Chapter One
Aeri
The East Sea
I’m so sick of being on this ship—the rocking, the closed-in space, everyone wanting to kill me. It’s been exhausting.
Still, my week on the East Sea hasn’t been nearly as bad as Euyn’s. His room is to the right of mine, and I’ve caught the echoes of him retching day and night. I think he’s just seasick, but I’m not sure. I would’ve checked, but I’m kind of worried about him shooting me with his crossbow.
By “kind of,” I mean seriously concerned.
I guess that’s what happens when everyone finds out you’re the king’s daughter—and you were planning on betraying them from the very start.
Footsteps sound outside my room, and I freeze, gripping my book. Someone is coming. I glance at the furniture wedged against my door. There’s a lock on the cabin, but I doubted a little bolt would do much on a ship full of killers. So, the second we got on board, I barricaded myself in with every free piece of furniture. I’ve only left to sneak some meals and to empty my chamber pot.
The noise fades, and I let out a slow breath. I’m about to return to my book when there’s a knock on my door.
My heart skips. Royo?
I’ve hoped for and dreaded seeing him again. I want to tell him that I didn’t know he was part of the king’s plan to bring in Sora, Euyn, and Mikail. Count Bay Chin had casually mentioned Royo as someone reliable to guard me. I didn’t suspect there were other reasons Bay Chin wanted him involved. But I haven’t said any of that to Royo because, in the end, I don’t think he’ll believe me.
His cabin lies to the left of mine. I’ve pressed my ear against the thin wall dozens of times over the last seven days. I’ve heard him stirring or snoring, so I know he’s all right, but he hasn’t spoken a word to me. Maybe he’s finally changed his mind, forgiven me. Or maybe he’s here to kill me—the same way he murdered his girlfriend years ago.
I sigh and bite my lip, remembering I’m not the only liar. Maybe I should avoid him, too, since I learned in the throne room that I’m the worst judge of character.
A second knock pulls me from my thoughts. I hesitate, but curiosity gets the better of me.
“Who is it?” I ask. My voice sounds weird and raspy from not speaking for a week.
“It’s Sora.”
Relief and a little disappointment rush through me as I get up and push the furniture out of the way. Finally, I get the door open a couple of inches.
Sora stands there looking stunning as always. Her violet eyes shine, her clear skin is dewy, and she’s in a luxurious green dress. I give a heartfelt sigh. Even her black hair is perfect—and no one has had a proper bath since we left Yusan, so how?
“Yes?” I ask.
“We’re approaching Quu Harbor,” she says. Her voice still sounds like wind chimes. “Come above deck with me? We all need to talk before we reach Khitan.”
Sora gave a really nice rallying speech when we were sent on this deadly mission to steal the Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord. While the rest of us were reeling from all the betrayals spilling out in the throne room, Sora gathered us together with a plan. She wants to persuade the vicious Queen of Khitan—my aunt—to start a war with Yusan in order to force King Joon to leave Qali Palace again. That way we’d have a second opportunity to steal the crown and actually kill the king.
My father.
I have mixed feelings about this, but it’s not time to think about him—Sora is waiting. I get it together and nod. Then I throw on my red, fur-lined cloak over my dress and slip out of the door.
Sora gives me a small smile as we take the stairs. She’s the only one who seems to care that I double-crossed my father, that in the end I chosethem.
I shiver as the cold wind whips around us when we step above deck. I squint at the daylight. Somehow, the sky is both gray and painfully bright. The East Sea rises in white caps and the deck is slick, but the fresh air feels nice after being cooped up in my cabin for so long. The waves have been rough for the last few days with the monsoon season starting any bell now. We’re lucky the rain has held off—otherwise, this voyage would’ve been worse.
I shake my head as I glance up at the heavy clouds. Hard to believe it could’ve been worse.
My gaze shifts to Mikail and Euyn on the bow of the sleek, wooden fleet ship. Mikail casually leans his tall, athletic frame on the railing, his teal eyes scanning the horizon. Euyn stands to his right, but farther away than normal. The prince’s beard is unkempt, and his lean figure has become a little gaunt, but they’re still two of the deadliest men I know.
I swallow hard and continue closer.
I spot Royo off to the side, brooding in a fur jacket. Gods, I missed him. His head is now covered in thick black hair that’s grown in since we met. My foolish heart flutters the moment he meets my eyes. It was torture to have him just a thin wall away. I want to run to him, but I shouldn’t for any number of reasons, the biggest being he might toss me overboard. And I can’t swim.
He pretends to not see me, but he sets his broad shoulders back as I walk closer. His hands ball into fists, the muscle in his jaw tightening. I look away, acting like his reaction doesn’t make my chest hurt. That’s when I notice Euyn and Mikail haven’t spoken a word to each other.
