Page 41 of Fate of Echoes and Embers
“I dreamed of Draven,” she said, hesitant. “That he refused to allow me entry to my own home.”
The tides curse Draven and his ambitions.
“As luck, or Thalassa, would have it, my half-sister arrived in port this morn.”
Her head whipped toward me, Issa not bothering to hide her surprise. I was careful not to smile.
“Cassandra? The woman on the docks… that was your sister?”
Do. Not. Smile. Marek.
“It was.”
Cassandra was raised on the opposite coast of Thalassaria where her mother lived. I told Issa about her at Hawthorne when we’d spoken of our families but still was amazed she remembered.
Perhaps I should not be.
Willing my expression to remain neutral, I told her of our conversation. “She is headed south and will port at Valewood Bay and track the movements of mercenaries arriving by sea, identifying which ships are loyal to Draven. She will also keep an ear to the ground for whispers of supply lines, bribes, or weaknesses we can exploit.”
Issa’s mouth dropped.
“You were… she… she is helping me?”
“Cassandra is family and would do anything I asked of her, as I would do the same.”
“But… I thought…”
Finally, I broke, unable to resist the small smile. “What did you think, Issa?”
“I thought she…” Her eyes narrowed. “Marek?”
“Aye,sereia?”
So much for the smile.“You knew?”
Never would I admit as much. “I know very little compared to what I do not know.”
“Riddles,” she murmured. “Always riddles.”
I crossed my arms and leaned back against the railing.
“Thank you,” she said begrudgingly. “For speaking to her on my behalf.”
“You are most welcome. Issa?”
“Aye?” she asked as I gestured for her to steer us slightly to port. She did, expertly.
“We will not allow Draven to take Estmere. Or become Lord Protector of Estmere, for that matter.”
Her chin raised defiantly. “No,” she said. “We will not. Though I do appreciate your assistance.”
“My network may be unsavory, at times, but it is vast and connected.”
“I’m learning the truth of those words.” She sighed, looking up to the sky, as if content. At least, more so than when we first began to talk. I knew she was worried about Hawthorne Manor and her people. She’d admitted more than once that she felt it was her duty to ensure her parents’ legacy endured. They had committed themselves to keeping the southern border of Estmere safe from Gyorians who had no wish to live so close to humans, a feat that would be much easier if King Balthor were not so openly hostile to her kind.
But… it was not Issa’s calling. A duty? Aye. But not her dream.
“I have a question for you.”
