“What happened on the island…it was…”
The captain’s lips brush the sensitive skin behind my ear, and my mind goes blank. The island…I was talking about the island.
What was my point?
“Yes?” he murmurs, his breath warm against my skin. I shiver from the feel of it, and goosebumps rise on my arms.
Come on, Brain. Make yourself useful.
I clear my throat and tilt away from him. “We were in a whole different world—our emotions were high. We were alone and—”
“We’re alone now,” he points out.
I’m two seconds from letting myself get carried away, so I leap out of his arms and step back to a safe distance. I try to control my breathing, but I know he can tell how flustered I am.
Amused, he rests his hands behind him on the coverlet, watching me like a wildcat about to pounce.
Gulping, I continue, “It wasn’t real.”
His eyebrows jump, and his eyes narrow. “Lucia.”
That one word tells me he can see right through my lie. Of course it was real—we both know it was.
But I’m terrified.
I cannot be in love with him; I just cannot. He thinks he cares for me now—I won’t deny it. And we would have both slipped happily into each other’s arms if the marriage had been binding. It would have been messy and awkward, but our future would have been set—the decision out of our hands. But he’s free to leave now, and anytime he likes.
It hurt with Sebastian, but it would kill me with Avery. I’m afraid I like him too much.
I let myself begin to care for a man who’s too unpredictable, too swayed by whims. It was supposed to end on the island. It wasn’t supposed to follow us home.
“You have become a good friend—”
I’m cut off by Avery’s groan. He falls back on the bed. “You’re impossible—and stubborn and difficult.” He tilts his head and looks right at me. “But if you think this is over, you have another thing coming. I will wear you down, Lucia. Day by day, week by week, year by year if that’s what it takes.”
My knees soften, and my resolve melts like snow doused in boiling water. Yet I somehow hold my ground. “You should get some rest.”
Knowing the discussion is over at this point, Avery slowly sits up, wincing at the pain in a way that makes my heart hurt for him. “I should be at the helm.”
But, of course, that’s not possible—not with Avery in this condition. Arthur, the king’s man who was sent in charge of the arrest of the Duke of Mesilca, has already arranged for a substitute captain. I cannot imagine how Avery will bear it.
“Goodnight, Captain. Try to sleep, all right?”
“Did you speak with Sebastian?” Avery asks before I’m through the door.
I look over my shoulder and take note of the veiled worry in his expression. Apparently, he’s not as sure of himself as he pretends.
“Yes.”
Playing unconcerned, he asks, “And how are…things?”
I know what he’s asking, even if he won’t come out and say it bluntly. But Sebastian is not the reason I have reservations, and though I cannot explain why, I need him to know that.
I directly meet his gaze. “He’s not speaking with me at the moment.”
A cocky, relieved smile flickers across Avery’s face before fatigue wipes it away. “That’s a shame.”
Shaking my head and laughing under my breath because I can’t help myself, I shut the door softly behind me.
CHAPTER THREE
Royal Welcoming Committee
The king’s city slides into view. It promises fresh food, a change of scenery, and most importantly, the end of the most wretched month-long sea voyage I’ve ever been subjected to. It’s been an entire season since I’ve seen Kalae’s mainland. When Avery and I left, we were running from a passel of amateur bounty hunters. It was autumn, the height of the harvest season, and the days were still warm.
Now it’s late winter. The city of Teirn never truly grows cold, not like the mountains of Reginae where Sebastian and I are from, but it’s not as pleasant as it was when we left. The early morning is slightly cool, just cold enough to need a light jacket or cloak. Later, the day will be warm enough to shed outer layers, possibly even walk about in short-sleeves.
Teirn is a city of nobles and courtiers—the rich. They flock here in droves, escaping the gloomy months for sunshine by the sea. Because of that, the dock is quiet this early in the day. Most of the city’s inhabitants are still in their beds, possibly just breaking their fasts on scones and other delicate pastries.
