“Blood witches do not live by the ocean. They live—”
“—where the northern forest used to be. Before we go charging into the Overlord’s territory, it makes sense to see if the sea witches know more. Their territory ranges up towards the Overlord’s coast, after all, the closest to where the blood witches were last seen.” Vela finished, her tone light but full of reprimand.
Benedict opened his mouth again, but Vela anticipated his next argument.
“The sea witches will be wary, but they have no reason to have joined the Overlord. Not yet. You should try trusting others, draken king.”
I put a warning hand on Benedict’s arm, but he shook it off.
“When one’s family and species is all dead—”
“Ach, none of that.”
Astrid cut Benedict’s diatribe off before it even began. I raised an eyebrow, intent on remembering that trick. She paused in her tapping, turning to face Benedict fully.
“Everyone has suffered loss. My losses are no greater than yours, and yours are no greater than anyone else’s.” She whipped back around, her silver braid flying around her body.
“What matters is what you do after.”
“I for one, am thankful for our king’s bloodline talents,” Kieran injected, throwing an easy smile at Astrid. “Otherwise, this adventure would have been far more arduous on foot.”
Astrid had not been entirely certain where the sea witches were, so allowed Benedict to use his shadows to transport us to her best guesses. From the shoreline, dark hordes continued to fly east towards Lyoness, unable to pass the wards but also refusing to leave. The drakens and their allies were trapped. Benedict fisted his hands in anger, instead staring out across the sea towards Lyoness.
“We will add to the wards—all witches will.” Astrid promised, laying her delicate hand on his massive bicep. He jerked away, and Astrid continued her search for the sea witches.
A bird call lit the air, and Astrid smiled.
“Found them.”
The sea witches (or water witches, as Astrid had said they were technically called) had long, blonde hair with eyes that ranged from the brightest blue to the darkest green. All colors of the ocean were represented, and they covered their bodies in seashells and simple linen shifts, much like the air witches. The ones who were out to sea wore even less. The one who answered our call eyed us with suspicion, only granting us access after her eyes settled on Astrid. We were hurriedly hustled into one of the sand dunes, down below ground into one of the most intricate dwellings I had ever seen. The walls were supported with large beams of driftwood and decorated with shells and sea glass. The glittering surfaces reminded me of Dark Haven, making that space appear larger than it actually was. I only felt a small tingle of claustrophobia from my inner draken.
“You are lucky it is I who found you, and not Meruse.”
Our host's long hair hung in dreadlocks past her waist.
“Witches have gone missing, so we have taken to hiding in our dunes to wait out the danger. Meruse wouldn’t take kindly to strangers wandering our shores, even a female draken.”
Astrid frowned, a deep crease marring her brow.
“And what danger is present, Merrow?”
The sea witch reluctantly waved at them to sit. They settled around a large ship’s wheel that had been propped up to serve as a table, sitting down on reeds woven together into mats.
“Meruse and I have ruled this coven for many years, and I have been content to mind my charges at home and sea while she roves further inland, gathering whispers and seeking secrets. I suspect she tells me only half of what she hears.”
“What has she heard?” Benedict demanded, looking borderline ridiculous as he crouched uncomfortably in the small space, his wings tucked tight against his shoulders. Kieran didn’t look any more at home.
“Birds are fleeing the northern mountains in droves, pushing south past Cantrada and down into Aldur. The larger ones are braving the journey across the ocean. It is no small reason that they would do so.”
“We have lived in those mountains for hundreds of years and never once sensed this darkness of which you speak.”
Benedict’s voice dripped with contempt, as if he were being forced to hear the council of storytellers and mystics, rather than valuable allies. Merrow’s eyes narrowed.
“Then you are not paying attention, king.”
I put my clawed foot on Benedict’s, a silent warning that any more rudeness would be punished. He exhaled heavily through his nose, a large puff of air that signaled his distaste. He didn’t respond, so Merrow continued.
“The sea witches who have vanished lived close to our northern borders, next to the mountains. That is where Meruse is—she may be able to give you more information. It will be a few days journey, but…”
“Describe the closet landmark, and we will be there within the hour.” Benedict said shortly. Merrow lifted an eyebrow, the shells around her ankles and wrists rattling.
“Very well. The base of the northern mountains, closest to the shore. That is where you will find her. I wish you luck.”
Benedict quickly refused Merrow’s offer of some salted fish and fried seaweed, but I caught Kieran staring longingly at the sizzling scup fish cooking in the corner. I swatted his arm gently, and he blushed. Merrow passed along further details of her sister’s location to Benedict, who closed his eyes as if trying to imagine it. He held out his hands, and I immediately grabbed on, my fingers trailing along his scales and flesh. His eyes opened and pinned me with their gaze, and I could have sworn I saw a look of hunger before it was replaced by detachment.
Astrid whispered furiously to Merrow behind us, a look of anger on her normally serene face. Merrow seemed to shrink under her gaze, until Astrid threw her hands in the air and stalked our way. Benedict tilted his
