by Cait Marie
“If they are, Ada will find them.” Confidence filled Phillip’s tone, and Shane smiled.
After a moment, Shane took a deep breath, and they moved toward the door.
“For now, we go on as normal,” Phillip said quietly before opening it.
“And pray to the stars Ada can bring help,” Shane responded as he plastered on the mask he so often wore as the prince.
The grainy, uneven deck made for a rough surface to push a mop across. Ada continued at a slow pace. She cleaned for hours with the sun beating down on her neck. When she reached the bow of the ship, she paused. Holding the broom up with her shoulder, she rubbed at her sore wrist.
Tugora was a weeklong journey, according to the captain. At this rate, Ada worried about holding up her end of the bargain. As if he could sense her doubt, Lee appeared from behind her.
“It’s only been a day,” he said.
Ada had stuck close to Brienne, the one crew member that seemed not to hate her. The girl was nowhere in sight now though.
“Tired already?”
“No.” Ada shook out her hand, rotating her wrist a couple times before pushing the mop again.
Lee grabbed the handle to still the cleaning. “What’s wrong with your hand?”
“Nothing.”
Her flinch as he moved to grab her gave away more than she liked, and she groaned internally. He slowly pushed her sleeve up. Confusion briefly crossed his features as he looked at the small bruise, then realization dawned on him. She could see in his eyes the moment he remembered their initial encounter. With a surprising gentleness, his thumb massaged the place he had injured a few days earlier.
“I…” Lee cleared his throat and dropped her hand. “Get back to it then,” he said with a nod.
Without another word, he stormed off. Ada finished mopping the deck then joined some of the crew for lunch. She kept quiet as she sat beside Brienne. The group was loud, talking over one another, laughing, and arguing. A large shadow fell across her and Brienne, and Ada looked up to see the man who had questioned her presence when she first arrived on the ship.
“You’re with me this afternoon,” he grunted. While standing, he was at least a foot taller than Ada and twice as wide. A long scar trailed down one side of his face. He stared at her, waiting for a moment before turning and walking back out.
Ada looked around with wide eyes, not sure if that meant she needed to follow right away. She jumped up when a woman, Merta, nodded.
“Don’t worry, Ren’s not nearly as intimidating as he pretends to be,” Brienne said with a wink.
Ada ran out after him to the sunny deck. She saw his broad figure going into the captain’s quarters and followed. Inside, he looked through the books along one wall. When she opened her mouth to ask what he was looking for, he pulled one out and shoved it into her arms. With another grunt, he nodded toward the door and left once more. She quickly followed him out, then up the small stairs that led to the helm of the ship.
Lee stood at the wheel, and Ren took over for him in silence. Lee glanced at Ada and the book as he shoved his hands into his pockets and walked past her. She stood to the side in confusion as he moved down the steps, out of sight.
“Sit.” Ren pointed to a small bench. “You’re going to be watching what I do and reading that book.”
She looked down at the worn cover and had to open it to find the title. It was a book about ships and sailing.
“I don’t understand. I thought I was on cleaning duty?” Her eyes scanned the photos as she flipped through the pages. She had always loved reading all books, not just her legends and fairy tales.
“Well, apparently, you’re now learning how to sail. Captain’s orders.”
Ada looked up in surprise. Ren didn’t turn to her though. He continued to watch the vast waters glittering all around them. She flexed her fingers, turning her wrist slowly, and felt the corner of her mouth tug up asn she started to read.
“You’re supposed to be up with Ren,” Captain Lee barked as Ada entered his cabin.
He stood close to Brienne at the table near the window. She made a mental note to knock before coming in next time. They looked down at the painted map and some papers.
“Hello to you too.” She could hear his annoyed sigh from her place by the door. “I was supposed to be reading this book.”
Ada moved to stand across from them. Neither glanced up as she placed it on the table.
“So, why aren’t you doing that? You said you’d stay out of the way,” he reminded her.
“I finished it. Ren suggested coming to get another one.” She crossed her arms and shifted her weight to one leg. “And I’m not in the way.”
Lee finally looked up at her. She could see Brienne trying to hide her amusement by biting her lip. Ada shrugged and strolled over to the shelves lining the walls. She trailed a hand along the spines of the books, surprised to find more than just sailing manuals. History and science tomes filled the shelves, even some fiction novels.
“You read the whole thing?” Lee asked.
“Yes.”
She heard him snatch up the book. He stomped over and held it up in front of her. “You read this whole book?”
“Yes,” Ada replied with more force as she turned to face him.
“Prove it.”
“Fine, ask me something.” She jutted out her chin.
He opened the book and began flipping through it. Before he could ask a question, Brienne was at his side, taking it from his hands. She swatted his arm with it. “We believe you.” Brienne put the book back on the shelf before whispering to the captain, “Be nice.”
Lee mumbled something unintelligible under his breath and crossed his arms. Ada grinned—for such a large man, he acted very childish.
“Don’t mind him,” Brienne continued. “He’s just grumpy because he didn’t sleep well. He’s not used to roughing it with us down in the bunks.”
