When I woke what seemed like hours later, the ship was so still that I thought for a brief moment I was on land. I sat up, blurry-eyed, to try to get my bearings.

Eryk was gone, but I could still smell his scent on the blankets around me, and like a schoolgirl, I buried my nose into them and breathed him in.

I had hoped to at least be able to kiss him once more. Tell him how much our stolen hours had meant to me.

Because now, in the harsh light of day? The fantasy had to end. I was still a prisoner on this ship. And whether they were naïve, or had managed to convince themselves otherwise because the truth was too hard to bear, I would meet my end if they completed their task. And at the heart of it, I was a soldier. One with a family who loved her, and a life to be lived. I refused to roll over and give up. Which meant, despite my growing feelings and my sympathy, they were still my enemies.

Even Eryk.

I dressed quickly, grief welling up inside me. Pushing it aside, I headed outside to the deck. The air was cold but the sun was shining overhead, but it was the sound of a chorus of muddled voices that had me puzzled until I turned toward the noise.

We were in port.

My heart pounded as I took in the scene. I knew we’d planned to stop soon for repairs, but I hadn’t realized it would be so quickly.

Titus stood, like a mighty oak tree, negotiating with a wiry man bundled in furs on the wooden dock. After some back and forth, Titus slipped some coins into the man’s open palm and climbed back aboard. Eryk was standing off to the side with Mathias. The two of them appeared to be in deep conversation, and I couldn’t help but take advantage of their distraction to let my gaze take in Eryk’s fine form.

A warmth spread through me as I recalled the sensation of that mouth on mine.

I shoved aside the melancholy that came along with the thrill of desire and went to the railing, peering past the dock at the small town at the end of it. It was set against a steep hill where huts, houses and storefronts seemed to be built right into it. The people of this strange place had dug into the mountainside and appeared to be using the earth as an insulator against the cold winter air. The dirt roads were bustling with townsfolk in pale-colored cloaks and furs. Open fires burned in pits in the middle of the road, where people stopped to warm themselves before making their way into shops and homes.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. With a yelp, I whirled around, backing into the railing behind me. I was startled to look up into a pair of smiling blue eyes.

“Dimitri,” I gasped, throwing my arms around his shoulders as I fell into him. I was too happy to see him, hale and hearty, after the scare he’d given me, to hold back.

He laughed, a deep sound that rumbled in his chest, and hugged me in return. “I have to admit, I wouldn’t expect you to be so happy to see me, Princess.”

I nuzzled my face into his chest, inhaling a deep breath of him. The smell of pine brought me back to the moment by the creek when he chased me down and pinned me beneath him. My recently sated body instantly tensed with renewed desire as my inner lion let out a low roar.

“I didn’t either,” I said honestly, swallowing hard. Where had my resolve gone? Just moments ago, I’d been so certain of my path.

Escape.

Save myself and hope that, with the backing of my Queen, I could help their families once I did.

But damn it, I was so relieved he was all right, I’d already blown it.

As if he could sense my sudden change of heart, Dimitri took me by the shoulders and pushed me away to hold me at arm’s length. Then, he bent at the knees so that he was eye level with me, and proceeded to stare at me so intensely that it felt like he was seeing my soul.

“They didn’t hurt you, did they? Eryk assured me not, but…”

Damn him. Damn them all. Why did he have to be so caring?

I shook my head and forced myself not to relive the terror I’d experienced at the hands of the pirates who had slipped into my room. “No. Eryk took care of them before they had the chance.”

The tightness in Dimitri’s face vanished and the grip he had on my shoulders loosened as he deflated with relief. “I was so focused on protecting the other side of the ship, they’d gotten past me before I could stop them. When I saw where they were headed, I gave chase, but more overtook me from behind.”

He let out a low snarl and shook his head. “It’s over now. I’m so glad you’re all right.”

“You, too,” I murmured, turning back to face the town so he wouldn’t see the tears gleaming in my eyes.

“This is Juniper,” he said softly. “This port town hasn’t changed a bit in the last, I don’t know, hundred and fifty years or so. Perfect place for lumber to fix the ship up and for you to get your hands on some fresh produce. You up for going ashore with us or would you rather I stay behind with you here?”

My pulse thrummed as I considered both options. The thought of time alone with Dimitri was both compelling and dangerous, but moreover, if ever there was a chance to get away, this was it.

The very idea made me feel torn and confused, but I fought past it.

“I would love to go ashore,” I said. “I think I’ve forgotten what it feels like to walk on land.”

