“You have to always stop thinking that you aren’t good enough, that you aren’t worthy.”
“I’m not, Del.” I look away from her out to sea. “It was never supposed to be me. You know I’m cursed. I can’t even unlock half my magic.”
She tips her head. “Isn’t that why you brought that girl with you? Isn’t she your mate, the key to breaking the curse?”
“It’s not that simple.”
“I get it,” Delphie says, and she walks along the edge of the railing, her balance impeccable. “The curse mentioned love, and love is always complicated. But it doesn’t mean you should pass your Blessing along. I don’t want it.”
I follow her, using the ropes to hold myself steady. “You can’t mean that. The people adore you. You’ve been an incredible steward to Summer.”
“Exactly, I’ve done it. I’ve done it for twenty-five years.” Her face tilts to the sun. “This is what I want, Day. The open sea. Adventure. Searching for the lost legends of Summer. I don’t want to live in a stuffy castle with old men and big decisions.”
I can feel it in the tone of her voice, the wondering gaze. This is her truth. Her desire. But she’s put it aside all these years while I’ve hidden in the dark.
Delphia turns to me. “Besides, you say you were never meant to be High Prince, but I think you’re the best suited of us all.”
Truth rings in her words, but I can’t help but wave my hand to silence her. “No, Del. Damocles was a great leader. He was wise and powerful. Decimus never got the chance, but there was no one stronger than he was.”
She turns and puts a hand on my arm. “That’s true. Damocles was great, and Decimus was strong, and they burned so bright, it’s hard to see beyond it. Their light was the cold sun of morning and the chill of sunset. Dayton, you’ve always been the midday sun to me, warmth and power and everything they both were combined.”
I shake my head. “Maybe, but neither of them were idiots like me.”
“You can’t keep dwindling your own flame just because you’re afraid of what it might mean if you burn brighter than both of them.”
With Delphie’s words still heavy in my heart, I make my way below deck and tap on the door to Wrenley’s room.
“Come in.”
She’s lying on the simple wooden bed, face pale and a little green.
“Seasick?” I ask and move to sit on the end of her bed.
“Just a little queasy.” She runs a hand through her curls, trying to smooth them down.
“It can happen if you haven’t been on the water in a while.”
Her eyes close, and she says nothing.
“You’re upset with me.” I let out a breath.
“I don’t understand why you don’t believe me. How can we let him on our ship?”
“Listen, I know Ezryn frightened you in the monastery, and fear makes us see strange things. But I believe him. He’s my brother.”
“And I’m yourmate!” Tears prick the edges of her eyes.
“I know,” I say. “I know. What he did was to protecthis—”
“Rosalina,” Wrenley says, then gestures to her bedside table. “She brought me green apples.”
“Supposed to help with seasickness.”
Rosalina. She’s with her mate now. Maybe it would have been better if she had gone to the Below. But I can’t help the satisfying feeling of her still being with me. Of her mates leaving her with me to protect. It warms something inside of me.Mineto protect. Even if she had come down the stairs yesterday morning, smelling like Keldarionandthe Prince of Thorns, the scent of desire sitting on her skin like a brand. I can’t believe Kel had allowed that, but I shouldn’t be surprised, figuring the same sickly smell was wrapped around him.
Rosalina and Caspian.
How deep does he have his thorns in her? A memory flashes. “Wrenley, why did the Prince of the Thorns grab you at Castletree? He said helivedto touch you.”
