74. Missteps and Shattered Trust
Chapter seventy-four
Missteps and Shattered Trust
T here was a warm glow beyond Solveig’s eyelids, and she felt as though she were swaying, floating through the clouds on a bright, sunny day. The temptation to let the sensation rock her back into sweet oblivion crept around the edges of her consciousness.
Her hand was warm, held in the tight grip of another’s. A gentle heat coursed through her blood as the grip tightened and released, as though urging her to wake.
“Come on, open your eyes, Solveig,” a whiskey smooth voice pleaded. She obeyed the command, but closed them instantly, as the harsh light of day burned.
“Easy,” the voice whispered, so low it was almost drowned out by the incessant creaking and groaning all around them. “Take it slow.” She did as instructed, blinking gently, slowly opening her lids little by little, until she could finally stand the full brightness of the room.
Solveig took in the arched wooden beams above her, the gauzy white curtains to the side and the lumpy bed covered by soft dark sheets. She was back aboard the Valdrych, though she had no memory of getting there. She wracked her brain in search of the memories, standing atop the jagged cliffs of Tempest Cove. Looking out to the storm brewing on the horizon as another raging wave had barrelled toward her.
She’d stopped it. Halted it in its tracks. Remembered the power that had electrified her bloodstream. Recalling the pride in the prince’s own gaze and then everything went utterly dark.
“You stopped it,” the voice said from across the room. Having left her side in favour of perching on the edge of the desk opposite her; ankles crossed, arms folded atop his chest. His skin appeared more russet than usual, as though he had scrubbed it within an inch of his life. But it was his eyes that brought her to a halt. His usually warm blue flame was a swirling, angry maelstrom. “And then you stopped,” he finished.
“What…” she began, moving to stand, but the single utterance caused an unbearable ache to pass through her ravaged throat, down through her abdomen. A gentle heaviness pushed her back down on the bed, and she looked to find one of Emmerich’s hands extended in her direction. Hurt crossed her gaze as she thought of him using his power to trap her there, as though he had suddenly decided he could no longer trust her.
“You stopped breathing,” he cursed, his hand dropping once she was laying down again. “Blood dripped from your nose and then you started coughing, rattling and wet.”
What little colour had returned to her complexion drained instantly at his words, for she knew what the prince was about to say next. “It was a river, choking and unstoppable.”
Solveig said nothing, so he filled the silence for her. “Just like Aldrik.” She flinched at the mention of that name. Emmerich’s gaze flared at the sight. “And Xanthe,” he continued, standing to cross the room to sit beside her, just out of reach. His face was an emotionless mask. “And every other name we’ve read in countless books and reports.”
Still, she said nothing, couldn’t even meet his gaze.
“Why?” he demanded finally.
“Why what?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he begged out of frustration, a palm slamming on the wall beside him. “How long have you known that death was knocking on your door? You let me push you to use more of your power. Knowing the danger it put you in.” His voice broke, head falling to his hands. “Why didn’t you trust me with this?”
“As you have trusted me with all your secrets?” she countered immediately on the defensive, guarding her heart. “If honesty is the game, let’s not pretend like you’ve been playing by the rules any better than I.”
“I didn’t keep something that was a matter of life or death from you,” he argued.
“How would I know? You belittled me, cursed, and judged. You formed an opinion of who you think I should be. Made up your mind and would see no other explanation.”
“You didn’t even try.”
“Didn’t I? How many times did I try to tell you that my power wasn’t strong enough? How many times did you respond I could be more? You wouldn’t hear me. You decided that my family had limited me and cast me aside.” She twisted, leaning toward him, ignoring the pain in her stomach as she moved, the weakness in her arms as she struggled to hold herself up.
“You see, Prince, my master of hydromancy is that poor. My power is as weak and pitiful as they say. You made me want to believe I could be more, that there was something else lurking untapped within me.” She shook her head, as though the idea was completely ridiculous now. “Dangerous thoughts from an untrustworthy prince of an enemy kingdom.” Her eyes narrowed on him. “A kingdom known for celebrating the mastery of multiple elements, and yet their prince showcases only one.” The accusation was plain.
“Maybe you wanted it to go this way,” Solveig continued, “take us out one by one so you can conquer the known continent and remake it in your image?”
“You’ve got to be fucking joking,” Emmerich sputtered, ignoring the barb about his power.
“Do I look like I am?” She stood in a single jerking motion; gritting her teeth against the pain that wracked her body, closing in on him, a single finger stabbing at the centre of his chest.
“If I wanted you dead, Princess, I wouldn’t have raced back across Tempest Cove with you unconscious in my arms. My healer wouldn’t have worked tirelessly for hours to help you. If I wanted you dead, I would have left you there to rot until the sea welcomed you into its depths.”
“Or maybe you knew that my death on Elithiend soil would be an act of war that your kingdom isn’t prepared for. I was foolish to trust any Elithiend, but you, you’re the worst of them all, aren’t you?”
Emmerich growled, grasping her arm; twisting so that her back pressed against the wall as he leaned into her space. “What the fuck is happening right now?”
“You tell me,” she countered. Staring up at him, not backing down, as she tried to pry against the black hole in her memory. “You stole my consciousness, didn’t you?” she accused, eyes turning black as her face twisted with anger. “Held me suspended between life and death.”
Emmerich gulped, nervous now. “You would have died,” he argued.
“You thought this was better, a black hole in my memory and you asking me to trust that your word is true.”
“Why would I lie to you?”
She shrugged. “Same reason you’d sail me out to the middle of fucking nowhere with a limited crew aboard.” She leaned into his space now, less than an inch separating them. “You planned to take me out, and you lost your nerve. Now you’re covering your tracks.”
“Why the kissing?” he countered, leaning his forehead against hers. “Why would I do any of that if I wanted to see you cold and lifeless?”
“A predator luring in its prey, and I happily swallowed every bite you fed me. They starved me for kindness, and you twisted that to your advantage.”
Emmerich pulled back abruptly. “Fucking hell, are you even listening to yourself right now?” He almost laughed. “I’m flattered, Princess, truly, that you think I’m capable of such a wicked plan.” There was only pity in his gaze now. “I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. That’s more your style than mine.”
Solveig’s lips pulled back with an animalistic snarl. She reached behind her, feeling for a dagger that wasn’t there, just as the door to the room swung open and Emmerich’s head swivelled to face the intruder.
“What?” he snapped.
“Apologies, Captain,” the boy stammered, “they’re asking for you on deck.”
“Close the door,” he seethed. “I’ll be out in a moment.” The boy nodded, running from the scene before him.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Elithiend,” he bit out. “As twisted as you interpret my actions to be, I set course for my home in case you needed further care. The last thing I wanted was to see you dead.”
She ripped her arm free. “Take me home, Prince. I’ve no desire to be on this ship, or anywhere else with you any longer.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Emmerich cursed, his head falling back. “Fine, if you want to go back to that filth, we’ll go.” He brought his gaze back to hers. “But you and I are far from finished here, Princess.” He stalked from the room; the door slamming shut behind him.