It was hard to watch him leave, but she couldn’t think of anything to say that would make it better. Back in her cabin, she created a poultice for Sunny before turning to the one thing that would ease the ache inside her. Drawing her cloak against the rain, she went to the bow and sang a wind to life.
They rounded a shoulder of land and passed numerous islands. She caught her first sight of people. Even at this distance, she saw their want as they slogged through the wet sand.
A few more hours, and she recognized the bay around Tarten’s capitol, Carpel. There was nothing left of the city but the bones of a few buildings sticking out of the earth like an exposed graveyard. It made her heartsick.
23. Dark Witch
In the gray light of predawn, Senna studied the city of Zaen as the ship sailed into the bay. Memories rose within her, memories that made her pull her cloak close though it was already turning warm.
Joshen squinted at the abandoned city. “We should wait until we can scout it out.”
Time grew short, Senna felt it like an itch under her skin. Even though the Witches in Haven had turned their backs on her, she wouldn’t do the same to them. “We should go. Now.”
His arms crossed over his chest, Reden studied the landscape. “They’ll send ships after us. We might be better off getting in and out before they catch up.”
Captain Parknel puffed on his pipe. “And if they find us in this bay, they’ll block us in.”
Cord glanced at the sky. “I vote we scout it out.”
“You can’t hear what I hear, feel what I feel.” Senna closed her eyes and attuned herself to the Four Sisters. “It’s like my body is a harp, and the Four Sisters are plucking my strings. The song they’re playing is one of fear and desperation. Already, it might be too late to save Haven.”
“We can’t help them if we’re dead.” Joshen reached for her hand. She took it wordlessly.
Reden was silent a moment more before he said, “Captain, if you’ll send some sailors out to secure the landing. Mistin and Cord, you’ll start scouting immediately.”
Parknel’s teeth ground against his pipe. “All right, let’s bring her into port.” He started up to the wheel. “All hands man the riggin’! Muskets and cannons at the ready! Keep a sharp eye out, boys!”
Sailors scrambled to tie off the ropes as they docked. The horses were brought up and led down the gangplank. Senna heard the rush of hoofbeats on the wooden planking as Mistin and Cord led their horses into the city. The Witch and the Guardian were armed with as many weapons and shot as they could carry. Led by Reden, sailors spread out to check the area.
Her every muscle tense, Senna waited with Joshen. He cleared his throat. “I want you to know that I’m done fighting this.”
She studied his profile, the bulging muscles in his jaw. “This has been hard for me,” he went on. “So much harder and asking so much more than I was willing to give. But I understand now. In fighting for you, I was fighting against you. I’m pushing…” He broke off and cleared his throat. “I’m pushing you away. The very thing I’m afraid of is the thing I’m forcing you towards. I won’t do that anymore.”
Her voice thick, Senna whispered, “Thank you.”
He nodded once. His fingers brushed her collarbone as he picked up the ring she wore next to her pendant. “We’re not in Haven anymore. You could wear it.”
The warmth of his touch spread through her. “Yes, I can.”
A question in his eyes, he reached to undo the cord. Pulling her hair over her shoulder, she turned around. He slid the ring free and held it out to her. She slipped it on her finger.
He smiled that smile that sent her insides soaring—the smile where the skin around his eyes and above his brow wrinkled. The one she’d waited so long to see. Leaning forward, she rested in his embrace.
She realized home wasn’t a place. It was here, safe in his arms. As long as she had this, everything would be all right.
Far too soon, a sailor stood at the end of the pier and gave the signal for the all-clear.
Captain Parknel walked beside Senna down the gangplank. “You sure you don’t want the rest of us to come?”
She shook her head. “You don’t have horses. We’ll move faster without you.” She squinted up at him. “You’ll be all right waiting here?”
He tapped the side of his nose. “I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I haven’t made it this long as a captain for nothing.”
Feeling eyes on her, Senna turned to find the crew watching her. Parknel nodded a solemn goodbye as he turned back to his ship. A knot of anxiety hardened in her stomach. “We’ll be back before they know we’re here,” she called to him.