Kingdom of Sea and Stone (Crown of Coral and Pearl #2) - Mara Rutherford Page 0,39

We had lost enough time as it was, and while I couldn’t help Talin and his mother win this war, I could at least make sure my parents were alive. Traveling with a large party would attract notice, but alone, I might be able to slip away.

Roan’s expression hardened, something I hadn’t thought possible. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“You wanted to wait until we were in front of the council,” I said, my eyes meeting his.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize what was at stake. Sami didn’t say.”

“Sami doesn’t know.”

Roan swallowed but didn’t respond. It was the first time I’d seen him look uncomfortable, and part of me was glad I’d finally managed to unnerve him. I barely squeezed Titania with my knees, and she trotted ahead to where Talin rode with Osius and Grig.

“Everything all right, my lady?” Osius asked.

“Fine,” I lied. I forced my eyes on the road ahead, rather than glancing back at Roan. I wasn’t even annoyed with him; I was angry with myself for not keeping my focus where it mattered most. “I just hope we’re not too late.”

* * *

The council meetinghouse looked like a fortress, complete with a moat and drawbridge. This was where the leaders from every outpost convened, and the building was built to be the last stronghold of Galeth in the event of an invasion.

The council consisted of eleven people, six women and five men. They ranged in age from eighteen to sixty. Since riding ability was the main determining factor in being chosen as a councilmember, most members were on the younger side, but at twenty, Roan was still one of the youngest members.

The moment we entered the meeting room, Zadie let out a shriek and flew to Sami before I’d even spotted him.

“Samiel,” she gasped, falling into his arms. He caught her instantly, gripping her to him with such intensity I was afraid he might hurt her. But she was weeping tears of pure elation.

The rest of the councilmembers watched their reunion with no hint of sympathy or interest. Something told me these kinds of emotional displays weren’t common in Galeth.

Fortunately, Roan broke the awkward silence. “Councilmembers, I’ve brought our newest arrivals from Ilara.” He introduced us one by one. “Zadie is Samiel’s betrothed, as you can probably tell.”

A few members chuckled, but most remained impassive. Zadie and Sami turned to face the rest of the room, sheepishly straightening their hair and clothing.

I ignored the strangers and walked to Sami, pulling him into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re all right,” I said against his chest. He was dressed like a Galethian, but he was the same Sami I’d always known, with his perfect smile and messy brown hair. “We’ve missed you.”

“Thalos, I’m so happy to see you.” He nodded past my shoulder to Talin and the others. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again.”

“I know the feeling. Have they treated you well?” I asked quietly. Zadie was stuck to his side like a barnacle, her vow to never let him go already well under way.

“They’ve been incredibly generous, given the circumstances.” He took in Grig’s, Osius’s, and Talin’s hard expressions and lowered his voice. “Why do I get the impression your reception has been less friendly?”

“We’ll talk later,” I said. “We should probably sit down.”

There were only seats for the councilmembers at the table, but there was a row of chairs against one wall for the rest of us. We sat down like dutiful children awaiting punishment. I could tell Talin didn’t like being treated this way, but he wisely kept his mouth shut.

“Thank you, Roan, for bringing the Ilareans to us,” one of the women said. She had a shorn head, save a two-inch long strip of red hair down the middle. “I trust they didn’t give you too much trouble.”

“Not too much,” he said, then had the nerve to glance at me.

The woman gave a satisfied nod. “Good. And Ceren?”

“He turned away at the border, once we killed two of his guards. He sent another later that night, but we captured him quite easily.”

“What?” Talin and I exclaimed in unison.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Talin asked.

“Because we captured him,” Roan said.

“Alive?”

Roan turned to him, a disgusted look on his face. “I don’t consider it capture if the prisoner is dead. Do you?”

“I would like the opportunity to question him.” There was a deadly calm in Talin’s voice that even I didn’t recognize.

“Considering you’re a prisoner here yourself,” the woman said, “I hardly think that