Page 43 of Dark as the Cursed Abyss

“You will take this.” From within her cloak, she withdrew a sealed letter, pressed with the royal sigil of Hespali. The wax gleamed darkly in the gray light. “My sister, Giselle, will understand what it means,” Avra said, extending it toward Chloe. “If the war reaches Nexos—if it becomes clear that Hades has set his sights beyond these waters—I will send everything I have.”

Chloe hesitated only a moment before taking it. The parchment felt heavier than it should. A promise. Or possibly a threat.

“I’ll make sure she receives it,” Chloe said quietly.

Avra’s lips curved faintly, though there was no humor in it. “See that you do.”

Silence settled again, heavier this time, until Acacius finally stepped forward. “I’ll go with them.”

Both Chloe and Farah turned toward him and Farah let out a snort.

Avra’s head tilted slightly. “Will you?”

“There’s too much at stake,” he replied, his tone calm but unyielding. “Plus, I’ve quite liked training beside Farah these past weeks. Besides, wouldn’t you like an extra set of eyes on the state of Nexos?”

Chloe watched him carefully. There was something else beneath his words—something unspoken, something tied to everything he had warned Farah about.

Avra studied her son for a long moment, then inclined her head once.

“Very well,” she said. “You will act as liaison between Hespali and Nexos.”

Acacius bowed slightly. “Perfect.”

The docks were chaos. Crewmembers shouted orders across the decks, ropes were hauled, sails adjusted, crates loaded with practiced urgency. The air buzzed with movement, tension, anticipation.

Kire stood at the base of the gangplank of the Parataxis, arms crossed as she watched them approach. Her dark hair whipped wildly in the wind, a grin already tugging at her lips.

“Took you long enough,” she called.

Chloe couldn’t help the small smile that pulled at her own mouth. “You brought half the eastern waters with you.”

Kire’s grin widened. “Only the ones worth having.” Her gaze flicked briefly to Acacius, assessing, calculating. “This one?” she asked.

“An ally,” Chloe said simply. “For now”

Kire hummed, unconvinced but willing to accept it.

Behind them, footsteps approached once more. Chloe turned as Marokos came to a stop before them, a glimmer of respect and dare she say relief flooding his eyes.

“You survived, remember that, Chloe” he said, putting his hands on either of her shoulders.

“Barely,” Chloe replied, with a light chuckle.

A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “That is the only way anyone ever does.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Markos took her further into an embrace. “You are ready,” he said quietly. “Whether you believe it or not.”

Chloe swallowed, nodding once. “Thank you,” she said.

He inclined his head, then stepped back, his gaze shifting briefly to Farah, then to Acacius. Avra and Halius remained further up the dock, watching from a distance—untouchable, unmoving, as if carved from the very stone of Hespali.

No grand farewell.

No ceremony like in Nexos to bless the Grechi for a safe journey.

Only the quiet understanding that whatever came next would change everything.

“Alright,” Kire called sharply, clapping her hands once. “If you’re all done with your sentimental goodbyes—get on the ship.”