“Tricky?”
“Yes. I can cast spells, naturally.” I tried to gush, but I was a dragon rider and trainer, not a true lady despite my parentage saying otherwise. I hadn’t been raised to step into the role of queen.
Keep your weaknesses buried—wise words from my brother. Ensure each move and statement you make is calculated to maintain control of not only yourself but everyone around you.
My brother had survived a living nightmare and come out of it stronger. I couldn’t do anything less.
“I’m curious about how you perform magic,” I said. “I’ve heard it works differently in Evergorne.”
“I see.” His gaze skittered across my face I kept neutral.
“How did you make my bag float in the air?”
“In the usual way. I told it what I needed, and it complied.”
“You didn’t whisper a spell in your mind?” This was the only way those I knew performed magic.
“Why would anyone need to do something like that?”
“Oh, yes, you’re right.” I’d have to snoop further into this but with more discretion. “Naturally.”
His frown remained, but he gave me a pert nod. “If you’ll follow me, my lady, I’ll take you to your suite where you can refresh yourself and get ready.”
A suite on a boat? While I didn’t know much about ships, I did know that space was tight. I’d assumed I’d sleep inside a room barely big enough for a single bed.
At least until I married the king, when I guessed I’d sleep with him.
I struggled not to sigh. I’d agreed to be his willing bride, and my assumption was that my willingness would extend to the bedroom. But if the Evergorne king thought I was going to do more than lay there while he humped away above me, he’d be in for a surprise. I wouldn’t refuse him, but there was no way I was going to enjoy it.
The windrams continued to puff and blow air at the sails, and the ship skimmed along, taking us closer to my future. Gusts swirled around me, making my hair mesh across my face and the nyxin’s fur ruffle. My leather tunic repelled most of his wetness, but it would be nice to remove my leathers and dress in something simpler. A tunic and pants? That might fit in on a ship.
“Why can’t I wait to marry the king when he arrives?” I asked. “Why does it have to be now?” And with Lore?
“King Merrick was quite specific. You’ll marry his proxy the moment we’re clear of the harbor. The captain can only marry you once we’re at sea. On shore or in the harbor, an elder would be needed for such a task.”
It still didn’t make sense, but it wasn’t worth arguing about.
“Any other questions, my lady?” he asked.
I dismissed the thought and followed him to the same door Lore had disappeared through. Would I run into him inside? I girded myself. I’d behaved like a fool, challenging him, almost flirting with him. He wasn’t the king, and falling for the king’s bodyguard might result in me losing my head. Or being locked in a tower. Whatever fae kings did if their “willing” brides strayed.
I couldn’t believe I felt anything for a man I’d only just met. I didn’t like him, but I couldn’t seem to ignore him either. He’d disrupted me in a way no one else ever had.
Kinart had held my heart in his loving hands, and I didn’t need anyone else.
4
REYLA
Lord Briscalar opened the door and gestured for me to enter ahead of him. I found myself inside a small room with a staircase leading down. A railing encircled the opening except on this side, and a narrow walkway on the right led to a wall and another door. Was Lore inside there?
Stop thinking about him.
I tightened my grip on the nyxin and took the stairs with Lord Briscalar to the base where we exited out into a long hall with doors on each side.
“There are five cabins on this level,” he said, urging me down the hall. “The king’s suite is, naturally, the largest, though I will say that yours is equally grand.”
“Lovely.”
