“Yeah.”
He looked to Ariella and Willy. “You two good?”
“Yep.” Willy shot him a grin, and Ariella nodded.
“Let’s go.”
Max led the way down the gangplank to the dock. I wasn’t looking forward to walking down hundreds of steps to get to the ground since we were up on the very top of the kingdom’s wall. But this trip would be a lot better than the one I’d taken up thestairs when I was running for my life. We could take our time if we needed to.
Max was familiar enough with these docks to lead the way to a less crowded set of stairs, but just as we reached them, I heard someone call my name.
“Kaspar?”
I froze, and Max and I exchanged wide-eyed looks.
“Kaspar?” another whispered yell came from my right.
All four of us put our hands on our weapons, Max ready to pull a gun while the rest of us had hands on the hilt of our swords strapped to our hips.
A figure moved over to us with raised hands, and it only took me a beat to recognize him. “Ethan?” My brow furrowed even as my heart soared at seeing my old friend. “What’re you doing here?” And better yet, how had he found me? Especially so soon after we left the ship.
Ethan stepped a little closer. “Kayla asked me to keep an eye out for you. She got your letter.” That made sense since he worked at the docks.
Some of the tension left Max, but he didn’t move his hand off his weapon. I couldn’t blame him. I’d do the same if it was anyone else.
I relaxed further and sent Ethan a smile. “It’s so good to see you.” Before I could think better of it, I stepped forward and gave him a quick hug. I never thought I’d see him again, and he’d saved my life by helping me escape in the first place. If it wasn’t for him, I’d be plugged in inside the castle dungeon right about now.
Ethan hugged me back and sent me a smile when we parted, but the expression quickly changed to one of deep concern. “You’re really okay?”
I smiled. “I’m great.”
He glanced at the others, but before I could introduce them, his face crumbled, looking like he was about to cry. “I’m so sorry, Kas. I’m so, so sorry. I didn’t mean to tell them what ship you were on.”
I blinked, trying to figure out what the hellfire he was talking about, but then everything finally clicked. “You… you told the guards I was onThe White Swan?”
He cringed. “I’m sorry. They…” He sighed and held up his hand, showing his missing pinky finger.
A choking sound came out of my throat, and I had to clear it a few times before I could speak in a low whisper. “They cut off your finger?”
He nodded. “They… they were going to cut off another, and I just… it slipped out, and I’m just so sorry.”
I stared at him for a long moment. Everything made sense now. The Sunada Imperial Fleet had known I was onThe White Swan, and when that traitorous pirate, Vulture, boarded their ship in Duskwater Harbor and gave upThe Black Wraith, he must’ve told him about our alias. They figured out I was on that ship. Holy phoenix tails.
I cringed. Hopefully none of our other aliases were compromised.
Ethan stood there, looking sad, pathetic, and defeated, and I just… couldn’t be mad at him. I couldn’t say that I wouldn’t have done the same thing if the guards were torturing me.
So I pulled him into another hug. He’d given up a damn finger for me. The least I could do was forgive him. He gripped me tightly, almost desperately. “It wasn’t your fault.” I released him and held him at arm’s length. “It’s not your fault.”
His chin quivered, but he managed to keep the tears in as he gave me a nod. “Thank you. You… you’re a great friend.”
I squeezed his hand and released him before reaching over for Max’s hand. “So are you.” I pointed to my companions. “This isMax, he’s my, uh, boyfriend. And this is Willy and Ariella. Guys, this is Ethan. He’s the one who helped me find your ship when I, you know, stowed away.”
Max gave him a nod. “Nice to meet you.” I had no doubt he’d put everything together as well, and I was happy to see he wasn’t blaming my friend.
Ethan sent him and my friends a tentative smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. That was unlike him, but maybe he was stressed since I was wanted.
I asked, “How’re Kayla and Cody? I can’t wait to see them.”
