She was determined to protect it, but was still repulsed by its effect upon her. And Leesil would’ve been in his bunk already, but he didn’t want to be near it either.
Chap latched forepaws on the rail beside Wynn, and the two watched the bustling docks of Bela.
News that Wynn would return to Malourné had brought mixed feelings for them all, especially Chap. At least for now, the little sage remained under his protection. But nothing was predictable, and nothing stayed the same.
Magiere had no idea where she, Leesil, and Chap would take the orb. All they could do was get out of Most Aged Father’s reach. So parting from Wynn was inevitable—but not just yet.
Leesil staggered over to join Wynn and Chap as the ship slid away from the dock.
A rush of memories filled Magiere’s head, from the day she and Leesil had first set foot in Miiska, first saw the Sea Lion . . . to the first time in Bela when she’d felt Leesil’s mouth on hers.
She remembered Chap crouched beneath a table in the sage’s barracks, growling as Wynn pushed Elvish letters at him, trying to show that he was far more than just a dog.
She remembered Wynn once angrily facing her down, insisting that they give all their food to a village of starving peasants.
She remembered Chap running along a burning rail to throw himself at Leesil amid the fire aboard the elven ship.
She remembered Sgäile’s body under a willow tree.
And Leesil’s face at their wedding when he said, “I swear.”
Magiere turned from the wind to join her companions—and her husband. As she ran her fingers through the back of Leesil’s hair, she didn’t know what the future held—only that she had to protect the orb and trust in those she loved.
The ship sailed out toward open sea.