Page 57 of Tangled Sails

Kavian clearly wanted to argue, but Caelmir cut him off. “I’ve already gone down that road, Kave. Leave it alone.”

Shockingly, Kavian listened.

“I think you’re right, though,” Caelmir said to me as he arranged his face into an imitation of confidence. “I’m certain that if you give Saria a chance, she’ll be able to help. In the meantime, one of us can sit in on the formal audience tomorrow.”

“Not Kavian,” I insisted, unable to trust him to actually have my back.

“I’ll be there,” Caelmir said. “I’ll act as your ears like I used to.”

LYRIELLE

I’d fallen into a routine since the princess’s arrival. I kept myself to the servants’ wing, going from my room to the kitchen, to the sewing room, and back again. I didn’t attempt to walk the grounds or explore the garden since I was too afraid that I would catch a glimpse of Tavric and his guest. Or, even worse, that I would run into them. So I kept my distance, but it was impossible not to overhear the chatter. There had been banquets and horseback riding. The princess and Tavric were constantly seen in company together, and everyone speculated that a betrothal would be announced soon. It made sense, after all—or so they said. If Tavric was going to be king, he needed a queen at his side.

Each bit of gossip made me die a little, as the gossamer dream of a joyful life slipped from my fingertips. I did my best to keep my head down, work hard, and close my ears. There was still a large part of me that reveled in my circumstances, happy for work and freedom, but I missed Tavric and I was still horribly hurt by his sudden dismissal of me.

Another part of me was certain that at any moment, my new life would be stolen from me. My eyes darted to the doorway probably a thousand times, wondering if Harlan would show up again, wanting more information. Or wondering if guards would show up to escort me away because he’d shared my secret.

But it wasn’t Harlan who stepped into the chaotic, cramped sewing room. It was Prince Dorian.

I dropped my eyes to my work as a sinking feeling told me that he was here to speak with me, probably to ask me to leave since he likely disapproved of my friendship with his brother just like Prince Kavian did. Apparently, no one had told him that Tavric no longer wished to be my friend. That thought brought a lump to my throat, and I had to breathe through my melancholy.

“Miss Lyrielle,” he said, coming right over to me. “Might I have a word?”

I looked to the head seamstress, somehow hoping she’d save me by saying I needed to keep working, but who was I kidding? A member of the royal family was requesting my presence. So I set aside the pieces of the black bodice I was constructing for Her Majesty and said, “Of course, Your Highness,” before following him out into the hallway, my hands clasped together in front of me with too much force as I channelled all my discomfort into that pressure.

When we reached a door that led to the courtyard, he opened it and gestured for me to go through. Perhaps he would simply walk me all the way out the gate and tell me to keep going, but I hoped not. If nothing else, I needed much more time to finish healing the king.

He did not leave me in suspense. Once he’d looked around to see that there was no one within earshot, he turned to me. “I’ve come to beg for your help,” he said without preamble.

I stumbled back a step. “My help? With what?” A rock sat in my stomach, the word help making me terrified that he had somehow found out about my gift. Maybe Harlan had told him. He probably had.

“My brother.”

I flinched in surprise. “Tavric?”

“Yes.”

“Is he sick?”

“No, but…” He shoved his hands into his hair, making a mess of it, much like his brother was wont to do. “I didn’t realize the toll this entire situation was having on him. He was always quieter and liked to be alone, but I didn’t realize just how uncomfortable it was for him. As he got older, he seemed to handle it better. He hid it well for a long time.”

My heart slowed a little at knowing that my secret was still a secret, but then worry for Tavric slipped in. I didn’t have to ask Prince Dorian what he was talking about. I’d seen it myself. “So what’s different now?”

“My brother, Caelmir, returned five days ago. He’s been gone for months, scouring all the closest lands for answers, or doctors, or treatments for my father’s illness. We put all our hope in him, but he came back with nothing.”

I nodded. “You believe your father will die soon.”

“We know it,” he said as anguish weighed on his expression.

Not if I had any say in the matter, but that thought was for another time. This moment was about Tavric. “Tavric is not taking the news well?”

“I think the reason he’s been able to hold it together before now is because he had hope that it was temporary, that my father would rally and he would have more time before taking the throne, but now he knows…”

“It will all be on his shoulders.”

“Yes, and that burden, it’s…I can’t even describe it. He’s not himself. He can barely make it through the events of the day. He needs you.”

I drew back. “Me? For what?”