I shook my head. “I only drank the tea. Thank you for that, as well. My belly feels much better.”
“Of course. Let’s eat together, shall we? I’m famished.” His easy smile made all my tension flee. This was going to be alright. It wouldn’t be torture.
And maybe, just maybe, this man could be a new start for me.
“Would you prefer to dine in your suite or here on the deck, Sire?” Lord Briscalar asked.
“Here would be nice, don’t you think?”
I liked that Merrick was asking my opinion. “Yes, it would.”
“The light breeze will cool the sun’s rays, and we can enjoy the view.” His hand swept out to take in the sea.
“Very well, my king.” Lord Briscalar bowed to Merrick and then me. “My lady.” He backed away and spun, scurrying back down the stairs.
“Would you like to wait by the rail?” Merrick asked. “I’d love the chance to get to know you better.”
“Yes, that would be nice.”
The admiration in his gaze tingled across my skin and made a flush fill my face again. I wasn’t sure I liked how mybody was so eager to betray me, first with Lore, and now with Merrick.
You’re the queen,I reminded myself.Merrick is the king. Forget about Lore.
If only I could.
He took my hand, linking our fingers again, and under the watchful, hopeful if I was reading them right, gazes of the crew and the captain, he led me over to the rail.
Farris pranced behind us as if he was enjoying his new collar and leash. While he poked his head out a cut-out on the side of the rail, sniffing the wind and huffing, Merrick and I stood side-by-side, leaning against the weathered wood. The ship rocked and water splashed across the hull below us.
“You’re sure you feel better?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you. I’m sorry I was sick yesterday and didn’t get to meet you then.”
“No worries. We have now and forever, don’t we?”
Yes. We did.
“The moment I arrived on board, I felt at home.” Merrick described how he used to sneak away from the castle and take to the sea for short journeys, and how the captain had aided him in his escape. “When I was older, I learned it was all arranged. I was allowed to run away, but I always had someone watching.”
“Lord Lorant?” I asked. “Although, he appears about the same age as you, and I doubt a child would’ve been assigned bodyguard duties.”
“No, not back then. That started when I was an adult. Andyes, he’s the same age as me. It makes us better friends, I think, not just a king and one of his staff.”
“Why didn’t we wait to marry until you’d come on board?” I asked.
He stared toward the sea for a very long time before speaking, his throat working with his swallow. “I wish it could’ve been me.”
Not exactly an answer. “Some would suggest you worried I’d flee if you didn’t bind me to you immediately with a proxy wedding.”
He glanced my way, studying my face with an expression that told me nothing. “What do you say?”
“That it would’ve been nice to stand beside you when we spoke our vows.”
The smile he flashed me made my insides quiver. “Perhaps, one day, we will.”
“A second marriage?”
“Only if, and when, you feel ready to bind yourself to me fully. You tell me if that time comes.” He turned back to face the water. “The sea sings softly where the waves meet the sky in a shimmering embrace. Beneath its sparkling surface, it whispers secrets. Do we remain on the familiar shore, or do we dare dive into the water’s depths to hear?”
