There wasn’t another option.
If only one Eleysian ship would be leaving Albion, then Cyrene had to be on it.
As much as she wanted to see Rhea, she no longer had the time to wait. Her heart ached at the thought of coming all this way and not seeing her best friend.
Maybe she could get a letter out to her friend in time. But what would it say? That she was here? That she was leaving? That she wanted Rhea to come with her, but she couldn’t explain why?
Rhea would never go for that. She would need a good explanation. Cyrene didn’t feel comfortable explaining the situation in a letter either. Rhea would just have to trust her.
The hardest part about getting back to the castle was trying not to rush. She and Maelia couldn’t raise suspicion. Keeping easy smiles on their faces as they walked down the long lane to the castle was even worse. With worry creasing her smooth forehead, Maelia glanced anxiously at Cyrene while fiddling with her reins, making her horse jumpy. Cyrene had to remind her to stop it. One misstep, and they’d miss that ship.
When they reached the entrance to Krisana, a Royal Guard member waved them through after catching sight of their Affiliate pins. As soon as they reached the stable yard, Maelia hopped off the brown steed and dashed away from Cyrene to get everything she would need. Cyrene directed the stable hand to have the horses saddled and ready to go before sundown.
Once out of the boy’s sight, she took off into a full sprint, hoisting her skirts in her hands, and darted for the main entrance. She burst through the pearl doors, entering the foyer of the castle. Thankfully, a maid walked through the room, carrying a white porcelain water jug.
“Excuse me,” Cyrene called, trying not to give away how out of breath she was from her mad dash.
The woman stopped and turned around. “Yes…yes, Affiliate?”
“I’ve forgotten the way to my quarters, and I was hoping that you could be of assistance in directing me.” Cyrene clasped her hands in front of her to keep from shaking.
“I’m sorry, Affiliate.” The woman dropped a small curtsy as she held the jug between her hands. “I must take this to Queen Kaliana herself. She requested it of me, and I would be out of line to decline her request. I would be happy to show you the way afterward, if that suits you.”
A smile broke out on Cyrene’s face. “The Queen you say?”
“Yes, Affiliate.”
“I do believe that my quarters are of a more delicate matter than that water jug. The King himself has ordered my rooms. Queen Kaliana will hardly care to wait a few extra minutes at her husband’s request,” she said boldly. Any other night, she wouldn’t have been so forthright, but she didn’t have any other options.
The woman looked like she was going to drop the jug at Cyrene’s words as she dipped into a royal curtsy. “My-my apologies, Affiliate. If the King has requested your rooms, then I will certainly show you to them,” she stammered. “Follow me.”
Cyrene sighed. She didn’t like pulling rank on this innocent. This woman didn’t need to be pulled into the web of lies that permeated court life.
“Were you informed as to what chamber you would be living in while staying in the White City?” the servant asked meekly, walking toward Cyrene.
“I believe I was told that I would be staying in the Pearl Bay Chambers.”
The servant immediately stopped sloshing some of the water out of her jug.
“The Pearl Bay Chambers? Are you certain?” She dabbed at her wet gown.
“Yes, that was what Consort Daufina informed me.”
The girl stuttered forward, then stopped, and then directed her down a corridor. “I-I wasn’t aware.”
“What’s wrong with the Pearl Bay Chambers?”
“Nothing!” she squeaked. “Nothing at all. They are gorgeous.”
“Then, why are you shaking?”
“Well…” She anxiously glanced at Cyrene. “I assumed you would be in the Affiliate quarters, and you are staying”—she swallowed—“next to the King.”
“What?” Cyrene cried despite herself.
“My apologies, Affiliate,” she whispered, ducking her chin toward her chest as she picked up the pace.
It was one thing to be on Edric’s ship but quite another to have her quarters next to him in the castle.
When they finally reached her new quarters, she had a headache that felt a bit like someone had been probing her brain all day. She wished that she could just take a nap, but there was no time.
The maid pushed open the door to the Pearl Bay Chambers, allowing her inside. The room was massive, and Cyrene’s eyes enlarged to saucers when she walked inside. She jotted off a quick letter to Rhea for the maid to deliver in a hurry for her.
