A day later, surrounded by the calm seas of the Nahanaun archipelago, we all stood on the deck of the Hákyrling, saying our good-byes. Ursula looked her usual self, tanned and full of vigor. For his part, Harlan carried a wan and haunted expression that I suspected might take some time to shed. However, Kral thumped him on the shoulder, cracking some Dasnarian joke that had Harlan’s face lightening. Ursula gave Kral a slight nod and he grinned back at her. Would wonders never cease.
“Your Majesty.” I held out the Star. “I’d like to return this to you.”
To my astonishment, she held up a hand, refusing it. “Keep it. That’s a command from your High Queen.”
I gaped at her, the jewel burning in my hand. “But it’s not mine. I have no magic, and Salena gave it to you.”
“And I nearly lost it at the cost of my life.” She shrugged. “Think of this as bodyguard duty.”
“What in Danu am I supposed to do with the cursed thing?” I asked, wracking my brain for an argument sufficient to make her take it back. I’d gotten sleep, but not nearly enough.
“I’m asking you, Kral, and the crew of the Hákyrling to do what you can to help people back and forth across the barrier. I’d like to send Akamai with you and Dafne will coordinate your efforts from Nahanau. I understand you have some questions for her anyway.” Her thin lips quirked in wry amusement. “I believe she has access to a wealth of information. Any that you need.”
We exchanged long looks, Kral and I. Maybe we could do something about establishing a communication channel with Inga after all. I didn’t like not knowing whether Deyrr might still come after us. “You up for it?” I asked him. Maybe I could embed the Star in the hilt of my mother’s blade. The thing was not easy to carry about.
“With you by my side? Absolutely.” A flash of the shark, while his hand cupped the back of my head in a brush of affection.
“All right then, Captain. I suppose I’m still a scout, and a spy,” I added for Kral, batting my lashes at him. “Just with a wider range.”
Ursula gave me the Hawks’ salute. “You are, and always have been, my best scout.”
They left, crossing back over the grappling bridges and sending Akamai to us, then waiting as our crew pulled the bridges up. We watched as the Tala ship turned back toward Annfwn, Kral and I leaning on the rail.
“I’m surprised Karyn elected to stay with us,” Kral commented, profile sharp against the glittering blue sea. “And the Nahaunan boy.”
“I’m going to teach them how to use the knives. And Karyn is interested to help find Jenna. Apparently Helva and Inga spoke to her about it at length in the seraglio.”
He shook his head in consternation. “Always working the angles, those two.”
I snugged myself between him and the rail, shimmying against him and watching his eyes warm with interest. “Runs in the family,” I said. “Want to work my angles?”
His hands tightened on me. “When I’m done with you, hystrix, you’ll be all soft belly and no angles at all.”
Sweet talker.
The Edge of the Blade Page 35
