Chapter 1

1

E ira didn’t have to kill them. She wanted to .

Rain battered her face as her ship was propelled forward on currents of her own making. Magic swirled with the ocean tides. The canvas of the sails had been struck before the storm had come in, long before Crow had spotted the Carsovian vessel between flashes of lightning.

The vessel they had stolen to escape enemy shores after infiltrating and destroying the mines on Carsovia had been a trader’s ship. It had a good hull designed for long hauls, but the structure was originally intended for cargo and not weaponry. It had taken some outfitting with Alyss working her magic on the wood, and Adela’s generosity, to get the cannons into place that Yonlin was now preparing.

“Captain, we have four shots,” Fen reported.

“We’ll do this with one.” Eira kept her focus on the ship that was running from them. It had picked up their pursuit minutes ago and made a hard turn. No doubt seeking out refuge somewhere in the cliffs that fringed the distant coast. If she tore her eyes away, she’d risk losing them. “Tell Yonlin I want him on starboard. The rest, prepare for boarding.”

“Very good.” Fen bowed his head and left. Neither he nor Crow had objected to joining Eira on her ship when Adela had ordered them to, defying Eira’s expectations. Fen and Crow were both deeply loyal to the pirate queen and Eira would’ve expected them to fight to stay on the Stormfrost at all costs. But whatever Adela said behind the scenes must have been convincing, because they had boarded Eira’s vessel without so much as a second look.

“Are you sure it’s worth expending cannon fire on them?” Cullen asked from her side. “They haven’t attacked.”

“ Yet ,” she finished pointedly. “The less of them, the better.” Eira glanced his way, tilting her head back. She wore an almost bored expression, but it issued a silent challenge for him to question her further. “You know what they did to Noelle.”

He nodded, a grim expression on his face.

“If the roles were reversed, she would burn down the world for us.” Eira narrowed her focus on the distant ship, murderous intent chilling her blood.

Cullen folded his arms. She braced herself for his objection—to tell him to get belowdecks if he couldn’t support her. But the Cullen who was standing next to her now wasn’t the man she had once known.

Drenched to the bone, he had murder in his eyes. Raindrops danced in the air over his shoulders as raw power radiated off him. Cullen pushed his hair back; it stuck to his face, almost black in the night and soaked as it was.

“If we do this,” he said, voice barely audible over the howling wind and pounding rain, “then no one survives.”

“My vengeance is absolute.”

“Captain, cannons ready,” Fen shouted up.

Leaving the point of the bow, Eira crossed back to the edge of the quarterdeck. Unlike the Stormfrost , a massive tall ship with many decks at varying heights, this vessel was a flatter design. She was only a few steps above those on the main deck.

“We will swing starboard, on my mark, cannon fire. When they are crippled, unleash your full wrath,” she commanded.

Her crew was ten strong, including her. Not many, but these were the people that she trusted above all else. The people who had just as many reasons as she did to seek out vengeance.

There were nods and looks of agreement. People moved into position. Olivin was at the edge of the railing, right by Ducot. Lavette was by Varren. Crow held back; she’d help manage the ship with Fen—no one knew the ropes better than they did. Yonlin was already belowdecks.

The only one who looked even remotely uncertain was Alyss. She held Eira’s gaze silently, with a stare that was almost a challenge. Eira gave her one long look, before turning back to the bow.

Alyss … sweet Alyss …the only moral compass any of them had left. The only heart that could be so tender and, yet, stronger than the rest of them combined. Eira hoped she never lost it. Even if Eira would have to ask hardships she never wanted to and then some of her.

“Are you ready?” Eira asked Cullen. They were gaining on the other vessel with each passing second, Eira’s magic superior to whatever the sailors for Carsovia were using.

He nodded. “Say the word.”

Eira pushed her magic and the vessel surged forward. They gained on the other ship faster than the Carsovian militia could man their guns. With nothing more than a twitch of her fingers— No tells , Adela’s voice echoed in her mind—the ship swung. Currents pushed and pulled, turning them. They were close enough now to hear the shouts on the opposite vessel. Close enough to see eyes wide with fear.

“Now!” At her command, several things happened at once.

Cullen thrust out his hands, lowering his palms toward the deck. A vortex of wind formed over the opposite ship—ripping rigging and tearing off masts with the groaning of a thousand planks of wood. The vessel was pinned, crew shattered.

Beneath their own decks, a boom resounded that challenged the thunder in the sky. There was a flash of light and a surge of magic that sizzled the air—evaporating raindrops as they fell. The side of the opposing vessel had a hole ripped in it.

The wood that was sheared from the side of the hull froze mid-air. Alyss shifted her hands and they heeded her will, forming a bridge between the two ships. Olivin was the first to charge, Ducot close behind, followed by the rest.

“Keep them in place,” Eira shouted to Cullen.

As she moved to leave, he caught her hand. “Shouldn’t you stay here?”

Eira frowned at him, a pointed enough expression that it was its own response.

“You are the captain of this vessel. What if something happens to you? What would the rest of us do?”