The woman dipped a curtsy and rushed out of the room, leaving behind Queen Kaliana’s water jug. Cyrene laughed and then jumped to her feet. She darted into the bedchamber, and her feet stumbled forward as the beauty of the bedroom hit her with the force of a lightning strike.
A four-poster white bed with white curtains hooked to each post took up the majority of the room. White furniture with sterling silver candelabras atop them was placed artfully around the room. The walls were the same seashell white with gorgeously designed filigree pearl molding from which Krisana received its namesake. It was so exquisite that she faltered in her resolve for a moment…just one moment.
Then, she shook her head and steeled herself for what she was doing. Beautiful things weren’t what mattered in her world.
She wrenched open the white wardrobe. At the bottom sat her bag, still untouched as far as she could tell. She was glad that she had left detailed instructions with the servants who had followed them into the castle. Her other two bags had been unpacked, and many of her gowns hung in color order. A few pairs of her slippers were neatly arranged on a stand. It would be so easy to stay. So easy.
Breathing out heavily, she removed her leather bag from the wardrobe. When she found the book and her Presenting letter still tucked inside, she hoisted the bag onto her shoulder. Beyond the large bay window, the sun was falling on the horizon. She was nearly out of time. Hopefully, Maelia was ready.
Cyrene’s hand was resting on the door handle when someone knocked from the other side. She jumped quickly and stashed her bag behind the nearby chaise. The knock sounded again, and she groaned softly.
Go away. Go away. Go away!
“Just a minute,” she called. She walked back to the door and pulled it open. Her heart sank when she saw who was standing in front of her. “Your Highness.”
“Affiliate,” Kael said, his tone soft. He leaned his hip against the doorframe, his eyes eager, and his demeanor showcasing the typical prince she had grown to love to hate.
“Kael, I don’t have time.”
“Time for what?”
“For this.” She gestured between them.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“For us. I don’t have time for us to argue.”
“So, there is an us?” he asked with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t have time.”
“I didn’t come to argue.”
“You never do,” she said dryly.
“Can I come in?”
“I learned a long time ago not to let a courtier in my bedchamber.” She kept the door securely in her hand. “Now, please go.”
“Is that so?” His hand pushed gently against the door. “Would you prefer to come to mine then? I’ve heard you follow court rules that way.”
She glared at him. How dare he come here and talk about Edric like that! Nothing had even happened on the ship.
“Have you been drinking?”
“Yes,” he said with a shrug, “but not much.” He forced the door open despite her hold.
She stepped back and let the door loose enough for him to stumble through. “There! Are you happy? You’re inside.”
He smirked as he closed the door behind him.
She needed to throw him off balance if she was going to get out of here in time. “Have you ever been in the Pearl Bay Chambers before?”
He smiled even bigger. “Of course.”
She walked backward, slow and seductive. His eyes followed the movement, and he cocked his head to the side. He cautiously followed her, judging the movements.
“And the bedchamber?”
His eyes narrowed, and he licked his lips. “Of course.”
“So, you know about the beautiful white bed?” she asked. Her voice was teasing as she entered the bedroom, and her heart hammered in her chest as she taunted her prey.
“Much too big a bed for one person.”
Her eyes darted to the bay window, but she made sure that she looked at the bed, too, hoping to reassure him. Darkness was falling with the sunset.
“Much too big,” she agreed. She licked her lips.
His shoulders relaxed with the statement.
She had him then. By the Creator, it is almost too easy.
Letting out a slow breath, she reached forward and grasped his wrist in her hand, tugging him forward into the bedroom in front of her. He chuckled softly, and it was a low sexy tone of victory as he walked through the door.
When he passed her and was looking off in the other direction, her fingers tightened around the silver candelabra on the dresser. Then, she reeled back, and with every ounce of force, she could muster slammed the thing into the back of his head. He crumpled to the ground in a heap.
She stared down at the Prince of Byern lying at her feet, knocked unconscious by her own hand. Her hands trembling, she replaced the candelabra, unable to believe what she had just done. Never in her life had she resorted to violence to get what she wanted. It felt unnatural, and she couldn’t shake the wobbliness in her knees.
This had better work, or else she would be in some serious trouble.
