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Then I smelled it, the heightened scent of salt.
We reached the bottom and came to an enormous cavern, with docks that anchored ships. Some had three sails, some had two, and some had only one. But they were sailing ships, destined for deeper waters.
I’d seen them at the Capital, all in the harbor, their white sails glimmering in the sunshine. The castle was in the center of the Capital, but high on a rise so it had breathtaking views of the ocean. Summer was swelteringly hot, hot enough to take a dip in that bright blue ocean. Luncheons and events were held by the sea, full of gardens of white lilies and colorful flowers.
It wasn’t like this—cold.
Grayson was there to meet Huntley. “The sloop is ready for voyage. Stocked with enough food and water to get you there and back. Our scouts say the ocean is calm, but we both know that can change at a moment’s notice.”
We were sailing? Uh, where?
“Thank you, Grayson.” Huntley was in the same thick clothes he’d worn on our adventure here, covered in all his weapons, looking like a true adversary. “I’ll be sure to return her in the same condition.”
Like last time, Grayson shifted his gaze to me. “They say it’s bad luck to have a maiden on a ship…”
Huntley clapped him on the shoulder before he headed down the dock. “I’ve had nothing but bad luck, and I’ve made it this far.”
We walked to the smallest ship at the dock, lightly bobbing up and down on the waves. It had a single white sail, and there wasn’t much room, even for two people. Huntley jumped on board then extended his hand to help me over the edge.
I jumped across on my own and ignored him.
“How long is this going to go on?”
“Indefinitely.” I set my bag down on the deck.
“I highly doubt that.” He got to work on the sail, lowering it and turning it to the right. Then he untied all the ropes that moored it to the harbor. “You’re going to need to get laid eventually.”
“I can do that myself, and I’m pretty damn good at it.”
He dropped the ropes and turned to me, his bedroom eyes coming out. They were dark and intense, like his arousal made his skin flush to just the right color to make him appear angry. The stare lingered for a long time, like hot coals directly against my skin.
Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.
He finally pulled his gaze away and turned to the wheel. “Ever sail before?”
“Do you know many princesses who sail?”
The corner of his mouth quirked up in a smile. “If we’re going to survive out here, you need to do what I tell you. No questions asked. Alright?”
“Yeah…we’re going to die.”
“Baby, come on.”
“Don’t call me that anymore.”
“Fine. I’ll only do it when I’m fucking you.”
“Fine by me—because that ain’t gonna happen again.”
A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth then he took over the wheel, steering us out of the cave and into the open ocean. “We’ll see about that.”
After we were past the initial waves at the coastline, the water was smooth as glass, and the wind in our sail pushed us forward at a quick speed. The land where we’d come from was immediately swallowed by the fog, so all I could see was a solid gray bar across the horizon.
Huntley stayed at the wheel, checking his compass from time to time and making the necessary adjustments. When the wind changed, he ordered me to change the direction of the sail. Since it was life or death out there, I did as he asked without attitude.
Hours passed in silence, just us on the ocean, the wind ice-cold against my cheeks.
The fog cleared away, and we saw more of the horizon. It was a never-ending ocean, going forever. Whenever I found myself getting a little seasick, I focused on the horizon and tried to clear my mind, letting the fresh air cleanse my lungs. “How long will it take to get there?”
“If nothing goes wrong, three days. But at the speed we’re going, probably two.” He turned the wheel then secured it in place with a rope so it wouldn’t turn left or right in the wind. “We’ll be going this direction for a while, so now is the time to rest if you’re tired.”
I’d been tired since we’d left his home in HeartHolme. The constant travel made me weary. I never once complained because I was above that, but I definitely appreciated those times we stayed still, when we slept in the same bed several nights in a row. “Alright.” I headed below deck, seeing two beds against the opposite walls. “Oh, what a relief…” I left all my soiled clothes on the floor and found something clean to wear before I got into bed.
