In the Wake of the Ruined (The Siren Mage, #2)(25)

“Anthemoessa.”

My hand curled once more into a fist.

“That’s where your new mother-in-law took Agatha,” he said, sounding bleak. “To feed to Eusia.”

“Agatha.” A shock of cold raced through my chest. “You said you couldn’t find her… She’s with the empress?” A woman who had done a host of despicable things in service of her saint. I looked down over the main deck, making certain we were still alone. “Eusia is on Anthemoessa? How do you know this?”

Lachlan’s mouth pursed awkwardly. “I have a source.” He rubbed at his jaw where I’d hit him. “I wouldn’t call it an overwhelmingly reliable source, but in this, I trust it.”

“Rerouting the ship is pointless if we can’t get onto the island.”

“You know me better than that, Theo,” he said. “Nothing I do is pointless.” He made for the forecastle ladder. “I thought you might have some misgivings, so I’ve taken Halla. Figured that would make the council angry enough for you to relent—if they find out. You’ll get her back once you’ve ordered the captain to reroute the ship.”

“Fuck.” I rubbed at my brow. “Brilliant. You’ve stolen and likely terrified the one person I need to keep placated—”

“Reroute the Godsdamned ship, Theo.”

“Do you think doing so will make my council think I’m more or less fit to rule?” I took a threatening step toward him. “The irony isn’t lost on me that you’ve chosen to commit treason for the woman you love. I’ll tell you again, and I’m sorry for it, but we cannot get onto Anthemoessa—”

“We have a way.”

I stilled at the way he held my stare, suspicion carving through me. “We?”

Lachlan erred toward passivity in many things, and while he could be tactical when necessary, this was the first I could recall him scheming for something that was just for him.

“Yes,” he said, gaze tinged with desperation. “We.”

A bolt of lightning shot through my body as I grasped his meaning.

Imogen.

I grabbed hold of the rail. It seemed impossible that she might be this close, when I’d never felt farther from her. “Imogen’s on the ship.” I sounded dazed. “Where? Where is she?” I started for the ladder that led to the main deck.

“Uh-uh.” Lachlan yanked me back by the shoulder. “I’m happy to use her existence to force you to reroute this ship, but… Imogen doesn’t want to see you, just yet.”

I froze. “She doesn’t want…” I replayed his words three times.

Lachlan’s face went stony with discomfort. “It’s likely for the best, Theo,” he said. “But I know this sort of misery. I know how it makes you sick. Help me get to Agatha. Please. And I’ll see what I can do.”

Without hesitation, I yelled out over the deck, to any sailor who could hear. “Wake Captain Doxa and send her to my stateroom.”

One of the crew ran down the far passageway, toward the captain’s cabin, and Lachlan’s entire body went slack with relief. “I’ll speak to the captain with you.”

I nodded, realizing only now that he wore two swords, one at each hip, and they clattered as he started down the ladder, but I remained on the forecastle. I needed a moment to rein in the overwhelming urge I felt to pummel him further, to use sword and threat to force him to take me to Imogen now. But both my power and my longing were futile in the face of Imogen’s request.

To not see me.

I knew why. Besides being the most stubborn and determined woman I’d ever met, Imogen thought herself monstrous. It was the lie Nemea had fed her since the day she was born. Alongside that, she believed me to be better than I was. She thought she was corroding the obscene shine of my crown, but in truth, all she had done was make me feel the true weight of it.

Being spurned was like a hot blade to the ribs, but I was buoyed by new hope regardless. I’d get us to Anthemoessa. For Lachan’s and Imogen’s sake. For the sake of the entire realm.

And then, whether Imogen liked it or not, she would learn one new truth: That I was just as stubborn and determined as she was.



There was no trace of Halla in my stateroom, save for her gown strewn across my still-made bed, and her white shift lying in a heap on my floor. One of the aft windows sat wide open to the night sky.

Lachlan paced just inside the door.

“Halla is with Imogen?” I asked, dubiously. “You think that’s wise?”

“Yes.” But he wouldn’t look at me. “Halla is very, very safe.” He opened the door and stuck out his head. “Where’s the bloody captain?”

He reared back when Captain Doxa materialized a moment later from the dark. She was bright eyed and fully uniformed, and came to stand at attention beside the polished center table with her hat tucked beneath her arm. “You called, Your Majesty?”

“I did—”

The closed door flew open once more and in strode Eftan, trailed by Markis, both of whom still wore their sleep clothes. Even my marshal, Aleka, arrived, looking as unruffled as usual. I glowered at the three of them. “I summoned only the captain.”

Eftan stepped forward, adjusting the blue silk robe that was tied neatly around his middle. His thin hair was ruffled, and deep grooves from his pillow were carved into one of his round cheeks. “Your Majesty, I heard the sailor’s call for the captain. As you know, if there is disruption, it is always best to have your council nearby. For support.”