Dimitri nodded. “All right. We’ll get you some warmer clothes, too. It only gets colder from here.”

“Good to know,” I groaned. I had been lucky to live in Ironhaven my whole life. The weather there was hot in the summer and pleasant for much of the year, the winter season blessedly short.

“You need to stick close, Iris. The area is rife with pirates and we don’t want you hurt. Understood?”

I nodded as I stared at the small town built into the hill; my mind started to formulate a plan. While I might not be able to escape without risking myself further, I could at least try to make contact with my sister. Anaya would be worried sick, and I didn’t want her making any foolish decisions in her grief and fear. She had to keep her head, and the only way she would be able to do that was if she knew I was alive and well.

If I could just get word to her…

“Ready?” Mathias hollered over at us, waving us down to the dock.

“Eryk and Titus will meet us at the shops shortly, once they’ve secured the materials for the ship’s repair.”

Eryk.

I still hadn’t seen him, and wondered if he’d told the others…if they would know when he looked at me. Or if it meant as much to him as it had to me?

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Dimitri put his hand in the small of my back and guided me down the platform and out onto the dock. He walked beside me the whole way into town. The waves rolled under the dock and spat icy sprays of water on my cheeks. My teeth chattered and I eagerly awaited the moment where I would finally have warm clothes.

The first shop in town, just twenty yards or so from the docks and at the base of the hill, sold winter items.

The three of us slipped inside and I groaned in relief at the warmth. It smelled like burning wood. I spotted a fireplace cozily spitting flames in the corner.

Pulling away from Dimitri, I spun in a circle, admiring all the furs and cloaks hanging on the walls. Some were neatly folded on shelves out of my reach--those ones were more vibrant colors, like reds and blues. I imagined they were kept out of reach of sticky-fingered thieves and muddy children because they were more expensive.

Mathias went to the man working behind the counter and I wandered through the place, touching everything I could. I had never seen fabrics as soft as these, and the textures were a pleasure to touch. It had been so long since I’d even considered my appearance or longed for a pretty frock, but now, with Dimitri and Mathias flanking me, I couldn’t help but wonder what a mess I looked.

I touched a self-conscious hand to my hair and felt my cheeks flush. It was like a rat’s nest, to be sure.

“She’ll need boots,” Mathias was telling the shop owner as he examined me from head to toe, his gray eyes missing nothing and leaving a warm path in their wake. “The warmest pair you have. And a cloak. We’re heading into colder weather and, as you can see, she doesn’t have any meat on her bones to keep her warm.”

“Hey,” I said with a mock scowl, releasing a silver-hued fur I had been holding. “I’m perfectly capable of keeping myself warm.”

“Uh huh,” Mathias said, dismissing me with a wave and turning back to the shop owner. “Like I said, the warmest you have, please.”

The shop owner, a plump, white-haired older gentleman, waddled out from behind the counter and came over to me. He held his hand beside my shoulder and nodded knowingly. It took me awhile to figure out that he was measuring me using his own limbs as a guide. He lifted my arm and then let it fall back to my side. Then he stood beside me, measuring the length of his leg to mine by pressing his hip against me.

I shot Dimitri a scared look. He was in the corner, leaning against the wall in that lazy, careless way he always did. He snickered and covered his mouth as the shop owner paused to shoot him a suspicious glare.

“Sorry,” Dimitri said, “carry on.”

I couldn’t help but blush and smile as the little shop owner continued analyzing me. He finally nodded and peered up at Mathias. “I have just the thing for her. You’re a tall lad. Help me out and grab that red cloak down for me. Yes, that one there.” He pointed to one folded up at the end of one of the shelves.

Mathias pulled it down and I gasped as the fabric unravelled. He shook it out with a flourish and a grin.

It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The color of blood, bright and vivid. Inky furs lined the collar, hood, and hem. Mathias stepped behind me and draped it over my shoulders. He clipped the clasp at my throat and stood back to admire it.

“It’s quite lovely on you,” he said appreciatively.

“Quite,” Dimitri chimed in from the corner as he eyed me, the heat plain in his gaze.

It wasn’t until I heard Titus’s rumble of approval from the front of the shop that I realized he and Eryk had come in. My face flamed as I met Eryk’s gaze. He remained quiet near the door, but the slow sweep of my body that his eyes performed suggested he approved, too, and I had to look away.

I spun in a circle, letting the red fabric fan out around me.

“It really is beautiful,” I murmured.

