“He does,” I answer.
“Then you already have my advice. No one will represent me better than my husband. His words to you are as good as mine.”
I stare at my boots and nod. It’s a relief to know I have my uncle’s approval. He would never put so many lives in jeopardy if he didn’t believe in the cause. I would never turn back without rescuing Raelle, but it fortifies my resolve to know he would do the same.
A dainty hand slides under my chin and lifts my face in a firm motion. Flashing over the girl’s blue eyes is Micah’s green gaze. “You will make mistakes, Kyron, just know that you have already achieved so much. You have unified the kingdom and have stopped the acts that tore apart so many families. In your brief time as ruler, you have achieved feats I could only dream about. Raelle may have been trained to be queen, but you were born to be king.”
Few things twist my heart and bring tears to my eyes, but my uncle’s words are one of them. I bite down on the inside of my cheek to stop my chin from trembling and wipe my forearm over my face. “I don’t quite understand all this spiritual shit but thank you for making yourself seen.”
“I do not entirely understand it either. And you are welcome, my king.”
Micah’s face fades away, leaving me looking at the cook. She blinks like she is coming out of a fog. After several seconds, the essence of her seems to return to her body, and her eyes spark with life again.
“Are you all right?” I ask, placing a hand on her shoulder to steady her.
“I’ve never done that before. It was like I was here but outside my body,” she says breathlessly.
I guide her over to the side of the ship and help her sit down against the rail. Crouching in front of her, I say, “That was a hell of a first time talking with a spirit. You were possessed by a king.”
“You could see him?” she asks.
“Yes. Your face changed to look like him.”
A huge smile pulls her lips wide, and she laughs. “Do you know how rare that is? I’ve always heard their messages, but I’ve never personified them. Only the most powerful Esspress can open their bodies to the spirits.”
“Congratulations. And thank you for letting my uncle speak to me through you. I really needed to hear what he had to say.”
“I’m happy I could help, Your Majesty,” she says, bowing her head in reverence.
Footsteps clap against the deck, and I find Rowan coming toward us. His gaze darts from me to the cook and lingers on her. He stands a little taller and his steps seem to take on a swagger. “Is everything all right here, Your Majesty?” he asks in a deeper than normal voice.
The formal address surprises me. Rowan only uses my title with sarcasm. I slowly stand and say, “We’re good, just getting some fresh air.”
The cook rises on unsteady legs, shuffling to the side. Rowan and I both place a hand on her shoulder to help her stay upright.
“Are you all right, miss?” Rowan asks.
“Just a bit lightheaded,” she says, the excitement of what happened still evident in her voice.
My thumb brushes Rowan’s hand on the cook’s back, and I’m hit with the overwhelming sensation of concern and lust. I pull my hand away, hoping to shake the feeling. My gift as a Cognus isn’t my strongest power, but I can feel one’s emotions through touch. It can be invasive, and I try my best not to take advantage. Sometimes it’s better not knowing what others are feeling. This would be one of those times.
“I think you should let Rowan walk you back to your room. The time you spent out here seems to have drained you,” I say.
“I think you’re right,” she says and releases a slow breath.
I turn my back to her, placing me shoulder to shoulder with Rowan. Leaning in, I whisper, “It’s up to you now. Make sure to offer her your arm and ask her a question or two about herself.” I’m sure the young, powerful Esspress will be eager to share her new self-discovery, and he will gobble up every word. With two swift pats to Rowan’s back, I leave him to it.
Greer waits for me at the doorway to the bowels of the ship. She crosses her strong arms over her chest and looks past me to Rowan and the cook. “Is it wise to give him that kind of hope when we’re so close to war?”
I look back as Rowan offers the girl his arm. “He’ll need all the hope he can get to face what lies ahead.”
I drape my arm around her shoulder and guide her inside.
The waves don’t bother me the way they did before. I can withstand their constant rocking and even find a sliver of peace in it. It was because of them that I heard the words I needed to renew my confidence. I never questioned if I was doing the right thing for Raelle. I will burn down all five kingdoms if that’s what it takes to bring her home. But knowing my actions align with Micah’s—a king I aspire to emulate—reinforces my decision.
In less than two days, we’ll reach the Allaji island’s shore. Although I dream of a peaceful rescue, there is a good chance that the men and women with me will go into battle. Lives will be lost, loved ones taken too soon from their families, and one side will end up the loser. And in the end, I will bear the consequences of my actions with the certainty of a king.
Ten
