Page 121 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“Save some for the rest of us,” Amolie said. “She’s not going anywhere.”

Wiping the tears from my eyes, I sat back in my chair. When did I get so emotional?Get it together, Aelia.

The healer from the ship approached us. Her silver hair was braided in a tight bun behind her sloped ears. The creases around her eyes marked her as an elder, but I couldn’t say how old she really was.

“Your sister is doing quite well for almost having died last night.” She grinned at Baylis. “You can take her home today. I’ve had the attendants gather some clothes, and you’ll have to keep the wound wrapped for at least the next week.”

“I’m going to have to learn how to shoot again,” Baylis said, pretending to shoot a bow and arrow.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine. Let’s get you dressed and back home to rest.” I pulled a curtain surrounding Baylis’s bed, and Amolie and I helped her change into a loose-fitting wool dress.

Conrad waved us over as we made our way down the rows of beds.

“Aelia! Baylis! You made it.” Somehow, he managed to keep his hat through the ordeal.

“You’re looking well, Conrad. I’m sorry about your crew.”

“They were good men,” he said, a sullen look on his face. “But there is no better death for a sailor than a death at sea. So, in that way, we honored them.”

I didn’t know what to say. The blood of his men was on my hands, and I would not be able to shake the guilt of that for some time. Maybe ever.

“I’m still sorry.”

“Death is a part of life. We will all meet our makers someday.” He leaned back on his bed. “But the sea has not claimed me yet. Although she did get my left hand this time.” He held up a stump wrapped in bandages.

I grimaced.

“Oh, Conrad, I’m so sorry.”

His eyes brightened, and a charming smile crossed his handsome face.

“Don’t be. I’m having Tiernan fashion me a hook.”

“Well, that’s something.” My eyes flitted around the room, looking for any wandering gazes, but all I saw were healers tending to the sick and injured. “Do you still have the…” I scratched my chest where a necklace would hang.

“I do. And you’re not getting it back.”

“I guess the point is moot now. Queen Calliope already sent her sea snake after us. She will not stop until she has her justice.”

“You should be ready for her to attack at any time. I have sailed her seas for hundreds of years. She is as smart as she is wicked—a creature of the blood and the water. Be ready for a fight.”

“I have been fighting my whole life, Conrad.”

He smirked.

“Tharan said as much, Mind Breaker.”

“We are both fighters.” I turned to leave, knowing this wouldn’t be the last I’d see of Conrad. “Enjoy your new ship.”

“Oh, I will,” he said.

29CAIDEN

Caiden paced aroundhis mother’s parlor, chewing on a piece of willow bark.

“You’re going to wear a hole in my fine rug,” Tempestia said, looking at her son through lowered lashes as she knit a sweater for her future grandchild. Caiden’s older brother, Aaryn, was expecting a child with his wife, a half sylph from the Court of Ashes.

“I just can’t believe it.”

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