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A team of powerful elements mages might have been able to keep the ship safe without the detailed instructions, but the underwater obstructions in this region created a series of narrow passages that became a maze without the correct map. Stumbling on the path to the island would require either great luck or endless perseverance.
“Do we really have to sail at dawn?” I asked, leaning back at the end of dessert with a groan. I had overindulged and was considering asking someone to roll me toward my tent.
“Sorry.” Ida’s excited smile suggested she didn’t really regret our early departure. “It’s a matter of tides.”
I held up my hand, forestalling any further spiels about our upcoming journey.
“Very well, very well, I believe you.” I groaned again. “I shouldn’t have eaten so much.”
Everyone was starting to rise and drift away from the table, still talking animatedly in pairs or small clumps as they started toward the tents. I also rose, wishing I could enter into everyone else’s excitement, and wishing I hadn’t eaten so much in an attempt to placate the strange, unsettled feeling at the pit of my stomach.
I was doing the right thing. I knew I was doing the right thing because Grey was the only chance we had of defeating the islanders. He was the only one who could stop them, and he could do it without bloodshed. So why wasn’t I more excited about setting sail?
I concluded it was because I was the only one not sailing toward a new and better life. Or possibly it was merely Phoenix’s absence. If the falcon hadn’t returned by the end of the night, I would be forced to go without him, a thought that set tears pricking behind my eyes.
I sighed as I pushed the tent flap open and prepared for sleep. Given the early start, I wanted everything ready so I could just roll out of bed and go. Ember got an especially stern speech about being back well before dawn—all while I wished she really could understand me as Amara always joked she could. If I was going to have to sail without Phoenix, I couldn’t bear to be without Ember as well.
Finally there was nothing to do but climb onto the pallet. I lay on my back, staring at the canvas overhead and thinking about the people I could still hear moving about the camp. The unsettled feeling still continued to niggle at me—hinting at some truth lurking just beyond my reach—but in spite of it, I fell asleep quickly and slept deeply, undisturbed by dreams.
* * *
When I woke, I woke abruptly, sitting up and blinking in the near darkness. It took me several heart-pounding seconds to remember where I was and what the day ahead held.
I calmed only slowly, and my heart rate picked up again when I realized Ember had not yet returned. From the way the black around me was starting to creep toward gray, it was nearly time for the camp to stir. She should have been back by now.
I slipped out of bed, glad I had everything prepared. I had known she couldn’t understand me, so I shouldn’t have expected anything else. All I had to do was find her before full dawn arrived. It shouldn’t be an impossible task given the limits of the crevasse that housed the camp.
Out of the tent, there was more gray than black, and my tension rose again. But I forced myself to breathe deeply and remain calm. I would find Ember, and everything would be all right.
I knew my anxiety over her absence was getting away from me, rolling into the queasy feeling from the night before and building to unnecessary heights. But even my power could do nothing to settle my stomach this time, the feeling clearly mental rather than physical.
My mind was convinced something was wrong, and it didn’t mean to let me forget it. Which meant I had to find a way to calm it and remind it that nothing disastrous was in the middle of happening after all.
“Ember,” I called softly, not wanting to wake anyone from any of the nearby tents. “Ember!”
There was no answer or sound of movement. I moved further into the dense greenery at the back of the crevasse since I didn’t think she would be likely to lurk near the ocean.
“Ember.” I called again as I got further in.
A rustle of movement among the leaves ahead made me freeze. I peered forward, the increased light allowing me a glimpse of orange fur.
“Ember!” I rushed forward, pushing between overhanging leaves.
Strong hands grabbed me. Before I could protest, I was pulled further into the branches, out of sight of not only the camp but also the path leading to the back of the crevasse.
ChapterTwenty-One
Istifled a squeal as I was wrenched through the leaves. I could see little against the blur of green rushing past my eyes, but something about the hands felt familiar, keeping me quiet.
When I came to a stop, my arms were being gripped in a rough hold, but the face looking at me held no animosity.
I sucked in a breath at the sight of Nik’s familiar features, so welcome in this strange place. Tears welled up and spilled over my lids.
He let go of one of my arms to run a thumb across my cheek, wiping away the moisture.
“Delphine,” he said in a rough voice that was half angry, half pained. “What’s wrong? Did he hurt you?”
I gurgled a laugh, shaking my head. “I’m just happy to see you.” I threw my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest, making him rock back.
