I wasn’t just drifting beneath the surface of the Endless Sea; I was sinking in it, searching for something I could hold on to. “We don’t have to be enemies. Isn’t that why Ylan Sukai massacred the Alanga in the first place? Too much infighting and too much collateral damage. We can work together. We can find a way into a new era – a peaceful one.”

I was rambling and he stood there, as cold and disapproving as my father. He let me finish, let my words die in the ensuing silence. “You owe me nothing. I came here to defend the people of the Empire from the constructs – another Sukai abomination. I didn’t come here to help you. This is the last time we will meet peaceably.” He turned on his heel, not even waiting to be dismissed.

“Wait,” I said, scrambling for words. “Isn’t there anything—?”

He jerked the door open. “You’re a Sukai,” he said simply, his back to me. “We can never work together.”

The door slammed shut behind him. I was left alone with a book and the echo of Dione’s presence – the greatest of the Alanga, and my freshly made enemy.

57

Ranami

Nephilanu Island

News from Gaelung arrived in pieces. The most sensational items arrived first, borne by eager retellings and quick tongues. Ranami wasn’t sure what to believe as truth, and what were the tales told by those seeking attention. The battle had been almost lost, the constructs had a fully grown sea serpent on their side, Jovis had been cast out of the Emperor’s favor, the Shardless Few had arrived just in time to turn the battle, the dead walked the field.

How was she to make sense of these pieces? The life or death of one governor from Nephilanu was unimportant to most people in comparison. She sifted through the gossip like a desperate woman sifting for a lost earring on the beach.

Ayesh’s anxiety was nearly as keen as her own, and in that way they had found common ground. The girl had only just found a mother, and now had to wonder if that relationship had been severed.

When news had finally arrived that Phalue had indeed lived through the battle, Ranami had felt sick with relief. She and Ayesh had celebrated with an elaborate dinner where they’d both eaten past the point of feeling full, clinking mugs of water as though they were wine and the two of them visiting dignitaries. The waiting became easier, knowing that her love would return to her.

It was almost enough to distract Ranami from everything she was supposed to be doing while Phalue was gone.

Almost.