Page 70 of Blood of the Stars

“What if I had?” she asked.

“Then it would have been my fault.” His words came out quick on the heels of her question, harsh enough to make her flinch. “It would have been my fault because I worked you too hard, too fast.”

They sat in silence for a long moment, their shared guilt unexpectedly tying them together.

“Kendalyhn’s parents were killed by Mayvus several years ago,” Sylmar said. “Publicly the Zealots said her parents desecrated a Sungazer. Something that would have gone to trial in the west with the royal family as judge was settled by the high priestess in the eastern part of the country.

“Lukai’s family took her in, but her anger runs deep, spilling out into her words and deeds. She’s here for a reason that’s much bigger than you. Every person here was handpicked, not just for their skill but for their loyalty. They’re all ready to sacrifice anything and everything for this mission to succeed, even if there are bumps along the way.”

She glanced back at Kendalyhn, who slept soundly, knocked out by whatever concoction Velden had given her. Lukai still bent over her, eyes squinted shut while he healed her wounds.

“We’ll figure this out, Aeliana,” Sylmar said. “We’re here to push you to learn, but we’re also here to help you.”

“I’m trying,” she said. “But I’m scared.”

“I’m not asking you to not be scared. I’m asking you to fight through your fears.”

She nodded and let out a shaky breath.

“Are your energy stores depleted?” he asked.

The heat still swirled in her, but instead of threatening to burst, it merely boiled under the surface. “Not absent, but less.”

He studied her, his face impassive. “Good. Tomorrow we start again using inanimate objects until you’re weaned.” He sighed, leaning heavily on his staff. “It will take too long, but it’s our only choice.”

CHAPTER 28

Gaeren had never felt as relieved to see land as he did when his barrelman spotted Bamboo Island from the crow’s nest. Between Lenda’s flirting, Orra’s eerie way of watching him, and Larkos’ loud political opinions, he was ready for an escape. When they anchored Starspeed, Gaeren asked for volunteers to row him and Orra ashore.

Thallahan and Breeve were quick to step up. When the other men kept their eyes on the deck, Riveran was the final man to raise a hand.

“I’ll go.” His gaze rested somewhere between Gaeren’s neck and chest. “Gullet could use some time on land.”

Outside of orders, they hadn’t spoken since the other night on the crow’s nest. Gaeren had preferred it that way, but Enla had wanted him to stay close to Riveran. For the thousandth time, he wished his sister’s visions were more specific.

Gaeren nodded his assent, and soon the five of them were rowing from Starspeed to the small island overgrown with bamboo. It wasn’t large, and it was usually deserted. Sailors often made it a stop for repairs, but for now, the coast was empty. Beyond the initial beaches, the earth quickly turned black, the rich soil filled with exotic plants Gaeren could only vaguely identify as harmless versus suspicious. The sky had grown darker as the day progressed, confirming Larkos’ prediction that a storm was brewing. The sailor always seemed to sense them long before Gaeren.

Gullet made himself at home, flying among the trees and diving down for various creatures he deemed worthy for a meal. He didn’t return for a time, and it felt safe to assume his hunting had been a success.

When they reached the ridge, Orra gasped, holding her hand to her head. “Durriken.”

Gaeren’s sword was out in an instant, and he was grateful to see Thallahan, Breeve, and Riveran held their own daggers and swords even though their weapons combined could do very little to Durriken’s hide. The last dragon had been spotted a dozen times in the last ten years, and it was rumored he was Mayvus’ pet, but that only gave Gaeren more reason to run a sword through the beast’s underbelly.

“No, no.” Orra waved them off as if they’d overreacted. “Days ago. He was here.” She crested the ridge, and they all followed, their gazes taking in the blackened earth, not from rich soil but from burnt foliage. The smoky scent drifted their way as if the fire had just finished burning out.

Gaeren tried tuning in to his surroundings but didn’t expect much if the memories were days old. Even hours-old memories were often unidentifiable wisps without being attached to a person.

“Days ago?” Gaeren asked. “Like when the light was seen?”

Orra nodded. “It’s no longer here.” Her voice grew small, and her eyelids blinked rapidly as if holding off tears.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Gaeren asked.

Orra ignored him, bending down to thrust her hands in the soil.

“I don’t think she means the dragon,” Riveran said, putting away his daggers. The scabs on his forehead were nearly gone, but the X still stood out against his pale skin, drawing Gaeren’s gaze. A healer could remove it, but if Riveran was caught hiding his status, not even Gaeren could protect him from the penalty of death.

Orra’s eyes were closed again, face tilted to the clouds. Despite the lack of Sun, the deep brown of her skin almost glowed. Gaeren exchanged a baffled look with Riveran while sheathing his sword.

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