There was nothing here but an echo of some part of Isolde that I hadn’t known and never would. I stared into the black water, feeling so alone that it seemed as if that darkness might pull me into it. As if maybe my mother was waiting there for me.

THIRTY-ONE

I stood in front of the window in West’s cabin, every eye on me. The water dripped from my hair in step with my heartbeat, and I watched it pool at my feet.

West had called the crew into his quarters, but Koy had the good sense to stay belowdecks.

“So that’s it?” Willa said lowly. “This was all for nothing.” She and Paj had the same quiet resentment painted on their faces.

I watched my reflection ripple in the puddle on the floor. She was right. I’d made a deal with Holland and I hadn’t come through. And Saint wasn’t the only one who stood to lose. We still had to get the deed to the Marigold back.

The only card we had left to play was to trust Henrik.

“We still have the Roths,” I said.

“If that’s all you’ve got, then you’ve got nothing,” Paj said flatly.

Auster didn’t argue with him.

“When we get to Sagsay Holm, I’ll talk to Holland. I’ll work something out with her.”

West finally spoke. “What does that mean?”

I didn’t answer. The truth was, I’d do pretty much anything to get the deed back and Holland probably knew it. I didn’t have midnight to barter with, giving her all the power.

“What are you going to do, Fable?” Auster asked softly.

“Whatever she wants.” It was as simple as that.

Willa muttered under her breath. “Selfish.”

“You’re angry with me, Willa. Not her,” West snapped.

“Is there a difference?”

“Willa.” Auster reached for her, but she shoved him off.

“No! This wasn’t what we agreed. We said we would find Fable and go back to Ceros to finish what we started.”

“I’m sorry,” West said. It was followed by a solemn silence, and every crew member looked at him. “It was wrong for me to order the ship to Yuri’s Constellation without a vote.”

“You can say that again,” Paj huffed.

“It won’t happen again,” West said. “You have my word.”

Willa looked at her brother, swallowing hard before she spoke. “I won’t be around to find out if you keep it.”

“What?” he said, tired.

“When we get back to Ceros, I’m gone.”

West went rigid, his eyes boring into her. He was speechless.

“I’m done, West,” she said more softly. “I’m done following you from port to port. Letting you take care of me.” The emotion in her voice deepened the words. “I want off the Marigold.”

West looked as if she’d slapped him.