by Sarah Olson
I glared at her.
"Catherine, I am very disappointed in you," Layla said.
How did she remain so composed?
"I understand that you wanted to keep your word, but do you not realize the stress our family has been under during this ordeal? For the past two weeks, we have been sending soldiers across the kingdom, hoping that someone would find her so we would know she is safe. If she had wanted to go to Malan, she should have told us, and you should have encouraged her to do so."
Catherine let out a frustrated sigh. "She wanted to step away from being a princess—that is why she didn’t tell you. Everything that happened with Thomas was hanging over her head and she wanted to escape. Getting away was for her own good."
I couldn’t help but feel hurt that Aria had not shared her desire to leave. We could have helped her if she had only told us.
Layla stood, and Catherine followed suit.
"I appreciate your honesty, Catherine," Layla said. "We will now take matters into our hands. You are dismissed."
Catherine curtsied and almost ran from the room as if I would demand her head if she remained even a moment longer.
I looked over at Layla and saw any kindness she had afforded Catherine dissipate. "She knew," she said, almost angrily. "For two weeks she has kept it all to herself! I just—I just . . ." she buried her face in her hands and began to weep, her composure gone.
I pulled her into my chest as her body shook with each sob. Guilt rose in my chest at the realization that I had let our argument keep me from comforting her during this time.
"I thought she was better," Layla cried. "Why didn’t she tell us? We could have helped her!"
I said nothing because there was nothing I could say. Neither of us had known, and it was not like we could go back in time and be there for Aria.
I lowered Layla to the sofa so we could sit. "I’ll get her back," I said. "I’ll send word to Davorin, and we will leave at first light for the Malanese Seaport. As soon as I find Aria, I will send word and bring her home."
Layla pulled back to look at me, her face wet with tears. "I’ll come with you," she said.
I shook my head and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "You need to stay here just in case she comes back while we are gone."
Layla sniffled for a moment and then gave a reluctant nod. "Just in case," she whispered.
☐☐☐☐
At dinner that night, we informed Gabriel and Juliette of what we learned.
"So, she did want to get away from us," Juliette muttered. There was hurt in her green eyes as they flicked between Layla and me.
"I would not say she wanted to get away from us," Layla soothed. She had recovered from our time in the parlor. "She just needed some space between herself and all that has happened."
"It might as well be the same thing," Gabriel said, grimly. "Have you sent soldiers to get her?"
"I will be leaving in the morning with Davorin," I said.
"Can I come?" Gabriel asked.
"No," I said at the same time that Layla answered, "Yes."
I sighed in annoyance and turned to Gabriel, "Are you sure you don’t want to stay and look after your mother and sister?"
Layla laughed. "James, do you forget we live in a castle full of guards?"
"I want to go," Gabriel said, unyielding.
I leaned back in my chair. "Fine. We leave at first light."
Gabriel gave a satisfied grin and went back to eating his dinner.
"What if Aria doesn’t want to come back?" Juliette asked. She stirred the vegetables around on her plate, her brow creased with worry.
"Darling, she said she would," Layla said. "It was in the letter she left."
"But what if she likes not being a princess more?"
I stared at Juliette. I knew she had been upset since Aria left, but not to the extent she feared she wouldn’t come back. "She will come back," I said, hoping those words held some comfort. "We will find her."
Juliette nodded glumly, unconvinced.
The conversation was left at that, and we finished our dinner in silence. Once Gabriel and Juliette had gone off to bed, I was left in the hall outside the dining room with Layla.
"I should probably try to get some sleep," I said, exhausted from the day’s events. "I have got to get up early." I leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Good night."
As I turned to walk away, her voice stopped me. "Where are you going?"
"To my room," I replied.
"No," she said, taking a step forward. She looked intently into my eyes. "I want you back."
I smirked. "Is that an invitation back to our chambers?"
She stepped closer and stood on her toes so her lips could meet mine. "Yes," she whispered against them. "I think it’s time we stop fighting."
I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her against me. I let her kiss peel away the layers of anger, dread and hurt that had engulfed me since I read Aria’s letter.
She pulled away, a seductive smile on her lips. "I suppose you better get me upstairs."
That was all the invitation I needed. I swung her up into my arms, and Layla clung to me, laughing. Her laughter was all I needed to know that we were indeed all right.
Chapter 14
I WOKE EARLY the following morning, eager to set out for Malan. I got up as silently as I could and got dressed. Layla was sound asleep in the tangle of sheets. I pulled her robe out and walked over to the bed.
"Layla," I whispered, pushing the hair from her face.
"Mmmm," she moaned in annoyance, trying to the pull the covers over her head.
I laughed and kissed her cheek. "I thought I should wake you before I leave."
Her green eyes opened. "Just a few more minutes," she whined.
"All right," I said with a smile, as I set the robe beside her. "I am going to make sure Gabriel is up, and that Davorin is here. But when I get back, you better be awake, or the covers are going on the floor."
