AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The man snarled. “You will regret this—”
“Oskar, Maddox is telling the truth. Isaiah, please lower that sword. Maddox, step back. House Bruno, step back.”
Nicola strolled in, hips swaying and carrying two large bags that she transferred to Wheeler’s hands. Wheeler stumbled back at the sudden weight, but Moon stepped in and helped him out. She winked at them, then whirled to face the others.
“The king has given his orders—exactly as Maddox worded it. Mad, what were they going to do?”
“Search the ship,” Maddox said promptly.
“Ah. That falls under harming, unfortunately.”
“But—”
“Are you doubting me, too, Oskar? The king’s advisor who just came from his receiving room?”
Oskar snapped his mouth shut, expression closing off once more. Either there was the realization that he couldn’t openly contradict her claims or that she truly was telling the truth, but he finally jerked his head.
“Let’s go.”
“But Oskar—”
“I said let’s go.”
House Bruno retreated as one, disappearing into the fog. All eyes watched them leave before Marko was back to throwing orders and scrambling the crew into activity.
“Ex-advisor,” Nicola said when it was just the two of them unmoving.
“What?”
“It was a fresh order, which is probably why they didn’t know yet. Don’t worry. It will spread soon. Our new king’s good at making people listen.”
“Nic—”
“Your next docking here will be Bruno-free, I’m sure. Even they are not stupid enough to cross the most powerful man on this island.”
“Nic—”
He took her hand, then waited until she turned to him. He noted her clothes, the dark green dress gone and replaced by a silky green blouse and a pair of black trousers. It was all still polished and highlighted her eyes, but….
“Darling,” he repeated, bringing his head closer to hers. Hoping against hope, even if it meant his heart breaking at what he was going to hear. “Why are you the ex-advisor?”
Nicola didn’t answer for a long time, her gaze sweeping over him. She smiled when she took a strand of his hair and brushed it back, then exhaled sharply when he caught that hand and brushed his lips over her wrist.
“Your hair’s getting longer. I don’t know if I like it or not.”
“Darling, don’t play with me.”
“I’m sorry. I just wanted a moment to look at you.”
“Darling…”
“I quit. I told the king that I did my part in taking down his assassin and cementing his role as this land’s new ruler. I told him that I wanted adventures again, to be an explorer again…that I wanted out of Ostrov Krov because my calling is elsewhere. I promised him that I would write him a new book if I discovered new things about the Otherworld. My brother, too. A missive or two to explain where I’m going should do the job and ease his overprotective tendencies.”
His heart didn’t break. It swelled, taking in the words that held so much weight and meaning.
“Are you saying what I think you are saying?”
“Becoming your new crew member? Yes.” A frown marred her lips. “Your hair’s really long now. I didn’t notice.”
