Page 44 of Fate of Echoes and Embers (Heirs of Elydor #3)

MAREK

“Don’t get up too quickly.”

Issa’s hand flew to her head.

“Ouch.” She looked past me. “I’m in my bedchamber.”

“Astute,” I teased. “What’s my name?”

“Marek, be serious.”

“Close enough.”

Jesting aside, it was a relief that she was alert. I’d seen head injuries fell the best of warriors, and from how long she had been out, she must have hit the ground hard.

“My wrist.” She lifted it into the air. It was wrapped with silkspore, Hawthorne’s healer as adept as they came.

“Adren noticed the bruises. We don’t believe the bone is broken but?—”

“What happened?” she interrupted me, attempting to sit up in her bed. I pushed her shoulder back gently.

“Not yet,” I reminded her.

“Marek—”

“Hawthorne is safe. The mercenaries were run out, none willing to sacrifice themselves with Draven dead. No one else was injured. At least, not seriously injured.”

“Except Draven.”

Bastard. When I saw Issa’s wrist, I’d wanted to kill him again. “You follow orders well, my human warrior,” I said not holding back a large measure of sarcasm.

“I’m more accustomed to giving than receiving them.” Her small smile fled as quickly as it formed. “He killed Warren.”

I tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “I know he did and am sorry for it. I should let you rest. You’re under strict orders not to move for the remainder of the day, but there are people who will want to know you’re awake. Edric, your maid…”

“They are well?”

“Aye, they are well.”

“I really do feel fine.”

This time, I kept her in bed by leaning down and kissing her. It was a kiss to remind her that I would be patient. But it was also one to soothe my own soul that had nearly been torn to shreds when I saw her being dragged by Draven.

Patience, unfortunately, had never been a strength of mine.

Despite her injury, I wanted to continue to probe.

To ask Issa what she thought of us, of a future together.

Of days that included helming Tidechaser , or walking through ports and marketplaces together.

There were ways such a thing could be possible, but it was not the time, nor place, to discuss them.

I love you, Issa.

A knock at her door stopped me from saying it aloud. Reminded me we were no longer alone on Tidechaser . Issa was home, surrounded by people she loved and who loved her. Though they were terrified of Draven and his hired Gyorian thugs, it was clear they adored their lady.

“Please rest. I promise all is well.” I stood. “The castle is surrounded, though I doubt very much the mercenaries will return. My lady has amassed quite an array of allies across Elydor.”

I bowed, for emphasis, eliciting a giggle from Issa. A glorious sound.

Issa stopped me halfway to the door. I turned to see her very clearly disregarding my request to remain lying down. Sitting, though she remained abed, Issa was also unrepentant.

“Thank you,” she said simply.

I stood there, looking at her, wondering how in the tides I could have ever left this woman.

“With pleasure, sereia.”

* * *

“They aren’t coming back.”

Lyra stepped onto the battlements with me, looking out onto an empty field.

“That they felt emboldened to overrun a human holding, in Estmere… the tides are turning against the humans.”

“They have been for some time,” Lyra said quietly. “Thalassaria just has not noticed.”

I wanted to refute her, but couldn’t.

“We’ve been… apathetic to their cause.”

Lyra didn’t disagree.

“I would say, having risked your life to retrieve the Wind Crystal, you’ve made up for it. Given them a chance.”

“I could not have done it without Issa.”

“So, what’s next for you, Marek of Thalassaria? Commander Eirion tells me you’ve given Queen Nerys your resignation from the Tidebreaker Fleet.”

“What is next for me,” I repeated. I didn’t know Lyra well, but she was a friend to Mev and Kael, and therefore, a friend to me. “That will depend on Issa.”

“Mmm, I am not surprised. It’s evident you care for each other.”

“Her place is here, or so Issa believes.”

“You don’t agree?”

I wanted to say, no. Issa was an explorer. An adventurer, like me. She was made for the sea, had taken to it remarkably well. But being here, hearing how her people spoke of her, how they revered her… it was a fool’s dream to think, even for a moment, she might leave Hawthorne.

“It is not my place to agree, or disagree,” I said instead.

“You have experience she does not. The benefits of multiple human lifetimes.”

It was true. But that did not make me superior. “Issa has done well with the human life she’s been given.”

“Indeed, she has. And will always have an ally in King Galfrid. We will defend Hawthorne Manor as if it is Aethralis.”

I’d known as much already, but it was good to hear Lyra say as much.

“And for you? Lyra of Aetheria?”

“I serve my king. And Princess Mevlida, now.”

“Your loyalty is admirable.”

“His cause is just. My parents both serve him also, in their own capacities, and believe in his vision of Aetheria. One in which humans play a vital role.”

Sighing, I considered what needed to be done next. “How will Kael possibly retrieve the stone if it sits upon his father’s head?”

Lyra shook her head. “I do not know. But I will help him and Mev however I’m able.”

“What in Elydor’s name,” I asked, more to myself, having turned toward the courtyard just in time to see her, “is Issa doing out of bed?”