The Fae turned back and smiled at him. “No more than you, Black Coat. If you want mercy, ask one of the Mother’s Daughters. They’re the ones who believe in doing no harm.”

Ask one of those evil bitches for mercy? Ubel shuddered. No. Never. He would conserve his strength, let these creatures bring him to the shore. Once he was dealing with the barons, his Inquisitor’s Gift of persuasion would convince them to give him food and water—and a horse. He would need only a few hours head start to stay far enough ahead of the enemy to reach the arm of the Inquisitors’ army that was crushing the southern end of the Mother’s Hills.

Jenny wept silently as she stood on the dock and watched the battered Sweet Selkie limp into the harbor. Murtagh had taken a ship and gone out to meet her brother, and it was Murtagh she saw standing in the bow. But there was no sign of Mihail.

She saw Fae piloting the ship to the dock instead of Mihail’s crew. She saw Fae securing the lines and lowering the gangplank.

Her heart broke. She wrapped her arms around herself. Had she done this?

Then she saw Murtagh motion her to come aboard. She ran up the gangplank and would have fallen when she reached the deck if he hadn’t reached out to steady her.

“He’s in the bow,” Murtagh said, guiding her. “He collapsed shortly after I got on board and convinced him we weren’t the enemy.”

“He’s wounded?” Jenny asked, feeling breathless.

“He’s been hurt, but it’s exhaustion and lack of food and water that finally pulled his feet out from under him. They ran out and couldn’t stop to take on supplies.”

When she saw Mihail, she rushed forward and sank to her knees. “Mihail. Mihail.” She brushed a shaking hand over his hair. He looked so pale, so worn. “Mihail.”

He opened his eyes and stared at her. Finally he said in a hoarse voice, “Jenny?”

She choked back a sob. “Yes, Mihail. It’s Jenny.”

“Safe harbor, Jenny?”

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she gently pressed her lips to his dry, cracked ones. “Yes, Mihail. Safe harbor.”

Mihail closed his eyes. His body relaxed.

Panicked, Jenny pressed a hand against his chest, trying to feel his heart.

Murtagh placed a hand just above Mihail’s nose. “It’s all right, Jenny. He needs to rest.”

Sobs ripped out of her. Tears of grief. Tears of joy.

“It will be all right, sweet Jenny,” Murtagh said, putting his arms around her to offer warmth and comfort. “It will be all right.”

Chapter 36

waxing moon