be for everyone—the guild, Ozias, Calem, even Kost—her happiness and her life ranked higher than my selfish need.
The weight of the curse had never felt more unbearable. Love, true friendship, trust, understanding—everything I wanted in an ally, and all the things I could never obtain.
Leena studied me, eyebrows furrowing with concern. “Are you okay?” She dropped one hand from the railing, fingers twitching against the deck just inches from my leg.
“I still want the Gyss.” My life at Cruor was satisfying enough. I’d worked hard to form the ranks, to build tenuous relationships. I was able to keep them safe from me. Close in proximity, if in no other way. It was a precarious balance, but I’d keep walking the line to hold on to what I had.
Another wave smashed against the boat, and a fine spray of mist drifted above us. Her frown sharpened. “Noc, we’ve been over this.” Queens Isle loomed before us, and the ferry dropped its speed as we neared shallow waters. Leena stood slowly, shaking her head and avoiding my eyes. “Speaking from experience, nothing is worth the risk. Plus, it doesn’t meet the terms of our agreement.”
But there was a possibility. A life without shackles. “Those can be modified.”
Behind us, clanking chains crashed against the ocean water as the ferry sank an anchor. The ship jolted, and she took another step away. Hands forming fists, she rolled her lower lip into her mouth. “I’m sorry, Noc.”
Her voice was so small that the groans of docking threatened to swallow it whole. But I caught the concern. Leena looked at me without really seeing me—stared at my chest and walked away before I could question her further.
“You ready for this?” Calem slapped me across the back, rocking me in place. The rest of the group had already boarded a small barnacle-encrusted wooden boat with oars off the left side of the ferry.
Corinne waved at us to join them. “I made lunches for everyone.” She handed us small boxes neatly wrapped in plaid cloth. When she gave Ozias his, her fingers lingered a moment too long.
“Thanks.” I jumped into the boat behind Calem and landed between Ozias and Kost, Felicks nestled safely beside him.
A genuine smile graced Leena’s lips, and she reached back to scratch Felicks behind his ears. “It’s admirable how quickly you’ve established a bond with him, Kost.”
Kost nodded. “I summon him every night to see how long he can stay in our realm. We’re progressing nicely.”
“Soon you’ll be able to stay out for days at a time,” Leena cooed to the beast. Felicks let out a contented huff, and Leena dropped her hand. “It helps that your master is strong.”
The faintest blush scorched the tops of Kost’s ears, and he cleared his throat. Without looking Leena’s way, he gripped the oar at his side. “Let’s go.”
Heavy waves made paddling to the beach hard work. We each manned an oar while Leena sat to one side, fingers drawing patterns in the crystal-clear water. Everything about her called to me. The bow-like shape of her lips and the pealing laugh that sometimes spilled from them. The curiosity and drive in her gaze—especially when she looked my way. She had to be drawn to me, too. It would have been better if she weren’t, but we seemed to be on a dangerous path neither of us could avoid.
The bottom of the boat scraped against the sand, and we jumped into warm, ankle-deep water. Ozias hauled the vessel several feet up the beach, securing it beyond the reach of high tide. White sand greeted us, and we trudged toward the forest line of the jungle.
“Corinne and her father will be back tomorrow to grab us. Is that enough time, Leena?” Ozias dropped two duffel bags on the ground. The rest we’d left at the Roasted Boar.
Leena stared up at the midmorning sun. “Hopefully.” Palm trees lined the edge of the jungle, and countless caws of eager birds filled the air. She turned toward the chirps, tilting her head as if listening for something none of us could comprehend. The jungle crowded the base of a conical volcano, and rugged peaks of black and brown shot through the rubber leaves.
“What beast do you have in mind?” Kost set Felicks on the ground. His beast cocked his head to the side just as clouds brewed in his orb.
She shrugged, but something foreign passed through her gaze. “I’m not sure.”
Lie. I could read it plain as day. “Oh, really now?”