“Serina, you can’t leave,” Nomi said. She clutched at her belly, willing her twisted nerves to relax. “Not now. You’re the leader here. These women are trusting you to get them to Azura safely.”

“We could all go to Azura,” Serina offered. “Then go back for Renzo from there. Take a small crew maybe, people like Anika who want to go back.”

With regret, Nomi shook her head. “No. It’ll take too long. We can’t do that. But you can’t leave them.”

Serina shrugged miserably. “And you can’t take Val’s boat alone.”

“No. She can’t. Because I will be,” Malachi said shortly, approaching them. Nomi stared up at him, shock widening her eyes.

He was healing well from his wounds, but he was in no shape to be walking around. His face had lost most of its color and he moved stiffly, as if every joint hurt. He needed to rest. “I’m going to Porto Rosa, to a regiment that might be loyal to me.”

“That is not your boat to take,” Serina snapped. “You’ve no—”

“Serina, he’s the rightful Superior,” Val said gently, coming up beside them. “He’s worried he’ll find little support in Azura if he comes with us. But if he can find troops loyal to him in Viridia, he may be able to stage a rebellion after all. We can’t deny him that chance.”

“Yes, we can,” Serina countered obstinately. “It’s your boat. You can do what you like with it. He can’t just come in here and demand things, like every other—”

“I’ll go with him,” Nomi broke in, without giving herself time to think. “I’ll make sure Renzo is okay.”

Malachi immediately shook his head. “Absolutely not. I mean to wage war, Nomi.”

“You can barely walk,” she retorted, her voice—and resolve—strengthening. “You can’t sail a boat on your own, not in your condition. I’ll help you get to Porto Rosa, and in return, you’ll help me save Renzo. You must promise to protect him should your gambit succeed, just as we discussed before.”

His lips thinned. “I don’t need—”

“What?” she interrupted, her own hackles rising. “You don’t need help? You were willing to accept the aid of the women of Mount Ruin only moments ago. I may not be useful in a war, but I can help you survive long enough to fight one.”

“It’s dangerous, Nomi,” he said, something changing in his expression. His brows drew together. “Too dangerous.”

“And that is a result of my error in judgment,” she said, refusing to back down. “My brother’s life is at risk because of me. Your predicament is my fault as well. These are my wrongs to right, Malachi. You must let me accompany you. You must.”

He looked at her for a long moment.