Eira looked to the opposite deck. Her friends had wasted no time engaging the soldiers. Magic sparked between flashes of lightning, twisted faces of pain and anger highlighted by Olivin’s Lightspinning circles.

I should be there with them was her first thought.

Noelle died because of me . Because she hadn’t been strong enough, fast enough, determined enough…a good enough leader.

That second thought was what prompted her to stay. To widen her stance and shift her focus to the currents around the opposite ship as well as her own. She had allowed them to be disorganized in the mines—had allowed everyone to make their own choices, and Eira had witnessed the consequences. She’d been working to learn and implement every day since the notion that it was possible to be the leader her friends needed and deserved while still giving their opinions and thoughts voices.

Eira squeezed Cullen’s fingers and nodded, showing she understood. A brief expression of relief overtook his features. For a second, the rain seemed to slow. The chaos halted. It was so quiet she could hear him breathe. Quiet enough that Eira checked her magic to ensure she wasn’t stopping the raindrops mid-fall.

Affording no more than a second of distraction, Eira’s focus returned to the battle. With a flick of her eyes, the sailor engaging Olivin went rigid. Olivin’s sword sliced through her chest effortlessly before his eyes darted Eira’s way. She gave him a slight nod. One that was returned before he continued to the next. Eira shifted her attention to another.

Ice. Wind. Light. Runes. All magic combined to be a symphony of death. They made quick work of the ship, so quick that something important was overlooked. By the time Eira felt the flare of magic unique to flash beads, it was too late.

The Carsovian sailors had responded with artillery of their own. Her ship swung off-kilter. Eira lunged for the railing. At the same time, an upswell of wind pushed on the opposite side of the vessel, preventing them from keeling over. Her fingers closed around the railing.

Eira pushed her magic into the ship. Frost crackled out from her hand, spreading across the railing and onto the decks. It spilled over the side of the vessel, covering the fresh opening they’d ripped into her hull. She could feel every jagged edge of the ravaged wood. Every opening where water pushed through.

Enough of that , Eira thought. The ocean that had surged into their vessel was forced out like low tide. They righted themselves, frost covering the entire ship from bow to stern.

Eira straightened and looked back over to the decks of their enemies. Her eyes met a sailor’s—a woman who she had no attachment to or affiliation with. A woman Eira was certain she had never seen before and would never see again. A cold realization crossed her features that had nothing to do with the frost curling the wind.

“ Adela .”

Eira smirked before her magic seized the woman’s heart, squeezing until it stopped beating.

The other ship was sinking. The fight had been won well before the crew decided to return, retreating off the decks that were about to be consumed by the waves. Once the last of them—Olivin—had returned, Eira shifted her focus.

“Push us away,” she asked of Cullen as her magic surrounded the other vessel.

The winds that had been pinning down their enemy shifted, pushing on the ice Eira had patched the side of their hull with. They drifted back and away. At the same time, she created a swirling vortex beneath the dark waves. It sucked the opposing vessel down. Wood and rigging crunched, chewed up by churning currents. Eira narrowed her eyes.

Down, down, and down farther still . She’d condemn them all to an oblivion from which there was no escape. The only things that would tell of what happened here were flotsam and frost-bitten carcasses.

The moment she was satisfied, Eira returned her magic to her own ship in full. The waters propelled them away as she descended to the main deck, where everyone was still catching their breath. Even Yonlin had emerged from belowdecks.

“The cannons?” Eira asked him.

“We lost one,” Yonlin said gravely.

Eira made it a point to not look back to Cullen. She hoped he had the decency not to gloat. But she wasn’t going to tempt him with an opportunity.

“Good thing we only needed one shot. We’ll keep our focus from here on,” she said. Cullen had been right. It wasn’t worth it to chase down that little vessel. But it was hard to think clearly.

“Crow, can you navigate us back on course?”

“In the middle of a storm?” Crow had to raise her voice over the wind and rain. “I’m good, Captain, but I’m not that good.”

“I think I can get us somewhat back on course,” Cullen offered from behind her. Eira turned to face him with an arch of her brow. He elaborated, “We’re close enough to land that I can feel how the wind sheers off beaches and rock. I can use that to navigate us.”

“Do it.” If they were close enough to land for him to feel that, then it meant they were close enough to land for another patrol to find them. Part of their hull was still open, her ice the only thing preventing the ocean from pouring in. As much as Eira wanted to drown all of Carsovia, she knew when a tactical retreat was best. Though, if any were to make the mistake of crossing their path…

With a nod, Cullen headed toward the helm, assuming command. His wind swirled around the vessel, guiding it as much as her currents would. Eira eased her magic, following his lead. Cullen’s powers had grown so familiar to her that it was effortless to support as he needed. She could sense what he was about to do before it was done.

“Captain,” Crow said, stepping closer so she didn’t have to shout. Eira turned her attention to the woman. “Surviving our first battle means this vessel should have a name.”

