Page 34 of The Queens and the Kings
She frowned. “That makes no sense. Keep in mind, Pedr, that the Wyvern Kings don’t know about the Arcanists. We formed after the great battle. They may not understand what’s been happening during the last one thousand years. Not their power scattering to the wild arcane that we attempt to wield now, nor the islands forming. This could be new to their waking intelligence. We must be careful, because we won’t be certain.”
Despite her warning, his brain snatched and held only two words.
Utter desecration.
Well, he wouldn’t allow that.
Pedr breathed hard, barely containing the rage of years. The agony of love. The horror of watching every day slide by, quiksilver between his ageless fingers.
Gods, he missed her.Achedfor her. In this case, the enemy of his enemy was nota friend. All he’d gain was another enemy, not an ally.
He hated the Wyvern Kings.
But they might still pose an opportunity, and it was to that feeble hope that Pedr clung. Long after Himmel dissolved into shadow. Long after the moon sank into the horizon, the sun broke the sky, and life stirred on his ship.
To one hope, he clung.
Revenge.
Chapter Eleven
BRITT
Britt emergedfrom Pedr’s cabin, one eye on the deck.
Henrik sat on the edge of a barrel, one leg propped on a crate, and stared at the sea. He’d barely moved all day. Sunset burned a brilliant palette, washing the sky in a tempest of colors. It had been a lazy afternoon, lounging and napping. Henrik sipped broth, avoided Britt, and brooded in silence.
As she headed toward Henrik, Denerfen zipped off her arm, flew to Pedr, and settled on his bare right shoulder. Drake stirred from his perch not far away, settling back to sleep. Pedr lifted a finger to Denerfen’s belly and frowned at the west.
Britt sidled over to Henrik’s side.
“Mind if I sit?”
He motioned to the barrel next to him. They sat, shoulders touching, until he asked in a murmur, “How are you today?”
“Better than you, I think.”
He chuckled. “Your brother gave me a Kapurnickkian potion that’s greatly helped my stomach.”
“Hellsgate?”
“Tasted like it.”
Britt laughed. “Must be, then. It calms a sour tummy, or else the taste would make it worse.”
He grimaced, running his tongue through his teeth. “Awful, but it worked. I feel human again.”
“I’m glad.”
Henrik cast her a sidelong glance. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Is Britt your real name?”
“Britta. After my mother.”
“Oh?”
