I drew first and Ulrich picked up after. I flipped my card over to reveal a green card. Ulrich drew a blue. “What do we do here?” I asked.
“I’ll draw.” Gerard, of course, drew a black. “Look at that. All right. Odette, I want you to go give Sky a kiss. And Ulrich, the question I have for you is . . . do you prefer the company of men over women?”
Ulrich’s face flushed bright red, which was answer enough. But he shook his head. “That isn’t allowed in our country. I don’t even know what my father would say if he found out.”
Gerard grinned and turned to me.
I stood and patted Ulrich’s shoulder. “I think you’re amazing no matter what. And when I get back here, I’m demanding to know why you want me to kiss Sky.”
“Because I enjoy watching both him and James squirm for you,” he confessed with an easy shrug.
It was my turn to blush. But a game was a game. I found Sky watching the men switch out one of the ropes. I sauntered over to him and slid my arm around his waist, which drew his attention to me.
“Are you truly jealous of James?” I asked.
Sky’s ears burned red. “No,” he grumbled. “Look, you and I—”
I cut him off by pressing my lips to his.
Just as James headed our way.
I knew immediately Gerard must have used some of his magic to draw James’s attention toward me and Sky. Unfortunately, the result wasn’t pleasant, though a little funny.
James ordered Sky to climb up the rigging himself to fix the tangled rope, then turned to me with a sour look.
“Oh, James.” I laughed and limped after him. “It’s a game! I was playing a game with Gerard and Ulrich.” I caught his arm and pulled him close. “You really are jealous of Sky.”
He exhaled through his nose and shifted his glare to Gerard, who waved. He rolled his eyes. “I’d throw him into the sea now if I could.”
I smiled, my heart leaping. I gave James a hug, enjoying the feeling of his muscled body against mine. He was jealous. James really did like me, and I suddenly felt more important than anyone else in the world.
“What is this game you’re playing?” he asked.
“Come join us!” I started dragging him toward the stairs.
We explained again how to play, and his first draw he got black, and Gerard got red, which meant Gerard owed James a favor at some point. We played the rest of the afternoon, ignoring many of the chores we normally would have completed.
Over the next three days, nothing eventful happened. We headed northward and watched as shoreline gave way to cliffs. None seemed passable by ship or foot.
Finally, Ulrich pointed to a cliff. “That there is the east corner. We should arrive at the white cliffs by noon.” He faced me with an eager smile. “Just a few more days and everything will be right.”
“How are you hoping they will help exactly?” I asked.
Ulrich shook his head and looked back over the sea. “I don’t know,” he answered softly. “I know the queen is a sorceress or has one on retainer, and maybe she can come up with a spell or potion or . . . something that will help us. If she can’t . . .” His voice trailed off.
James stepped up to his side, hands politely clasped behind his back. “It has been nice having you on board, I must admit. You’ve kept up the morale of the crew.”
“You could come with me,” Ulrich pressed. “Odette hasn’t ever seen an inland country. It would be a fun adventure! Besides, what are you in such a rush to return to? Robbery and murder?”
James looked down at Ulrich. “That is your view of pirates?”
“Am I wrong?” he countered.
“Not all of us are murderers,” I explained. “I have never personally killed another.”
James shook his head. “Neither of those are the purpose of my current voyage.”
“You really are cryptic, aren’t you?” Ulrich replied.
James’s brows furrowed in confusion. “I’ll return when we get closer.” He nodded with authority to Ulrich before walking away.
“I did have a question.” Ulrich turned and leaned his backside on the railing next to me, folding his arms, and his gaze strayed from James to me. “You could have killed me and taken the stone at any point on this voyage,” he said softly. He looked at me from the corner of his eye. “Why didn’t you?”
“Despite what you believe about pirates, we are true to our word,” I answered. “True, James may not have been pleased about my making the bargain without him, but like you said, he could have stolen the summer stone from you and thrown you back into the sea. If he knew you had it . . .”
“You never told him?” He blurted a laugh. “Why does that not surprise me?”
I shrugged in innocence. “I admit, I don’t want to let you go on your own. I’ve grown rather fond of you.”
Ulrich smiled. “I like you too. But I’ve traveled alone before, and I’ve been to Zelig at least once a year for their winter balls. Remember what Gerard said a few days ago about our seasons never changing? It’s true. Arington is called the Fall Kingdom for a reason, and Griswil hosts the spring ball for the same reason we host the summer solstice celebration. I’m afraid we aren’t prepared for Zelig’s winter, however.”
“What’s life like as a prince?”
Ulrich brushed his hair from his eyes and his smile faltered a little. “It’s very stressful, I’ll admit. I imagine it also varies from kingdom to kingdom since each runs their lives very differently. For example, in Arington, they are starting to restrict the use of magic. Someone came through and attacked one of their towns with magic last summer. I heard the king was starting to force all magical creatures into the Weeping Woods. If anyone with magic enters their land, they’re forbidden to use it, no matter the degree.”
“What does that have to do with being a prince?” I asked.
The edge of his lip twitched up again. “Because I have to worry about how that will impact my kingdom. I have to wonder if that will start to force magical creatures and people into my land, and what sorts of individuals those may be. I also have to worry about the trade routes through kingdoms, the money our kingdom is losing because we’ve had no harbors the last few months, what has happened to our provinces, who is trying to usurp power, and what’s going to happen when Delphi is returned to its proper place. We need to repair the palace and several buildings, including the harbors, and I’m in charge of all of it. Because I don’t know whether or not my father is even alive.” His throat bobbed up and down, and he averted his gaze, but I caught the sunlight glint off a streak from a tear on his cheek.
