Page 176 of Scorched Earth (Dark Shores #4)

The whole island erupted with cheers. Teriana flung her arms around her aunt’s shoulders, dancing in circles with tears running down her face. “She did it! Lydia did it!”

A cup of rum was pushed into her hand and she downed it, allowing herself to be drawn into the dancing crowd praising the names of the Six and victory over the Seventh. Yet as she was spun round and round, Teriana silently whispered to Magnius, What about the legions?

Under Legatus Marcus’s command they aided Mudamora in the battle and then left, Magnius answered. Lysander knows not where, only that they have seemingly disappeared.

The shock of his words hit her like ice water to the face. The legions had switched sides. Which meant Marcus had switched sides. Her chest tightened because she hadn’t thought there any hope for him. Had thought he was so lost to darkness that he’d never find his way out again, but he had.

And then disappeared.

Teriana’s elation faded into a tumult of emotions, and she caught hold of Yedda’s hands. “The legions are gone. Lysander says Marcus aided Mudamora’s army and then vanished.”

“Aided?” Her aunt’s eyes went wide. “You mean…”

“I mean they aren’t lost to the Corrupter.” Marcus isn’t lost to the Corrupter. “But where could they have gone?”

Her aunt shook her head. “That many men don’t just vanish. They’re somewhere. Let’s keep this between us until we learn more.”

Her people were calling her name. Teriana forced a smile onto her face as they cheered for her part in this victory, and she swiftly lost track of those who hugged her, kissed her cheeks, or filled her ears with praise.

In truth, it felt like she was watching herself move through the crowd from afar, like the woman they all heralded as victor wasn’t her at all.

And with every passing moment, Teriana’s anxiety over the fate of the legions, of the men she’d called friends, of the man she loved despite herself, grew like a beast inside her chest.

She was pulled close to the bonfire that had been built higher to light the growing darkness, and everyone fell silent.

One of the captains stepped forward. “Magnius tells us that he has conferred with Lysander, and that by the traditions of our people, we convey unto you, Tesya’s daughter and heir, the title of triumvir of the Maarin Trade Consortium to guide our people with strength and wisdom.

Do you accept, Teriana of the Quincense ? ”

Everyone was smiling and watching, and Teriana had to force herself to breathe as the world spun.

“No,” she finally answered. “I do not.”

Shock radiated through the crowd, but as breath filled Teriana’s lungs, so did strength.

“Not only do I not desire to lead, I do not feel as though I am the right choice,” she said.

“This victory we have had does not erase what I have done. It does not change that my loyalties are divided. The Maarin deserve to be led by someone who is uncompromisingly committed to our people, and that is not me. It will never be me. So for the good of all the Maarin, I abdicate the role of triumvir and ask that a gathering be held in Taltuga to select a captain who will lead our people with the same spirit as my mother.” Lifting her chin, Teriana added, “I will always support the Maarin. I will always fight for you. But I will not lead you.”

Not waiting for a response, she turned and walked away.

“It was the right choice,” her aunt said as they walked back down to the beach. “Your mother would be proud.”

Teriana gave a tight nod, but rather than getting into the longboat, she waded out into the surf and waited.

Magnius did not make her wait long.

The great serpent drifted into the shallows, coiling gently around her, and Teriana rested her cheek against his massive head. “I’m going to miss you when you go on to guard the new triumvir,” she said softly. “We all will.”

Are you sure this is a choice you wish to make?

“It has to be.” She swallowed hard. “A leader cannot be divided, Magnius. And my heart is cut into too many pieces to ever be made whole. My allegiance as well.”

His great head tilted, his vast eye regarding her.

“I need to go West to find the legions. I need to discover their fate. I need to know why they helped. I need—” Her voice cracked and she swallowed hard. “I need to know if he’s alive, Magnius. And if he’s alive, whether he’s himself again.”

I’ll take you wherever you wish to go.

“Thank you.” Turning to her aunt, Teriana said, “Let the crew celebrate until tomorrow. They fought for this moment. They deserve it.”

“What about you?”

Teriana leaned against Magnius, her gaze on the starlit sea, imagining she could see all the way across to Mudamora. “I’ve been too much away from the sea. I think I’ll stand in the surf for a while.”

To remember the past. To think about the present. And to dream about what might have been under different stars.

Magnius stayed with her long into the night, so they were together when Lydia’s voice reached him through the magic of the sea.

Teriana’s mind filled with a vision of her friend standing in the waves before Mudaire.

The truth of all that had happened—of what Marcus had done and what he intended to do—brought Teriana to her knees.

“Magnius,” she finally whispered. “I need you to take me to Celendrial.”