Page 51 of Song of Sorrows and Fate

“Through the histories he used hatred, war, blood. It makes sense he would use hatred in their lands to torment them once again.”

A cruel shiver bit its way up my arms. He was right. As little sense as it made, every kingdom, every gift of fate’s magic, was an enemy to Davorin. He would try his best to cut them at the knees.

“He’s not here,” I said, facing the sea singer. “Not yet. Isn’t that right?”

The creature drew in a rattling breath, the slightest curl to his pocked, rotting lips flickered on his face. “Not the time.”

“He’s waiting for a certain moment you think?” Cuyler folded his arms and came to stand by me. “What is it, do you suppose?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But Davorin is biding his time. He’s waiting for something. Where is he, sea singer?”

A hacking cough filled the sea fae’s lungs. When he looked at us again his expression was vicious. “The earth fae remains near the Ever Ship.”

“I’ve sailed on that damn monstrosity.” I grimaced, but my heart skipped. “Wait, the Ever Ship was . . . your king’s ship. He’s dead.”

“I do not . . . speak lies.” The sea singer’s chest heaved as he searched for air. His body was battered, soon he would struggle to speak without wetting his lips. I knew enough about the sea fae to know some fared decently on land. Others, like the sea singer, could hardly keep their eyes open when removed from the seas too long.

“What has Davorin promised your people in return for fighting his war?” I snapped.

Three breaths, five. After the sea fae swallowed with effort he spoke. “Revenge.”

I shared a look with Silas. He was not there, but doubtless he knew what had happened between myself and King Thorvald of the Ever. The way the bastard had snatched me straight out of Olaf’s alehouse, the way I’d left my royals to find their missing littles with my Cursed King’s newly cursed blood.

I knew the end of the tale, knew Valen had lodged an axe in Thorvald’s chest.

Revenge. The sea folk were here to avenge their fallen king. Doubtless it wasn’t hard to convince them to rise, not with Davorin’s sly tongue and battle skill.

“Kill me,” the sea singer rasped. “Allow me to see the seas of the Otherworld, and I will leave you with one final warning to aid your fight.”

Cuyler looked to me until I gave him a quick nod. The blood fae removed a knife and approached the sea singer. “Speak true, and you’ll be out of your misery.”

The creature let out a breath of relief. He lifted his gaze to me. “When you meet the Ever King again, a word of advice—if you wish to keep your lives, I wouldn’t make him bleed.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

The sea singer smirked and merely closed his eyes. He’d given his warning. He would say nothing more. Soon, he choked and spluttered as blood filled his lungs after Cuyler slit a deep gash over his neck.

Don’t make the Ever King bleed?

“So, the sea fae have a new king,” I said. “Davorin has influenced them. They have reason to despise our folk after that bastard of a king was killed. We are facing a great war,” I admitted. “One between land and sea. One between hatred and love.”

“His part comes when he returns to his land of old,” Danna whispered.

I furrowed my brow. “Davorin’s part?”

“Back to the beginning,” Oviss added.

Frustration boiled over, but the heat on my skin soothed when a hand rested on my shoulder. Silas had abandoned his corner to stand beside me. Such a simple gesture, yet somehow, I knew it caused him a great deal of discomfort.

Somehow, it made it better knowing he was there.

“I don’t know how to help them,” I whispered. “I found you because I was out making a promise to protect Lumpy—my Sun Prince. Now, I feel as if I’ve left them all to the crazed vengeance of a madman. As if I’ve done this to them.”

Silas placed a palm on the side of my face. For a moment it was as though no one but the two of us remained. “Then sing with me, Little Rose.”

“Sing with . . .” I swallowed. We had a power together—his song, my words. It crumbled worlds. Perhaps it could be enough to give a new burst of fate to stand on the sides of my royals. Whatever battles they fought, it might help them.

It might protect them.

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