Page 53 of Soulgazer

But for all the ease with which he handles the others, forever jostling and clapping them on the back, I’ve never seen him kiss anyone else. Not once.

Heat tears through my chest, raging across my cheeks and drawing my eyes wide as he pulls away, beaming like he hasn’t just taken my heart into his hands. “Clever thing. We’ll know for sure by tomorrow.”

“Know what, Captain?” Lorcan’s voice startles me enough that I rock the boat when I pull back.

“Whether or not Saoirse’s grandmother is buried in a spot just over there.” Faolan gestures toward a jagged mast, where the flag moves feebly with the wind. I steady myself with a hard grip on the wood on either side of my hips as the crew exchanges looks, their smiles gradually fading. My joy evaporates alongside them.

I’m not ready for their questions. For this moment to end.

Brona is the first to break the silence, water still dripping from her curls. “And why do we need to know that information?”

“Because we’re going to dive the wreck at sunset.” Faolan nudges the ragged fish away with his foot and reaches for the oars. “Saoirse’s grandmother is the one who knew where to find the Isle of Lost Souls.”

“Knew?” Nessa’s smile goes stiff. “Captain, what are you playing at?”

Faolan drags his gloved hand along the oar’s handle, damp leather creaking against wood. My chest tightens, waiting for him to spill the truth.

“Her family kept the story, and legends don’t die. You’ll see. Get the lacquer ready.”

He pulls us away from the others before they can ask for more, oars cutting through clear water streaked here and there with gore. I wait until we’re out of earshot, then nudge his leg with mine.

“What will we tell them?”

“About what?”

He’s not looking at me anymore, his expression vague, brows tugged low.

I dig my feet against the hull. “About my grandmother. We can’t tell them we’re looking for her soulstone or bones.”

“And why not?”

“Because—” Because then they’d know what a strange creature I am. Just how dangerous it was to allow me on board. “Because it’s too much of a risk. Finding her body could yield nothing—or I could touch her soulstone and truly go mad.”

“You’re not going to go mad.”

“You can’t know that.”

“Saoirse.” He steals my hand, the one bearing his ring, and squeezes tight. “I know it.”

My lips part at the rush of sureness I feel. Faolan believes in me. Not in the way I’ve believed in the gods—begrudging and fearful—but with a pure, raw intent from the very core of his being. I cannot fathom how to respond.

He flashes a smile, and it sears straight into my heart.

“Think of the reward, never the risk.”

Twenty

“You’re positive the gills will work properly?”

“Tavin, we’ve tested them three times now.” Faolan winds a long woven cord around my neck, threaded through a set of gills lacquered a vibrant, angry red. It’s nearly the same shade as his skin, flushed from the sun’s force today.

My stomach draws tight as Tavin examines another set of gills. “Aye, but we could’ve tested them longer. Waited until tomorrow. The sun’s barely cured these.”

“The fact we were able to breathewiththem instead of just holding it all in like the other methods was proof enough for me. Besides, we only need a few minutes, don’t we?” Faolan’s fingers slip over my throat, adjusting the gills before he knots the cord to keep them in place. “All right, Trouble?”

I try to swallow, then flatten my hands to my stomach instead. “Aye.”

Tavin glances toward the railing, a pale blue light flitting across his face. It would almost be beautiful if it wasn’t a reminder that dozens of souls likely linger in the depths we’re about to swim. “Ríona Kiara wouldn’t like it.”