“Yes, yes, quite flattering on you, dear,” the shop owner said, shuffling back behind the counter. He bent down and returned several seconds later. He lifted his arms up to put a pair of black fur boots on the counter. They were bound in black leather straps for tightening the fur around the calves. “These are the best ones we have in her size,” he said to Mathias. “Does the lady find them suitable?”

Mathias looked over his shoulder at me. “Want to try them on?”

I nodded and padded over to the counter. Mathias took the boots down from the counter for me and crouched down.

A little embarrassed, I let him remove my own shoes--thin, ill-fitting knee-high boots they had provided on the ship--and slide the new boots on. He bound them for me and got to his feet to admire the final result.

With an approving nod, he crossed his arms across his chest. “We’ll take them both,” he told the shop owner.

The little man’s eyes widened to twice their size. “Both?” he asked.

“Yes,” Mathias said, “how much?”

It was clear that the shop owner had not expected us to be spending so much money. In a town as small as this, I imagined big purchases of expensive items such as these were a rarity. He fumbled over his words until he finally stammered out his answer.

“Twenty silver pieces, my lord.”

“Twenty?” Mathias repeated, pulling a moleskin change purse from his pocket.

“Yes, sir, I know it’s a bit much, but the fur is getting harder and harder to come by-”

“Here,” Mathias said as he dumped a handful of coins on the counter. None were silver. All were gold. “Those furs are worth more than twenty pieces. Thank you for your help, sir. Good day.”

As we turned to leave, the little shop owner blinked at the coins on the counter. I thanked him as I passed. He looked up at me, eyes glassy, and nodded, clearly stunned.

“That was kind of you,” I said, rushing to catch up with Mathias.

He looked down at me and shrugged. “He was intimidated. It’s not every day that four men and a woman as pretty as you come into his shop. He asked for too little because he was afraid.”

“It would have been easy to accept his price,” I said.

“Yes, it would have. But that’s not the kind of man I am, Princess.”

The others were chatting amiably as they joined us, and we made our way up the curving dirt road and into the heart of town.

With actions more than words, these men were showing me who they were. Even if I tried to escape now, could I live with the fallout? The guilt and the knowledge that their loved ones would very likely pay the ultimate price?

I shook my head to chase the thoughts away, clinging to another. Escape with the four of them close all the time—especially as strong and as fast as they were—was unlikely anyway. If I could just get word to Anaya…

“Watch your step,” Titus murmured, taking my hand and tugging me out of the path of a puddle.

His fingers curled around mine, warming me from the inside out, and a sizzle passed between us.

With each passing day, it was becoming clearer that I felt strangely attracted and connected to each one of them. Which meant that the more days I let pass, the harder it was going to be to think of myself first. Sure, it felt good now to be with them in my new furs, flirting with Dimitri, spoiled by Mathias, freshly loved by Eryk and protected by Titus. But what about when we got wherever it was that we were going? What then?

I tugged my hand away and slid it into my new cloak’s pocket, keeping my gaze trained on the road. People hunched around the fires turned to watch us pass. It was obvious that it was rare for them to see travelers at this time of year--especially a group of travelers like us. Their imaginations were probably running wild with ideas of who we were and where we came from.

If only they knew the truth, maybe I would get some help. But in a town as small and secluded as this, they might not even know my sister by name, let alone me. I was going to have to stay diligent and find a window of opportunity.

Mathias led the way further up the winding road until we arrived at a market. It was small, with three employees who were very clearly related, with dark brown knotted hair and even browner eyes. They fought like siblings and fell silent when we approached. They watched Titus sharply and were clearly overwhelmed by his massive size.

Titus plucked an apple from one of their carts and tossed it in his hand. “Alright, lass, pick what you need to last us another five days or so. Just keep away from those turnips there,” he scrunched up his nose, “I hate turnips.”

I rolled my eyes, trying not to be charmed by the idea of this massive brute hating turnips like a schoolboy.

“Oh, well, of course, I’d hate to serve you something your delicate palate couldn’t tolerate.”

I looked to the other men, who were all making themselves comfortable. Dimitri, naturally, had found a stable cart to lean against. Mathias was by my side, eying the wares in the market. Eryk was still in the street, arms folded over his chest, soft amusement playing on his lips.

“Any other requests, boys?” I asked.

“Nope,” Dimitri said as he pushed himself off the wagon. “Even turnips will be better than that sludge Titus made, so ignore him.”

Looking terribly offended, Titus narrowed his eyes on Dimitri. “Everyone on that boat liked my cooking until she came along,” he said, nodding his head towards me.

