I froze. That wasmuchtoo informal. Much too intimate. “You’re a prince–” I began before he said, “And you’re a princess.”
It was then that Alaric showed up. At the absolute worst timing, when Elias sounded like he wasflirtingwith me. My cheeks turned red as a blossomed hibiscus and I swallowed hard.
“Elias.” Alaric folded his arms and stood next to me. He was slightly taller than the prince and much larger and muscular too.
Wait…how did Alaric know Elias? Then it dawned on me. Of course he knew Elias! Alaric had saved Sereth’s life and she, no doubt, invited him to the wedding. Elias also lived in Moanalei for at least a year, so they must’ve gotten to know each other while Alaric served his time for nearly killing Sereth.
“Alaric.” Elias’s eyes narrowed at him, then he looked from the whaler to me. “What is he doing here?”
I opened my mouth to speak when the prince shook his head. “Nevermind. It’s none of my business.”
“It’s really not what you think,” I quickly defended myself. “He washed up on our shores and I’ve been caring for him.”
“You ambushed my ship,” Alaric said, tense. “You killed some of my men. And you have the audacity to claim it wasn’t your ship.”
Some of Alaric’s men were killed? He didn’t tell me that.My heart sank. This was worse than I imagined.
Elias frowned. “We don’t attack ships off our coast unless they’re doing something illegal.” He folded his arms too. “Furthermore, we haven’t had problems in the last couple of months so we haven’t sent out patrol ships since then. I don’t question my men, but I question yourintegrity. You and Sereth are blaming us, but have you ever thought of your own feud?”
Integrity. That was a crossed line with Alaric. He stepped forward, fists clenched, and Elias’s guards quickly stepped forward too, the air thick with tension. “I would never lie–youare the coward. You fled the kingdom when it most needed you. I picked up the slack and did what you never could.”
Elias raised a brow. “Did you care for Sereth… or did she care for you?”
Jealousy bloomed in me like a bitter root, unexpected and sharp. I knew they had a history. Same kingdom. She probably watched him like a hawk, powerful as he was. But hearing it aloud was something else.
“Sereth fears me,” Alaric said. “Just like you do. I’ve done more for Moanalei than she ever could. Our people looked to you for hope… and you left.”
Elias’s jaw tightened. His fists curled like strips of koa bark. “You don’t know everything, Alaric. You never did. You blame my family, my crown, but your misfortunes belong to you. We’re not your enemy. You’ve made enough of those on your own.”
He took a slow breath, then looked at me. “You have to believe me,” he said quietly. “And from what I’ve heard, she’s not happy.”
“I believe you,” I said, dipping into a curtsy, watching as he turned and motioned his men away.
Alaric’s gaze didn’t follow them. It burned into me. “Who’s she? And why did he call you princess?” His voice was all steel and sea wind. “You said there was nothing between you?—”
“There’s not.” I shoved my hair from my face, heat rising to my cheeks.
“Then why would he?—”
“It’s none of your business!” I snapped, exasperated.
But Sereth was here. She’d come looking for her whaler, only to find out, from Lilo and Niko, no doubt, that I was alive. Now, she would come for me.
If she hadn’t already.
I looked toward the cottage, calculating. I couldn’t hide for long. Not from her.
“If there’s something between you?—”
“There’s nothing, Alaric. I promise.”
“Then why did he call you princess?”
Silence. I closed my eyes, not sure if I could share the truth. “I once was…” I licked my lips before continuing. “I once was of the status that Elias was… but… I think I’ve since realized I did not belong in that world. Never did. Perhaps my parents weren’t even my parents.”
“What do you mean?” Alaric frowned.
“I don’t think I belong anywhere,” I said quietly. “Not to my parents. Not to this place. Not to… anyone.”
