Page 106 of Pirate Witch

“I’m saying we’ve never put any effort into finding our old pack. There would be… what? Twenty adult leviathans out there right now? Enough to put a serious dent in the Eagle’s ships.”

“They won’t go to war.” The whole room has gone silent, listening to Cas and me debate.

“They will for us. Remember, a hydra is a sign. A prophesied call to arms. They wouldn’t dare refuse once we show them what we can do.” I rub the back of my neck, wondering how much Fate will allow me to say. “In my vision he was there as we ma—”

The headache comes on fast. It starts as a pressure behind my eyes that builds into a searing pain. I don’t fight it, because I knew it might happen. My awareness of the room dims to nothing as I’m dragged into the vision.

When I return, I have no idea how much time has passed, but the room is colder. The ship is rolling badly, and I can only guess we’ve hit another storm.

“You back?” Ry’s voice rattles around in my skull, and I groan in response.

“Yes,” I hiss. “Nilsa?”

“Still dealing with Val. I think he’stryingto apologise—Goddess help her. Cas went to follow up on your mad idea, and the others…” He trails off and sighs. “Who knows what they’re up to?”

I nod, rubbing my temples to try to alleviate the ache. “I think I’m going to go sleep this one off.”

Ry’s hand grips my arm as I go to stand, stopping me. “Is what you said true? You’ve been watching her die for weeks?”

My jaw clenches at the reminder. “Like I’d make that shit up.”

Ry doesn’t release me. “I’m sorry, Nos. I really had no idea.”

His empathy is making me uncomfortable. If he had even an inkling about what I’ve seen in my visions, of how much death there is in our future, he’d never see me in the same light.

Nilsa’s was harder to watch, yes, but I’ve seen possible scenarios for his death too. Some we’ve already faced and come through, others have yet to pass.

“I hate my gift,” I whisper. “But if it helps me save her, I’ll never curse Fate again. If this doesn’t work… perhaps there is a way to cure the madness. No one has found it yet, but no one had ever broken a fae-bound bargain before either. Either way, she has to bealivefor us to have that chance.”

Rysen releases me. “I agree.”

I’m halfway through the door when he says, “But I understand Val’s point too.”

It’s so quiet I’m positive I wasn’t meant to hear it, so I pretend that I haven’t as I stumble my way to my cabin, feeling the weight of my gift like a physical force on my shoulders with every step.

NILSA

The sea breeze is harsh this far north. It rips my hair from my face as I stare out at the horizon. Above me the sails snap in the breeze, displaying Val’s mating mark splashed across the white fabric. I’m angry at Val, yes. But more of my rage is directed inward at myself. His one little outburst made me break down in tears. Words shouldn’t be able to hurt me so deeply, and yet…

After a full day of Elsie struggling to teach me the fundamentals of Solar magic, I’m already doubting my choice. Solar magic requires stupid shit like ‘grounding’ and ‘inner peace’ that just doesn’t come naturally to Lunars.

I suck at it, but I won’t give up. If I can’t even use Solar magic, what was the point of any of this?

Before Val even entered the galley, I was berating myself for thinking it could work. For risking my sanity on a stupid last-ditch effort to ensure victory.

I wasn’t prepared for him to lob the words I was thinking straight at me like that. It was like he uncovered my own inner monologue and gave voice to it.

It sucked.

A wave crashes over the deck, soaking my ankles with icy water, and I curse. It was stupid to come up here. I need to get back below deck before this gets wors—

The second wave almost sends me overboard. Only the rope which snakes out of nowhere to save me prevents me from taking an impromptu swimming lesson.

Damn it, I’m not thanking him for that. I’m still soaked through.

“Get back below deck,” Val yells. “The weather is turning fast.”

Remembering the last time I was swept off the deck in the storm is enough to make me follow his orders. I still refuse to look at him as I trudge toward the trapdoor.