“Nobody liked your cooking besides Hildie,” Dimitri chuckled. “We just like it better than starving. Now get on with it, will you, Princess? The tavern up the road is calling my name.”

I proceeded to shop with the men trailing behind me. It had been a long time since I selected my own produce. Living in the palace eliminated the need to do my own shopping and cooking. It had been a strange adjustment to make. Back when Anaya and I lived with our parents, she and I were always sent to the market by our father to bring home food for our mother to prepare.

As I selected various vegetables and dried meats, I felt a pang of sadness. Would I ever return to Ironhaven and my sister again?

I hid my sadness as best I could and continued shopping until I had three sacks full of food. Eryk took them from me after Mathias paid for them, and we all made our way up the road to the tavern Dimitri had set his sights on.

It was the structure building in town, naturally, and music and laughter poured from inside. Noise and bustle, I realized, my heart picking up speed. Just the sort of distraction I needed.

Mathias entered first and held the door open for me. When I walked in, every head turned. A hush fell over the crowd, and the flutist in the corner ended his tune on a sloppy note as he, too, spotted us.

The place was mostly men and I was instantly uncomfortable. Some of their gazes were appreciative, but others? Were hungry and violating. Suddenly, I wished I wasn’t wearing such a beautiful cloak so I might have blended in more.

But I needn’t have worried. When Titus stepped in behind me and put his hand on my shoulder, the tavern-goers averted their gazes.

Titus growled something I couldn’t quite hear under his breath that sounded like, “Scurvy bastards,” and proceeded to walk me through the scattered tables, past a stone fireplace, and to a table in the far corner that would be as far away from prying eyes as we could get.

I sat down and Titus sat beside me, blocking me from all the other patrons. Feeling safe between him and the wall, I slipped off my cloak and draped it over the back of my chair. The others fell into their seats around me as Dimitri went to the bar to order us something hot to eat and a round of ales.

He returned a couple minutes later and dropped into his chair. He leaned forward across the table and began talking in a low, barely audible voice.

“I don’t think we should hang around here all that long. They’re watching every move she makes and I’d hate to have to start killing people.”

“Do you think they recognize her?” Eryk asked, blatantly looking around the room at all the men who were, as Dimitri had pointed out, watching me like a hawk.

“Doubt it,” Dimitri said.

“How could they?” I asked. “Unless they’ve been to Ironhaven in the past year, since Anaya has held the throne, they’d have no clue who I am. And something tells me that not many of these people have ever left this town.”

“Likely true,” Dimitri said. “But still. Better to be safe than sorry.”

“Well, just don’t go killing anyone on my account. I know none of you believe me, but I can take care of myself.”

“You’re wicked with a bow and I believe you can handle the blade, but your size is a detriment, Iris. And there are many of them and one of you. Think of the two pirates,” Eryk reminded me. He wasn’t trying to be unkind. He was simply stating the truth.

A truth I didn’t want to accept. “That was different. They had the element of surprise.”

Eryk nodded grimly as a young waitress brought us a platter full of steaming cuts of beef layered in gravy. Along with it came some steamed vegetables and potatoes. We didn’t wait for the ale to dig in. I burnt my tongue, but didn’t stop eating.

I hadn’t realized how starving I was.

The next while passed in silence as we filled our bellies greedily.

When we were finally sated, we sat back and washed the food down with the ales. The waitress brought us refills at Dimitri’s request, and when she turned to go back to the bar, I held up a hand and called out to her. She turned back to me, smiling politely, and waited.

“Hi,” I said, “this is going to be rather odd, but are we in some sort of den of murderers and scallawags or something?”

Dimitri bit out a laugh as Titus coughed none-too delicately.

The waitress, on the other hand, just blinked at me, cocking her head. “I’m sorry, miss?”

I gestured around the room. Most of the men had busied themselves with their meals, but some were still looking in my direction. “I can’t help but notice that some of your guests are rather nosy, and can’t seem to keep their eyes to themselves. Are we being sized up for an ambush or something?”

The young woman smiled, and the warmth it brought to her face settled my nerves some.

“Oh, no, miss. They are simple folk, you see, and it isn’t often that a lady like you comes through these parts. Maybe once every half a decade. You are a sight to behold in your fancy cloak, and your men…” She scanned them quickly, her cheeks flushing as she did. “They’re quite the picture. It’s enough to cause a fuss around these parts.”

