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Still flushed, I lifted the stone to my lips. “Yes. I’m here. Zayne too.”

“Good. Because I think you may want to consider turning that boat around.”

My other hand loosened from Zayne’s grip. “What do you mean?”

“I just got here, and guess what? There’s a damnably delightful party going on at Mer.”

Zayne’s brows furrowed. “And you want us to turn around because of a party?”

“Not just any party. Technically, it’s a trade assembly, but there will be balls every night. Thanks to your convenient destruction of the shades, the Isles need to negotiate human trade, and Mer is hosting. It’s invitation only, and judging from the other ships here, I’m downright offended that my guild wasn’t on the guest list.”

I pursed my lips. Fae trade with Valterra would bring magical aid to the kingdom. Countless humans would benefit from the surge of fae goods, which improved everything from basic lighting to medicine and agriculture. “Why is this a problem?” I asked.

“Not only are the gates of Mer closed to anybody except sanctioned guests, but consider who you two are. You and Zayne can’t just go prancing about Mer unrecognized when the guest list is this impressive.”

In all of our planning, we never imagined that sneaking around Mer would be part of the problem.

Rhett’s voice crackled. “The Lord of the Dusk Court arrived at the same time as me, and there’s another ship that is definitely from the Court of the Burning Bogs. Even Wisp is accounted for.”

“Sounds important,” I considered.

“And all the more reason for us to be there,” Zayne added. “Everyone is going to be distracted making secret bargains.It’ll be the perfect time to search for the shards and gather information.”

“Or maybe it’s just a sign we’re in over our heads and should turn around,” Rhett countered. “Besides, my friendly Shadow Prince, while Ayla might be relatively unknown amongst fae, you were raised at the Starlit Court. You can’t possibly remain hidden amongst so many nobles.”

“Do not presume to know what I’m capable of.”

Rhett groaned. “You can’t be serious.”

I took in the stern lines of Zayne’s face. “He’s serious. And with his shadows, I think he can handle himself.”

Rhett sighed. “You’re trouble, Ayla, and you’ll owe me for this one, because I already have a plan. You won’t love it, but just... wait there and give me some time.”

“Why didn’t you say that earlier? What are you—”

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to do.”

The speaking stone went quiet.

For a long moment neither of us spoke until finally Zayne raised an eyebrow. “Do you trust Rhett with your life?”

I palmed the stone. “I do.”

His gaze bored into me, and the tether jostled in my chest.

I scoffed. “Oh, don’t be jealous. Rhett and I have been friends for years. He’s the only one I could trust when I fled Valterra.”

“I’m not jealous, I’m just…” Sighing, he turned to the crow’s nest. “Hey, Vanessa?”

The water sprite looked down from her vantage point, her watery blue skin glistening in the dusky sun. “Yes?”

“Can we anchor nearby? There’s an issue at the ports that Rhett needs to address. Teyr willing, we will be on our way soon.”

“Can do!” Her glowing blue magic dulled, and as the boat’s momentum shifted, I braced against the ship’s railing.

The shift must have stirred Ninti, who padded from the rear of the boat where she’d made her den. “Why are we slowing down?”

“Rhett’s run into trouble,” I began, relaying what little we knew.