Page 88 of Queen's Griffon

Not the most encouraging statement.

Avera tried to tune out Simhi and Monty’s bickering, Monty insisting his sense of direction wouldn’t lead them astray, andSimhi huffing he couldn’t find his way out of a room with one door. To which Monty exclaimed, “It happened one time and I was very drunk.”

Personally, Avera didn’t think it mattered where they exited the mist, so long as they did. Kreed would find his sister, although how happy he’d be about the fact Avera had returned and not his captain remained to be seen.

When the pair stopped bickering, the silence in the fog stifled, the stillness broken only by the wet slap of oars hitting the water. Stroke, splash, stoke. A monotonous motion that did little to ease her grief, but one thing did help. The mist abruptly ended and bright sunlight left them blinking.

Monty crowed, “Aha, told you we’d make it. And look, there’s the boat.”

A boat, yes, but not the one any of them wanted to see. Avera’s stomach clenched, for it wasn’t a griffon emblazoned on the sails of the waiting ship, but the emblem of Merisu.

“Oh shit.” Monty summed up their situation succinctly.

“Where’s my fucking brother?” Simhi grumbled, craning to look.

A ship in the distance, smoking and listing was probably the one they were looking for, but even if it weren’t visibly damaged, it would never reach them before theEmperor’s Folly. Already the Merisuan crew were tacking in their direction.

“Row!” Monty yelled, stroking hard and fast.

The women didn’t bother. They couldn’t outrun the big ship.

Avera glanced at Simhi. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. This ain’t your fault.”

“You wouldn’t be here if not for me,” was her quiet reminder.

“Bah. Do you know how long we’ve wanted to check out Verlora? You just gave us an excuse.”

TheEmperor’s Follyneared enough for her to see Captain Koonis standing at the prow. As they came alongside side, he smirked down at her. “I’m surprised you made it out alive.”

“Your crew didn’t,” she pointed out.

He waved a hand. “They were expendable. The emperor will be pleased. I take it you were successful.”

Should she lie?

“Before you think up a falsehood, let me say that I am willing to let your companions live if you come aboard quietly with the stones. I’m sure we can find another cage for them.”

The threat had her eyeing Monty and Simhi. She refused to be the cause of their deaths or capture. She stood, clutching the satchel. “I’ll come but only if you leave them alone.”

“You’re hardly in any position to bargain.”

“I wouldn’t wager on that.” Avera held the bag with the rocks over the side of the skiff. “Your word you’ll leave them alone, or you’ll have to explain to your emperor why the stones he wants are at the bottom of the ocean.”

The captain’s lips pinched. “Annoying woman. Very well, they are free to go.”

“I need more than that. Swear on your life that you won’t harm them.”

He arched a brow. “I just agreed to your demand.”

“A man is only as good as his honor. If you make that promise in front of your crew and break it, then they’ll know you’re not to be trusted. A captain who’s lost the faith of his crew doesn’t stay captain for long.” Something she’d heard said aboard Griffon’s ship.

Koonis sighed. “Very well. I swear upon my life that your companions may continue to row their little boat unharmed. Satisfied?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t be asinine,” Simhi hissed. “You can’t go with him.”

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