Defend the Dawn (Defy the Night #2)(80)

But not all of it. I take a long breath, then tuck a loose tendril of hair behind my ear.

An unintelligible shout rings out near the rear of the ship, and it takes a moment for me to realize it’s Sablo, standing at the helm. When I step around Corrick to look, I see that he’s got a spyglass in his hands, and he’s calling for the captain. Rian joins him, taking the spyglass himself.

I see two ships in the distance, but they’re too far to see too much detail. At my side, Corrick has gone very still. I look at him, wondering if he’s seen.

As soon as I meet his eyes, despite everything between us, I can tell that he has, and something about the ships is important.

His gaze shifts to the captain again.

“Are we in danger?” I whisper.

“I don’t know,” he says. “Rocco spotted them, too.”

“Would Harristan have sent them?”

“If he did, he made no mention of it.” He pauses, and I can tell he’s truly considering this. “Even if my brother did decide to break his word, there’s absolutely no strategic advantage to keeping that knowledge from me.” He turns to look directly at the helm, then raises his voice to call, “Is there a problem, Captain?”

Rian slowly lowers the spyglass. He’s quiet for a moment, then calls back, “No problem. Sablo spotted some brigantines on the horizon.”

Corrick looks back at me. His voice is a little mocking as he says, “Do you think he’s telling the truth?”

“I do,” I say, but for the first time, I’m not sure.

“Maybe you could find out for sure,” Corrick says.

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“Well, I’m not the only one who enjoys spending time with you.” I bristle, but his voice isn’t arrogant anymore. It’s evenly assessing. “Not just Captain Blakemore either. It seems everyone is willing to share a bit of information with the apothecary. Even Lochlan.” He pauses. “It’s exactly what stopped the rebels in the woods. It’s what stopped the revolution. People like you. People trust you.”

I open my mouth again, but his eyes bore into mine. “Like it or not, the captain is hiding something on board,” he says. “And now we’ve got two ships in a place they’re not supposed to be.” He pauses. “It’s time to think about your own loyalties, Miss Cade. You said you’re not naive. Prove it.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Harristan

Hours pass. I spend some of them sleeping, and most of that is against my will. The first time I wake, I’m jolted by a barn cat that climbs into my lap. I inhale sharply and look around in a panic, but the barn is still dark, moonlight shining through the windows by the doors.

I shift my leg, and the movement is weak, pain throbbing through the muscle. When I lift a hand to my head, I discover that the blood has crusted to my ear and in my hair, but I can’t tell how bad the injury is.

I blink and remember Maxon, the kindness in his eyes. He was a complete stranger, but he gave me medicine just because I needed it. He tried to lead me away from the night patrol.

And then they killed him. They killed him before I could do anything about it.

I don’t know how Corrick did this for years. Only now do I realize how very much my brother risked. How much guilt he must have carried.

I wish my brother were here.

The thought slips into my brain so quickly that my chest tightens and warmth rushes to my eyes. But I didn’t cry over my parents, and I certainly won’t cry over this.

I can imagine Corrick here in the barn, rolling his eyes at me.

Lord, Harristan, next time just take me with you.

Yes, Cory. Next time.

I sleep again, waking when a rooster crows. Hens are clucking on the other side of the barn. The cat is sound asleep in my lap, a warm weight across my throbbing thigh. Morning sunlight is beaming through the window now.

Morning.

A swell of panic fills my belly. Violet has been gone for too long. Something must have happened.

Was she captured? Delayed? What if one of the guards threw her into the Hold? Am I to sit here waiting for discovery?

And I gave her my ring. I have no way to prove myself now. I’m injured and half soaked in blood. Even if Violet’s family found me and believed me—which is doubtful—I rather doubt the night patrol would.

They shot Maxon. They shot him, and he didn’t even do anything wrong.

You’d do the same, I’m sure.

The words seem to have two meanings now. I clench my eyes closed and try to breathe.

I press my hands into the ground and shift my weight, and the cat uncurls, annoyed, but I ignore the animal and try to get my legs underneath me. I can stand, but I feel lightheaded, dizzy. My trousers are tacky with blood, and I can see through the tear in my pants that the injury is still seeping.

I draw a ragged breath and swear.

Well, I can’t just stand here. I limp into a stall with a cow and attend to human needs. I’m not quite thirsty enough to share the animal’s water trough, but it’s close. Violet’s family has a draft horse, but when I limp to his stall, I discover that he’s old and sway-backed, and most likely broke for harness, not for riding.

I’m so dizzy that I’m not sure I could stay on top of a horse anyway.

I wish for clothes, but there are none in the barn. I could try to walk toward the Royal Sector, but I gave Violet all of my money, so I don’t even have coins to pay for a ride in a wagon.