Page 6 of Songs of Retribution

I swallowed because that was true, but we didn’t have other options.

Shaan had stepped up next to Lennox. “Would a makeshift gurney work?”

Luz shook their head. "The siren thinks it would jostle her too much."

Lennox turned towards Elisa, which caused her to curl in tighter to him because he still had an arm around her. They’d apparently grown closer than I would have guessed during their travels.

“What if,” Lennox said, “I used my magic." He looked down at Elisa. "I protected you with air when we fell. Maybe I could do something similar.”

She bobbed her head slowly. “Do you feel confident enough with your magic?”

Lennox winced, and Shaan slid a hand over his free one and intertwined their fingers. Lennox turned towards me. “It might be the best option we have.”

“You can practice on the others if they’ll allow it,” I said, “while we find a place to pull in the ship.”

He nodded, and I gestured for Luz to follow me. They clipped up the stairs, the dark circles under their eyes showing they were as exhausted as I was, but their tone came bright and alert. “What’s the plan?” they whispered.

“We’re about to wreck this ship.”

They hesitated, stopping for a moment before picking up speed to catch up. “All right. Where do you need me?”

I led them up from the ship’s darkness and into the dim light of a fading day. We both looked out at the shoreline where the siren city and curved roofed buildings stood like markers of hope. Luz leaned over the railing, like they reached for the village and the salvation it promised.

All we needed to do was wreck this ship, safely move Neia, evade the pirates, and make it across treacherous rocks into the siren city.

I sighed and gave my cloak a shake, repositioning it before tightening the ties. There was nothing we could do but try. “Kali,”I whispered as we reached the coast’s rocky edge, “keep us.”

CHAPTERTHREE

LIRA

The King had lockedme in my room—Lennox’s future spouse’s room, actually. Every moment I’d spent in this chamber before, with its velvet covers, wide windows, and comfortable furnishings, I’d felt safe. Lennox had been next door in his bedroom, and I’d known the wards kept our conversations private. Unfortunately, I hadn’t realized the King could alter the wards and my place of refuge would turn into my prison.

I worried as I paced before the window where snow whipped across the glass. I thought Eldrick could get Margo—and the book she’d created with information about the King’s plans—away. He had a military background and understood the palace, plus he was no longer safe with the King after declaring his allegiance to Lennox.

I traced my fingers over the window. Ice bit my skin as I held back tears. The magic-infused cuffs on my wrists kept my ability to reach my powers at bay and left me at the mercy of the King and whatever machinations he had. They also made me nauseated with a headache pounding at my temple and had me alternating between sweating and shivering.

I wanted to reach out to Sai again, but I didn’t want him to realize how desperate I was. If I could get free of these cuffs, I thought I could make it out. I might use up most of my magic, but Sai and I had escaped the Seelie court before. Then again, we’d taken them by surprise and both of us had full access to our magic, plus the team had left us a kelpie. The King had me trapped here, alone, with no magic, no allies, and no hope.

Sai didn’t need the burden of knowing all this. When he’d broken through into my mind, I could feel grief and fear tangled into his thoughts. He was desperate as well, and I was too much of a coward to ask why. If something had happened to Lennox or Elisa, I couldn’t stand the knowledge.

In the end, I was too selfish to maintain my resolve not to contact him; the comfort of talking with him soothed me too much.Sai Arnav.I waited for the magic to click into place and shuddered against the exhaustion, fear, and sorrow that rippled off him.I love you.

I love you too. Are you okay?

I just had breakfast.That was true, and I tried to focus on it and the comforting feelings instead of anxiety so I didn’t add to his burdens. Serfs had brought me an entire tray of pastries and diluted wine. I’d wondered if someone poisoned it but thought it unlikely as the King could have already killed me, but he'd let me live and in this comfortable suite at that. He had some reason to keep me alive, so I’d eaten and remembered curling up in Lennox’s bed and talking about our future.

How funny that when we’d left to travel to Kali’s caves, I thought we’d both return within a few weeks. A thought slammed into me.Sai, Lennox can’t return to the Seelie realm. The King knows he stands against him now.

A pause stretched, a buzz of annoyance rumbling along the fear.Our court will protect him. Don’t worry about him, worry about yourself. Please.

There was so much desperation in the last word. I should have reached out to him before.What’s wrong?

A flood of heartache, deep and painful, filled my mind before he answered in a single word.Neia.I released a breath that clouded the window.She’s still alive,Sai answered quickly, as if he’d felt my concern,but badly hurt.

Oh God, I’m so sorry.

Me too. I have to go, love.

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