by Sarah Olson
I swung the door to the hall open. The floor was slick with water, and there was no one in sight. I braced myself on the wall as I staggered to the door that would take me onto the main deck. The ship tipped again as I opened the door and stumbled into the pouring rain, grabbing onto the doorpost to keep from falling.
The main deck was utter chaos. Sailors staggered back and forth carrying ropes and shouting orders.
I stepped onto the main deck trying to maintain my balance. The rain pounded down, soaking me in seconds. I squinted through the water in my eyes searching for Ethelyn.
"Ethelyn!" I yelled. No one paid me any attention. I stumbled forward, my bare feet slipping on the slick wood. Waves crashed into the sides of the Enigma, seawater drenching the deck.
"Ethelyn!" Where could she be? I looked around, frantically debating whether I should continue searching or take cover back inside.
I spotted Roy across from me on the main deck. He saw me at the same time and opened his mouth, yelling something that only the howling wind and rain could hear. His face was twisted with fear, and he yelled again, pointing at me.
"What?" I shouted back.
Water crashed onto the deck as a massive wave shoved the Enigma.
I grabbed onto anything nearby to steady myself. When I glanced back, Roy was making his way toward me.
There was a deafening crack as lightning struck the mast. I stared up at the splitting wood in horror and watched it fall toward the deck.
"No!" I screamed as the mast came crashing down toward Roy.
Someone grabbed me, and I found myself facing Seif.
"Get back inside!" he yelled.
I wriggled out of his grip and ran towards the spot where Roy had just been.
"Get down!" I heard someone near me scream.
I turned just in time to see a monster wave explode onto the Enigma. The force of the water drove me into the railing, knocking the air from my lungs. Panic filled me as I fumbled blindly to grip the railing. I had to get back inside—back to where it was safe. I had to find Roy. There was a jolt in the railing and then I was falling.
Falling.
I couldn’t scream.
I couldn’t breathe.
Lightning split the world just as I disappeared into the depths of the ocean.
Chapter 21
James
T HE CAMPFIRE SNAPPED as I stared into the orange flames. We were half a day’s ride out of the Malanese Seaport, and if we hadn’t needed to rest the horses, I would’ve kept going. The journey had gone smoothly, but I ached to reach the seaport and find my daughter.
"Garret, you take the first watch," Davorin said to the young redheaded guard as he sat down beside me.
"Yes, sir," Garret said. As the youngest guard with us, he had been overly eager to prove his worth.
"We’re almost there," Davorin said to me, his voice low. "Make sure you get some sleep tonight since you tend to be more irritable when you don’t."
I gritted my teeth and said nothing, turning over in my hand a rock I’d picked up.
Davorin sighed. "I only mean that we don’t want to scare people away before we can question them about Wesley."
"I know," I said.
I looked through the fire at Gabriel sitting across from us. He sat beside one of the other guards, Hunter. Probably one of the fiercest young men I’d seen come up through the ranks—handpicked by Tristan for this journey.
The two were talking as they finished their meal. Gabriel glanced up at me, and I saw the worry in his eyes—fear that we would not find Aria.
"What’s the plan for tomorrow?" Davorin asked.
"We search every tavern and inn until we learn of Wesley’s whereabouts," I replied.
"We may have a strong and friendly alliance with Malan, but the Malanese won’t take too kindly to us turning every tavern and inn upside down."
"Which is why we will do it quietly," I said, tossing the rock into the fire. I rubbed my hands together to dust off the dirt and looked over at Gabriel. "Get some sleep," I said to him.
He nodded and stood just as the other two guards came to Davorin’s side.
"We finished scouting the area. There is no one around in this forsaken wasteland," Fabian spat, his dark, shoulder-length hair shifting in the night breeze.
Davorin laughed. "I didn’t realize you held such high expectations for a desert."
Fabian snorted.
"He’d make a great Surman, wouldn’t he?" the other guard said.
Davorin raised an eyebrow. "If you could see Redvale, that great city would make you forget their kingdom was in a desert."
"It can compare to Kings City?" Gabriel asked.
I glanced over at him. "I thought I said get some sleep."
Gabriel rolled his eyes and stalked away as Davorin told the guards what the order of watch would be for the night.
When everyone finally settled down, I forced myself to lie on the bedroll. Bright stars shone across the desert sky just as bright as I remembered them to be in the rebel camps of Malan. My mind drifted to the war and how I’d look up each night and think of Layla who was so far from me. It pained me to be away from her during that time, and I prayed that the one night we shared together would not be our last.
But now, as I looked at the stars, I could only think of Aria. I wouldn’t rest until she was safe. If anything happened to her—no, I wouldn’t think like that. Aria was okay. She was just being stubborn and managing to scare the hell out of me, but she was not in any danger. Ethelyn would have never allowed her to do something completely reckless.
"Father?" Gabriel whispered. He was lying a couple of feet away from me. "Are you still awake?"
"Yes," I replied.
I heard Gabriel shift on his bedroll and sit up. "What do we do if she’s not there?" he asked quietly.
I kept my eyes on the sky. "We find out where she went."
"And if we don’t?"
He was asking the questions I didn’t want to consider yet.