Ada turned back toward the books to hide the guilt as she remembered that she’d taken his room. Her hand hovered over a familiar title, and the ship rocked. An arm shot out around her side, steadying her before she fell to her knees. When she turned to thank him, Lee quickly dropped his hand as if she burned him. He reached up and snatched a book from beside her head.
“Read this one next.” He shoved it into her hands and stomped to the door.
Brienne lifted one shoulder and gave Ada a small smile. Lee barked out his second’s name when he yanked the door open. She walked toward him but turned to mouth “sorry” to Ada. As soon as she was out, he slammed the door behind them.
Ada let out a frustrated groan. Looking down at the book in her hands, she rolled her eyes. It was a history book on the different kingdoms. She wondered if he grabbed one at random simply to shut her up. With a huff, she took the book back up to her seat next to Ren and began reading.
Which is what she was still doing three days later. Captain Lee had not assigned her to cleaning duty again. A couple times, she helped prepare food in the galley, but for the most part, she sat with her books or followed Brienne and Ren around to learn more about the ship. At night, Ada replaced her assigned books with the fiction novel she’d spotted. One she knew by heart. The familiar words comforted her, much like her mother’s book on the Nihryst. Comfort that she needed as she adapted to life at sea, surrounded by strangers. Comfort to get her through countless arguments with the infuriating captain.
“He’s not always this irritable,” Brienne said from her spot at the wheel. She came to give Ren a reprieve, and Ada was happy to have someone to talk to. Despite his appearance, it turned out Ren was nice. But he barely spoke through their multiple hours together. Most of what he did say was just information on the ship or sailing. Occasionally, the weather.
“So, it’s just me? Good to know.” Ada laughed as she closed the book in her lap. She brushed her long hair back from her face. The wind had picked up, and it kept whipping her soft curls in every direction.
; Brienne turned toward her, keeping one hand on the wheel. “Here,” she said, offering Ada a rubber band, who gratefully accepted it and pulled hair up on top of her head. “He just doesn’t like change. He’ll get over it.”
She shrugged and her words were confident, but Ada still had her doubts.
“So, how long have you been at sea?” Ada tried changing the topic.
“Sometimes, it feels like forever,” Brienne replied. “My father was a sailor. My mother died when I was an infant. When I was about six, he lost a lot of money and could no longer pay for a nanny, so he started bringing me with him on jobs.”
Brienne shifted and tilted her head to the bright sky. “I’ve basically been on a ship my whole life.”
She thought she knew the answer, but Ada asked, “Is your father still a sailor?”
“No, he died a long time ago.”
“I’m sorry.” Ada’s words were soft. She knew that time didn’t really take away the pain completely.
Brienne nodded, still looking at the fluffy white clouds high above them. She cleared her throat and looked to Ada. “What about your parents?”
Ada thought about her family, her own childhood. Grief filled her as she said, “My mother died when I was five years old. My father is still alive, but he’s been different since she passed.”
Her eyes burned and tears began to pool. Brienne placed a hand on Ada’s shoulder, a small sign of understanding.
“I have an older brother. He practically raised me after her death. Well,” she laughed a little, “him and his best friend. They were always there for me.”
“That’s good. That you had them, I mean,” Brienne said.
Ada nodded in agreement. She knew she was lucky to have them.
With a mischievous grin, Brienne asked, “So, this friend?”
Ada laughed at her new friend’s attempt to lighten the mood. She happily obliged. “His name is Phillip.”
“And?” Brienne drew out the word expectantly.
“And what?”
“What’s his deal? Is he good looking? What does he do?”
Ada shook her head, laughing more. It felt nice to smile again. She decided a little truth wouldn’t hurt. “He’s a guard at the palace for the royal family.” Brienne waved a hand, motioning for her to continue. “Yes, he’s good looking, but he’s like my brother. He’s my best friend.”
She never had many friends outside of Shane and Phillip. Her lady’s maid, Melanie, was the closest thing she had to a girl friend. They talked, and Melanie knew a lot more than most, but she was more like another parent figure than anything with their age difference. Ada had never been able to just sit and talk about this kind of stuff with anyone.
“I bet he’s strong from all the training,” Brienne said, interrupting her thoughts. “And I bet he knows how to handle his sword.”
Ada choked on her own breath, then groaned, shaking her head at the innuendo. Brienne just laughed and wiggled her eyebrows up and down. She couldn’t help but join in.
“What’s so funny?” Lee asked as he walked up the steps. He looked back and forth between them. They both just laughed harder. He shook his head and nudged Brienne away from the wheel, taking her spot.
She moved over to sit beside Ada. “Ada was just telling me about her strong, gorgeous friend.”
Ada’s cheeks burned. Her eyes met Lee’s across the small space. For a brief second, she thought she saw some emotion cross his features. But a wall slid back in place, quickly blocking her out.
“He’s a guard for the royal family,” Brienne continued.
Lee scowled. He made a disgusted noise before he said, “The royal family.”
“What do you have against them?” Ada asked.
“I’ve heard stories.”
“So, you hate them based on gossip?”
“I’ve dealt with royals enough in the past to know at least some of the stories are true.”
“What have you heard?”
Brienne shifted beside her. Ada crossed her arms and waited.
