Page 104 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“Thank you,” she said.

Tharan pushed her away.

“You are both vile beings who deserve each other. I came here seeking an ally to help me save this continent we call home, but you can’t look past your selfish desires for purity and power.”

Tharan took a step toward Arendir, who stood stoically at the grand entrance. The light of the fresh snow illuminated him likethe gods of old. He grabbed Tharan’s arm as he passed. “You will regret crossing me, boy.”

Pain seared into Tharan’s bicep, but he did not wince. He would not show these people an ounce of weakness. “I am no boy. I am the Alder King, and if you do not remove your hand, I will send you to meet your goddess sooner than you expected.” A green flame flickered in Tharan’s eyes.

Arendir flinched and released him.

Tharan walked out of the palace. Adrenaline coursed through his veins. Part of him wanted to look back. Part of him wanted to forget this place forever. At least they had a lead on the Well of Eris… if his mother could be trusted.

Tharan and his guards met Hopper and their envoy by the stables.

“Thank the Trinity, you made it. We were starting to worry,” Sumac said, opening the carriage door.

Tharan climbed inside, where the six women sat holding one another. Worry etched across their faces.

“Take us to the nearest portal. Let’s get out of this nightmare.”

The carriage sped off into the snowy night.

25AELIA

Knots twistedin my chest as Baylis and I walked to Conrad’s sinking dive. Why couldn’t I tell Tharan I loved him? I wanted to, but the words stuck in my throat. What if we died and I never got the chance to say it?

The smell of rotted wood and ale stung my nostrils as we entered the bar.

I concealed the sapphire containing the song hanging around my neck. This was not the place to flaunt wealth. Although, after my show of strength the other day, I doubted anyone would be stupid enough to trifle with me.

“Ladies,” the bartender said with a nod.

Conrad sat in his room, sharpening a dagger, a toothpick between his teeth, while two longswords lay on his bed.

“That was fast,” he said, not bothering to look up from his task.

“I always deliver on time,” I said, pulling the sapphire from around my neck and dangling it in front of Conrad’s crooked nose.

A glimmer of excitement flashed in his brown eyes.

“You are impressive. I can see why Tharan likes you.”

I snatched the sapphire back into my palm.

“Will you take us to the Island now?”

His eyes flitted between Baylis and me.

“What about the monsters guarding the Island? Did you take care of those, too?”

“We don’t have anything to worry about.” A lie I hoped would come true.

Conrad cocked his head at me. “You got the queen of the Undersea to just… call off her monsters? After hundreds of years? How, pray tell, did you manage that?”

“Well, there is a tiny matter of me needing the song when you’re done with it.”

“Done with it? That’s not our deal.” He rose to his full height. Muscled shoulders, broad and thick from hundreds of years on a ship, rippled under his black linen shirt.

---