The sun peeks over the horizon as we near the pier. I spot a few couriers running about, and the restaurateurs begin to open their shoppes for the day. They toss open shutters, sweep entries, and prop doors open, welcoming patrons in.
Teirn is gorgeous, as one would expect the king’s city to be. There are walkways adjacent to the main road, separated by continuous rows of flower beds and short bushes. It’s too cool this time of year for most of the summer blooms, but ruffled ornamental cabbages in purples, reds, and dusky greens decorate the streets. There are benches in welcoming nooks—places encouraging people to stop and chat.
Toward the north of the city lies the castle and its grounds. It’s a great gray stone palace with gleaming windows and flag-topped turrets, and it towers over Teirn. It’s larger than any of the castles that belong to the dukes who rule over each of the nine provinces and far grander.
The city is for those who have all the time in the world, the ones who don’t concern themselves with the harvest or how many eggs their prize hens are laying. The citizens here don’t worry about stocking the cellars at just the right time so the root vegetables will not rot before they’re eaten. They have people for that, people who are paid handsomely.
Even the lower-class citizens are dressed well—because who would want anything shabby marring the fair city?
Covering a yawn with her hand, Adeline shuffles up next to me. The seamstress doesn’t like mornings, and she usually sleeps in much later than I do. We’ve shared the guest cabin for the last month. Where it seemed large and luxurious compared to the tiny sleeping quarters on the Sea Star, the ship Sebastian and I first sailed on, it’s not quite large enough for the two of us. Especially considering Adeline talks in her sleep.
There’s only so many times a person can hear, “Oh, Sebastian,” before the charm they wear to keep sea sickness at bay fails to control nausea.
When we are near the docks, a small boat makes its way toward us. Two of the king’s coastal guards call their greetings to Avery, who is at the wheel—as the stubborn man has been for most of the voyage.
“His Majesty has reserved a spot for you at the royal pier,” one hollers. “We’re here to escort you.”
Avery’s words from before we arrived in Mesilca float to my mind. He said we were going to be celebrated. Apparently, he was right. At least he is. I still have my doubts the king will want to fawn over the daughter of a chicken farmer from a tiny village in Reginae.
The Serpent follows the small craft, and soon we are docking at a separate pier. Flink, my wolfhound-sized lesser dragon, runs back and forth, knocking into the crew, bumping into random cargo—generally being an oversized, elemental nuisance.
“Come on.” I grasp hold of the dragon’s harness and wrestle him below deck, to my cabin.
He stares at me with disappointed amber eyes as I tell him to stay on his bed—an old tattered sail that Avery’s boatswain gave us after Flink took up residence on a rather important coil of rope.
“Be good,” I warn.
The dragon settles onto the fabric and nuzzles his solid gold ball, which is actually a very expensive gazing ball Avery finally gave him just to keep him out of his cabin. The captain collects all kinds of priceless artifacts, and Flink decided halfway through our voyage here that they were there for his amusement. Strange dragons and their pack rat tendencies.
I shut the door, hoping he d
oesn’t destroy any more of Adeline’s dresses. She likes the dragon well enough, but her patience has limits.
We are docking when I arrive back on the deck. If a pier can be grand, this one is. Men in the king’s scarlet and gold mill about, waiting to assist us. Some are here to help with our luggage; others hold trays of pastries and fruits and steaming silver pots filled with what I hope is coffee. I lean far over the railing. Adeline yanks me back, possibly fearing I’m going to topple right over the edge.
The gangplank is lowered, and the serving men, along with several official-looking types, flood onto the Serpent, overwhelming us all. Several men set out for Avery first. They surround him, shaking his hand and congratulating him on his successful mission.
Some find Sebastian, asking him how they might be of service. Adeline and I watch them, slightly overwhelmed.
“They are handsome, aren’t they? Perhaps one of them will notice me,” Adeline says after a few moments, her voice slightly bitter as her eyes linger on my business partner.
She’s wrong about Sebastian. He notices her, even if he’s careful not to let her catch him. I think it makes him feel guilty—an emotion I am intimately familiar with. But, still, he notices all the same.
