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Keris huffed out an annoyed breath but gestured to his trunks. “Be quick about it. I’ve had a long night.”
They riffled through the one full of clothing, then turned to the trunk with its precious—and damning—cargo. Turning to him, the soldier said, “I need the key, my lord.”
Digging the small bit of metal from his pocket, Keris unlocked the trunk, lifting the lid and stepping back. His stomach was in ropes as the man picked up a book, setting it on the ground before plucking up two more. The layer of books over the false bottom was only six deep. If the soldier reached it, there was no way in hell that he wouldn’t guess there was something hidden beneath.
Surrounded by soldiers as they were, there’d be no escape.
Feeling ready to vomit, Keris snatched the book the man was holding out of his hands. “That’s the only copy in existence. Have a care with it.”
The man frowned. “It’s just a book.”
“It cost two hundred pieces of gold.” Which was total bullshit. He’d picked up the volume from a bookseller for a handful of silver. But it had an ornate cover, so it looked expensive. “One good gust of wind and I’ll lose the lot to the harbor, and it will be you I hold accountable.”
The soldier hastily set the book back in its place, then stared at it, clearly warring between the cost of disobeying orders and the cost of damaging Keris’s belongings. The latter prevailed, and the man reloaded the chest, gesturing at the servants to carry it aboard the vessel. “Safe travels, Your Highness. The seas are fierce.”
It was a struggle not to let the breath he was holding out with a loud woosh, and Keris pretended to pluck at lint on his sleeve as he followed the trunks up the gangplank.
The captain met him at the top, but Keris only half heard the man’s pleasantries as he was led to a large stateroom, where his trunks were placed neatly against one wall, the men who’d carried the book trunk grumbling about the weight as they exited. “No interruptions,” he told the man. “I prefer to study at night and sleep during the day, and if I wish for food or libation, I will call for it. Understood?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“When do we set sail?”
“As soon as the soldiers finish searching my ship.” The captain scuffed his boot against the ground, his eyes bright with curiosity. “Is it true the King of Ithicana has escaped?”
“Unless he’s aboard this ship, Aren Kertell’s whereabouts are not your concern.”
The captain’s eyes widened. “Certainly not, my lord! I am loyal to king and crown.”
“Wonderful. I look forward to journeying south with you.” Stepping inside, Keris bolted the door behind him, then searched the room for any spyholes drilled into the wall, but there were none.
He stopped next to the trunk holding Zarrah. “I’ll get you out as soon as we pass the breakwater.” They’d still be at risk, but not from his father’s soldiers deciding they needed to do another inspection of the ship. “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” came a soft whisper.
Going to the window at the back of the cabin, which held a stained-glass panel depicting flowers and greenery, Keris stared out the clear pane in the center. The ship bobbed, the faint sound of sailors shouting filtering through the walls, and then the vessel drifted away from the dock. He gripped the edge of the window frame, watching the rough buildings of the harbor, faintly lit by the dawn sun, grow smaller and smaller as they picked up speed. Then the breakwater, the opening flanked by two towers, appeared. A few minutes later, the deck tilted as the sails caught the heavy wind that tore around the point, the ship bucking and plunging on the rough surf. The vessel headed farther out to sea, then shifted direction, heading south along Maridrina’s coast.
Keris exhaled, finally allowing his shoulders to slump, adrenaline fading and leaving exhaustion in its wake. Valcotta was free.
69
ZARRAH
There wasn’t enough air to breathe, and what there was of it reeked of corpse.
Zarrah pressed her face to the tiny air hole, sucking in breath after breath, but it felt as though a band of steel was tightening around her chest, slowly suffocating her. The body shoved in next to her grew stiffer by the second, though at least it had finally stopped its twitching.
Let me out,she silently pleaded.Please let me out.
Only her pride kept her from screaming the words aloud.
Then the scent of Keris’s cologne filled her nose, spicy and familiar and comforting. “We’re at sea. I’m going to get you out now.”
Relief tempered her rising panic, but Zarrah’s heart didn’t ease its gallop until he’d pulled out the layer of books, the volumes thumping against the floor like he was throwing them. Until he’d pulled up the false bottom, letting in a rush of air. Until he was hauling her out of the trunk and wrapping her in his arms.
Zarrah’s muscles screamed as her body unfolded, her legs shuddering as she forced them to straighten, but she didn’t care.
She was free.
