Page 186 of Scorched Earth (Dark Shores #4)

LYDIA

Lydia linked her fingers with Killian’s, standing in silence together as they watched the sun set over the newly minted republic, but as the shadows grew, Baird approached. “I suspect you have a lengthy story to share,” the giant said. “But I have to ask. Bercola… is she?”

“I’m sorry, Baird,” Lydia said quietly. “She and other warriors from Eoten Isle didn’t come through the xenthier with us. They stayed to hold back the blighters so that we’d have the time we needed.”

Tears rolled down the giant’s big face, but he gave a tight nod. “She died fighting. She’ll be with Gespurn now. With luck, he’ll tell her what I’ve done and when my day comes, she’ll have room for me in her heart again.” He wiped at his tears. “Agrippa?”

“He and Malahi are fine. We left them with the other survivors of Deadground in Mudaire, and their intent was to return south.” Although what would be left, Lydia didn’t know.

But what she did know was that neither the Corrupter nor Cassius had destroyed the spirit of Reath.

Mudamora, Gamdesh, and all the other nations that had suffered would rebuild.

“Nothing can kill that man,” Baird said, fresh tears pouring down his cheeks. “I’ll find him.”

Polin approached and slung an arm around the giant, leading him away with a promise of drinks to toast the fallen, leaving Lydia once again alone with Killian.

“You haven’t said much,” she murmured. “Do you think I did the wrong thing?”

Killian lifted her hand, kissing her fingers.

“I think you did the right thing for Teriana. Gave her the chance to make a choice, which is what she needed most. Now if she chooses to throw the arrogant bastard off the side for Magnius to eat, I will not shed any tears, but that’s a different conversation. ”

Lydia smiled, squeezing his hand. “I don’t think that’s what she’s going to choose to do. You and Marcus are going to have to make peace.”

He muttered a few choice comments about Marcus’s character, but Lydia’s thoughts were all for that word.

Peace.

The peace across Reath wouldn’t last, she knew that.

Conflict would always rise between men and women who desired something they did not have, whether it be power or wealth, vengeance or justice.

But peace was here now. A brief moment when the world seemed to be drawing a collective breath, coming to terms with what had passed even as it looked toward the future, and for the first time in so long, Lydia’s own future held the liberty of choice.

There was something terrifying about having such an uncertain purpose, no critical goals to drive her every action, but it was thrilling as well.

Especially with one certainty at her side.

She rested her head against Killian’s shoulder, his solid presence giving her faith that no matter what the future held, she could face it because he’d be with her.

Footsteps sounded on the deck behind her, and Lydia turned to find Teriana standing behind her. Her friend’s eyes were red and puffy from tears, but she had Marcus by the hand, fingers clenched tight. Which told Lydia all she needed to know.

Bait came up the stairs two at a time, a smile on his face.

“Who is up for opening a cask of ale and playing a few rounds of cards?” He caught both Killian and Marcus by the arms, and then hauled them away, saying, “Though maybe dice is a better choice. You have the instincts of a god, Killian, and I’d bet my last coin that you count cards, Marcus. ”

How either responded, Lydia couldn’t hear over the wind, though as Bait got them ensconced on open space on the deck with full cups and a few other men from the crew to fill out the game, she could see their mouths moving.

Jabs flying back and forth, she was sure, and Teriana said, “This is going to be interesting.”

“They’ll figure it out.”

Her friend laughed, then slung an arm around Lydia’s waist and pulled her back to the rail. “Thank you.”

Lydia wrapped her own arm around Teriana, squeezing her tight. The sun slowly slipped beneath the horizon, but the moon was ris ing, illuminating them with a soft silver glow. “It isn’t going to be easy. A lot of people hate him, and rightly so.”

“I know.” Teriana sighed. “But the same could be said of me.”

“We’ve all done things we aren’t proud of.”

“Yeah.” Teriana rested her head against Lydia’s shoulder.

“Marcus said to me that heroes are not pristine. That they’re covered in blood and mud from fighting in the trenches.

I know that we needed to get dirty to win this fight, but…

I think that there comes a point when the grime is too thick to wash off.

A point when you stop trying to be the hero, so that new heroes can step forward.

People whose hopes and dreams and ambitions aren’t yet smeared with the filth that comes with seeing them through.

” She shook her head. “It sounds bittersweet, but saying it makes me feel as though a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”

Lydia nodded. “Yedda told me that you declined to take on your mother’s role as triumvir.”

“Yes. I don’t want to lead, and I don’t think my people want to be led by me, not really.

” Teriana was quiet for a long time, then she said, “After Marcus and I made it through the Teeth, we sailed down the Savio on a little riverboat. Living each day as it came, seeing the world and meeting its people, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in all my life.

That’s what I want, and I… I think that’s what he needs.

For us to go where the wind and the sea takes us, doing small goods where we can.

But what about you? What will you and Killian do? ”

Lydia considered the question for a long time.

“We are both marked by gods. Marked to serve the people who have faith in the Six, and that is core to both of us. But I hope we can serve in a way that feels right. Many of those who’d had their lives stolen by Rufina’s mark came back to us, but not everyone.

And many more still were slain in combat or died from famine and are with the Six now.

There are so many countless children without families, without anyone to care for them, and I think we need them as much as they need us. ”

“Again, our paths lead us away from each other,” Teriana said with a sigh.

“But those same paths always bring us back together again.”

“You’re both cheating!” Bait shouted. He was glowering at Marcus and Killian, who had both already amassed piles of coins in front of them. They frowned at Bait, then leaned back over their game, and as Lydia watched, Bait gave her a sly wink.

“Look at those egos,” Teriana muttered. “I think we ought to go down there so I can beat them both properly. I can try teaching you again, but we’ll win more gold if you keep the cups full and Killian distracted.”

Lydia laughed, everything feeling like it was settling into place. Like she was exactly where she needed to be.

“But first, I need to set a course.” Teriana pulled her in the direction of the helm. “You ready to go home?”

Lydia caught hold of her friend’s hand. “I’m already there.”