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I shove wet hair back from my face and stride forward, Rocco at my side.
I expect Prince Corrick to return unharmed.
My brother’s words, his vehemence, add to that bolt of warmth in my chest.
But then I consider what Rian said in response.
Understood, Your Majesty.
Not an assurance. Not a promise.
An understanding.
I glance at Rocco. “Stay sharp,” I say quietly.
“Yes, Your Highness.” He glances at the sea captain striding ahead of us. “You have my word.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Tessa
I’ve only been on the boat for half an hour, but my stomach is already threatening to empty itself all over the floorboards of my room. Or possibly Corrick’s room. He can decide when he arrives. We’re not even at sea yet, but I’m ready to tear apart my apothecary kit, because I could chew through an entire twist of ginger root. I definitely wish I’d waited for Corrick on the docks. It might have been raining, but at least it wasstable. I press my hands to my abdomen and wonder what’s keeping him. I saw the flicker of worry in Captain Blakemore’s eyes when he looked at the sky.
Rapid footsteps cross the floorboards overhead, stepping with purpose. I try not to wonder if the storm is worse than they expected, if we’re too late to leave safely. A large porthole sits on the opposite side of the room, heavy glass crossed by steel bars, and rain has been steadily beating at the window since I walked in. I’ve been trying not to look through it because all I can see are the gas lamps on the dock shifting up and down.
When Captain Blakemore showed me to this room, he said, “We’ve given you all the rear quarters since you’re not used to being at sea. The going should be a bit smoother here.” He then pointed at the ceiling and said something about the officers’ stations and navigational rooms being above us, but by that point, I was trying to keep from stumbling into him again.
It’s bad enough that it happened once.
I wonder if Kilbourne will say something to Corrick. I remember the flare of intrigue in the captain’s eyes when he asked if I would be sharing quarters with the prince. It feels like the kind of detail a guardsman wouldn’t leave unremarked.
A knock raps at the door, and Kilbourne calls, “Miss Tessa. An audience has been—”
My heart leaps. Oh thank goodness. He’s here. I don’t even wait for Kilbourne to finish his announcement before I stride to the door and throw it open.
I stop short. It’s not Corrick. It’s Lochlan. His eyes are hard and his jaw is set.
My heart’s leap turns into a stumble.
I haven’t seen Lochlan since he caused a scene in the candy shop, and I was doubtful when I learned he’d be on this journey. A willowy young man in palace livery stands behind him, but it’s very obvious that he’s been charged with keeping Lochlan out of trouble. He looks more like a student than a guard.
He also looks just as green as I feel.
Lochlan doesn’t waste time on any pleasantries. He pulls a small woven pouch out of a pocket and holds it out. “Here,” he says, and while his voice is gruff, it’s not unkind.
“What is it?”
“It’s from Karri. For the seasickness.” He gives me a quickup-and-down glance. “Peppermint candies. And some ginger caramels. She made them both this morning when she learned we were leaving so soon.” He pauses. “You look like you could use some.”
“Oh.” That tempers some of my wariness. I reach out and take the bag just as the boat gives another surge. I have to grab hold of the doorframe so I don’t crash into Lochlan, too.
My mouth is already watering, and I shove a hand into the bag for one of the caramels. “Thank you,” I say, as I slip one into my mouth. “Don’t you need them?”
“She made some for me, too,” he says. “But I always catch some summer work on the fishing trawlers. I don’t get seasick.” He glances at my hand clutching the wood. “It’ll be better once we pull away from the dock. They’ve got the sails up, so we’re fighting the ropes.”
There’s no belligerence in his voice, and I’m reminded of the way he spoke gently to Karri. I’ve only ever known him as a rebel who tortured Corrick and tried to burn down the palace, but there has to be another side to him that he’s reluctant to show. Karri is too smart, too discerning. She wouldn’t be with a man like him otherwise.
“Be careful,” I say. “You might trick me into thinking you’re kind, Lochlan.”
