Page 114 of Daughter of the Dark Sea
Blake silently thrusted his arm out for a handshake, and the male turned from Erick and greeted him coolly. As Kora neared, details came into focus. The male’s skin was weathered, his face scarred, features all angular and sharp.
“Mr Marwood,” the male’s voice turned stern. “Keep up the good work.”
Kora frowned.Who in the gods was this person?
His dark eyes caught hers, and she stopped dead in her tracks. Thunderstorms lurked behind his cold stare. Something about them made her freeze, her blood turning to ice as she regarded the male.
“You must be Erick’s protegee,” he murmured, advancing past Blake to Kora.
She reached out her hand on impulse under Erick’s observant stare, and the male took her hand in his, the touch making her want to recoil. His skin wassocold, and every inch of his deeply tanned palm was calloused and rough.
“She’s turned into a fine specimen, Erick.” His voice was like raven’s claws scraping over her skin, and she resisted the urge to snatch her hand from his. “You’ve done well.”
She wasn’t a puppet to be gawked at, and she glowered. Since last night, she’d refused to meet Erick’s continuous stare, or Blake’s. They were all strangers to her now—just like this male before her.
“Do you know who I am?” he asked, his lips tilting. She shook her head, too aware of his hand on hers, her fingertips numbing as his palm clenched.
“Admiral Bastion Barron, at your service.” Barron feigned a bow, his smile sharp like a shark’s as he winked at her.
Kora’s eyes widened and she spluttered. Her idol. Her dream job.“It’s an honour to meet you.” Her cheeks heated, embarrassment steaming from her ears.
This was Admiral Barron?
She reined in her shock as Barron introduced himself to the remainder of the crew, the withdrawal of his grip a welcomed relief. This was the male she inspired to be—to somedayreplaceas admiral. His portrait had never been painted, and she now understood why. The male made her skin crawl. Not like Callan did, but there wassomethingoff about him.
Meeting her idol was . . . anticlimactic.
“Welcome all, to Mossfell Castle,” he commanded the room with ease. “I’m grateful to have you here, albeit under such strenuous circumstances. Tonight, we will have a feast! One last ball to celebrate the Talmon Empire—ourempire—before we begin preparations to quash the threat of Galen.” His stormy gaze fell upon her and she swallowed under its weight.
His lithe, muscled frame donned a dark green waistcoat with golden buttons, overlaying a billowing white shirt tucked into black trousers. No weapons adorned him—none—and she surveyed the vast reception room. All the courtiers were relaxed, no weapons nearby to grab, no scabbards lining their belts. It was a jarring sight to her.
“Thank you for your generosity,” Erick replied quickly.
Blake nodded in turn, his emerald gaze trained on the marble floor, his face so pale she worried briefly—just briefly—about him.
“We have a lot to discuss,” Theron urged, Ivar grunting in agreement.Bet you do.
“All of that will come,” Barron waved a thick hand. “For now—rest, recover. I’ll see you all tonight. Mr Marwood,” Blake’s head whipped up, his eyes wide. “Follow me.”
Kora faltered as Blake followed Barron out of the door he’d entered, disappearing down a long windowless hallway. Where were they going? What were they talking about? Why would he want to talk to Blake?
“Are you alright?” Aryn appeared at her side, his brow creasing.
Kora nodded curtly.
“He gives me the creeps, too.”
She glanced at her archer. His hazel eyes darted about, drinking in the same details she’d noticed.
“We don’t have time for a feast,” she muttered. She couldn’t think of anything worse right now.
“Agreed,” Aryn murmured, as Theron and Ivar bid farewell, their gazes lingering on her before heading to their assigned chambers. “I’m going to do a perimeter check.”
Kora raised a brow.
“What? Just because we’re in the Citadel doesn’t mean we’re safe.”
Except it did . . . didn’t it? The Citadel was impenetrable, with the station nearby to vet any travellers seeking entry. Surely, they were finally safe, and could let their guard down just a little bit?