“Thank you,” I said, letting her leave. “See? Nothing to worry about.” I didn’t want them to hurry and leave. This might be my last opportunity to get close to someone and have them send word to my sister.

Dimitri grunted. “I still don’t like it, so a few more minutes to digest and then we go.”

I took a sip of my ale and nodded.

For the next five minutes, I listened with half an ear as I watched our serving girl move around the tavern. Finally, when I thought I was going to shatter with anticipation, she moved toward a door that led to the kitchens.

“Excuse me for a moment, gentlemen. I have to use the ladies’ room,” I said, pushing my chair back and sucking in to squeeze behind Titus. “I’ll be right back.”

“One of us will go with you,” Eryk said, already getting to his feet.

I arched an eyebrow and put a hand on my hip. “You’ll sit down and wait for me to come back. I don’t need an escort to help me get to the bathroom. I’m not that useless. And if you think I’m going to try to escape again just so I can get a collar slapped back on me when there’s no chance of me getting away from all four of you, think again.”

Eryk stared at me, his gaze intense.

“We’re trusting one another now, right?” It made me a little ill to say it when I had every intention of betraying that trust in another fashion, but if I was to survive this, I needed to do something. “If I’m not back in two minutes, you can come find me.”

“What if someone tries to hurt you again?” Dimitri asked softly.

“The tavern girl said they’re harmless. Besides, I’m pretty certain the four of you are a great deterrent, whether you come to the privy with me or not. Sit down. It’s fine.”

Eryk surprised me by sitting, and my hands began to tremble as I turned away. I’d bought myself two minutes and I needed to use them wisely. As I walked away, I could hear Dimitri giving him a hard time for letting me boss him around. When I heard the others join in on the banter, I knew I wouldn’t get a better opportunity.

I reached the hallway leading to the kitchen just as our waitress was slipping out from behind the kitchen door. With a quick glance around, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her aside, ducking beneath a doorway and shuffling down a hallway crammed with crates of produce.

The young blonde girl was staring at me with wide eyes as I pulled us farther down the hallway so we couldn’t be overheard. “Miss,” she said, “is everything alright? Are you in danger?”

“Yes--no--sort of,” I said, grasping at straws to try to explain my current situation. “Listen, I need your help. I need you to send a message for me.”

“A message?”

I nodded. “It’s important. You have to get it right. And you have to find a way to send it as soon as you’re done with your shift here. I promise you won’t be in danger. I just need someone to know where I am.”

“I’m not sure,” she said nervously, wringing her hands in her apron, “what’s the message?”

“I need you to send it to the Queen of Ironhaven. Her name is Anaya. Tell her that Iris was here, and that she’s unharmed. That she is being taken due west, by way of the Laughing Sea. Tell her to send our swiftest ship to find The Duchess and to make sure not to kill anyone aboard. That part is critical, do you hear me?”

“Yes,” the girl nodded.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Carrace,” she whispered.

“Carrace,” I said, squeezing her shoulder lightly. “You have no idea how much you’re helping me right now.” I reached for the thin silver bracelet that circled my wrist and unclasped it. “I wish I had something of more value to give you, but I will come back, and you will be rewarded. I swear it on my life. I am the sister of a very wealthy Queen and she will make sure you-”

“Miss,” she said, resting a hand on my arm, “it’s alright. I don’t need any payment to help a woman in need. I’ll send a bird at first light. It’s the earliest I can do. I will address it to Anaya, and I will tell her all that you’ve told me.”

“Thank you,” I said, fighting back tears. I appreciated her willingness to help me more than I could explain. “But I insist you take the bracelet at the very least.” I pressed it into her hand and folded her fingers around it.

She nodded grudgingly and slipped it into her apron. “How far away is this Ironhaven?”

“Many miles, but if I make it out of this, I can take you there. Men won’t look at you like meat and women can be rulers. It’s wonderful.”

She blushed and nodded weakly. “I would like that very much. And I’ll send your message. I promise.”

I did the only thing I could think to do to thank her, which was hug her. She stood frozen in my arms for a good three seconds before hugging me back. She smelled like ale and wood smoke, but I didn’t care.

When we pulled away there were tears in her eyes, too.

“I have to go back to my table. Please don’t let on that we spoke, okay? The men I’m with can’t know what I’ve done.”

Carrace nodded. “I’ll go out first. Wait a moment before you do.”

I tipped my head in return and she slipped away, leaving me alone with the crates of cabbage and leeks, wracked with guilt.

Because I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d just made a terrible mistake.