Page 64 of Seaborn and the Seven Seas

Just in case.

The nearest soldier stirred. “Where are you going?”

“I need to relieve myself.” I didn’t wait for his answer and moved toward the direction of the woman, who hid behind tall shrubs.

The woman waited until I reached her. Up close she was older than I’d first thought. Deep lines carved around her eyes and mouth. Her eyes were pale, almost colorless, and they moved over my face the way Nira’s had in that dressing room.

“You’re smaller than I expected,” she said. Not unkind. Just honest.

I crossed my arms, hand still within reach of the hilt. “Who are you?”

“Sable.” She tilted her head. “And you are the one the ocean is looking for.”

“The king of Jeju sent you?”

Those pale eyes turned to gray, then back again. “The king thinks he sent me. There’s a difference.”

She reached into the folds of her wrap and produced a small dark glass vial, no longer than my finger, filled with dark liquid.

“He wants me to finish a formula. This formula not only will it weaken you, but it will also strip your healing, your instinct in battle, and your connection to the sea. He’s been threatening to burn my forest if I don’t deliver.”

“And have you? Delivered?”

“I’ve delivered progress reports.” The corner of her mouth moved. “He’s a king. He hears what he wants to hear.”

“Why expose yourself to me?” I stared at the vial still in her hand. “Why help us?”

“Like I said, Nam is my friend.” She shoved the vial into my hand. “Take it. This is poison for the king. One drop in his drink will end his life.” She closed my fingers around it.

I blinked. “Why give this to me?”

“Because I was there when they cleansed the waters.” Sorrow etched into her features, her voice cracking. “I was a child, but I remember what the sea looked like after.” Her jaw tightened. “I’ve been waiting a long time for the right Seaborn to pass through my forest.”

I studied her face, the vial warm against my palm.

“Nam.” The name caught in my throat. “Is she—”

“She is there by choice.” Sable’s voice softened. “Nam is an alchemist, same as me. Power gifted by the gods long ago to help the realm with healing and guidance. Nam chose to go into that cavern. Chose to stay to protect your kind.” She paused. “She uses everything she has to hide what she is. It costs her.”

The image of Nam’s curved back, her stiffening fingers, the way she moved slower each year, I had thought it was age. I had thought it was the labor, the cold, and Agusto’s whip.

“Why?” My voice came out barely above a breath. “Why would she choose that?”

Sable looked at me the way Nam always had, loving and sympathetic, as she caressed my face.

“Because of you,” she said softly. “Because someone had to be there to wake you up. When the time is right, you will understand.”

I nodded because I knew she wouldn’t give me an answer if I asked. “Nam is—”

“An alchemist.” That was not the question I wanted to ask, but she added. “And she’s my sister. My parents died to protect us in the war. The king only knows of my existence.”

Sister?

I wanted to hug her. Instead, I stood there like an idiot, blinking, because what did you say to the sister of the woman who had been your mother, your protector, your whole world in that cavern? Thank you felt too small. I’m sorry felt presumptuous. So I said nothing, which felt wrong too.

“How long has it been?” I asked finally. “Since you’ve seen Nam?”

Sadness crossed her face. “Too long. Ever since she was taken to the cavern.”