in the crow’s nest with a spyglass pointed at the ocean. All were searching for him.
At the same time, his gemina bond prickled with pins and needles, as if Sora had been emotionally stung by a jellyfish. What had just happened?
Daemon’s limbs went heavy with dread.
But he couldn’t stay here for long. If he didn’t move, he’d either drown or be caught by the ryuu.
Either way, he’d be no good to Sora.
His mission was to get to the Society outpost at Tiger’s Belly to send a dragonfly and let the Citadel know what was happening. But after that, he had another mission—he would come back to save Sora, no matter what it cost.
Daemon took one last look at Prince Gin’s ship. Then he took a breath, dove deep, and swam.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Sora knelt on the main deck. Hana stood behind her, flanked by a half dozen ryuu. There was no need for the mist snake anymore, for she was more than adequately guarded.
Prince Gin approached. The ryuu bowed.
Sora cringed. But it wasn’t just his immense presence. It was every little detail—the way he walked with his arms folded behind his back, as if he had nothing to fear and therefore didn’t need his hands at the ready. His smile, surprisingly warm and disarming, despite the fact that it tugged awkwardly at the scarred ridges on his face. And the adoration radiating off his warriors, which wasn’t servile but, rather, seemed of mutual respect.
Before the prince reached Sora, another ryuu ran up to him. “We found no evidence of any other stowaways on board, Your Highness.”
For a moment, Sora forgot the fear of being in the Dragon Prince’s presence, and she heaved a sigh of relief. She’d been pretty sure Daemon was safe—she felt his adrenaline through their gemina bond, and it was a determined kind of drive, not a panicked one—but hearing the ryuu verify he’d escaped was even better confirmation.
Prince Gin nodded at the warrior to acknowledge the report. Then he strode to the center of the deck and scowled at Sora. “I hear you were attempting to poison me and my warriors. Do you know who I am?”
Sora swallowed and nodded, keenly aware again that she kneeled before the man at the helm of the Blood Rift slaughter.
“Then you understand that an assassination attempt against me is an act of treason. I could have you beheaded right here on this deck.”
She took a deep breath and tried to steady herself. Pushing aside her feelings—her fear—might help. Glass Lady would tell her to focus on logic.
What Prince Gin says isn’t true, she reasoned. Trying to kill someone who is a known traitor probably isn’t treason. Sure, he was born into the Ora family, but after he tried to murder his own sister, was he still considered part of the imperial line?
But Sora kept her smart remark to herself, because she did know one thing for sure—the Dragon Prince could take off her head right now if he chose.
“Where’s your gemina?” Prince Gin asked. “Surely you didn’t board my ship alone?”
“I did,” Sora lied. “I took extended leave after the Autumn Festival. My gemina is at the Citadel with the rest of the apprentices.”
Behind her, Hana cleared her throat. “I don’t believe that. You and Wolf were always inseparable.”
Sora winced. Was that another reference to the fact that she’d ditched Hana the night of the Blood Rift because Daemon and their other friends were going to ride on the dirigible? I’m sorry I left you behind, Sora thought. But I promise I’ll make this right. Somehow. I just need time to figure it out.
“Hmm,” Prince Gin said. “Lying to me, in addition to trying to poison me. The charges of treason are racking up. You know, I haven’t killed anyone in a long time. I returned to Kichona with a plan to spare as many of our taigas’ and citizens’ lives as possible, since they will constitute my army. But one life won’t matter in the long run. Besides, the legend says Zomuri requires blood.”
Sora tried to muster some bravery, but all she could feel was how fragile her neck was. She was used to believing she was strong—so much muscle from years of training—but in reality, it was just flesh and bone that could be sliced through with a blade or snapped with whatever ryuu magic struck the prince’s fancy.
“Your Highness, wait!” Hana stepped forward.
Sora frowned. What was she up to? She had seemed ready to cast Sora into the