Now that the Alanga were returning. Now that we knew that their motives were as varied as the fish in the sea. “We both know Mephi needs you more. Take whatever you need from the ship. Money. Supplies. Witstone. It’s all yours.” I could feel the pull to be out on the open sea, away from the mess of politics, of trying to untangle the knots my father had wrought. “I wish I could go with you.”

He sighed. “But you can’t.”

I tugged him in closer, reaching up to press my lips to his. He tasted earthy, like mud and rainwater. His clothes were heavy with moisture, as were mine. But I could feel the heat of him beneath, and it warmed me more than a roaring fire.

“Lin,” he said, breathless, against my mouth.

To the depths of the Endless Sea with propriety. I seized his collar with mud-caked hands, pressing against him, knowing this could be the last time. The last kiss, the last embrace, the last time I ever saw him. It felt like drowning, but with no urge to come up for air. He caught me, one arm around my waist, the other lifting to cup my cheek, to dig fingers into the tangle of my hair.

I wished I could live in this moment. I wished it never had to end.

But for ever was a term for fools and poets. I was neither. I pulled away. “I don’t care where you came from. I don’t care about your heritage. Come back to me.”

I didn’t ask, but he offered it anyway. “I promise.” He took my hand and held it over his heart. It beat, strong and steady, beneath my palm. “And I’ll never break a promise to you again.”

Before I could respond he was gone.

55

Nisong

Gaelung Island

Nisong should have been grateful that Coral was light. She found her among the bushes on the hillside, thrown there from the sea serpent’s neck. She wrapped the woman’s arm about her shoulder, lifting her by the waist and dragging her away from the battlefield. Everyone was more focused on the fallen serpent than on the woman who’d been riding it.

Nisong couldn’t blame them. The creature’s coils wound around the palace walls; its claws digging into stone. Its head lolled into the courtyard.

Gaelung had won. Lin had won. It seemed impossible. But she hadn’t counted on the Shardless Few arriving to help, and their numbers were too great. Her army was scattered, crushed. But Coral – Coral was still alive.

The ground was still soft from the rain; it must have broken her fall. Nisong dragged Coral into the foliage, half climbing, half falling down the slope. The edges of the grass cut at her skin and free hand as she did her best to slow their progress.

“I’ll get you back home,” Nisong said.

Coral stirred. “To Maila?”