"We will figure it out if it comes to that." It was the most honest answer I could give him.
Gabriel was silent for a moment, then said, "I’m scared."
I sighed and sat up. "I know, Gabriel, but this is not the time to be. Right now, we have to focus on getting to the seaport and finding Wesley. We find him, and we find your sister."
Gabriel nodded and lay back down on his bedroll.
I looked around and saw that everyone else was asleep except for Garret who was intently watching our surroundings. It was going to be a long night.
☐☐☐☐
To no surprise of my own, I didn’t sleep that night—and if I did, it was for such a short time that I didn’t even remember. As soon as the sun began to rise, we were all up and ready to continue onto the seaport.
The tension weighed in our group’s silence as our horses sped across the desert sands. I let the pounding hooves drive my fears and worries away. When I heard the seagulls calling off in the distance, I urged my mount to pick up the pace, and within seconds, we were all galloping hard. We were so close.
"Whoa!" I called, putting a hand up as we reached the top of the last sand dune.
The other horses skidded to a halt as we looked down into the large seaport. People and vendors packed the streets; the docks were lively with longboats coming and going to the bigger ships moored just off the coast. The smell of salt hung in the air.
Edwin moved his mount so he could be beside me. "How do you want to proceed, Your Majesty?" he asked, his voice deep.
"We’re going to split up," I replied, my eyes scanning the seaport below.
"Is that wise?"
I gave him a hard look and pulled the hood of my cape up to shade my face. I jerked my head over at Gabriel to do the same.
"No one is expecting Asterian royalty to be coming through, so it is unlikely we will be recognized. Today, none of you are royal guards, just Asterians with some questions. Go to every tavern and inn, starting
near the docks, and ask around for Wesley Langdon."
"You don’t want us to ask for the princess?" Garret asked, excitement in his eyes.
"It’s doubtful she was traveling as Aria," Davorin said, his horse shifting under him. "Just find us Wesley."
"And be discrete," I added. "We don’t want to draw any more attention than we need to. Gabriel, I want you with Hunter."
"I don’t need protection," Gabriel argued.
I shot him a look, and he backed down. "Edwin, you are with Garret, and Fabian, you are on your own. I trust you can handle yourself."
Fabian nodded.
"Davorin and I will be near the docks, so if you find something, look for us there. Split the inns and taverns amongst yourselves."
When everyone understood where they were to search, we rode down into the seaport, hoping that somehow we would find Aria.
As we neared the buildings, a group of the Malanese guard came riding out down the main road. I narrowed my eyes and glanced over at Davorin.
He frowned and shook his head. "Maybe they’re not heading for us."
I slowed my horse, and the others followed. "We will split once the guard passes us." At least, I hoped they were planning on riding by. After all, there was no reason to stop us.
I counted ten guards wearing shining gold armor.
"Those are royal guards, James," Davorin said.
"What would royal guards be doing out this far from Kings City?" Fabian asked suspiciously, pulling his horse up to my left.
"I don’t know," I replied as the guards got within a couple of hundred feet of us.
They rode straight for us now.
I put a hand up and pulled my mount to a halt. Hunter stayed behind me with Gabriel as my other guards flanked Davorin and me.
The Malanese guards came upon us quickly and stopped, spears at the ready. The guard in the center pulled his helmet off and eyed each of us carefully. His dark skin was slick with sweat from the heat, and his long hair was pulled back behind his neck. The sun carved in the center of his golden breastplate shone brightly in the sunlight.
"Who’s in charge?" he demanded, his accent strong.
"Who’s asking?" Davorin replied. He urged his horse forward so he was closest to them.
"I am Captain Jaspar of the King’s Guard," the man answered. "Now I ask again. Who's in charge?"
"I am," I said. Davorin kept his eyes on the guards as I pushed my hood back. "I am King James of Asteria."
The captain’s eyes widened slightly, and he dipped his head quickly. "I didn’t recognize you, Your Majesty. However, before you continue on your business, I have been asked to escort you to the Ocean Palace."
"I don’t have time for that," I said, doing nothing to hide my annoyance.
"I understand, but my prince has been very clear. The Asterian riders coming into the seaport are to be brought to the Ocean Palace."
"Did he know we were coming?" Davorin asked.
Captain Jaspar looked straight at me. "I have my orders, Your Majesty, and I intend to fulfill them."
"Are you threatening the king?" Hunter growled from behind me.
I glanced over the Malanese guard and saw the uneasiness of the situation in their eyes. As much as I wanted just to ride through them, I knew that fighting them wouldn’t help anything. Even though I was a king, these guards didn’t answer to me. Searching for Aria would have to wait.
I put my hand up to cut off whatever retort the captain was about to blurt. "We will go with you, but I must ask that we do so in haste. I have important business that cannot wait."
I could almost feel the captain’s relief as he realized he would not have to attempt dragging the king of Asteria along with him. He put his helmet back on and nodded. "Follow us, Your Majesty."
I pulled my hood back up and motioned my men to follow the Malanese guards.
We swiftly rode through the streets of the Malanese Seaport. The smell of salt and dead fish hung in the hot air that pressed around us. People watched us curiously as they made sure they were out of our horses’ way. I kept my eyes peeled for any sign of Aria and told my guards to do the same.