And how do I feel about that? I’m undecided. It would be a lie to say I’m not affected by the glances that last a hair too long, to not feel betrayed by the kind way he speaks to her. But I have an aching suspicion it’s for the wrong reason.
Avery’s been right all along. Sebastian and I have a twisted sort of relationship, one we need to sort out. I want him in my life; I know that much. I think even Sebastian will admit that. Born a day apart in our little village, together constantly since birth, we’re practically family. Now we need to learn to give each other a bit of breathing room, space to live our own lives without walking completely out of the other’s.
“If it isn’t Lucia of Reginae, adventuress extraordinaire,” a masculine voice says from beside me.
I turn, startled to find a familiar, blond-haired man bowing in front of me. He straightens and smiles, obviously amused by the incredulous look on my face. “I’m part of your welcoming committee.”
His name is Gerard, and he’s somehow connected to the royal family, but I’ve never quite figured out how.
“An improvement over my last position as a human shield, don’t you think?” he adds, letting a grin slide over his face as he hints to our last meeting.
The last time I saw him, Avery and I were fighting bounty hunters. I might have ducked behind him while aiming my bow. Of course, he’s the one who loudly announced our presence to the entire pier, so it’s not like he didn’t deserve it.
If first, and second, impressions are anything to go off, I don’t really care for the man. Adeline, though, sidles in closer, hoping for an introduction.
Gerard’s eyes widen in appreciation when he sees the pretty seamstress.
“Adeline this is…” I motion toward Gerard, pausing as if I’m at a loss for words. “I’m sorry, sir. I cannot quite remember…” I intentionally let my words trail off and wince in an exaggerated manner.
The handsome young man chuckles, knowing full-well I’m lying through my teeth. Bowing over Adeline’s hand, he says, “I’m Gerard of the family Render, and I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Her lips part in surprise when he says his surname.
“Adeline of the family Daughtra, from Grenalda,” I fill in since she’s a bit starstruck.
Adeline blushes when Gerard brushes a kiss over her knuckles. Though she looks bemused, her eyes dart to Sebastian to see if he’s watching the exchange.
Sebastian continues his conversation, pretending he doesn’t notice. Adeline’s shoulders sag with disappointment. Irritated with Sebastian on Adeline’s behalf, I frown at him. I know what it feels like to be snubbed by Lord Thane.
“Adeline, weren’t you just saying you had hoped to stretch your legs?” I say. “I’m sure Gerard would be happy to escort you down the pier.”
Gerard nods, eager to be of service. “Of course.”
Adeline gives me a questioning look, but she’s too much of a lady to argue. “That would be very pleasant.”
There. I’ve done my good deed for the day.
The two certainly make a pretty couple. When they reach the pier, they’re approached by a woman selling hothouse roses from a basket. Gerard pauses despite Adeline’s protests and buys her a light pink blossom. Feeling a bit melancholy for reasons I don’t quite understand, I watch Gerard gallantly lead Adeline down the dock.
Over my shoulder, I take a surreptitious peek at Avery. He stands with a group of the king’s men. He obviously knows them well, and the group laughs at something he says.
This month at sea has been good for the rogue captain, even if it’s been torture for me. Being this close to him…it’s difficult. The last few weeks have been filled with lingering gazes and knowing glances…very much like the one he’s giving me now that he’s noticed me watching him.
I meet his eyes and give him a tiny smile before I disappear below deck. But after the door is closed behind me, I lean against it and close my eyes.
Avery swears he cares for me, but almost the entire time we’ve known each other, we’ve either been trapped on his ship or an island. The rest of the world is about to get in the way, and his world is so very different from mine.
Sebastian’s a regular reminder of that. The largest obstacle in our friendship has been the great cavern of nobility separating us, and Sebastian isn’t even quite as high on the social ladder as Avery. The captain’s father is an earl—he’s not going to want Avery with me any more than the senior Lord Thane wants me with Sebastian.
