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He surprises me by saying, “Sure.” He extends a hand toward the door. “After you.”
We step out into the wind, the sails snapping overhead. The blue sky stretches on ahead for miles, but gray clouds still crowd the sky behind us. I’ve been on the deck three times now, but both times Iwas focused on what was in front of me: Tessa. Now, I inhale the sea air and look beyond the masts. The scent of fish is thick in the air, but it’s not overpowering thanks to the wind. I’ve sailed the Queen’s River before, but never quite like this. Our parents only boarded the finest ships, wide vessels with servants and attendants and liveried officers. TheDawn Chaseris a decent ship, but it’s not built for royalty. When we were boys, Harristan and I were always cloistered away, kept out of the wind, far from any railings. My brother never really took to travel by sea, so once he was king, he never asked for it. Our journeys to other sectors are almost always by land.
But now, feeling the wind bite at my cheeks and tug at my clothes, I find myself wishing I’d done this more often. There’s a part of me that wants to lean over the railing just because Ican.
The thought feels juvenile, and I shove it away.
Lochlan would probably take a chance to pitch me overboard anyway.
When I glance over, I find Rian studying me.
“First time at sea, Your Highness?”
I can’t tell if the question is meant to be condescending, but he sounds forthright, so I am, too.
“No,” I say. “Not really. But it’s been ages.” I step past him, toward the railing, because the lure is just too great. Beneath us, the water rushes past alarmingly fast, waves slapping at the hull. It’s a bit dizzying, but I like it.
“We’re making good time,” Rian says. “It was a boon to get ahead of the storm. Good winds should have us in the ocean south of Sunkeep by tomorrow night. The following day at the latest.”
Thatisgood time, and I wonder if it’s too good.
Once we pass Port Karenin, I’ll be truly on my own.
I have to tamp down the lick of fear that loops around my spine, and I straighten, moving away from the railing. The captain extends a hand, and we walk, heading toward the bow of the ship.
“I heard Lochlan started a fight already,” I say.
“Not a fight,” he says. “Just a bit of wounded pride between men.” He pauses, and one of those tiny barbs finds his voice. “You understand, I’m sure.”
“You really don’t like me, do you?”
He smiles, but it’s more cunning than it is friendly. “Do I give that impression? I believe the king was assured we’d be old friends by the time you return.”
“Don’t be contemptuous, Captain. It doesn’t suit you.”
His smile widens. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Another barb, but I don’t take the bait. A gust of cold wind sweeps across the deck, tugging at my jacket, and I tuck my hands in my pockets. “You’re judging me by rumor and opinion,” I say.
“Perhaps I am,” he says equably.
We’ve reached the bow of his ship, and from here, I see nothing but open water and distant ships, the wind in my face and the sky stretching on forever.
“Was death truly the penalty for stealing Moonflower?” he says.
“Yes,” I say. “It was well known throughout Kandala.”
“And as King’s Justice, you were in charge of determining the method of punishment?”
“I was.”
“These punishments,” he says. “They were public?”
“Sometimes,” I say. I hear him trying to trap me, so I turn and look at him. “You were not here in the beginning, when people werequite literally fighting to the death over access to medicine. My brother had an entire country to consider. He ordered me to take action, and so I did.”
“I see.”
I wait for him to say something else, but he doesn’t. We head along the opposite railing, toward where the men are gutting fish. They keep their eyes on their task, but they’ve fallen silent. I’m sure the lure of gossip, even on board a ship, is too great to ignore.