She hadn’t named it yet. It had seemed so…unnecessary before. This small ship was purely to get them from one place to another—to be a means to an end. Eira hadn’t been planning on getting attached enough to give it a name. But now that the question was presented, she felt more responsible for it than ever. As responsible as she felt for her crew. This collage of wood and ice was the only thing that kept them safe.

“ Winter’s Bane ,” Eira said with little thought. The name was the first thing to pop into her mind and it felt right.

“ Winter’s Bane it is,” Crow repeated.

“Everyone but Cullen, head belowdecks,” Eira ordered, gently enough that it was clear that the command wasn’t firm—more of a suggestion. “Get some rest. Cullen and I will see us out of the storm.” As she spoke, her magic searched for the edge of the rain.

Varren and Lavette wasted no time. Same with Crow and Fen. But Olivin and Alyss were on the opposite side of the deck. Crow’s body had been concealing them.

Olivin was crouched by Alyss. A faint glow of magic illuminated Alyss’s face from underneath Olivin’s palm. Yonlin was at her opposite side, saying something Eira couldn’t hear over the rain.

She approached. “Everything all right?”

“She—” Yonlin started.

“Got a scuff from the battle.” Alyss’s brave smile was painfully obvious to Eira. “Nothing that Olivin couldn’t fix.”

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Eira asked as Yonlin helped Alyss to her feet.

“Absolutely.” As she said the word, lightning cracked in the distance, followed by the roll of thunder, causing Alyss to jump.

“All right, get some rest.” Eira knew better than to push the matter. If her friend had nothing to say, then they’d leave it at that.

Yonlin helped Alyss away, even though she had no visible wounds any longer.

Olivin lingered. Eira’s eyes met his.

“How bad was it?” Eira knew he’d be honest with her.

“She was more shaken than injured. A scrap of wood her magic didn’t catch in time clipped her ear and took out a chunk. Nothing major. But if she had been standing a step over…” Olivin didn’t have to finish.

Eira noticed a narrow slab of wood on the deck, more like a stake than a piece from a ship. She kicked it into the sea. “If it had posed a genuine threat, Alyss’s magic would’ve saved her.”

“Eira…” Olivin shifted, taking a half step closer to her. The same concern that had been in his eyes for weeks now was still there. But now it was enough for him to cross the line he’d been minding and say something. “Alyss is powerful, but even the strongest of sorcerers aren’t immortal.”

“I know that.” She wasn’t sure if he was intentionally referring to Noelle or not. Either way, the mere idea of a suggestion stung.

Olivin touched her forearm lightly, fingers trailing down almost to grab hers. Hers twitched in response. She wanted to reach for him. But she couldn’t… There wasn’t warmth enough in her right now to offer him. Noelle’s memory left nothing but anger and cold rain. He abandoned the motion.

“I know you’d be… If something happened to…” He sighed and abandoned the thought that couldn’t coalesce into something he’d want to say. “I know you care about all of us, and you’re doing your best. But maybe don’t chase down enemies that haven’t even seen us?”

She pursed her lips. Unable to object with the ship in its current state. Resignation escaped as a sigh.

“All right. Straight to Qwint from here on. Unless we’re attacked first.”

He nodded and stepped around her. As he moved past, the backs of his knuckles brushed against hers. Her fingers twitched. His were waiting. For a second, they brushed together. Not quite lacing. But not nothing, either.

There was a void in all of them that took the shape of the woman who should’ve been there with them. Noelle’s ghost was a companion, and a void.

As Eira turned, she found one other remained. Instead of heading down, Ducot wandered to the front of the vessel, hand on the railing.

It was just three of them now on deck. Cullen back at the helm, Ducot at the bow, and her in the middle. Eira looked between the two men. Cullen caught her eyes and gave a nod, as if he knew what she was debating. But of course he did. He knew her heart in many ways better than she, even if Eira didn’t always want to admit it.

She ascended the quarterdeck once more, crossing to the bow and stopping next to Ducot. He looked out to sea with unseeing eyes. Wind pushed the rain over his cheeks, forming rivulets that almost looked like tears. Almost.

But he had already mourned an ocean. They all had. There was nothing left in the echoes of their sobs and cries. It was a void as deep as the sea churning beneath them, a vast endlessness—as dark as the pit.

“Thank you,” he said, finally.

“You’ve nothing to thank me for.” Eira gripped the railing, ice crackling around her white knuckles. “If I had the resources and time, I would sail along their coast for the rest of my life and show them the meaning of fear.”

“Perhaps once we have taken down Ulvarth.”

“Perhaps,” she echoed.

The future was a blank slate. As unknown as what lay past the horizon at the edge of the storm. But Eira was charging toward it, one way or another. First, they would go to Qwint. They would drop off Lavette and Varren and secure supplies and allies. Then, they would sail back to the large bay of Meru, rejoining with Adela where she darted between the Shattered Isles, wreaking havoc among the Pillar’s ships.

Then, it was to Risen, facing and ending whatever chaos Ulvarth had wrought.

After that…who knew? Survival for all of them, Eira included, wasn’t a foregone conclusion. So Eira kept her focus in the moment. One battle at a time. One enemy. One distant dawn.