element, quite literally,” Gabe observes.

I nod. None of our other Fire mages want to get in the water. I should recognize that Arch is pushing himself and give him a break.

I take a step to follow Arch when Rhodes wraps his arm around me and tugs me back to cuddle me against his chest. “Let him stew for a minute or two. Won’t do him any harm.” His other hand drops to cup my belly. I don’t know why the boys keep doing that – there’s nothing to feel yet – but Law slept that way last night. “How’s our little Mare?”

“Mare?” I ask. Did they discuss names while I was sleeping?

“She’s a sea-baby.”

“Because I went diving while she was in utero?” I ask. “I don’t think so. Also, is she definitely a she?”

“Mmm, no, I can’t tell, but I’d like a girl.”

At least he’s interested in my pregnancy. “Luca seems a little hesitant about us having a baby.”

Rhodes shrugs, his chest rising and falling against my back. “I wouldn’t have asked you to get pregnant so soon, but I’m not hesitant. I’m all in. And I’m gonna convince you about Mare. Mare Azzurra Hale.”

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