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Honour had thought that might be the problem. Kyree had probably barely managed to even get her to that rock cliff.

“I wish Nylah were here,” Kyree murmured.

“Nylah?” Honour frowned deeply. “What good would they do?”

“They could pass messages, not just between us and Reine, but between us and Soulara.” Kyree looked directly into Honour’s eyes. Kyree’s eyes were so dark, hard but soft at the same time. She was sure of this conviction, sure that she was right. Honour didn’t have the heart to tell her that she was wrong.

“Well, we don’t have Nylah.” Honour rested back into the spot they’d been stuck, still keeping her eyes open. Why did she care so much about whether or not she ticked Kyree off? Itshouldn’t matter ultimately. Kyree was there to do her job for the war and then she’d go home and they’d never see each other again. Then Honour wouldn’t be saddled with babysitting a mer who shouldn’t be this far into the upper soundings.

“I wish I had more moss. You look to be in such great pain.” Kyree’s voice was smooth, easing out the wrinkles that Honour had accidentally found.

“It’s nothing.” Honour clenched her jaw tightly.

She was just about to speak again when the battalion finished arranging their camp for the night. The one in front eyed Honour suspiciously, and she knew she was going to be his immediate target. She was going to bear the brunt of whatever was going to happen next, and she would gladly do it to prevent just one more mer from being injured in this gods-forsaken war.

He swam over, stopping right in front of the two of them. His gaze slid over Honour, then Kyree, and then back to Honour. “You’re not from the same tribe.”

Honour shook her head. “No, we’re not.”

“Where are you from?” He prodded Kyree’s tail with his hand, hitting it hard enough to move it.

“The deep soundings.”

He pursed his lips. “I’ve never met a deep sounding mer before.”

“I wouldn’t have expected you to.” Kyree’s gaze remained unwavering.

A thrill ran through Honour. She wasn’t meek in this moment at all, and that was all the thrill was. Seeing the strength Kyree had kept well-hidden underneath all her calm pacifism. The mer slapped Honour’s tail.

“And you’re from Reine. We’ve had many dealings with your people.”

Not many,Honour thought, but kept that thought to herself. It was clear at this point that he had no idea who she was or whather rank was. He must have thought they were out for some leisurely stroll or something. Honour didn’t answer him because there really wasn’t a question. She didn’t want to give him more information than he needed.

“I’m Cryloc.” His voice sounded gruff, as if he’d been awake for days. “We were returning from a battle and found you.”

“Where are you taking us?” Kyree spoke up.

Honour could have kissed her. Leave it to the innocent one to ask those types of questions. She might actually get answers, whereas Honour was too much of a brute to get any kind of information from them.

Cryloc nodded his head down and put his hands out. “To our leader, Hudson.”

Hudson. Hudson. Hudson.

Nope, that name didn’t sound familiar at all. In fact, it sounded like a very strange name for any Talon to have. Honour rubbed her lips together, but she kept her silence.

“Are we your prisoners?” Kyree asked.

Cryloc laughed boisterously, loud enough that the vibrations moved through the water and hit Honour square in the face and chest. He turned away from them, saying, “We bring everything we find back to Hudson.”

Then he swam off, just like that.

Honour winced. That had been less than helpful, except at least she knew where they were going now, and it wasn’t back to Talon. She scooted ever-so-slightly closer to Kyree. “We’ll sleep here while we can.”

“Sleep?” Kyree jerked her head up, surprised.

“Yes.” Honour gave her a serious look. “Lie down on your side. I’ll lie behind you.”

Kyree was confused, and rightfully so. Honour hadn’t explained anything that was happening yet. She hadn’t told Kyree that this was part of her plan. Honour waited patientlyfor Kyree to comply. When the awkward shifting finally ended, Honour rested her head just behind Kyree’s.