Page 188 of Sword & Sacrifice

Emmaline wanted to argue with them, but her drooping eyes and aching muscles agreed with their assessment. “All right,” she said, sagging in their arms. The moment she stopped fighting, Echo bent down to scoop her up. She grumbled in displeasure even as her head sagged against their shoulder.

The next thing she knew, she was waking up in bed. She stared dazedly at the ceiling, her mind a muddled mess, unsure why she was already awake.

Then someone knocked and called her name, and she realized it wasn’t the first time.

She shuffled out of bed and opened the door, peeking through the gap to find Griselda standing there. “Good, you’re awake,” the general grunted.

“Is everything all right?” Emmaline asked, chest tight from nerves. “Is it my father? Did he return?” Are we under attack again?

Griselda snorted. “That spineless bastard? He’s long gone, and good riddance. No, I’m here to fetch you because we’re going home.”

“Home?” Emmaline repeated, staring blankly at Griselda.

“Your pirate friends are taking a shipment of provisions to Arnsveld. The captain says we need to leave now if we don’t want to run into a winter storm on our way up the mountain. I think she’s just trying to avoid being wrangled into cleaning up,” Griselda said with a sneer, “but she has a point.”

“Is that why you’re leaving?” another voice asked from behind her. “Because you’re also trying to avoid clean up?”

Emmaline opened the door to see Silas standing in the hallway.

Griselda sniffed. “Now that Varro’s dead, I need to report to Archer. Your soldiers have proved themselves at least mildly competent. Between Darian and Emera, they’ll manage the winter. Besides, someone has to make sure the captain actually delivers the goods rather than running off to sell them for double earnings.”

“Captain Moira wouldn’t do that,” Emmaline insisted.

“She’s a pirate, she’ll do whatever’s best for her,” Griselda growled. “Now, are you coming with me or not?”

Emmaline’s mouth formed a small ‘o.’ She hadn’t realized it was an offer. She turned to look at Silas, who smiled gently at her.

“Your mother’s worried about you,” he said softly. “You should return home, show her you’re safe.”

“But …” That would leave you all alone. No, that wasn’t fair. Silas would have his father and his younger brother to keep him company. Even if he didn’t know them well now, he wouldn’t be alone. Running a kingdom would keep him so busy, he probably wouldn’t have time to be lonely.

So why does it feel like we’re abandoning him?

Silas stepped forward with open arms. Emmaline immediately accepted the invitation, wrapping him in a tight hug. “I wish you could come with us,” she whispered in his ear.

“I wish I could, too,” he murmured.

“We could always kidnap you again,” Griselda offered, “if that would help.”

Silas chuckled as he pulled away from Emmaline. “That would strain our brand-new alliance, don’t you think?”

Griselda snorted and said, “By the time they notice, we’ll already have the food and you. What are they going to do? Attack the mountain in the middle of winter?” Her lip curled in a sneer. “I’d like to see them try.”

Though she knew the general was joking, Emmaline’s heart ached at the idea of another fight.

Silas waved away Griselda’s comments. “If I could, believe me, I would join you in a heartbeat.” He smiled softly at Emmaline and promised, “We’ll see each other again someday.”

She nodded and wiped at her eyes, getting rid of the few tears that had clustered there.

“She probably knows already, but tell Adelaide our deal is done.”

Emmaline could only guess what he meant by that. “I will.”

Silas watched her for a moment, then pulled her into a second hug. “Stay safe,” he whispered before releasing her again.

“Em!” Echo waved exaggeratedly as they leaned over the railing. A brilliant smile lit their face as they spotted the bag thrown over her shoulder. “You’re coming with us?”

“I am,” she replied, beaming back at them, pleased at their exuberance. Although they’d started at such odds, Emmaline was happy to have a little more time with her new friend before they officially parted.