Page 54 of Of Stars and Lightning
Ventry was separated by a strip of the Seas of Leona at the tip of the continent, making harsh weather and storms common there. Their export was seafood and beauties of the sea, from shells and sands to clothes made of Anglea thread. Sol never missed a Ventry export in Yavenharrow—their sea mallows were divine in Lora’s stews, though goods from anywhere beyond the Dunes of San’ann were usually scarce.
Now she knew it was likely due to the Rimemere wall.
“Teriopa and Stone Ledge capitalize on travel. They both have some of the largest ports on Erriadin, right next to Yavenharrow.” Francis glanced over at her, as if she had noticed Sol’s heart skip a beat at the mention of her hometown. The woman smiled kindly, walking over to Sol with a mug of tea. “We are only going through this, so you are not completely lost out there.”
Sol nodded. “Thank you.”
A soft knock at her door made her jump and nearly drop the cup of tea.
“Sol?”
Her shoulders eased at the sound of Nina’s voice. She hadn’t realized how much she had grown attached to the woman until she began to notice her absence. Sol supposed her entire Court was the one familiar thing in the sea of uncertainty.
Brutally ironic, truly, since they had been the opposite only a few weeks ago.
Nina eased the door open slowly, her face peeking around the edge. A smile instantly bloomed as she took Sol in. “You look stunning, Princess!”
Solwas about to protest at the title, but with a wave of her hand, Nina cut her off. “I get to call you that today, as you truly do look like one.”
The Earth Caller stepped into her room, and like Sawyer, she wore a figure-hugging silk dress. Nina’s was green, a deep emerald, with silver vines around the neckline. She held out her hand.
“Ready?”
Sol shook her head. “No.”
“We will all be with you, Sol.” Alix appeared beside Nina, clad in elegant, all black attire. “You have nothing to fear.”
“Unless Nina gets her hands on the Ventry wine,” Sawyer chimed in from behind them. “Then we have much to fear.” Nina rolled her eyes and made to playfully push her.
The interaction caused Sol’s chest to sigh with a newfound calmness. Sure, she may be in a foreign place, but at least there seemed to be people in her corner.
But as she fell into step between them into the hallway, that empty spot at her back was a worry she couldn’t quite keep concealed.
Seventeen
THE SOUTHERNERS
THE SOUTHERN NOBLESslowly arrived through the days but remained hidden in the guest quarters and other landmarks within Rimemere. The Polimende nobles spent their stay by the Winderlyn temple, honoring their god in his original grounds while they could. Romalia did the same, lodging near Flora’s.
Melisandre, Sawyer’s home territory, mostly remained around her, choosing the quarters directly beside her. They—and Eswin—were the only two territories that didn’t send anyone of noble status, sending instead higher-level generals.
This delighted her cousin, as Melisandre soldiers were apparently the most visually appealing. She pointed them out with a shameless smirk as they neared the staircase that would lead them into the castle foyer where they were to gather before the dinner.
The whole thing felt like a death march.
Alix informed Sol through subtle whispers that it was customary for everyone to gather together, then filter into the assigned room where they were to host the gathering by rank.
Beside her, Nina squeezed her hand. “It’ll be over quickly.”
“I have a weird feeling.” On Sol’s other side, Sawyer looked around. “Something is off.”
“Let’s not speak that into existence,” Alix pleaded, peering over his shoulder at them.
Sawyer shrugged. “I’m only saying.”
Sol sighed as anxiety gripped her chest. She wouldn’t admit it, but she felt it too. The scar on her hand thrummed with caution.
“I don’t like how we don’t know where Cas is,” Sawyer continued. “This isn’t like him.”
