The Cerulean (The Cerulean Duology #1) - Amy Ewing Page 0,142

to help Sera get back to her home if I can, and we think the ruins are connected to her city somehow.”

Eneas kept his eyes on the road, and she could tell he was debating what to say next.

“And he is part of this?” he asked, glancing at Leo. “He is going against that man?”

“I am,” Leo said, jutting out his chin.

Eneas studied him in the mirror; then his face broke into a beaming smile. “Well,” he said, “perhaps you’ve got more of your mother in you after all.”

At last they reached the Seaport, and Eneas pulled up to the docks.

“What about you?” Agnes asked. “What if he finds out you helped us? Won’t you be in trouble?”

He turned and set his warm brown eyes on her. “My dear, I made your mother a promise. I would watch over her children and make sure they were cared for, that they were loved. No matter what, she said. I have not always been able to honor that promise. But my oath is to you, not to him. I will not be staying in this hateful city. Do not worry about me.” He looked from Leo to Agnes, and when he spoke again, his voice was strained. “She would have been very proud of you both,” he said. “Very proud.” He cleared his throat. “Now off you go. Good luck. If you stop at Arbaz, drop my name at the market there. My sister can give you help if you need it. Her name is Phebe Ofairn.”

“Thank you,” Agnes said. “Feados na thaeias dul leatsou.”

He smiled. “May the goddesses go with you, too.”

Leo opened the door, and they were about to get out when Eneas said, “One more thing.” He hesitated. “Be careful around your grandmother. I know you are eager to meet her, Agnes, but . . . try to see things as they are, not how you wish them to be. Now go!”

They hurried out and shut the door. Eneas threw the car into drive and they watched the taillights vanish. The Seaport was not quite as busy as it was during the day, but there were far more people than normal for this time of night. Music and laughter could be heard from a nearby tavern. A drunk man stumbled past them, whistling. Agnes was suddenly very aware of her expensive gown and the money in her clutch. She tucked it under her arm and turned to Leo, who was staring up at the stars.

“Look,” he said, pointing. “Aetheus’s Harem.”

She smiled weakly. “The Knottle Plains feels like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?”

He nodded, still gazing at the constellation, and Agnes got the sense he was thinking of something else, something private.

“She’s coming, right?” he said. “She’ll make it out. She’ll get here.”

“Yes,” Agnes said, touching his arm and wondering if there was more to her brother’s devotion to this trip than a sudden burst of conscience. “She’s coming. Let’s get to the ship.”

41

Sera

SERA WAITED ON THE SWING AS THE PLAY CONTINUED beneath her.

She could still feel Leela’s moonstone in her hand, as if it’d left an imprint on her skin. It had always been warm, but this time when she touched it, it was hot, like the High Priestess’s hands. True to his word, Francis had helped her onto the swing and closed the iron bracelets but not locked them, so once she had been hoisted above the stage, it had been a simple matter of wriggling her wrists until she was able to slip free.

Free. She clutched the chains tight—not because she was fearful of falling, but as a way to channel her nerves. Freedom was so close, but there was still much to be done. Her magic was like fire inside her, popping and crackling, as if it knew how crucial this moment was, that a time was approaching when she would be on her way to the tether.

She peered beneath her as James and the man named Grayson pretended to fight with swords. She wondered what her life would be like in the City, if she were able to make it back, knowing now how she felt about males. She supposed it was better than thinking she was incapable of love. She would simply resign herself to a life without that sort of desire, those sorts of wants. But she would have her mothers back, and Leela, too. That would have to be enough.

For some reason, Leo’s face popped into her head. The way he had