Shaking off my fears, knowing there’s nothing I can do about them right now, I make my way to the storage cubby/temporary infirmary/personal cabin of Yancey Edelmyer, displaced son of the former Duke of Mesilca.
“Yancey!” I holler as I knock on the wooden door. “Time to join the world!”
Not a bit put out that I’m answered with silence, I knock several more times until the great beast of a man tosses the door open.
Grinning at his surly expression, I cross my arms and angle my head up to look at him. “Hello, Starshine. Did you sleep well in your personal princess cabana? Is there anything you require? Tea? Hot towel?”
We turned the storage cubby into an infirmary when Yancey was attacked by a vampiric siren on our way back from our last voyage. Even though the wounds on his neck healed nicely some time ago, he adopted the space as his own.
Since I was the one to save him from the siren, we’ve developed a bit of a friendly bond. And by friendly, I mean he no longer knocks me off my feet with the wind charm that’s a specialty of his. Well, not often anyway.
Yancey grunts—as friendly a greeting as you’ll ever get out of him—and turns back to his room. I, of course, follow him in.
“I really like what you’ve done with the place,” I say, nodding toward the stacked crates that take up half of the space. “Very homey.”
He rolls his eyes.
“So…there’s a little detail I thought you might like to be made aware of before you head up to the deck…”
“Do you have a point?” he growls.
Like Adeline, Yancey’s not much of a morning person.
“Half the king’s men have boarded the ship, and they’re making themselves cozy with our captain.”
Yancey growls and rubs a meaty palm over his forehead.
Since Yancey’s father isn’t on the greatest of terms with King Harold at the moment—and we’re not sure what that means for the man we’ve reluctantly befriended even though he has the personality of a badger who has repeatedly been poked with a stick—our plan was to introduce Yancey into Kalae without any fanfare.
And by introduce, I mean sneak.
Which might be difficult now.
“I’ll lie low for a day or two,” Yancey grumbles.
I purs
e my lips, knowing he’s not going to like the next part.
“What now?” he asks, noticing my expression.
“We were intercepted on the way in and are currently docked at the king’s personal pier.”
Yancey curses under his breath. “Your pirate companion is chummy with the king. Perhaps he can arrange something—he’s certainly slick enough, isn’t he?”
Where Yancey and I are doing better, he and Avery are…not. Their already tenuous relationship was bound to be further strained considering it was Avery who conspired with the king to arrest the duke. Still, if Duke Edelmyer hadn’t attempted to illegally charter ships to sail into forbidden water, he wouldn’t have gotten himself into trouble.
“I’ll speak with him. You just stay…” I wrinkle my nose at the dark, small room. “Stay here for a bit.”
I wander back to the deck, hoping to find Avery alone for a moment, but I don’t see Avery at all. The ship is still abuzz with activity, so I find a spot against the rail and look out over the city.
As I stand here, a weird sensation settles over me. It very much feels as if I’m being watched. I scan the growing crowd—people eager to see what important person has arrived in the city—and my eyes meet the gaze of a thin man in a fine jacket and simple black doublet. Normally, a person would look away, avoid the awkward moment, but the man continues to watch me. I narrow my eyes.
“There you are,” Avery says behind me.
I turn, dismissing the strange man from my mind. Leaning close, I ask, “What are we going to do with Yancey?”
Avery frowns. “I forgot he was down there, hiding like a groundhog.”
“Avery,” I warn.
The captain shrugs, not terribly repentant. “This chaos will die down eventually. We’ll figure it out when it does.”
“What about Flink?”
Avery glances around the deck, looking for the beast.
“I took him to my cabin,” I explain before he can ask.
“Leave him here with Mason and Zeb for now, just until we work everything out.”
I glance at the ship’s boys, who already appear to have their hands full. But Flink likes them, and they like Flink—which is more than can be said about most of Avery’s crew. Frankly put, the dragon’s not going to become the ship mascot anytime soon.
Wildwood Larkwing (Silver and Orchids Book 3) Page 2
