Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 93948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
“That’s good, because I wouldn’t allow you to kidnap her. That woman is like a mother to me, and if she’s managed to avoid joining another crew, there’s a reason for it.”
“It will be nice to see her again.” Evelyn’s pretty face goes a little wistful. “She reminds me of my grandmother.”
The waves are too choppy to safely exit the ship for the boat, so Bowen lowers us one by one into the waiting boat and then follows us down. We have enough magic between the three of us that we’d manage just fine, but this is simpler.
As soon as we’re settled, I send us moving forward. My magic ensures we have no need for oars. “The reef makes the route to shore damn near impassable in places, but we should be okay.”
“As long as we aren’t foolish,” Bowen says mildly. He’s got a fistful of Evelyn’s shirt, his hold actively keeping her from spilling into the sea as she leans over the edge of the boat to peer into the depths.
“I forgot how clear the water is here.” Evelyn is nothing if not an opportunist when it comes to new experiences. She and Bowen spent some time on First Sister before coming aboard my ship and helping me rid the world of Hedd. They don’t talk much about what happened here, but it seemed to change everything when it comes to Bowen’s perception of the Cŵn Annwn. After leaving First Sister, he was firmly on the side of the rebellion.
“Careful there.” I don’t reach out and add my hand to Bowen’s to keep her aboard. All my concentration is required to navigate the reef that seemed to rise up out of nowhere. The good news is that this small bay is dangerous enough that not even the most foolhardy local would attempt to swim or fish here. As a result, we have no witnesses to our journey.
Evelyn grins as if she wants to push us, but manages to sit back firmly in her seat once more. I can’t quite tell if Bowen breathes a sigh of relief, but I surely do. She tilts her head back and closes her eyes, her blond hair ruffling in the wind. “You know, it would have been so much faster if Bowen just lifted the entire boat and brought us to shore.”
“I’m aware of Bowen’s power, which is why I’d like to keep it saved for a moment when we truly need it. There’s no reason to exhaust him with this sort of thing.” I shoot him a look. “And if we have to make a quick exit, we’re going to need it.”
Chapter 20
Siobhan
I stare at Poet, sure that I am misunderstanding what the fuck she’s saying to me right now. “Nox…left?”
Unlike her wayward captain, Poet has the grace to look guilty. Her face flushes and she can’t quite meet my gaze. “A bare hour ago.”
I turn without entirely meaning to and stare hard at the coastline. There are plenty of nooks and crannies on most of the islands in Threshold, and I know the best places to approach if I don’t want to be seen. That kind of secrecy isn’t possible on the Audacity; it’s too large. It makes sense for Nox to lay anchor out here and then ride in. What doesn’t make sense is leaving me behind.
“Unacceptable.”
Poet’s mouth thins. “They took Bowen and Evelyn, and even if they hadn’t, Nox can handle whatever Kanghri can throw at them.”
I’m not convinced. My sister is on the hunt. No matter what experience Nox has with Morrigan, they still don’t fully understand what she’s capable of. They can’t.
I glance over as Bastian walks up. His skin still appears waxy and the deep circles under his eyes haven’t fully faded, but he’s looking significantly better than he did even a few days ago. I quickly bring him up to speed.
Unsurprisingly, he’s just as thrilled as I am by this new development. “They didn’t even tell us that they were going to shore.”
“I know.” I once again study the shoreline. “They’re running.”
It’s a testament to Bastian’s long history with me that I don’t have to elaborate for him to understand what I’m saying. “It’s understandable that they’d be spooked. From what I’ve gathered from the people who have sailed with them the longest, Nox has had plenty of romantic entanglements over the years, but they’ve never had…” He shifts uncomfortably. “I hurt them badly, Siobhan.”
I may understand Nox’s reasoning, but they have flirted with magical burnout twice in the relatively short time since I came aboard. If they’re fleeing an emotional entanglement with us, they’re more likely to take dangerous risks. I shrug out of my jacket and pass it to him. “I’m going after them.”
Bastian looks at my jacket as if it might bite him. “I’m going, too.”