Peering around him, I came eye to eye with Rigel, a splash of concern lining his expression. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Getting off your ship,” Percy replied without hesitation. “Us remaining here poses a far graver danger to your men than it does if we get off. I will keep the prince safe, and we will find sanctuary somewhere in Veilmar until the royals clear out. Once we are sure they are gone, we will return.”
“And what if the captain elects to leave before they have departed?” Rigel posed, his query warranted. “I was ordered to ensure you both remained on this ship and off the?—”
“Then you’ll leave us here.” The five words came breathlessly from the man who held my heart. “We will fucking figure it out, but I refuse to stay on this ship knowing the commands the king gives to his men like the back of my hand. I am telling you, Rigel, if you trap us here, you will all die.”
Rigel held Percy’s stare as if in challenge, testing if what he offered was nothing more than a lie meant to mislead. After seconds passed, he inhaled sharply before flicking his tongue against his teeth. “Fine. Deboard and find somewhere inland to remain. We will ring the bell if we intend to leave before the royals.”
“Thank you,” Percy replied, moving to step toward the boardwalk.
Before he could, Rigel grabbed his arm. “Stay safe.”
A saddened smile illuminated Percy’s features. “You too.”
My chest ached with the exchange, the words seeming far too final, as if we would never see them again.
With Percy leading, I followed, but extended my own level of gratitude as we went to step off the ship. “Tell Alastair that I am forever indebted to him, and thank you for all you do with this crew, Rigel.”
The quartermaster glanced at me with what seemed to be a hint of sorrow, but underlying certainty. “I feel this will not be the last time we meet, prince.”
My mouth upturned as I slowly peeled my gaze from his, a deep unease settling in the very marrow of my bones. If he were right, I feared the next time we crossed paths, I would be someone entirely different.
CHAPTER 35
The Apple and the Tree
ALASTAIR
Cutting across the courtyard, the sudden, sharp ring drew everyone’s attention. Conversations stilled, as if the steady tune carried an unspoken command, or perhaps a warning.
Every market goer shifted. Moving as a conglomeration driven by secrets woven into the island’s existence, the townsfolk abandoned everything. Even those who worked to gather coin for their families turned their backs on their stalls, following the wave without so much as gathering the items they’d taken the time to craft.
A woman brushed past me, a young boy clutching the fabric of her dress. I reached out, grabbing her arm with a gentleness I hoped wouldn’t startle her. Her chin snapped toward me as her brows narrowed with defensiveness.
“Get your filth-laden hands off?—”
“I apologize,” I started, lifting both arms in surrender. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just hoping you could enlighten me on what is happening. I’m not from here.”
Sapphire eyes glinting with a fire that hinted at a prior life in Darswyth, she clenched her jaw. “It is an order from our leaders, a shelter in place.”
“For what?”
“The presence of the crown,” she brushed her fingers through the little boy’s hair as if working to coax his unease, “King Marellan is approaching. Or rather, his fleet.”
Fuck.
Reaching into my pocket, I tossed her a bag of coins. “For your troubles.”
Eyes widening, she shook her head. “I can’t possibly?—”
Not listening to her refusal, I snaked my way through the onslaught of bodies hurrying to tuck themselves into the houses and structures lining their once vivacious streets. Battling against mass numbers, I kept my hand on the hilt of my sword as I pushed forward, determined to reach the building Leilani had slipped into.
Finally forcing my way through the gathering crowd, my palm greeted the handle of the shop door. Twisting once, its turn halted halfway, a dull snap confirmed it’d already been locked. With a sharp exhale, my jaw feathered as an overwhelming sense of dread swept over me.
Anxiety cinching down on my chest, I lifted my arm, knuckles rapping against the thick oak. “Leilani!”
I understood the reactivity of the people of Veilmar, people who had escaped the clutches of the corruption that continued to pollute Serevalen and its surrounding towns. They did not bow to the crown, and their leaders had drawn a clear line of opposition to the king’s methods. Even so, staying out of the way of royalty was imperative.
