Tearing my eyes away from the ocean, I noticed Tarben watching me expectantly.
“It’s lovely,” I said, forcing a smile and ignoring the call of the ocean.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a boy. During high tide, the cove becomes completely submerged.”
I turned to see that the cliff bordered the entire secludedstrip of land, serving as a barrier for the cove. Mosses and lichens sprouted from dark crevices and covered its jagged face like a beard. I tilted my head, eyes tracing the climbing steps as they disappeared around a bend.
My attention was stolen by the sound of barking. Ulf was joyfully chasing after the receding waves, only to dart away as they surged back towards the shoreline, chasing him in return.
We laughed at his antics. I supposed I could admit itwaslovely here. And peaceful.
“I can see why it’s your haven,” I said. “It’s certainly tranquil and isolated—a far better hiding spot than the laundry hampers.”
His mouth quirked into a smile. With his eyes on Ulf, he said, “I know it sounds cliché, an heir seeking refuge from the everyday pressures of his pampered, royal life. But, honestly, there are moments when I struggle to find space to think beyond the future of the kingdom. I live under the constant weight of expectations to act like the future king.” He faced me. “It’s nice to come here and just... be.” He dragged a hand through his hair, looking self-conscious. “There’s a truth for you,” he laughed softly.
I certainly hadn’t been expecting that, and for a moment I was dumbstruck by his sincerity, disarmed by his honesty. There was clearly more to this prince than flirtatious charm and easy laughter.
Reaching for the comfort of my charm bracelet, I repaid his admission with as much of the truth as I was prepared to give. “I know how the expectations of others can be like a parasite to a sunflower. Once they’ve latched on to you, it can be difficult to thrive. And I think that being heir is a burden many will never grasp. It’s important to have a place to take refuge, and be free of the things that rob you of your sunshine.” I looked out at the ocean and felt a pinch of yearning. With a quiet smile, I added, “I’m glad you’ve shared it with me.”
He looked as though he was on the verge of saying something else, just as we were interrupted by Ulf furiously sniffing and barking at a rock formation, his tail and ears raised in alert.
“What is it, boy?” said Tarben. “Have you found a crab?”
Unhurriedly, we made our way over to the agitated dog. As we approached the rock formation, the fetid stench of garbage and rot made it difficult to breathe. With my heightened sense of smell, I was surprised I hadn’t noticed it earlier; the breeze must have been carrying it away from us.
It didn’t take long to identify the source of the smell.
Wedged between the rocks lay the decaying carcass of a seal. Except, where there should have been a shiny, black pelt, there was nothing. The hide from the back of its body had been removed. There was a puncture in its abdomen, and thick, oily blubber and blood, mixed with salt water, pooled onto the outcrop. Flies had already begun their greedy descent upon its remnants. To say it had been killed would be an understatement—it had been brutalized.
I covered my mouth and looked away. My eyes watered and my throat burned as I suppressed a gag.
“Shit,” Tarben blanched. “You don’t need to see this.” He grasped my hand and led me away from the decaying carcass.
“Who would do something so depraved?” My voice was thick with emotion.
“Not anyone I know. It was likely a local fisherman who murdered it for its pelt and discarded it in the sea. Sadistic bastard,” he added, his lips curling. “Let’s head back to the castle. Ulf!” he called to the dog, who was still sniffing the carcass with vigorous interest.
I looked at him in wide-eyed alarm. “What about the body? We can’t just leave it here.”
“I will send servants from the castle to dispose of it.” At the look of horror on my face he added, “I’ll ensure it’s granted therespect of a burning.”
I hesitated. “Would you—could you—see that its ashes are scattered to the sea? I know it might sound absurd but I want it to return home.” Truthfully, I didn’t give a damn if it sounded absurd. It belonged in the ocean in life and in death.
“Of course.” His eyes softened. “And it’s not absurd. It’s thoughtful. And kind.”
I didn’t consider myself particularly thoughtfulorkind, but I was certain that any child of Vell would have wanted the same thing for the poor creature.
Stomach roiling and body shaking, I accepted his elbow. Bearing the weight of what we had witnessed, we trudged up the steps and returned to the castle.
Chapter 14
We parted ways once we arrived back at the castle, but not before Tarben asked if he could see me the following day.
“I’m sorry this afternoon didn’t go according to plan. For what it’s worth, I really enjoyed your company and I’d like to see you again tomorrow if you’re free,” he said.
I, of course, agreed to accompany him on a tour of Barvik the following day. Our afternoon together may have come to a sudden and disturbing end, but things had been going well before then.
To my relief, he didn’t seem to want a timid airhead. I could have played the role if I needed to, but it would have pained me to do so. Wit and confidence looked much better on me.
