Kingdom of Sea and Stone (Crown of Coral and Pearl #2) - Mara Rutherford Page 0,42

you’ll be given the same living quarters as the rest of my riders. No special treatment, just a bed in a barracks and two hot meals a day.”

Osius and Grig nodded. They were used to that kind of living, but they wouldn’t speak until their leader did.

“What about the others?” Talin asked.

“I’m getting there.” Roan took another swig of ale, taking obvious pleasure in dragging this out. “Samiel can sort things out with Hoff, since they made an arrangement when he came.”

I glanced questioningly at Sami. “Who’s Hoff?”

“When I first reached land after I was banished, I met a Galethian at the port market,” Sami explained. “He saw me hiding in an alley, clearly suffering, and bought me a meal. It was a risk, trusting him, but I was desperate. After he heard my story, he offered to bring me to Galeth, knowing I couldn’t stay in Ilara. He found me a job with Hoff, the eldest member of the council.”

There was a sadness in Sami’s brown eyes I didn’t recognize. He turned to Zadie, gripping her hands tightly in his. “I’m so sorry. I hated leaving the port, knowing you would worry about me. That was why I left the message with the kite seller. I planned to come back to you, just as soon as it was safe.”

“I know,” she said softly. “I’m just glad you’re all right.”

“I am.” Sami looked healthier than he had in years, probably because he was finally getting enough to eat, but I knew that he had to have suffered greatly from being kidnapped and banished, both physically and mentally. “Zadie can stay with me,” Sami said to Roan.

Roan nodded and turned to me. “You’re a good rider, Nor, and Titania makes up for what you lack. You’re welcome to join us at Fort Crag, or you can stay with your sister if you prefer.”

What I wanted was for us all to stay together so we could decide what our next move would be. If Talin really believed he could convince the Galethians to help, then he needed to do it quickly. And Zadie, Sami, and I had to figure out the best way to help our parents. What we needed was someone who could tell us what Ceren was planning, and if there were any chinks in his armor.

“I’d like to speak to the captured guard,” I said suddenly.

Roan’s eyebrows rose above his cup. “Oh?”

“Tomorrow morning, if possible. I will decide where to stay after.”

I expected Roan to argue, but instead he shrugged and drained his ale. “I’ll see what I can do. Get some sleep. You look like you need it.”

I scowled at his retreating back and rose, waiting for Zadie to follow. She glanced at Sami, then at me. I realized with a blush that she wanted to go with him tonight. “I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

I went up to my room and changed quickly. A soft knock sounded on the door just as I was about to blow out my candle for bed. I was tempted to ignore it, but I padded to the door in my shift and cracked it open. A pair of sea glass eyes waited for me in the dim hallway.

“I’m sorry,” Talin said as I closed the door behind him.

“I wasn’t trying to undermine you, you know. I was just afraid you’d ask for the Galethians’ help and they’d refuse you, and we would be out of options before we’d even started.”

“You were right. That’s exactly what would have happened, Nor.” He took my hand and led me to the bed. “I’m used to being the one in charge, whether I want to be or not. But I’m smart enough to recognize when I’m wrong.”

I cupped his cheek in my hand, running my thumb over the smooth bronze skin. “I wish this wasn’t so complicated.”

“I know.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “As much as I don’t want to be apart from you, I completely understand if you want to stay with Zadie.”

“Sami and Zadie need time alone together,” I said. “At least as much as they can get before we’re on the road again.”

“I’ll support whatever you decide.” He leaned forward and brushed his mouth, warm and tasting of ale, against mine. I hummed in pleasure and drew him closer.

“Maybe you should come to Fort Crag after all?” Talin teased, his lips as soft as feathers on my neck.

I bit my lip as his mouth moved to my shoulder, nuzzling my