Page 53 of Nyall

“How shall we cross the water if we’re anchored?” she demanded. “You’ve no skiffs.”

His thin lips curled. “You may wade to the sand bars and walk the rest of the way, Witch, for the island doubles in size when the tides go out.”

“If you’re lying, I’ll lash you to the hull and let the sharks eat you slowly.” She pushed aside the stew and went out onto the main deck.

Although the fishing boat was smaller than the trader, it needed only half the crew, and sailed much faster. As soon as another vessel came within sight of them Lugh would hoist a bright yellow flag, which she knew signaled that the crew was sick, and the other boat should avoid them, which they did. With the full moon approaching she should keep the flag hoisted at all times, Speal thought, and then grew disgusted with herself.

I’m growing as soft as Fia toward mortals.

“Sister.” Dearg, who had insisted on accompanying them, came to join her at the railing. “Why dinnae we sail for Francia? ’Tis said all manner of nobles who abide there, and some quite laden with coin and young, pretty daughters.”

Speal sighed. “You reckon Derdrui shallnae find us hiding anywhere we flee?”

“We might scatter across the countryside after we seize some riches and new forms to wear. ’Twould prove too much trouble, her chasing all of us.” The little shifter leaned against her arm. “Only I’m so tired, she’d catch me soonest, I reckon.”

She put her arm around her. “Did our sovereign command you tempt me thus if we took too long with our search?” As Dearg stiffened she stroked her head. “Dinnae fret. I ken what she shall do if you disobey her—and I’ve no notion of abandoning you lot and running away.”

“That mortal you brought with us, he’s an odd one,” the little Cait Sith said after a long silence. “He hardly sleeps or eats, and he’s ever watching the horizon, as if expecting rescue. Yet when any boat comes within sight, he hoists the plague flag. Nor does he seem fearful of us. I wonder just how strong he may prove.”

“Dinnae torment Lugh,” she scolded her. “I need him steer this facking wreck, and he may yet find the MacMar for us.” She slapped her bottom. “Go and rest now.”

Dearg met her gaze. “The enchantress shallnae wait much longer. If she bids the sisters you left with her find us, I reckon we shall all seek our rest at the bottom of the sea.”

Speal watched her go below deck, and then looked out at the endless sapphire waters and their white-crested waves. “Mayhap ’tis where we belong.”

After seeing Shaw confront Caroline, Jamaran didn’t want to leave her alone. Once she had delivered the Fae objects she had collected to Duncan, he offered to escort her back to the cottage.

“Quit worrying about me. The creepy chieftain and I are good now.” As they walked out of the stronghold she tucked her arm through his. “But if you just want to come over and keep me company, I won’t say no.”

“I’ve duties I must attend at the palace.” He walked with her to the dock where she had tied up the skiff she used to go back and forth to the main island, and helped her in before he cast off her rope. “Perhaps I may visit after sunset?”

She looked around before she leaned closer and brushed her lips against his. “If you bring some of that Sleepfast hooch. I want to try that again.”

He waited until he saw her safely land the skiff on the other side of the bay before he entered the water and swam to the palace, where the king’s attendants told him Merrick had just left to join a patrol. The king had warned him that he would name him as his heir as soon as he found a solution to his dilemma with Meg, but he suspected the chambermaid would soon wed another mortal.

When that day came, Jamaran would be the first to know.

He had no desire to become king, and suspected even if Merrick attempted to force rule on him by naming him his heir, he could swiftly persuade the council of elders to choose another in his stead. Unlike him they would not be swayed by affection for or loyalty to the former monarch, and their own preference for a Selseus-born leader would compel them to select the most fair-minded of their kind. They might even choose a queen for the throne.

If Merrick fathomed that from his thoughts, he might also decide to remain as king.

As the hour grew late he decided to go to the trysting pool and retrieve the nearly-full jug of Sleepfast he had there. Even if Caroline changed her mind about drinking it, Jamaran disliked the taste of whiskey, and he wouldn’t mind keeping his own supply of spirits at her little cottage. Yet as he neared the cove he sensed Nyall approaching, and waded up to the embankment to meet him.

Stay back from me.

Jamaran stopped. He’d never seen his friend in such a state; the captain had singe marks on his tunic and trews, which were torn in several places. Bloody scratches covered his hands and wrists, and thin streaks of white light crackled in his dark eyes.

What’s happened?

Naught that I may undo. Nyall crouched down and stretched his hand over the water, and small arcs of light jumped from his palm to burst against the dappled surface. In anger I summoned lightning from the sky, and near killed Shaw.

The strange boon, which had plagued the captain since he’d been struck by lightning, had been slowly growing more dangerous over time. It also explained why his friend wanted him to keep his distance.

Put your hand in the waters. As Nyall glared at him Jamaran gestured to the sky. ’Tis how you may discharge the lightning that clings to you. If such knocks me out, then we’ll find another way.

I may end you.

Jamaran waded over closer and reached down, seizing his friend’s wrist and plunging it into the cove’s waters. That caused a larger burst of light, and as Nyall jerked free of his grip the power bounced off his own hand without harming or burning him.