Page 103 of Daughter of the Dark Sea
“The Mist,” Theron summarised.
Samuel shot Theron a glare, his hand reaching out to the railing to steady himself against the storm.Do not trust him.Her gaze raked over the four males surrounding her.
“Where’s Blake!” she shouted over a gust of wind. It was so strong and cold, and it whipped across her body leaving a trailing wet sting on her skin. The smell of salt water coated her and she licked her lips.The sea was unforgiving . . . but divine.
“He’s checking on Bree!” Aryn winced as the winds continued to circle and thrash against the ship. Disappointment filled her, and she shoved the thought of them together—alone—to the back of her mind as she sailedHell’s Serpentthrough the increasingly violent storm.
Samuel appeared beside her, placing his hands on the wheel with a nod. Together they navigated the crashing waves and howling winds, working in tandem to keep the ship afloat. To keep the crew alive. Aryn watched from starboard side, whilst Theron kept his near-black eyes trained on the Mist.
As they cleared the last archipelago of Peril Cove, Theron leapt back from the railing. “Cadell . . . we have a problem.”
Kora propelled across the slick wooden deck and grabbed hold of the nearest shroud, hooking her feet into the ropes as she climbed a few feet. Across the unending tempest, ships emerged from the Mist. Her blood ran as cold as the rain pouring down her face.
Red, yellow, and grey sails.
Before them, an impressive vessel surged, leading with gleaming white sails that were dazzling against the gloom and grey. Lined with silver embellishments, an infamous, silver Pegasus figurehead glistened with moonstones.
Dread coiled within her gut.
Galen.
Galen had returned.
40
Which one of you is Captain?”
Kora held her breath as she crouched behind the door to her quarters. The pirate lords and mercenaries from Galen had boardedHell’s Serpent, cornering her crew on deck. As much as she’d liked to cannon fire them all to Umbra, a Galen warship altered the game. Their artillery had been formidable in the Galenite War, and she couldn’t risk Theron.Not a chance.
But instead of allowing her to withstand the boarding, Blake had shoved her into her quarters, demanding she hide. She didn’t have time to drag Theron in here with her before the thundering of boots stomped across the gangplanks.
“What’s happening?” Bree’s whisper floated from beneath the four-poster bed. She had squished her tall frame, with a knife clasped to her chest for protection, behind the cream covers draping over the side of the bed.
“I am,” Blake’s voice echoed through the wood.Gods, he’d make a fine captain.
“Who is it?” Bree whispered again.
“Round them up!” a voice barked. “I want them in a line!”
Kora bit her lip as her crew yelled, and her heart hammered violently as she tried to push away the mental images of them blood-eagled on the dead misty shores of Galen. This was all her fault. She should’ve been careful sailing the Mist, or they should’ve taken a different route.
“Kora!” Bree hissed, poking her head through the covers.
“Shh!” Kora waved her back under the bed.
“Tell me what’s happening! Is Blake okay?”
Kora rolled her eyes as she pressed her ear to the door. She should be out there, defending her crew. Killing the Galenite scum. Not here, babysitting Bree.
“Stay hidden.”Blake’s order drifted through her mind. “If we are captured, you need to get a message out to the empire. One of us needs to survive.”
The Galen warship had shaken them all to their core. Never, did anyone think Galen would return—couldreturn. Typical it had to be when they were escorting Theron to Talmon.
“Look-y what we have here,” a female voice drawled. “Royal scum.”
Kora closed her eyes for moment, praying for Theron’s safety.
“Leave this ship, now,” Theron’s commanding presence vibrated through the door. “Take me and spare the others.” A growl followed, presumably from Ivar.
