Page 27 of The Stolen Crown

I shook my head. When I returned to the Ever, I would insist my cousin send Swordeater or Fireweaver to escort the princess going forward.

I could not be connected to Mira any longer.

Another rough breath and I shoved off the wall, then began the hunt for the missing princess.

More than one servant offered unhelpful directions in the strange palace. Corridors smelled of soil and pine, and every so often, walls would be made of tangled roots and iridescent mushrooms or moss.

At long last, I discovered a balcony at the top of a winding staircase. Bubbled glass the shade of rich rose petals made the panes of the doors that led outside. Both were thrown open, and leaning against the white marble rail was Mira.

I made no move to approach her, merely took the opportunity to see her in those quiet moments when she thought no one was looking.

Her hair was free down her back, wavy and fluttering in the cool breeze. Her chin was propped on her small hand while she looked at the other, reading a scrap of folded parchment. From this angle, the flickers of lantern light cast a shimmer across her feathery lashes.

The woman seemed so deceptively innocent like this, bathed in the gleam of starlight. She wore a distant expression lined in melancholy that almost ached. When had I taken such a liking to her endless laughter, smiles, and chatter?

This version of Mira seemed unnatural.

My jaw pulsed with tension. Best to get this over with. “It appears your absence has been noted, and your return is requested.”

Mira whirled around, frantically trying to fold the parchment in her hand. The moment recognition struck, a wicked grin split over her painted lips. “If that’s true, then I pity you, Hearttalker. Must be disappointing to be overruled.”

“Meaning?”

“No doubt you celebrated a little that I was gone.”

I frowned. “I’ve come to see you back to the hall. Let’s go.”

Mira sauntered my way until we stood toe to toe. “You? Escort me to the hall? Strange, for here I was thinking you would want nothing more than to keep me far from sight.”

If only she knew how blessed such a thing would be. “I have no word of authority in these halls.”

“Oh, I suspect you are a man who speaks with delicious authority at times.”

What the hells? “I am not the king here.”

“Not the sort of authority I meant, Hearttalker.”

This bleeding woman. She would send me to the Otherworld, no mistake, well before the gods planned to take me. “Come. It’s time to return. Perhaps brighten up a bit.”

Mira bit down into her plump bottom lip, and I hated her a little for drawing my attention to her mouth.

“Brighten up a bit?” Her voice quivered like she might be containing a laugh. “Pray tell, who sent you to retrieve me?”

My teeth ground together. “Swordeater.”

“Ah. Taking orders from the crew? No, that can’t be it.”

Was she—three hells, she was circling me. Like a damn razor-toothed fish about to devour a cornered eel.

I never lost her from sight, twisting and maneuvering to keep my shoulders square to her prowl.

“You’d be surprised how”—I hurried to spin again when she quickened her step—“how equal we keep the ranks on the ship.”

Mira snickered. “I know you speak lies, for I’ve been schooled on how the ranks on the ship work. So, who has sent you? Gods know you would not come on your own accord, lest it be to push me over the ledge. Hmm.”

She tapped her lips, much like her father had done not so long ago.

“Wouldn’t be Tobias. No. He’s likely gotten tangled in the arms of another and already lost interest in you. Lord Gorm? Emotions are not his strong suit.”