Chapter 2 #2
I nodded as I contemplated. Perhaps they were telling the truth and didn’t know anything else.
If they had more information, surely Xavier would’ve been able to get it out of them.
He was even more skilled in intelligence extraction than I was.
“If they’re no longer useful, then it’s time to dispose of them. ”
Xavier didn’t seem surprised by my order. The prisoners in the dungeon had committed heinous crimes. I wouldn’t keep them around to suffer, like Reyna had done with Emilie and me. But I also wouldn’t show mercy and set them free. Eliminating them was the only solution.
“It’ll be done before the end of the day,” Xavier said, collecting the last of his belongings and heading for the stairs.
I crossed the room, but before I headed down from the tower, I took a moment to look out across the shimmering sea. The sun was almost at its highest point, and specks of white reflected off the gentle waves. I had to squint to protect my eyes from the blinding glare.
The water seemed so peaceful from up here.
Calm and still. Along the shoreline, I spotted a woman and her child searching for seashells where the waves met the sand.
Farther along, fishers lined the pier with their poles, hoping to catch their next meal or a surplus to sell at this weekend’s market.
Closer to the street, a young vendor was setting up his cart, lifting the awning and tampering with his display of colorful boxes and bottles until he was satisfied.
From up here, it looked like they hadn’t a care in the world.
I envied them.
If only I had the simple life they enjoyed. I didn’t want to think about prisoners in dungeons and the change in leadership within our enemy’s borders. I didn’t want to rule over a kingdom. I wanted peace and quiet with the woman I loved.
The tower rumbled, the ground beneath my feet vibrating, and I released the railing with a wince. After being without power for so long, I kept forgetting to keep it in check. If I wasn’t careful, I’d accidentally shatter the marble and stone that built this castle and plummet to my death.
Maybe it’d be a relief…
“No,” I said softly, closing my eyes.
I had so much to live for, even if living was hard. These struggles were temporary. If I could survive Reyna, I could survive anything.
When I opened my eyes, my gaze was drawn to something on the horizon. It was only a miniscule white fleck, but it was quickly approaching. Time sped up as I watched, and eventually, the white dot turned into a full-sized ship.
I wasn’t the only one who noticed. Folks along the shore were pointing and shouting, trying their best to see who was about to make land. It wasn’t one of ours—it didn’t carry the Osavian royal insignia.
I’d wasted enough time. Taking the stairs two at a time, I bolted down all five stories until I reached the landing, making a sharp right turn through an open archway and into the gardens.
A few servants jumped out of the way when they caught sight of my impatient gait. The last thing I wanted to deal with was an unexpected visitor. At least I knew they weren’t a threat. Our naval fleet at Twin Beacons would’ve stopped them long before they could show up on the horizon.
I moved through the endless rows of blossoming flowers and perfectly manicured bushes, jogged down the stone steps and into the soft, white sand. The ship was close enough now that I could see a forest green flag with a silver cross through it.
Dreslen? Why would they send a ship…?
By the time I reached the marina, the ship had lowered its anchor and people were climbing into a smaller tender boat that could traverse the shallower waters.
The pliable wooden boards beneath my feet creaked as I walked to the end of the dock.
I crossed my arms, forced to wait for the tender to reach shore.
“She’s a beautiful ship, huh? Don’t see one like that very often.”
I turned to find an elderly man with leathery skin and a missing tooth on the bottom row staring out at the massive vessel. He had one hand above his forehead, shielding his eyes from the sun pounding down on us.
“No, we don’t.”
The ship was far more ornate than most I had seen, with carvings along the bow and matching green trim around the portholes and deck railing. The longer I stared, the more intricate details I found.
Finally, the tender boat approached the dock and the man next to me tossed them a rope to guide them in. Once tied up, I smiled and prepared to greet the first individual to step off the boat—a familiar face I hadn’t expected to see.
The man met my gaze with a crooked grin.
“Hello, Adrien. I wasn’t expecting you.”
Adrien ran a hand over his unkempt beard. He looked like hell—dirty face and clothing. His jacket had a rip on one sleeve and frayed edges around the collar. He was the exact opposite of the ship he captained. I wasn’t sure how long he’d been at sea, but I knew why he’d returned to land.
“It’s good to see you, Ladon, but I’m here to see someone else. Where’s my little sister?”