"Why do you do this to me?" she complained, rolling over so she could hide her face. "I should have never let you back in here."
I shook my head at her typical morning stubbornness. "Just get up, Layla." She made another disgruntled sound and pulled a pillow over her head. It was a miracle she had always been on time for training in the rebel camp.
I pulled on my boots and left the room to wake Gabriel, his door opening just as I reached it.
"You’re ready," I said, seeing he was dressed and already armed with his sword.
"Of course," he said. "Is Davorin here yet?"
"I don’t know. I’ll send a page to notify you when he is. You should probably eat something before we head out."
"I was already heading down to get something," Gabriel said, flatly.
"Good. I’ll send for you as soon as we are ready to leave," I said, as he brushed past me.
My next stop was Juliette’s rooms. I nodded to the guard near her door and went in since I knew she would still be sleeping and not hear me knock. Once my eyes adjusted in the dim light, I crept over to her bed and knelt beside it.
"Juliette," I whispered.
She shifted slightly, and I gently pulled the sheet from her face.
"Jules," I said again, a little louder this time.
Her eyes opened groggily and seemed to be trying to focus on my face.
"You can keep sleeping," I assured her. "I just wanted to say goodbye before I left."
"You’re leaving now?" she whispered.
"Soon."
She sat up slowly, rubbing at her eyes. "You will bring Aria home?"
I nodded and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "We will all be back before you know it, I promise."
She gave me a small smile and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Be careful, Father."
"I always am," I said hugging her back.
When she let go, I kissed her forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too," she murmured.
"You can go back to sleep now,"
I said, stroking her hair.
She yawned and lay back down. I pulled the covers up to her chin. "See you soon, my darling."
She smiled and then turned to her side, closing her eyes.
I left the room quickly and headed to my study where I had asked a light breakfast to be brought. The room was still dark, even though the sun was beginning to rise. I ate the food that had been set on my desk, barely registering what it was as I stacked the mess of reports so Layla could sift through them easily. That was one thing I never liked about leaving since it meant Layla had to take on my responsibilities in addition to her own. At least we had the advisors to help.
There was a soft knock on my door.
"Come in," I said.
A young page entered and bowed. "Lord Bateson is here, Your Majesty."
I nodded. "Thank you. Tell him the prince and I will be right down and make sure our horses are ready as well as the guards accompanying us."
The page bowed quickly and left the room.
I returned to my chambers and went inside to find that Layla was still in bed.
"Layla," I grumbled, rolling my eyes.
"I’m up!" she exclaimed, startled. She stumbled out of bed and pulled on the robe.
"Davorin is already here, so you need to hurry if you want to see us off," I said, watching as she rummaged through her closet. "Or I can send for Gabriel, and you can just say goodbye here."
"No," she said quickly. "I want to see you off. I’m surprised you even woke me since usually you just leave."
"I always say goodbye!"
"When I’m half asleep! You never really wake me," she complained.
I shook my head.
Layla glared at me. "Can you at least help so this will go faster?"
Once she was decent for roaming the castle halls, I sent for Gabriel, and we met outside the castle’s main entrance. Davorin was already mounted on his horse, waiting, while the four guards accompanying us entered the courtyard with our horses.
"You take care of yourself," Layla said to Gabriel as she embraced him.
"I will," he said, slightly annoyed with the affection.
She let him go and smiled. "I love you."
He sighed, seeming desperate to mount his horse and ride. "I love you too, Mother."
Layla kissed his cheek and sent him on his way.
"Do we have all the supplies?" I asked one of the guards.
"Yes, Your Majesty," he replied.
"James," Layla said, walking over to me. She reached up and folded her hands behind my neck. "You take care of yourself and Gabriel."
I placed my hands on her waist. "I will."
She gave me a small smile, one filled with both hope and sadness. "Bring her back to me," she whispered.
I nodded and leaned down to kiss her—a slow, gentle kiss to show her just how much she meant to me.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you, too," I said. "I will do everything to get her back home; you have my word."
Layla sighed. "Thank you."
I gave her one more kiss and then mounted my horse.
"Don’t let him do anything stupid, Davorin," Layla called out to him.
Davorin laughed. "Since when does James listen to me?"
She rolled her eyes and then waved as we rode out under the raised gate and into the forest. It was time to find Aria and bring her home.
Chapter 15
Aria
I SAT QUIETLY on my bed, letting the ocean breeze sweep the room through the open window. It was night, and the sky and sea had blurred into one dark mass. We had been on the ship for about a week, and I was exhausted. Work in the galley never seemed to end. When one meal was finished and served, it was time to begin preparing the next. The only time I had to relax was during my nightly dinner with the captain, followed by a few hours before I went to sleep.
The ship creaked around me as the waves rocked it to and fro. For the first few days, I had moments of seasickness, but that seemed to have passed now. I glanced over at the small clock ticking on the wall and saw that it was close to midnight. Ethelyn never stayed out this late. She was usually following me around as soon as I left the galley, afraid I would somehow get hurt. I had assured her that there was nothing to fear since the sailors had turned out to be friendly enough, besides Hashim, but I just kept my distance from him. I had been uneasy around Roy after that first night aboard, but he hadn’t brought it up since, and for that I was grateful.
