Page 24 of Only Flames Remain

“I will send word to her,” she assured me.

I nodded once. “You don’t think our messages will be watched? Queen Dyata would not risk word getting back to Kallias about the true nature of my departure.”

Enora shook her head, her gaze flitting to the apothecary. “We will make sure she knows you are safe.”

I silently cursed that I wouldn’t be able to pick up more herbs or elixirs for my travels. The guard stepped forward without a word, herding us toward the ramp with the others boarding the ship.

Gulls called out overhead as they soared and dove, catching scraps among the planks and diving for fish in the clear, salty water. The beating sun overhead welcomed today’s summer solstice. I doubted there would be a celebration after the events of yesterday, but I was still sorry to miss it. Summer solstice had always been my favorite celebration.

I reluctantly made my way up the ramp and onto the deck of the ship. I had never been on a vessel such as this before, let alone one of this size and stature. The crew was running back and forth, hastily preparing for our departure. I was far from the only human aboard, and the thought had my stomach churning.

Not all of these humans were destined for work in the palace. A good portion of them were destined for work of an entirely different kind.

I allowed myself one last glance over my shoulder at the city of Majur. I half expected to see Kallias there, waving a heartfelt goodbye to send me off. I shook my head to clear the thought, knowing he would be in the war council room with his father.

I bit my lip, the reality of the situation sitting heavily as I allowed the crew to take the few bags I had traveled with. I kept the one containing Quinnick slung over my shoulder, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as he peered across the ship's deck. I turned to Enora, her eyes darting back and forth as she observed the pandemonium unfolding before us as they made ready to leave port.

She turned toward me; her eyes alight despite having found herself unexpectedly bound for enemy territory. A smile creased her rosy lips as the wind of the dockyards whipped her ivory hair across her face. Her skin was porcelain beneath the brilliant sun, so bright I almost couldn’t look at her directly.

The ship lurched into motion beneath us, and I almost lost my balance, toppling sideways and grasping for the railing to steady myself before I squashed Quinnick against the rail.

Enora held my gaze with her own as the captain approached from the other side of the deck, instructing the passengers where to go. I gripped the railing behind me to steady myself as I turned toward him.

I would need to find my sea legs…and fast.

Enora spoke above the sound of the churning waves as the dock disappeared from sight, a smile playing on her lips as her chest rose and fell with excitement. This was the adventure of a lifetime, and her enthusiasm was contagious as I leaned closer to hear her over the whipping winds.

“Are you ready to slay a dragon?”

CHAPTER 8

Aveline

Iwasn’t sure what the record was for how many times one could get seasick during the two day journey across the Saltale Sea—but whatever it was—I had beaten it.

I clung to the railing as I heaved again, Enora pulling the strands of hair from my face, already streaked with vomit. I hadn’t been able to keep much of anything down. Luckily it was only water and bile. We were on the latter half of our journey to Scaldrithor and I could see the outline of land coated in the heavy mist that hung in the distance.

When I had the strength to lift my head, that is.

Enora rubbed soothing circles into my back as I wretched once more, the sea crashing up to greet me and splashing my flushed cheeks with its cool, salty spray.

“I never thought I would say this,” I gritted out, my grip on the rail so tight my knuckles were white, “but I cannot wait to dock in Gothryn.”

Enora laughed. “A sentence I couldn’t agree with more.”

She cringed as I heaved one final time, my stomach completely empty. I turned, slumping against the quarterdeck and pulling my legs up into my chest. I curled into myself, pressing my eyes shut as I concentrated on not getting sick again. At eliminating the surging nausea that plagued me.

It certainly didn’t bode well for me that a ship could best me. How I planned to kill a prince was beyond me. The only thing I needed to focus on right now was making it to the other side safely and not retching up any vital organs.

It hadn’t taken long for murmurings to stir among the humans about my true identity. I hadn’t introduced myself to any of them, but somehow, they still knew who I was. That I was the ‘mistress’ of Prince Kallias.

Though that would imply he was married…which he was not.

I did not bother correcting them, swallowing my ire and irritation each time their glares and whispers reached me.

Enora joined me on the sticky, soiled deck. She leaned against me for support. I was drenched entirely through with saltwater, the entire outfit ruined, shoes included. It was Enora’s first time on a sea vessel as well, but she had fared much better. She had been taking care of me this last day and a half.

Quinnick, too.