Lara’s fingers dug into his shoulder. “Where?”
“The island. That’s where you fish folk hang out, isn’t it?”
“How do you know?” Iestyn forced the words from his raw throat.
“Because we stay the hel away, that’s why. We’ve got enough trouble. We don’t need to borrow any more.”
Iestyn’s head felt stuffed with cotton, his thoughts hazy, his mouth dry. “What kind of trouble?”
Soldier’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “I thought you were one of them.”
“I’ve been . . . away. Demon trouble?” he persisted.
“Maybe. What do you care? I thought your lot didn’t take sides.” Resentment simmered in Soldier’s voice.
Iestyn shrugged. “Things change.”
He’d changed. The balance of power was shifting, sliding.
Anything—everything— could have changed in seven years.
The thought seeped like ice through his veins, cooling the fire that seethed inside him.
“Can you help us?” Lara asked.
The three men exchanged glances.
“No,” Fremont said.
“Why not?” Iestyn demanded.
Soldier ignored him, speaking to Lara. “Wel , for starters, he’s stil crushing my ribs.”
Lara’s ful , soft lips flattened in irritation.
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“Iestyn, get off,” she ordered.
Reluctantly, he complied, offering a hand to the man on the ground.
Soldier brushed him aside, climbing unaided to his feet.
“I don’t need your help.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“Fine. I don’t need yours either.” Iestyn drew a ragged breath, holding on to his temper with an effort. “But she does.”
Lara’s brows snapped together.
“What kind of help are we talking about?” Fremont asked before she could speak.
Iestyn’s head throbbed.
“Your protection,” he said.
Max’s face split in a grin. “Absolutely.”
“Absolutely not,” Lara said. She rounded on Iestyn.
“What are you thinking? You need me to find your people.”
His people. Assuming he was even merfolk anymore.
Assuming they would take him back, take him in, without his pelt.
“Not anymore.” He hooked his thumbs in his front pockets and turned to Fremont. “Where is this World’s End?”
“About three hours north by road, another hour or so on the boat. You can take the ferry from Port Clyde.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m not leaving you,” Lara said.
She couldn’t depend on him. He must not depend on her.
He steeled his heart against the look in her eyes. “You belong with them.”
“I’m not a flyer,” she said flatly.
Another silence.
“Then they’l take you back,” he said. “To Rockhaven, if that’s what you want.”
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It’s not like he could offer her another option. Selkie or sailor, he didn’t have the kind of life he could share with a woman.
