A Soul for Vengeance

Chapter 26



Arden stood between Dev and the captain of their ship, her hands holding onto the wheel with a white-knuckled grip. The Gravarian sailors claimed to know nothing about steering their way into Illyrus, so she’d foolishly volunteered to guide them into the harbor. Of course, that meant asking Loku for help. “I’m not seeing their mermaid’s chest.”

“I can,” Loku answered. “She’s so much more well-endowed than you.”

“This is not a time for jokes, Loku.” Her sweat-damp palms threatened to slip off the wheel. “If I don’t navigate this ship safely through the straits, the whole armada is in danger.”

“Very well, I’ll show you.”

A thin veil descended over her vision, bathing her surroundings in a greenish light. There, as clear as day in front of her, was a pile of rocks that resembled a mermaid bathing in the sun. A pair of invisible hands wrapped around her own and guided her through the straits.

“There,” he said, his voice reverberating through her body, “that wasn’t so hard. If you ever need my help again, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Her vision returned to normal. She shook off the last traces of the chaos god’s touch and found Dev frowning at her. “What now?”

He stepped down onto the main deck without answering her and leaned on the railing.

Arden handed the wheel back to the captain and followed him. “Why are you so against me asking Loku for help now and then?”

“Remember—he never gives you something without taking something in return.”

“All he did was show me the landmark,” she lied. “Nothing more.”

“I’m not stupid, Arden. I’ve been protecting Soulbearers for a century now, and I know the signs of when he’s taking control of your body.” He kept his words in that low and even way that always set her on edge. “Varrik’s taught you how to contain him, but it will only work if you maintain enough control of yourself to cast the spell.”

“Any advice on how to do that?” The few times Loku had seized control of her without her permission, she felt like she’d been drowning.

“Find something that grounds you, that makes you remember who you are.” He brushed a stray lock of hair out of her face, his green eyes clouded with worry. “I don’t want you to end up like the others.”

“I won’t,” she promised and stepped into his embrace. She’d waited too long for a chance at happiness with him, and now that she had it, she intended to make the most of it. She refused to fall into the trap of insanity that Loku offered.

“Ah, you two are so sweet together, I might vomit.”

Arden flinched at the sound of Loku’s voice. Normally, he remained silent when she was alone with Dev. “I thought you wanted me to be with Dev.”

“I wanted you to tease him and drive him crazy. Chaos, remember? Now look at him. He actually looks happy. I might actually keel over and die if he gives you one more smile.”

Arden grinned. Dev’s smiles were few and far between, bordering on the subtle side. But she’d noticed other small changes in him since he’d finally revealed his feelings to her. He seemed less distant, less cynical. Gone was the frustrating tension between them that usually ended in a fight. Now, it usually ended with them tangled in the sheets and completely sated.

“You’re a god, Loku. You can’t die.”

“No, but I can wish I was dead. Where’s a Flower of Lireal when you need one?” he asked, referring to the rare flower used to create a serum that could destroy souls. “Do you have any idea of the faces you two make when you’re together?”

Unease crawled up her spine. It didn’t matter that Loku had been silent while she and Dev had been as intimate as two people could be. She always had a voyeur. “Then perhaps you shouldn’t pay attention.”

“I wish I could, but since I don’t have a body of my own, I have to live vicariously through you.”

Dev looked down at her. “What’s he saying?”

“He’s ranting about how unfair his life is.” She shrugged, pushing his voice deeper into the back of her mind as the coast of Ranello came into view. “I have more important things to worry about.”

“I agree. And if we can get through this without Loku, all the better.” He pointed to her mirror pendant, his expression becoming unreadable. The rarest hint of jealousy colored his words as he said, “Perhaps you should let Kell know we’ve arrived.”

“I will, but first I want to do this.” She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him closer until their lips met.

Dev tensed at first, but slowly gave into her, deepening the kiss until he pulled away with that contented half smile she’d come to love. “Any reason why you felt the need to kiss me in front of everyone?”

“You looked worried, and I wanted to reassure you.” She pressed her forehead against his and added softly, “My heart is yours, Dev, now and always.”

“The same,” he replied in a dry, no-nonsense tone, but the passion in his eyes told her much more than his words ever could. “I’ll go speak to the captain about getting everyone to shore.”

She pulled out her pendant and contacted Kell. His smile widened when he saw her, but it didn’t erase the new lines furrowed into his brow or the dark circles under his eyes. The stress of leading the rebellion was wearing on him. “Arden, so good to see you again.”

“And you, too, Kell. I wanted to let you know we’ve arrived at Illyrus.”

“You’re a day earlier than we expected.”

“We had strong winds and not a sign of a storm. Please thank Zara for recommending this route.”

“I will.” His smile faded, and the pain in his eyes tugged at her heart. The only other time she’d seen something like that with Kell was when she refused his proposal, and her heart ached for him.

When she finally had a chance to talk to him in person, she’d have to inquire more about Zara. For now, she was willing to change the subject. “It might take us a couple of days to unload the ships and prepare everything for travel. But once we’re ready, where do you want us to go?”

“Go straight to Trivinus. We’ll meet you along the way.” He lowered the mirror a few inches as though this was the end of the conversation, only to pause and add, “It’s good to have you back in Ranello, Arden.”

Hopefully, the others felt that way too. She remembered all too well how many of the kingdom’s noblemen were willing to sacrifice her to Sulaino. “Thank you, Kell.”

The image in the mirror then morphed into her own reflection.

She tucked the mirror into her bodice and watched the commotion on deck. A sense of anticipation pounded through her veins and fluttered in her stomach as the sailors dropped the anchor in the bay. She was home, but would it even resemble the Ranello she left behind?