Despite her shaking hands, she retrieved her hidden bag and bolted out of the castle. She didn’t even hold back from breaking into a sprint down an empty corridor. Some of the servants looked at her oddly, but at this point, she had been delayed far too long. She needed to make it to that dock, or she would be stuck in Albion, in Byern, without any answers and an angry prince.
Her feet carried her to the stables, and she was out of breath when she made it.
Maelia sat atop Astral, biting her nails. “What kept you?” she cried.
“No time to talk,” Cyrene said breathlessly, attaching her bag to Ceffy. She threw herself onto the saddle. “No time at all.”
They heeled their horses into action, heading outside of the inner walls of Krisana and down the drawbridge. Cyrene sent Ceffy into a canter and then a full gallop down the road. The sun sat like a half moon against the Lakonia Ocean.
Only a sliver of the sunset still remained as the horses’ hooves clattered against the wooden docks. Cyrene feared that they were too late. Ahlvie stood at the end of their appointed dock with his horse, a small bag attached to the saddle, and nothing else.
“You’re late,” he called.
“We’re not.” She stared out at the sunset. “There is still light.”
“Quickly then,” he said with a shake of his head that looked like defeat.
They reached the end of the dock just as a long ship pulled up its plank. Ahlvie called and waved his hands at the ship.
“Wait!”
“What say you, boy?” the man asked in a thick Eleysian accent. He had a deep scar across the right side of his face, and his head was much too big for his stocky neck, which mostly disappeared into his shoulders.
“I spoke with Captain Lador earlier this afternoon for safe passage for three to Eleysia,” Ahlvie informed the man.
The man chortled. “Captain Lador was found dead in the gutter less than an hour ago, boy. You’re now looking at the new captain of The Nether Knave, Captain De la Mora,” he said, flourishing his last name.
“Captain De la Mora, it’s a pleasure. Will my companions and I still be allowed safe passage on your beautiful vessel, The Nether Knave?”
“Two Affiliates and a High Order?” He motioned to a crew member. “I’m sure you can find your own way. I have no room for First Class passengers seeking to infiltrate my beloved country.”
“Captain De la Mora, we are seeking nothing of the sort. We are merely interested in visiting your wonderful country and bringing back some of the rich history and culture to our homeland.”
The captain scratched his chest hair. “No Affiliates or High Order got any business in Eleysia. You three best remember that.”
“Please, sir!” Cyrene pleaded.
“Cast off!” the captain yelled to the crew, walking away from the deck.
“Ahlvie, do something!” she cried.
“What would you have me do?” he asked, his face set. “I did everything I could.”
“Captain De la Mora!” she yelled helplessly as the last rope was untied.
The boat began to slowly drift out of the harbor.
Cyrene watched it leave, her heart sinking. After everything she had done to get here, she had lost. No more ships for a fortnight
“What do we do now?” Maelia whispered.
She wished she had an answer. She turned and pulled Ceffy back down the dock.
A dark figure stood at the end of the dock. “What in the Creator’s name do you think you’re doing?” the person asked as she threw her hood back.
Cyrene broke out into a smile and rushed to her, leaving her friends on the dock. “Rhea!” She wrapped her arms around her friend.
“Cyrene.”
They crushed each other in a hug.
“I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you, too, Cyrene.”
Rhea pulled back from Cyrene but kept a hand on each of her shoulders. “Now, what is this all about? A cryptic message when you only just got into Albion? I don’t understand.”
“I was afraid of explaining in a letter,” Cyrene sheepishly told her.
“But you were willing to leave without seeing me?”
“No! That’s why I sent the letter in the first place.”
Rhea opened her mouth to speak and then clamped it shut as she looked over Cyrene’s shoulder. Cyrene glanced back to see Maelia and Ahlvie approaching.
“Who are they?” Rhea asked.
“Friends.” She introduced them to each other.
Rhea seemed apprehensive. She nodded curtly. “Why did you ask me to the docks? Where are we going?”
“Nowhere,” Cyrene said sadly. “The ship has left.”
Rhea bit her lip and glanced between all three, who had matching somber expressions. “Come with me. I’ve already broken curfew, and Master Barca will not be pleased. I might as well bring him a reason for it. Maybe we can figure this all out there.”