Navia
Tellun, I hate ships. I thought grumpily, laying on my back in my hammock again, just like every time we'd been on the Tellun's Pride II. I got terribly seasick whenever I was on a boat, so the long trips to and from Greenhaven were torture. We'd already been underway for three days, so I hoped Greenhaven wasn't too far away.

"Hey, Nav," Sabien's voice startled me, "are you feeling a bit better?"

I twisted my neck up to look at him. "What do you think?" I snapped, then immediately regretted it. He flinched slightly; it would've been unnoticeable for anyone else, but not to me. "Sorry." I mumbled.

"No, it's okay." Sabien sighed softly and turned to leave. "Let me know if you need something." His soft footsteps mounted the stairs back up to the deck. Somehow, his quiet acceptance made me feel worse than if he'd yelled at me.

"Is your boyfriend gone?" Zay poked her head in.

I bristled, but bit back to rude remark on my tongue. "Yeah, he's gone. Why, what's up?"

She walked inside and plopped down on the hammock across from mine. I sat up and raised an eyebrow. She sighed and ran a hand over her face. Dark shadows tugged at the rims of her eyes, of which the irises were tinted with grief. "I just wanted to hang out here for a bit." Zay answered sheepishly. "You're good company."

I blinked in surprise. I hadn't heard Zay compliment anybody since... well, ever. "Thanks." I laughed lightly, "but I dunno exactly how much you want to hang out with me right now."

Zay tilted her head, eyes straying toward the door. "I also... need to tell you something."

I frowned. "What is it?" Zay dug through her pockets and pulled out a folded note. She carefully unfolded it and handed it to me. I read it over, then looked up. "Where'd this come from?"

She took it back. "Remember when Sasha and I found the Copper Falcon?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, Olraz led us to it." The snake in question flicked his tongue along Zay's cheek. "It was in a pouch, hidden underground. But that was with the pouch."

I frowned. "What do you think it means?"

"Exactly what it says." Zay pursed her lips. "There has to be a mole."

"But why'd you tell me?" I was confused. "I could've been the mole."

"But you're not." Zay answered matter-of-factly.

"How'd you know?" I asked.

Zay smiled in amusement. "First, the way you treat Cerco? No Conqueror or Bile could ever fabricate the bond you two have. And second, you told us flat out that a Greencloak had given you the Nectar, and that it tasted like Nectar."

She had some valid points. "Alright, that makes sense." I paused for a moment. "Who else knows about this?"

"Me, Sasha, and now you." She replied.

"Maybe keep it at that for now." I mused, pushing away the stab of guilt that prodded at me. "And you have no idea who it is?"

Zay shook her head. "I don't know for sure, but I suspect it may be Lizzie."

"Hm." I frowned again. "Because She was a Conqueror?"

"Yeah, mostly." Zay admitted.

"It's not a bad theory." I agreed after a moment, "but maybe we should entertain some other possibilities as well."

"Hm." Zay leaned against the wall, thinking.

I adjusted my position, curling my legs beneath my body. Who could it be? Anyone, really, except for me. I don't know what the others are thinking. It could even be Zay! I eyed the Stetriolian thoughtfully, pondering. What if it is, and she just made all this up? I felt my blood go cold, and quickly tried to steer the conversation in another direction. "Um, how are you holding up?"

If Zay was startled by the change in topic, she didn't show it. The blonde released a deep exhale. "I'm... holding up, I guess. Just kind of existing right now."

I smiled sympathetically. "That's good. You just need some time, so take all that you need."

"I don't know if I can." Zay corrected darkly. "The Conquerors may not want to wait for us to recover."

I was quiet, my thoughts whirling. "You're right." I finally agreed, "but it's not like we can do much on this boat anyway."

"Hm." Zay watched her hands. "In that case, I hope this trip takes forever." I forced a laugh, trying not to think about being seasick forever. Zay's eyes widened. "Oh wait- I didn't mean- you wouldn't like that... ah, I mean..."

"It's okay." I grinned, "I don't know how much you'd like having a sick Navia around forever."

"I wouldn't." Zay agreed. "Although," she tipped her head thoughtfully, "you're kind good at being sick." I raised my eyebrows. She shoved her face into her palms with a groan. "You know what I mean!"

I laughed, genuine laughter this time. "Yeah, I gotcha." Zay laughed too, the first sound of happiness I'd heard from her in a long time. In fact, this was the most cheerful conversation I'd ever had with her. I liked this side of Zay. The goofy one, where you laugh away the pain for a day and hope it never comes back. I saw now why Sasha liked this girl.

Once we'd both gotten our breath back, Zay stood up. "Thanks, Navia. I really needed to talk."

"Anytime." I replied with a smile.

"Thanks, but I think I'll skip out on the times when you're puking your guts out." Zay teased, heading over to the stairs.

"If you want." I laughed, laying back down as she started back up to the deck. I closed my eyes, feeling the smile rest on my face as I drifted off into dreamland. This would be an interesting few days.

Hiiiiii, I'm back. Sorry it's so late, I'd started it earlier but then I went horse riding. Anyway, there's still two chapters and the epilogue left!!! Ahhh!! Then it's the last book!! What!! Stay tuned, cause the next chap will be out either later today or tomorrow! Love y'all 3000!! ♡ (haha I figured out how to get the symbols :3)