Nothing.
When we left the larger part of the seaport behind us, the guards led us west through the outskirts and then towards the ocean again. I could see the white walls of the Ocean Palace in the distance. It sat near the shore like a glowing white beacon. Shimmering points of light glimmered from the top of the wall as gold-clad guards paced back and forth. Captain Jaspar led us quickly to the gate that had already been raised and into the courtyard. I’d never seen the Ocean Palace before, and while I was partial to the Asterian Castle, it did not disappoint.
Davorin let out a low whistle of appreciation.
The palace was white just like the wall that was offset by the tan gables and turrets. Malanese flags lined the courtyard—their bright red and gold giving the palace life. The glass windows of the palace were large and glittered in the sunlight. It wasn’t as big as my castle or King Darius’s in Kings City but at least twice the size of the largest estate in Asteria.
Captain Jaspar and his men dismounted and handed off their horses to some young boys that had run out of the stables to meet us. He sent one of his men inside to tell the prince we had arrived.
"The servants will make sure your horses are given water and cooled down before you continue," the captain said.
"We cannot stay long," I said, anticipation and frustration at our delay coursing through me as I handed my reigns to one of the boys. There had better be a good reason for this.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
The large, intricate sand-colored doors at the front of the palace opened, and one of the guards came out followed by two servants. They wore the same uniform I had seen them wear in Kings City—a white tunic with flowing white pants and a red sash tied around their middle.
"The prince will see you immediately," one of the servants said, bowing at the waist.
I gestured to Gabriel to come up beside me, and together we followed the servants back up the large steps and into the palace. He had been silent since we followed the guards to the palace and I could almost feel his irritation coming off him in waves.
I barely noted our surroundings as we were hurried into a large parlor on the second floor. The room’s windows looked out into the ocean beyond the walls. The room itself was lined with paintings of the sea along with a portrait of King Darius above the fireplace.
"Fabian," I said turning to him. "Take the other guards back into the hall and wait for us there. Gabriel and Davorin, you stay with me."
Fabian bowed his head and followed Hunter, Garrett and Edwin back into the hall. The door had just closed behind them when another burst open, and the prince entered, a bright smile stretched across his face.
"King James!" he exclaimed. "And Prince Gabriel, what a surprise!"
Gabriel smiled.
"Prince Nazir," I said, with a slight bow of my head. I gestured to Davorin, "and I am sure you remember Lord Bateson."
"Of course," the prince said. He was dressed in breeches and a simple tunic with an embroidered collar. Like me, he was never much into the habit of wearing a crown every day.
"Your Majesty," Davorin said with a bow.
"Please sit," Prince Nazir said, as he settled down onto an overstuffed armchair.
Gabriel and I sat, followed by Davorin.
"I apologize if I don’t show the same enthusiasm, as your men interrupted some very important business I had in the seaport," I said.
"I apologize for that," the prince said. His curly black hair fell to his shoulders, and his dark skin was still relatively smooth as if he had stayed out of the sun for most of his life. Prince Nazir was only a couple of years younger than I and was King Darius’s nephew. One day, he would take the crown.
A servant entered the room carrying a tray with glasses of water.
"Thank you," Davorin said when each of us had taken a glass.
/> I took a sip of the water, not realizing how thirsty I was until the cool liquid poured over my tongue.
"We’ve been watching our roads for the last month for any suspicious activity," the prince said.
"Is that why we were brought in?" I asked.
He nodded. "I didn’t know it was you. Our patrols only told us a group of Asterian riders was headed to the seaport and moving very fast—you didn’t look like the common traveler or merchant."
"I see. But since when are Asterians questioned for traveling through Malan?" Davorin asked.
The prince set his glass down on the table next to him. "We’ve had information about the missing Surman prince."
I raised an eyebrow. "What kind of information?" That was a turn I didn’t expect.
"The kind that tells us he’s been living in Malan since the day he fled after murdering his father. He’s been spotted around the seaport, so we’ve been watching the roads and docks ever since. Any suspicious activity is to be reported to me."
"And we were suspicious activity," Davorin said with a forced laugh. "We are Asterian, not Surman."
Prince Nazir shrugged. "Yes, though I will probably need to reiterate that we are not looking for any Asterians apart from Princess Aria, as you requested." He picked his glass up again, shaking his head. "I am assuming then that you are here to find her."
"Yes, she came here a couple of weeks ago with some merchants," I said, feeling the irritation of the momentary distraction building in my gut. I was so close now—so close to finding my daughter.
"Have you heard anything?" Gabriel asked. He was sitting on the edge of his seat, his leg bouncing with impatience. If Layla could see his poor manners, she probably would have smacked him over the head.
You have to keep yourself composed at all times, she’d say. You must never forget that you are representing your kingdom—especially in front of important guests.
"I’m sorry to say I have not," Prince Nazir said. "We didn’t know where to look."
"But now we know where," I said. "If she came through here—or is still here—she would have stayed at one of the inns. Someone would have seen her."
"Then let me send my men into the seaport and have them look while you rest from your long journey."