“Well, for starters the king is mad. He puts on a good show but stays holed up in that palace of his.” Ada worked hard to keep her face neutral. “The prince seems pretty well liked. Some can’t tell if he’s genuine or if it’s all an act though.”
“The prince is a good man. It’s genuine,” she said before she could think it through.
“So, you know them?” Lee said sarcastically. “Then tell me, is the princess really a pain in the ass? I’ve heard she always has her head in the clouds and her nose in a book. She doesn’t care about her kingdom.”
It wasn’t all true, but he’d heard these things somewhere. It stung knowing any of the people in her kingdom thought that. Ada steadied her breath and slowly pushed the book down beside her, out of sight. Lee caught her eye with a smirk as he noticed the movement.
“She’s not,” Ada replied, ignoring him. “She loves her kingdom more than just about anything.”
“Yeah, right.” Lee turned to Brienne, clearly over the subject. “I came up here to talk to you.”
“What’s going on?” Brienne stood at the sound of his serious tone.
Brienne moved closer, and he said something too quiet for Ada to hear. Brienne shook her head and asked a question. They went back and forth, arguing before she asked louder, “You’re sure?”
Lee nodded. “I’ve had them check three times. We don’t have another choice.”
“I know.” She glanced at Ada. “But…”
“What?” Ada asked, suddenly concerned.
Brienne looked to the captain. She held out a hand toward Ada, motioning that he had to tell her.
He sighed. “We have to take a bit of a detour.”
“What?” Ada jumped to her feet. “No, the deal was—“
“We’re nearly out of certain supplies.” He hesitated, seeming to think through his response. “We weren’t initially planning this long of a trip. We won’t make it to Tugora before running out.”
Ada narrowed her eyes and chewed on her bottom lip. She didn’t have a lot of time to spare. They watched her, waiting for a response. She understood it was necessary, but the worry still gnawed at her insides. With reluctance, she nodded.
“Welcome to life at sea,” Lee said.
Ada reached down and grabbed her book. As she straightened, she watched them reposition the wheel and sails, changing course. The wind caught at her hair even more this direction, pulling some of the strands free. She brushed it behind an ear then moved to the stairs.
Over her shoulder, she told them, “I’m getting another book,” and didn’t wait for a response.
An island broke the horizon as the sun dipped low in the sky the following day. It put them a few days off schedule, making Ada more anxious to get to Tugora. As they drew near, Ada saw a town as ordinary as any other—quaint and peaceful. A vast fish market lined the docks. It was warmer than Detmarya, and people walked around dressed in light material. The women’s chiffon dresses flowed in the slight breeze.
Captain Lee entered his cabin as they began to dock. He slipped behind the screen in the corner to change while Ada sat on the bed, thumbing through the book she’d kept near her side throughout the week.
“So, where are we?” she asked. “ And what supplies are we getting here?”
“The island of Innysa. We are mainly getting food and water, but we also need some medical supplies.” The shirt he pulled over his head muffled his voice. He walked back around, rolling his sleeves up as he searched for something.
“Are you actually going to pay for the supplies this time?”
Lee let out a breath with a shake of his head. He stopped his search and met her gaze. “Actually, you are, Princess. You owe us gold, remember?”
She stood and reached down, plucking up the coin purse from her small bag. “Of course,” she muttered. “After all, I paid for them last time too.”
He gaped at her when she turned back and walked over to wher
e he stood. “You paid for those medical supplies?”
Ada stared at him, curious about the sudden softness in his tone. She swallowed and said, “That woman, the one who owned the shop, is a very hard worker. She didn’t deserve to have anything stolen from her. Her family relies on that money.” At least he had the decency to look guilty. “So, I paid for what was taken.”
“Those supplies were necessary. I was desperate.” He looked away.
“Really?” Irritation coated her voice “Because your crew looks pretty healthy to me, and I haven’t seen those supplies used once since I’ve been onboard.”
“I…” He looked at her in surprise. With visible effort, he slid that defiant mask back in place. “I like to be prepared.”
“Unbelievable,” she said at his outstretched hand. Shaking her head, she put a few gold pieces in his palm. “I assume that will be enough.”
“Enough to buy a little something extra too.” He winked and pointed at her with a smirk. “Maybe I’ll buy you something pretty.”
Ada smacked his hand away from her face, but that only served to amuse him more. He walked around her and pulled on a long black coat.
“I will be back shortly,” he said. “I am going to go make the deals, and then I will be back to get help.”
She nodded, even though his back was to her. The boat gently rocked against the dock as they made their way out of the cabin.
Lee stopped to talk to Brienne, who nodded before walking over to Ada. “Let’s get some food while we wait.”
Ada agreed and was shocked when her friend led her from the ship. They walked in silence along the bustling dock. People filled the streets and shops around them. Brienne pulled Ada into a large tavern.
The bright space was warm and inviting, and they easily found a table. Brienne ordered them each dinner while Ada carefully watched the other patrons. Ada had never been to this particular island, but she worried a traveler might recognize her.
“They have really good bread here,” Brienne said, breaking Ada out of her thoughts. She nodded, and the woman continued, “We’ve stopped here before.”