Emberhawk - Jamie Foley Page 0,21

sigh. “Look, I’m not like that, and I’m not giving you a weapon, all right? You’re just going to have to trust me.”

“Yeah, ’cause you’ve given me so many reasons to trust you.”

“Oh, for the love . . .” Ryon shrugged his pack off, and the new shot of pain in his shoulder fueled his annoyance. He pulled the leather flap open, dug in a side pocket, and withdrew a cold metal bangle. It shimmered gold in the firelight as he held it out to Kira. “Here.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You have a rather feminine taste in jewelry.”

He wasn’t about to explain the role that pure-forged transparent gold played in royal Emberhawk politics. She probably thought it was some cheap quartz with a resin glaze.

“It was my father’s. Keep it as a sign of my promise, then give it back when we reach Jadenvive.”

Kira’s gaze went from the bangle to Ryon and back again. She reached out and took it as if it might bite her. “You could just overpower me and take it back.”

“I’ve got a bleedin’ hole in my shoulder! If I tried anything, you could just . . .” Ryon’s words twisted in an angry jumble. He held his palm out. “Fine, then. Give it back.”

“Never mind.” Kira slipped the bangle on her wrist. She shifted in her awkward sit on the ground and winced. Unless Ryon was mistaken, her ankle was already bigger than it had been just minutes ago. “About that brace . . .” she said with an impish smile.

Who cares how attractive she is? She’s insufferable. No wonder she’s still living under her parents’ roof. Ryon took a deep breath and tried to release his irritation with it. “I have some conditions of my own.” He snuffed the fire out of the burning end of his branch, then flipped it around to hold the charred end, which was abruptly as cool as the night. He ignited the fresh wood on the opposite end and held up two fingers. “No trying to kill me. And stop nagging.”

“Nagging?” Kira gave him an incredulous look that soured into disdain. “No promises.”

“Then no escort, balemba.”

Kira’s hands clenched into fists. “Fine.” Her stature seemed to melt from vehement enemy to uncertain ally. “Thank you for . . . trying to help me.”

Ryon rubbed his eyes. It’s gonna be a long trip.

11

VYLIA

The sea rages with howling storm

The watchful crow sounds his horn

Desperate breath, ocean’s death

Tonight a wavesinger is born

Vylia read and re-read the scroll’s script, inducing a headache as she pondered the squid ink. The ancient verse was her only clue as to what Uma had planned for her wavesinger trial. The priestesses couldn’t be more tight-lipped about what her test would entail.

She was especially happy about the “death” part. Stupid, cryptic, ridiculous riddle.

Vylia sighed and rolled the parchment, tying its golden thread without her usual care. She adjusted her tunic as she stood, wary of the ship’s rocking.

Her cabin door opened to a rosewood deck, towering masts, and dozens of ropes restraining full sails. A tranquil sea stretched beyond, and the evening sun splashed the sky with streaks of orange and pink.

Vylia closed her eyes and breathed in a salty gale, letting her hair ribbon tickle the back of her neck. “Sousuke,” she called.

Thumping of armored boots approached from the stairway to the upper deck on her left. “Your Highness?”

Vylia opened her eyes to glare at the green-eyed bodyguard. “How many times do I have to tell you to call me Vy?”

A whisper of a smirk lifted Sousuke’s lips. “At least once more, Your Highness.”

Vylia snorted and rolled her eyes. “Are we expecting a storm tonight?”

“No.” Sousuke’s dark blond hair shifted on the wind as he looked up to the crow’s nest. “Though I can search the horizon if you like.” He glanced back at her with a question hidden in his gaze.

Vylia pushed the first line of the wavesinger’s trial from her mind. “That’s all right.” Her hand slid to the smooth stone in her belt pocket. “Would you summon Uma for me?”

Sousuke dipped his head in a curt bow. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Vylia pursed her lips. “Vy!”

He flashed her a grin as he turned toward the door to the lower deck, his sword clanking against chainmail.

Vylia forced herself to look away. Perhaps him keeping his distance was for the best.

Wavesinger Uma appeared before Vylia could get any more comfortable. She approached with a kind smile and bowed, the floral pattern of her kimono gracing the deck. “Good