7. CHAPTER 7 #2
Enora met me at the door, her expression sour. I knew she would be angry with me for insisting she accompany me on this mission—but I also knew she would do anything for her oldest and dearest friend. She would never have let me go alone anyway, but she would complain about it, nevertheless.
I glanced back at Kallias one last time as he disappeared into the washroom.
I gripped the bag I had packed in my palm and called for Quinnick, who happily jumped from the bed to join me at the doorway.
I turned to Enora, unable to stifle the laugh that bubbled to my lips at the thought of the two of us crossing the sea together to an enemy kingdom with a fox in tow.
“Did the queen secure a position for you?” I asked, closing the door behind us and starting down the corridor, Quinnick trotting along at our heels.
Enora nodded. “She did. I have an apprenticeship with a historian at the palace, so I can be right by your side.”
“Did she happen to give you any details about how I am supposed to infiltrate the palace as a servant?” I asked, forcing a smile as we passed a group of royal ladies from court.
They covered their mouths with delicately gloved hands as we passed, giggling and casting furtive glances in our direction.
“She did.” Enora laughed, ignoring the women.
She wrapped an arm around my shoulders to draw me against her.
“It appears the queen gave me more information than she did to you. But I assume you were rather busy with the prince last night.” She winked, but I couldn’t bring myself to play along with her teasing.
Dread sat like a heavy weight in my stomach.
“I think the queen merely enjoys ignoring me and torturing me. The less time she has to speak with me or look at me…the better.”
We began to garner attention as we exited the castle and started toward the dirt path that would lead to the markets of Majur. Glances were cast in our direction, whispers reaching my ears that the queen must finally have tired of a human warming Kallias’s bed, that I was finally being sent off.
They weren’t entirely wrong.
Enora and I fell silent as we walked through the city proper of Majur.
Most of the city had remained unscathed by the attack yesterday, but there were a number of houses and markets that burned.
The response to the Blackwater princes had been swift.
The dragons hadn’t lingered, allowing the people to tend to the fires quickly before they could spread.
There would be rebuilding, but it could have been much worse.
King Faris was right. This had merely been a show of power. A performance to put us in our place. Highlighting exactly how deadly they were. If they had wanted to burn Majur to the ground…they would have.
As I pondered the reputation of the Blackwater princes, it dawned on me that I didn’t know nearly as much about the rival kingdom as I should. I cursed myself for not paying more attention to Kallias when he discussed it.
If I were being honest…politics bored me.
I knew that as queen they would be an integral part of my life, but I wanted to enjoy my time away from the drama of it all while I could.
Despite what the queen had insinuated, I didn’t enjoy scheming.
I yearned for a simpler life, but the fates had decided otherwise.
As we neared the dockyards, I could sense the palace guards at my back. A quick glance over my shoulder confirmed that there were four guards following closely behind us. They were likely sent by the queen to ensure I boarded the ship destined for Scaldrithor without incident.
I wasn’t one to cause a scene…Queen Dyata needn’t worry.
I kneeled to offer Quinnick my smallest bag, and he jumped into it readily. I zipped it only enough so that his head could poke out while I slung it over my shoulder.
The vessel was the largest in the harbor, its dark hull low in the water as it sat in the channel, flag snapping against the wind.
Armed soldiers and humans alike milled about the deck, waving to the people gathered at the dock to say their goodbyes.
The sun cast a warm light over Majur, but it did nothing to cut the tension building in my chest.
As we approached the gangplank, I turned, nodding toward the apothecary at the end of the row.
“Do I have time to say goodbye to my mother?” I asked the closest guard, meeting his gaze with steel in my own.
He shook his head once brusquely. “You will board the ship immediately. No detours. Queen’s orders.”
My heart sank into my stomach as I turned back to Enora.
“I will send word to her,” she assured me.
I nodded once. “You don’t think our messages will be watched? Queen Dyata would not risk word getting back to Kallias about the true nature of my departure.”
Enora shook her head, her gaze flitting to the apothecary. “We will make sure she knows you are safe.”
I silently cursed that I wouldn’t be able to pick up more herbs or elixirs for my travels. The guard stepped forward without a word, herding us toward the ramp with the others boarding the ship.
Gulls called out overhead as they soared and dove, catching scraps among the planks and diving for fish in the clear, salty water.
The beating sun overhead welcomed today’s summer solstice.
I doubted there would be a celebration after the events of yesterday, but I was still sorry to miss it.
Summer solstice had always been my favorite celebration.
I reluctantly made my way up the ramp and onto the deck of the ship.
I had never been on a vessel such as this before, let alone one of this size and stature.
The crew was running back and forth, hastily preparing for our departure.
I was far from the only human aboard, and the thought had my stomach churning.
Not all of these humans were destined for work in the palace. A good portion of them were destined for work of an entirely different kind.
I allowed myself one last glance over my shoulder at the city of Majur. I half expected to see Kallias there, waving a heartfelt goodbye to send me off. I shook my head to clear the thought, knowing he would be in the war council room with his father.
I bit my lip, the reality of the situation sitting heavily as I allowed the crew to take the few bags I had traveled with.
I kept the one containing Quinnick slung over my shoulder, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as he peered across the ship's deck.
I turned to Enora, her eyes darting back and forth as she observed the pandemonium unfolding before us as they made ready to leave port.
She turned toward me; her eyes alight despite having found herself unexpectedly bound for enemy territory.
A smile creased her rosy lips as the wind of the dockyards whipped her ivory hair across her face.
Her skin was porcelain beneath the brilliant sun, so bright I almost couldn’t look at her directly.
The ship lurched into motion beneath us, and I almost lost my balance, toppling sideways and grasping for the railing to steady myself before I squashed Quinnick against the rail.
Enora held my gaze with her own as the captain approached from the other side of the deck, instructing the passengers where to go. I gripped the railing behind me to steady myself as I turned toward him.
I would need to find my sea legs…and fast.
Enora spoke above the sound of the churning waves as the dock disappeared from sight, a smile playing on her lips as her chest rose and fell with excitement. This was the adventure of a lifetime, and her enthusiasm was contagious as I leaned closer to hear her over the whipping winds.
“Are you ready to slay a dragon?”