She couldn’t count on the military to protect her, not when scant weeks had passed since several Royal Fleet ships hadsailed after and attacked the whaling ship she’d ridden aboard. Not only that, but they’d sent a team of assassins, men recruited from within her own military. Even though nobody had tried to kill Syla since she’d returned with Wreylith and had been coronated, the back of her neck itched at the mere thought of being alone with a soldier.
The captain rose and nodded, extending her hand toward a spot between two cannons. Syla headed in that direction and caught Fel striding right behind her. The captain looked at him, opened her mouth, but when the tall, strong, and scarred Fel scowled, it was an intimidating sight.
“No, you’re right,” the captain decided, addressing Fel, though he hadn’t said anything. “You should hear this too.”
Fel grunted.
Syla rested her hand on the railing, water droplets from the rain moistening her palm. The captain glanced at it—or maybe the dragon tattoo.
“That’s beautiful, Your Majesty,” she said. “And the dragon is too. She’s wondrous.”
“She would be the first to agree.” Syla raised her eyebrows, certain this wasn’t the reason the officer had drawn her aside.
The captain licked her lips and glanced around the deck. Her gaze lingered briefly on a fellow officer standing at the bow and watching them. A major.
“What are you doing?” the senior officer mouthed to her and jerked his head to the side.
“Nothing,” the captain mouthed back and smiled innocently, then saw something out at sea—orpretendedto see something?—and pointed for Syla to look in that direction.
She might not have if not for Fel watching her back, but she was curious about what the captain had to say.
“I’ll have to come up with an excuse for why I’m over here,” the officer said, looking out to sea instead of at Syla. “I’m Captain Vonla, by the way. I, uhm. I want to give you a warning.”
“Another one?” Syla sighed.
The captain glanced at her, her brow furrowed. She wouldn’t have heard Igliana’s words of trouble brewing.
“Go ahead, Captain Vonla.” Syla forced a smile. If someone wanted to offer a warning, she ought to accept it.
“Yes, Your Majesty. My superior officer told me—told all of us—not to interfere if we heard you, uhm… if something happened that seemed like it had nothing to do with us.” Again, Vonla’s brow furrowed, and she glanced at Syla. “The vague order struck me as strange. I think…” She lowered her voice so that Syla barely heard her over the waves smacking against the hull. “There’s a lot of chatter going around right now, and it’s hard to know the truth from lies and whether rumors mean anything, but I think there might be assassins onboard.”
“Ah. Yes. Thank you for letting me know.”
Vonla blinked. “You’re not surprised?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time assassins from within the military have gone after me. It’s not even the first time this month.”
Vonla opened her mouth but seemed too stunned to say anything. Finally, she blurted, “But you’re the queen.”
“Last week, I was only a princess.”
“That doesn’t make it all right to assassinate you! We’re sworn—” Vonla’s voice had risen, and she cut herself off and glanced at the major again. The man continued to watch them. Vonla pointed to the fin of a shark swimming parallel to the ship. “We’re all sworn to protect the royal family. And you’re… you’re a healer!”
“Yes, I’m affronted by the situation too.”
“You’re so calm about it.” Vonla looked at her with what seemed like genuine awe.
At this point, Syla didn’t feel she could trust anyone from the military, but the captain’s warning and expression touched her nonetheless. She hoped Vonlawasgenuine.
“I will keep an eye out for assassins. Thank you for the warning and risking going against your superior’s wishes. Is that major the one who gave you your dubious order?”
Vonla licked her lips again. Nervous about betraying her superior officer? Probably. But she nodded. “I thinkhe’sjust following orders from above, though, Your Majesty. He shouldn’t be if they’re immoral and criminal, but… we’re all trained to obey our superiors. It’s hard to go against them and risk your career.”
“I understand. Thank you.” Syla didn’t know if there would be time to talk to that major before the engagement began, but she would if she got a chance. What she would say, she didn’t know. She didn’t want Captain Vonla to be punished for circumventing him to speak with her. Maybe she would have a simple chat with the major and see if he gave anything away.
“You’re welcome, Your Majesty.” The captain dropped to one knee again before departing. She hurried belowdecks, pretending not to see when the major lifted a hand toward her.
Syla wondered if she should start wearing armor instead of dresses. Fel was right. She needed to assign people to do research for her—tospyfor her—and figure out who she could rely upon and who was scheming against her. But right now, with little to no relationship with the military personnel, she was as apt to recruit someone who was against her as someone who supported her.
