Verida walked fast through the harbor district, her breath tight in her chest. The ship hadn't sailed yet. She still had time. The docks spread out ahead, crowded with workers and crates and gulls screaming overhead. She would find him before the ship left. She would get him back. She stopped outside the tavern with the brass anchor above its door. A dockworker leaned against the salt-stained wall, watching her. "You looking for the merchant vessel?" he asked. "The one with the new crew?" Verida's heart kicked hard. "Where is it?" "Moved up to the south pier." He spat into the water. "Sails within the hour. Captain wanted to catch the tide." He pointed down the dock toward a massive ship with black sails. Its mermaid figurehead stared out at nothing. Verida ran. Her hand closed around the small weight in her pocket, the amber rose with the carved heart. She'd brought it to show him she meant what she'd written in that letter. That she would come for him. That nothing her father did would change that. The ship loomed larger with each step. An hour wasn't enough time to plan. But it would have to be.