“Let’s go. A cup of tea should help with cold hands and a cold face.” He stepped back and held out his gloved hand. She took it and followed him toward the stairs that led to the main part of the upper deck.

Night was falling when the Ros Marinus reached the water barrier on the western side of the Northern Shores. Selene gasped as she gazed at the towering wall that stretched from the coastline as far as she could see. The sunset shone through the rushing water in a colorful array of oranges and yellows on a deep blue background. The first evening star shimmered high above the wall. The sound of the constant rush of water reminded her of one of the waterfalls back home, only much larger.

“You did this?” she whispered beside Damien. She knew he had, but it still filled her with awe. A terrifying awe.

“Yes.” His answer was sober. His lips were pressed together as he stared ahead, and she wondered if he was remembering that day as well.

“I know what happened,” she said quietly.

He turned and looked at her, his eyebrows raised.

“I saw it in your dreams. You destroyed a convoy of ships. I saw the damage . . . and the sailors.”

He was silent for a moment. “It was not something I enjoyed. I wish there had been another way.”

She glanced down. “I know. After seeing that day, I realized you feared your gift as much as I did mine. It was one of the first times I connected with you. You weren’t just a grand lord—you were a person with fears and regrets, who felt the same way I did. I believe that connection partly led to my change of heart about my mission.”

Damien looked back at the raging wall of water. “Being a leader—a good leader—is difficult. Ever since my parents died, I’ve struggled with being the leader my people need. It has cost me a great deal. Sometimes I wish I could walk away, in the same way you sometimes wish to never dreamwalk again.”

He didn’t know she was already suppressing her gift for the safety of others. But this was not the right time to tell him. He needed reassurance, not an added worry. “Your people need you. And I’m a dreamwalker. That will never change. The Light has given us these gifts, right?”

Damien reached over and pulled her hand into his own without looking. “You’re right. Thank you for reminding me.”

Selene gave his fingers a squeeze.

They stood on the prow, hand in hand, as the Ros Marinus approached the water-wall. “Dropping anchor,” the captain yelled. There was a splash, and the ship began to slow. The captain continued to shout orders to the sailors, and out of the corner of her eye, Selene spotted Taegis and Karl come to stand behind them.

The sun sank even lower, sending rays of red through the falling waters. “Will it be hard to lower the wall?”