Dark Tides (Kingdom of Bones #2)

Original Edition: ◇ Chapter 19 ◇ Turncoat ◇

JARON

Northern Silver Sea

Mid-Rainrise

Jaron pulled his overcoat tighter around him, wishing he'd brought a scarf for their journey up north. Although the bitterness of the frostfall season had faded, a chill still lingered in the air, getting colder the farther north they sailed.

They'd almost made it. Finally.

"You have done well, my champion," came his god's whisper. "You are one step closer to achieving your full potential."

Jaron narrowed his eyes as he looked out at the early morning mist creeping across the waves. He'd trained harder than most, he'd obtained the obsidian sword, he'd gathered the Storm. So, he found himself wondering what more he needed to do to reach his full potential and what exactly it was.

"Don't worry your mortal mind over such trivial things," Magnus whispered. "Your reward is coming soon."

Yes, his reward. Magnus would help Jaron find his brother, Alrik. Jaron didn't question how, the thought of seeing his big, round charcoal eyes again was enough for him to do whatever Magnus asked of him.

"Are we nearly there?" the archer asked suddenly from beside him.

Jaron jumped, nearly dropping the spyglass he'd been peering through a moment before. He would never get used to how easy it was for the archer to sneak up on him. He was surprised it hadn't gotten him killed yet. Perhaps she didn't wish death upon him after all.

"Nearly where?" Jaron asked, keeping his gaze on the mist.

"To our destination," the archer replied. "Your demeanor has changed. You're slightly on edge. This must mean we are close to whatever fate you have in store for us."

"You still do not believe that I mean you and the Storm no harm?" Jaron returned his hands to the knobs on the wheel.

"Your mouth says one thing, but your actions say another."

"Do enlighten me as to what actions I have taken to make you believe that."

"Coming into our home and kidnapping Lorelei is the foundation on which you stand, emberblood." Jaron could hear the distaste in her expression without needing to look at her.

"You say emberblood like it's a curse."

"Because you are one," she said viscously.

Jaron looked at her then. She was already watching him, her gaze frostier than usual. As much as he tried, he couldn't wrap his head around why she hated him so much. Perhaps she did want to kill him after all. The thought hit him with an unexpected pang.

"I didn't force you onto this boat back in Smuggler's Harbor," Jaron told her. "I gave you both the option to leave and you both chose to come."

The archer rolled her eyes. "Spare me the freedom of choice. You knew Lorelei would want to come with you to learn how to control her magic and you played into that. Parading it as a choice was only to quell your rising guilt, wasn't it?"

Jaron gripped the wheel tighter, his knuckles white underneath his scarred skin. The archer was just as dangerous with her words as she was with her bow. He'd never met someone so infuriating.

"And pretending to understand my motives will help you believe that I am evil and cruel and all the other horrible things you dream up in your head?" He tried his best to keep from raising his voice, but he couldn't stop the growl in his tone. "You want to know what's evil and cruel, archer? Having to hold your dead sister in your arms after pirates came and pillaged your harbor. Never seeing your brother again because those pirates took him with them. Being utterly and truly alone...and for what? What purpose? Was the loot more important than the lives they ruined?"