Page 58 of Secrets and Starlight

I followed after, reaching for her hand—

She moved on without me. “I need some time to myself.”

Oh.

I staggered, needing to hold her. If I wrapped her in my arms, I could heal her wounds. Together, we could deepen the bond, so ensconced in one another that it would be as if the events on Dusk had never been.

She hunched her shoulders and lowered her voice. “Is there something I should know?”

The tether bade me to soothe her emotions, achingly hot beneath her calm exterior, but I forced myself to focus on what mattered most. “Just tell me if you’re safe. Are we at risk ofthathappening again, and if so, how can I prepare?”

“I don’t think so. It was something Ninti and I attempted together.”

“Okay.” That was some relief.

She turned back toward the cabin and pushed the door open. I hesitated, unsure whether I could pull her into a final hug, but she wore this coldness like a shield, one she was clinging to.

“I’ll check on you in a couple hours,” I offered.

“Thank you,” she whispered before vanishing behind the cabin’s door.

I turned around, facing the sea, mist spraying my face as Vanessa began our return journey. Forcing myself to leave the aching tether alone, I focused on checking our provisions.

It had been a long day.

I made a meal for myself, and slowly worked through the rote of eating. Was Ayla hungry, did she want food? She had some provisions with her, but should I give her options?

I wished I had asked earlier.

Dusk came and went, but my speaking stone didn’t activate. It meant I should assume Eleanor was fine, but what I would have given for a distraction.

Ayla hadn’t stepped foot from the cabin.

The tether told me she was fine but distant. Tempted as I was to reach across it and find her, I knew better. What had happened to Ninti had shocked her, and she’d struggled to meet my gaze ever since. She needed rest, and she’d only feel like she had to explain herself to me.

Knowing that she was in pain and I was powerless to help was a particularly nasty sort of vexing.

But even if we were talking, I didn’t know how to describe the vault. I could barely process it, my head aching as it adjusted to the magical strain. The shade army remained on the edge of my consciousness, silent and deadly, strands of magic waiting to bepicked up. Guardian was there, the entirety of the vault at my disposal. Everything was now mine; Inarus had seen to it.

I’m not like him. I don’t want war.

I poured myself a glass of dark red wine, breathing deep as the waves pounded against the boat. Savoring the somber drink, I tried to calm my thoughts, hoping for sleep.

“Smells delicious,” Vanessa purred, coming closer to sniff the drink.

“Can you smell wine?” I asked.

“Kind of. It’s mostly water, so I sense it in my way. I loved it when Jasmine had wine.”

At the mention of Vanessa’s deceased lover, I frowned, a new wave of sadness taking hold as I drew the scarf from its pocket. Vanessa froze.

I swallowed. “I found her. Jasmine’s shade was at Dusk.”

“Oh.” She took the scarf’s end and stroked the tassels. “It took me ages to make. Keeping the fabric dry was such a nightmare.”

I handed it to her. “It’s yours. I wish I could do more. There were thousands of shades. Maybe, next time I’m there, I can release her and…”

Vanessa wasn’t listening. The sprite had wrapped the scarf around herself, the fabric dampening where it touched her skin. “I never said goodbye to her. It happened too fast. And this... This means a lot.”

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