In the Wake of the Ruined (The Siren Mage, #2)(22)

“I don’t…” My heart punched at the suspicion in his eyes. “I couldn’t bear… I just don’t want to risk it.”

“Tell me, Imogen.”

“Gods. Fine.” The ship tipped over a swell, and I knotted my hands in my lap. “My lure is… corrupted. There was something about the blood bond that Theodore and I shared that kept my tie with Eusia at bay. Now that it’s severed, Eusia is able to access my lure.”

For a long time, Lachlan was quiet, teeth chewing the inside of his lip. “Access it. Use it, you mean?”

I nodded. “A blood bond lets the bonded share their power—I was able to use Theodore’s. He never tried to use mine. But somehow, I’d guess with the spell she used to forge our bond, Eusia can overtake mine. I used it in that battle against the Serafis and she was able to pull entire crews into the sea. She made them speak her spell. She made sacrifices of them.”

Lachlan’s face slackened. “Oh good,” he said, looking pallid and angry. “That’s good. Bloody—”

“If I’d told you sooner, would you have helped me escape the palace? Would you have helped me get on this ship?”

“Yes. For Agatha, I would have.” He blew out a fast breath, then propped his fists on his hips. “And a little bit for you.”

“I…” It felt like a stone lodged in my throat. “Thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I give you my word that I will do everything in my power to get you to her. If my word means anything to you anymore.” I blinked back tears. Getting to Agatha was the only thing propelling me now. “I will stay away from Theodore and keep a hold on myself as best I can, but please, promise me you won’t hesitate if it’s the only way to keep him safe.”

He rubbed his temple. “You damn well better keep a hold on yourself because if I have to kill you, then we have no hope of getting to Anthemoessa.”

I shook my head. “If I die, so does Eusia. So will Anthemoessa’s blight, I expect. Killing me would solve a great many problems.”

Lachlan went uncharacteristically somber at that, but he gave a quiet, understanding nod. He glanced up, where the sound of music and shuffling steps on the main deck bled through the cracks in the wood. “Ready to go snag a bride?”

My chest constricted, but I managed a nod. “Ready.”



We reached the ladder to the upper deck and stopped. It was quiet above—the music had stopped, and only some of the crowd still lingered.

Lachlan stood on the ladder’s first step, peering over the edge of the deck. A moment later, he ducked down toward me. The lantern light from above shone gold over the brim of his tricorn, setting his face into shadow.

“What are you waiting for?” I whispered.

“Let’s set some rules.”

“What?”

He held up a finger. “If you feel your hold on your power starting to slip…” He paused like he was searching for a sufficient solution to the problem. “Tap my elbow twice.”

I looked skyward, exasperated. “Lachlan, move.” It caused a deep ache in my middle to do it, but I gripped his arm and pulled him from the ladder, so I could take his place. I raised my head over the lip of the hatch.

Through the dissipating group, I thought I caught a glimpse of a cloud-white gown trailing over the threshold of Theodore’s stateroom. Bodies shifted, blocking my view as the door closed with the force of a punch to my gut.

Slowly, stunned, I ducked back belowdecks. I felt so hollow, so hapless and pained, that I couldn’t bring myself to speak. Lachlan gave me a questioning look of concern.

Gold light fell over his face as he stared up at me. There was a troubled bend to his brow, a harried but sympathetic look in his eye. “Let’s keep our sights on Agatha,” he finally said. “No one else.”

I nodded. “No one else.” Get Halla, find Agatha, keep Theodore safe. That had been my plan all along. And so it would remain.

Lachlan straightened his coat. “All right.” He pointed to the stolen pin on his chest again. “I’m the officer. I’ll order you toward the passageway on the starboard side of Theo’s stateroom. It leads toward the aft part of the ship. Some of my men will be guarding the stateroom door, as usual. Once you’re in place, I’ll come back belowdecks and change into my armor. Then I’ll relieve the guards of their duty.”

“What if your men recognize your voice while you’re giving me orders? Don’t they think you’re still at the palace?”

He waved a hand in the air as if to swat away my inane questions. “I’ll deal with all that. Just worry about getting Halla. Keep her quiet and alive. You’ll enter the stateroom through the aft windows. You’ll leave with her through the cabin door.” He handed me the key. “You’ll bring her—under a cloak—to our cabin.”

Anxiety eddied through my aching stomach. I gave a quick nod just as a group of middle-watch sailors approached and made their way up the ladder. At their inquisitive looks, we quickly followed.

Once above deck, I sucked in a chest full of cool air. The stars were a glittering riot in the clear black sky. The wedding crowd had cleared quickly, heading down passageways and belowdecks to sleep. The musicians tucked their instruments into cases, the crew began to douse the overhead lanterns, and servants started clearing away the flowering vines woven around the altar and masts.