Page 189 of Children of Blood and Bone

A ladder flies over the side of the ship and I grab on, ignoring the pain in my back as I climb up the rungs.He’s joking.More games, more lies.

But when I hit the deck, I can hardly believe my eyes: dozens of royal guards lie unconscious, bound from head to toe in rope. Each is stripped of his uniform and their bodies are strewn across the deck like litter.

I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding when I see that Inan and Saran aren’t among the new captives. Yet somehow I doubt they’d fall so easily to Roën and his men.

“There’s more below deck,” Roën whispers in my ear, and even I can’t help but smile. I quickly roll my eyes, but Roën shines at this small hint of approval.

He shrugs and brushes nonexistent dirt off his shoulders. “I suppose it’s to be expected when you’re chosen by the gods.”

His smile lingers before he steps forward, a captain taking charge.

“Get these men in the brig. Sweep for any tools they can use to escape. Rehema, keep this ship on track. Käto, sail behind us in our boat. At this speed, we hit the island’s coordinates at daybreak.”

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR

INAN

TWO DAYS HAVE PASSED.

Two days without her.

In her absence, the ocean air hangs heavy.

Every breath whispers her name.

Staring over the railing of the warship, I see Zélie in everything. A mirror I can’t escape. Her smile shines through the moon, her spirit blows with the ocean wind. Without her, the world is a living memory.

A ledger of all the things I’ll never enjoy again.

I close my eyes, reliving the sensation of Zélie against the reeds of the dreamscape. I didn’t know it was possible to fit so perfectly inside someone else’s arms.

In that moment—that one, perfect moment—she was beautiful.Magicwas beautiful. Not a curse, but a gift.

With Zélie, it always is.

I wrap my hand around the bronze piece she gave me, holding it tight as if it’s the last piece of her heart. Something inside tempts me to throw it into the ocean, but I can’t bear to let the last part of her go.

If I could’ve stayed in that dreamscape forever, I would have. Given everything up. Never looked back.

But I woke up.

When my eyes opened, I knew it’d never be the same again.

“Scouting?”

I jump. Father appears beside me. His eyes look as black as the night.

They feel as cold.

I turn away, as if that could hide the longings buried deep in my heart. Father may not be a Connector, but his retaliation will be swift if he senses anything less than steadfast resolve.

“I thought you were asleep,” I manage.

“Never.” Father shakes his head. “I don’t sleep before battle. Neither should you.”

Of course. Every second is a chance. An opportunity, a strategized counterattack. All things that would be so easy to concern myself with if I was positive I was doing the right thing.

I squeeze the bronze piece tighter, allowing its ridges to dig into my skin. I’ve already let Zélie down once before. I don’t know if I have the stomach to betray her again.

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