I stilled at the way he held my stare, suspicion carving through me. “We?”
Lachlan erred toward passivity in many things, and while he could be tactical when necessary, this was the first I could recall him scheming for something that was just for him.
“Yes,” he said, gaze tinged with desperation. “We.”
A bolt of lightning shot through my body as I grasped his meaning.
Imogen.
I grabbed hold of the rail. It seemed impossible that she might be this close, when I’d never felt farther from her. “Imogen’s on the ship.” I sounded dazed. “Where? Where is she?” I started for the ladder that led to the main deck.
“Uh-uh.” Lachlan yanked me back by the shoulder. “I’m happy to use her existence to force you to reroute this ship, but… Imogen doesn’t want to see you, just yet.”
I froze. “She doesn’t want…” I replayed his words three times.
Lachlan’s face went stony with discomfort. “It’s likely for the best, Theo,” he said. “But I know this sort of misery. I know how it makes you sick. Help me get to Agatha. Please. And I’ll see what I can do.”
Without hesitation, I yelled out over the deck, to any sailor who could hear. “Wake Captain Doxa and send her to my stateroom.”
One of the crew ran down the far passageway, toward the captain’s cabin, and Lachlan’s entire body went slack with relief. “I’ll speak to the captain with you.”
I nodded, realizing only now that he wore two swords, one at each hip, and they clattered as he started down the ladder, but I remained on the forecastle. I needed a moment to rein in the overwhelming urge I felt to pummel him further, to use sword and threat to force him to take me to Imogennow.But both my power and my longing were futile in the face of Imogen’s request.
To not see me.
I knew why. Besides being the most stubborn and determined woman I’d ever met, Imogen thought herself monstrous. It was the lie Nemea had fed her since the day she was born. Alongside that, she believed me to be better than I was. She thought she was corroding the obscene shine of my crown, but in truth, all she had done was make me feel the true weight of it.
Being spurned was like a hot blade to the ribs, but I was buoyed by new hope regardless. I’d get us to Anthemoessa. For Lachan’s and Imogen’s sake. For the sake of the entire realm.
And then, whether Imogen liked it or not, she would learn one new truth: That I was just as stubborn and determined as she was.
There was no trace of Halla in my stateroom, save for her gown strewn across my still-made bed, and her white shift lying in a heap on my floor. One of the aft windows sat wide open to the night sky.
Lachlan paced just inside the door.
“Halla is with Imogen?” I asked, dubiously. “You think that’s wise?”
“Yes.” But he wouldn’t look at me. “Halla is very,verysafe.” He opened the door and stuck out his head. “Where’s the bloody captain?”
He reared back when Captain Doxa materialized a moment later from the dark. She was bright eyed and fully uniformed, and came to stand at attention beside the polished center table with her hat tucked beneath her arm. “You called, Your Majesty?”
“I did—”
The closed door flew open once more and in strode Eftan, trailed by Markis, both of whom still wore their sleep clothes. Even my marshal, Aleka, arrived, looking as unruffled as usual. I glowered at the three of them. “I summoned only the captain.”
Eftan stepped forward, adjusting the blue silk robe that was tied neatly around his middle. His thin hair was ruffled, and deep grooves from his pillow were carved into one of his round cheeks. “Your Majesty, I heard the sailor’s call for the captain. As you know, if there is disruption, it is always best to have your council nearby. For support.”
I gave him such a scowl that he blanched and looked to his feet, but I was no longer naïve enough to believe that he was truly abashed. His every action was akin to a clawed hand, grasping for something that was not his, and now he sought to seize power that belonged to me.
Worse yet, Imogen was within his reach now too, and I had no doubt he would do anything and everything he could to ensure her demise. “There was no need to ruin your sleep, Chancellor.” I kept myself even. “Only Captain Doxa can help me with what I need.”
Eftan gave a curt nod and stepped back, hands flexing frustratedly at his sides, before he offered up a flourishing gesture as if to sayGo on.Markis and Aleka hung back, and I thought to send them all away before I spoke, but something in me wanted to see their reaction. Perhaps my shock and churning emotions had my blood up. All I knew for certain was that I wanted to see Eftan flail.
“Captain Doxa,” I said, giving her the full of my attention. “Please reroute the ship for Anthemoessa.”
The captain’s attempt at a lack of reaction was admirable, but she was unable to stop the momentary bulge of her eyes. At the edge of my vision, I watched Eftan choke on his air. Markis guffawed. Aleka’s dark brows rose only slightly. Just as I’d expected.
“Your Majesty,” said Doxa, taking a moment to adjust her hold on her hat. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t warn you of the dangers—”