The door opened, and Ethelyn slid inside wordlessly. She turned and jumped when she saw me. "I thought you would be asleep by now," she said after she recovered. She pulled her black hair up and tied it into a bun.
"Not yet," I said with a smile. "I am getting tired, though. Were you with Stephen?"
Though Ethelyn tried hiding her feelings for him from me, I wasn’t oblivious. Now that she’d been helping him with his work on the ship, they were inseparable—for the most that is—and there was no hiding the blush creeping onto her cheeks now.
"It’s all right, you know," I said, genuinely happy for her. "He’s a good man. I know you would be lying if you told me you didn’t fancy him."
Ethelyn began undoing her dress so she could change for the night. "My feelings are of no consequence," she muttered. "It doesn’t matter if I did fancy him because I am here to serve you. You are my first priority."
"You plan to serve me all your life?" I asked incredulously. "Certainly you would want to one day marry and start a family of your own."
She looked at me and smiled in the candlelight. "My duty is to you, Milady—not to myself."
"And if I released you?" I asked. Her devotion to me and the crown always took me by surprise.
"That would be a bridge to cross if the time came," she replied.
"Ethelyn," I said, moving to the edge of my bed and looking at her seriously. "If you are meant to be with Stephen, I will not get in the way."
"You are not—"
"I’m serious. On this ship, I’m Norah, and you are my friend. You can watch over me if you’d like, but you are not my handmaiden here. Should you fall in love, I wouldn’t let you serve me when we return to Asteria. Thomas and I didn’t work out, but if you and Stephen did, it would be good to see someone I care about happy."
Ethelyn blinked back at me as if she was confused—confused that I would care for her. "Thank you, Milady. I will keep that in mind." It was hard to tell if she was serious or simply ending the conversation.
She turned away to change into her chemise as I closed the window and slid down into the small bed. I felt exhaustion fog my mind, and I knew that it would not be long before I was asleep. "Good night, Ethelyn."
"Good night, Milady."
☐☐☐☐
I woke early the next morning just as the first rays of sunlight began to seep in through the window. I sat up slowly, sleep still tugging at the edges of my mind, and stretched. My body ached from being confined to the small bed—I missed my chambers.
As quietly as I could, I stood in the small space and changed into my underdress. I pulled on a blouse and skirt Kara had given me. It was comfortable and much simpler than the dresses I owned. I glanced down at Ethelyn and saw that she was still sound asleep. I braided my hair quickly and put on some shoes. Bruhier would already be in the galley waiting for me. I checked my appearance in a small mirror and pursed my lips. There were circles under my eyes, and my skin was a bit darker from being in the sun than when I left Asteria. Lydia would have thrown a fit if she saw me looking like this. I pushed the thought away and left the room.
"You know, I don’t understand how you can get out of that room without waking Ethelyn," Stephen said from the door that led to the main deck.
I jumped in surprise.
Stephen laughed and approached me. "Good morning, Norah."
"Good morning," I said with a smile. "And to answer your question, she was never much of a light sleeper."
"So much for a guard."
Stephen rolled his eyes.
"I better get to the galley before Bruhier throws a fit," I said, heading down the hall for the stairs.
"I’ll walk you down," he said, following close behind. He was silent for a moment and then cleared his throat. "Can I ask you something?"
We reached the empty dining room, and I heard Bruhier bustling around in the galley, muttering to himself.
I shrugged. "Of course."
Stephen suddenly looked uneasy. He tucked his hands in his pockets and dropped his gaze to the floor. "If I liked Ethelyn, would you be all right with that?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Why would my opinion matter?"
Stephen lowered his voice. "She serves you—that’s the only reason I’m asking. If I ever bring anything like this up with her, she changes the subject."
"Are you asking for my blessing?" I finally understood what he meant. Of course Ethelyn would need my permission to be with Stephen seriously.
"I guess—though not in the sense that I’m asking to marry her or anything. I just want to know if there could be a chance for us."
I smiled and placed a hand on his arm. His nervousness was tinged with excitement and that warmed my heart. "I have no problem with you and Ethelyn being together. I want her to be happy, and right now it seems like you may be the one that can make that happen."
Stephen breathed out a sigh of relief.
"While I don’t really know her feelings for you, she knows that this is my position."
He nodded with a smile. "Thank you."
"Norah! Are you in there?" Bruhier called from the galley.
"Yes!" I replied. I turned back to Stephen. "I’ll see you later." I rushed off quickly and headed into the galley before Bruhier could call for me again.
☐☐☐☐
By the afternoon, I was exhausted. The heat of the galley was overwhelming as I reached over some pots and pans to open the window. It was jammed. I let out a sigh of frustration and shoved it again. Nothing.