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“Twisted tales speak the heart, little hare.” Sewell winked and handed me a bowl with watery soup.

“Hare? When did I become a hare? I thought earth fae were foxes or wolves.”

“Sly as a fox to wear the crown of the sea. But this one”—he pointed at me—“a tiny morsel goes this way and that, our little hare.”

I feigned surprise. “You think I’m always going this way and that?”

“Aye.”

“Well, I’ll be certain to tell Livia you think her quite sly to wear the crown of the sea, good sir.”

The man barked a laugh. “Savvy my little fox is with spoken tales.”

I chuckled. He meant Livia was already aware.

Sewell Fleshripper had no need to remain as the galley cook on the king’s ship. As Gavyn’s father, he was a lord of the Ever Kingdom. Erik had declared the treason Harald had leveled against Sewell was null when battles ended in the Ever.

In truth, I was pleased Sewell occasionally resumed his post as cook. I adored the man, and even with his puzzling words, Sewell had a way of being a calm on the sea, like a father to all the rogue royals when our own fathers were not with us.

Back in the Royal City, I paced in one of the numerous studies.

In truth, my nerves rattled to my bones, and I might’ve preferred sailing to waiting for the conversations still needed to be had.

“Vicious.” Tait’s voice drew my attention. He stood in front of a far window. Around his neck was a new chain that held the sigil ring he’d destroyed me with not so many nights before. I’d taken note of it the morning we set sail, and all he said was he planned to keep it close, a reminder of one of his most favored memories.

Tait clasped his hands behind his back. “Why the panic?”

“I’m not panicking. Of course not. I can hardly wait.”

He merely cocked his head.

“I’m desperate to see them, and I’m wholly grateful we’ve been given space to do so alone, for I warn you, I’m about to make a fool of myself. But…much the same as Livia did with her folk, I’m also telling them I’m not returning…fully.”

Tait studied the woven rug beneath his boots. “If you think it is better, we need not say a word today.”

“No.” I shook my head, hugging my middle. “I’m not ashamed, I don’t want to hide it. I want them to know, Tait. I’m merely not certain how to tell them.”

“Tell us what, Starlight?”

My body shivered. The voice was broken, not the deep, playful tone I’d always known.

I spun around, a hand over my mouth. My mother and father stepped into the room and closed the door behind them. My mother’s dark hair was free around her face, her eyes weary. My father looked as though he had not slept or eaten in the weeks I’d been gone, dull light in his amber eyes, sunken cheeks, and new lines over his brow.

Tears burned. I did not wait. Nor did the king and queen. The question was forgotten as we collided into each other’s arms.

House Sekundär was not a royal house known for its silence. Somewhere through the frenzy of tangled limbs and choking embraces, declarations of the agony of our separation, of love for each other, of curses against the sea and the Norns of fate were all rambled in breathless sobs and broken tones.

My mother clasped my face, tears on her cheeks. “Mira. My girl.”

She did not speak another word before she crushed me against her body. How long I held her, I didn’t know. She’d always been the safest of arms. Never one to desire notice, my maj had been my gentle defender, a warrior to her bones, but the most tender of hearts.

When I broke away from her embrace, my palms wiping tears from my own face, I looked at my father. “Daj.”

I crumpled against him, knees giving out beneath me. My father tightened his sturdy arms around me, holding me until my tears slowed. I pressed my cheek to the steady hum of his heart and let him add another kiss to the top of my head.

When he spoke, his voice was haggard. “I lost a piece of my heart during these gods-awful weeks. It’s returned now. You ought to know I’m likely never letting you out of my sight again. Seems the Ever Seas bring piss-poor luck when it comes to princesses, and I’m quite inclined to lock you away in the Borough. I swear to you, we’ll still have a delightful time together and you’ll never come to resent me.”

I released a wet laugh and nudged my father’s chest, forcing him to step back. “Seems your voice has returned. Livie said you’ve been rather sullen.”