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My stomach sinks.How can it not be here?I was so sure. I was desperately counting on it. Now what am I to do once he wakes? He’ll know I conked him. He’ll know I used him for something. And he will not be happy.
And then we’ll soon reach my father. And he’ll—
No, I have to stop that line of thinking at once. It’ll do me no good. I must keep my mind firmly in the present. How can I fix this?
Singing Draxen into forgetfulness isn’t an option. I haven’t enough song left to erase his memories. Fiddling with memories takes more than putting men to sleep.
I’ve made a fine mess of things. Seduce Draxen? That has to be my worst idea yet.
I have to cover my mouth to keep from grunting out in frustration.
Suddenly, there’s banging at the door.
“Draxen!” It’s Riden. “Open up now or I’m coming in.”
I hear the handle unlatching, so I race to the door. As it opens, I climb out and shut it behind me before Riden can see inside.
“What is going on?” he asks.
“Your brother was telling me about the constellations,” I say.
Riden’s eyes widen. This must be a usual play for Draxen. “He didn’t…”
“Didn’t what?” I ask.
“You didn’t let him…” He can’t get it out.
“Riden, we were hardly in there for two minutes.”
He shakes his head. “Of course. But what’s he doing now, then?” His eyes widen. “Tell me you didn’t kill him!”
While I’m flattered he knows I’m easily capable of killing Draxen, I still roll my eyes. “I didn’t kill him.”
“Then why isn’t he yelling and swearing?”
Fair point, that. I’ll have to throw in a bit of honesty if I’m to get out of this one. “He was getting too handsy, so I knocked him out.”
Riden relaxes a bit. I find it humorous that he isn’t offended or worried I knocked out his brother. He eyes the door.
He absolutely cannot go in there. I can’t explain why Draxen’s naked if I didn’t bed him, and, well, I don’t want Riden thinking I bedded him.
“What is going on, Alosa? Why did you go in there in the first place?”
We need to get away from here. Right now. I don’t know how much time I have before Draxen wakes.
“Can we talk somewhere else?” I ask. “Back in your room, maybe? I’ll answer all your questions. It’s cold out here.”
He still eyes me suspiciously, but he finally consents, weaving the way back toward his room. There’s extra force in his strides. Riden leaps onto the main deck, not bothering with the stairs. The night watchmen turn their heads to see the cause of the racket. When Riden wrenches open the door to his room, I can’t help but smile. He’s in a mood.
But my amusement vanishes almost instantly. I have a big problem. It’s taking everything I have not to panic. Maybe I should go back and kill Draxen. When he wakes up, everything will go to hell anyway. And Draxen deserves to die.
I’m just not sure I could do that to Riden. For reasons I can’t explain, he loves his brother. I think he would be devastated at his death. Maybe even broken.
But what other choice do I have? Where else could the map possibly be? If it’s not on the ship and Draxen doesn’t carry it on his person—
I’m staring at Riden’s back when it hits.
What if Riden has it?