“All of that on your shoulders,” I murmured softly.
“A bit pathetic, isn’t it?” he asked. “That I’m terrified to rule my own kingdom when that is the very reason I was born?”
I snorted. “Of course not. I’ve been worried about running my own crew. I can’t imagine being in charge of more than thirty men, let alone an entire kingdom.” I leaned against his side. “It’s totally normal.” Maybe my mother was right after all. Maybe she didn’t put a crew on my shoulders because she knew I would be overwhelmed.
There was a comfortable silence between us before Ulrich broke it. “Is it also normal that I completely trust you for some reason?”
I looked up at him. “Nope. Because I trust you too. I actually feel like I’ve known you forever. And you’re one of the few men who actually seems to treat me with respect.”
“The others don’t?” Ulrich glanced back at the pirates.
“Not really,” I confessed and rested my hands on the railing behind me. “Something happened a few months ago, and I lost my memory. No one, not one single pirate, will tell me the truth of what happened to make me lose my memory. Not even James. I remember pieces here and there, but that’s it.”
“No one will tell you?” he echoed.
“Hm. That’s unusual indeed.” He gasped, pushed off the railing, and faced me. “I’ve got it! You can come with me to the capital of Zelig, to the castle. Queen Grimhilde will certainly be able to help you with your memories!”
I couldn’t deny my heart leapt with anticipation. “You really think so?”
“Of course! That should be a relatively easy spell for a sorceress. Unless something blocks her . . . I don’t know how that would work, though.” He shook his head. “Come with me?”
I scowled and looked at the helm of the ship, where James stood, stunning and regal as always. “I’ll have to convince him.” I trotted up the stairs and stepped up to James’s side. “I’ve got a bone to pick with you.”
He glanced at me and sighed. “What now?”
“I need to go with Ulrich to Zelig’s royal family.”
“Come again? I must have saltwater in my ear.”
I put my hands on my hips. “She can help with my memories.”
James turned to me. “How in the deep blue sea could she help you?” He looked me up and down.
“Ulrich said she’s a sorceress.” I pointed to my head. “I need them back, and she can help.”
He gave an exasperated sigh. “Odette . . . it’s more complicated than you think.”
“Well, you aren’t exactly telling me, so I don’t see another option here.”
Our conversation was interrupted when the lookout shouted that the white cliffs were in view. All attention turned to the bow of the ship, then westward. In the distance, the darkness of the stone cliffs suddenly became a shocking white.
“Please, James,” I said, taking his hand. “I want my memories back. I need to know what happened to your hand. I need to understand why things between us have been so . . . off.”
He shook his head at me. “I’m warning you not to. You might not like what you remember.”
“It’s my right to have my memories whether or not I like them,” I snapped back and dropped his hand. “No one else has the right to withhold them, and I’m getting tired of repeating myself.”
“I know. I know.” He removed his hat and ran his fingers through his dark hair. He drew a long breath. “It may do us some good to get on land. Besides, we are running low on food and will need to restock. Perhaps the queen would be willing to let us purchase supplies in one of her towns.”
I threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly. “I’ve never seen another country. This is exciting!”
He chuckled and reluctantly wrapped his arms around me. “You’re such a child.”
“You love it.”
“I do.”
I jerked away and looked up at him. “Wait, really?”
A pink hue spread across James’s cheeks, and he looked down at me with sincerity shining in his beautiful eyes. “Of course I mean it,” he said softly. “I’d give up everything for you. Already almost have.” He held up his hook.
I suddenly wished we weren’t so close to the white cliffs, that we had another day where I could pester James until he sat down and talked to me. Instead, we only had about an hour or two.
I relaxed down on my feet. “Have we always been interested in each other?” I asked.
James glanced to his right, and I followed his gaze down to Sky, who was leaning to look over the sea at the cliffs. “Yes. And my feelings for you didn’t change, even while you were with Sky.”
I shook my head. “How could I forget something like that? I thought love was supposed to be strong enough to make it through stuff like that?”
“Or so storybooks tell.” He chuckled. He turned to his crew. “All right, everyone! I’ve decided to join Ulrich to ensure he makes it to Zelig. Odette will be coming with me.”
“And so will I,” Sky stepped forward.
“I will go as well,” Gerard offered.
“Sky, we will need to discuss this,” James said. “You are my first mate.” He then raised his voice. “I know others may want to join us, but I don’t know how long it will take us to get there, and we need to travel light. Ulrich, tell us more about where we are going.”
According to Ulrich, this was the only entrance from the sea inland, and it was heavily guarded. Of course, James ordered the removal of the Jolly Rodger immediately.
“It’s not a full army,” Ulrich explained. “Just an outpost. They remain hidden.” He pointed to the cliffs. “Zelig has always lined the cliffs with cannons and arrows. I can’t imagine much would have changed in just a few months.”
James turned, opening his mouth to Sky.
Sky cut him off. “No. I’m not missing out on another adventure.”
“You’re the first mate.” James frowned.
“Then I resign my position.” Sky shrugged and folded his arms as if it were as simple as that.
“Sky, I need someone reliable on the ship.” James frowned in disappointment.
Sky arched his brow and gestured at the other sailors. “You hand-picked every single one of us. I don’t believe for a second that you wouldn’t have chosen sailors you couldn’t trust. Pick any of them. I’m going with you.” He marched past James.
James looked at me, but I raised my hands. “I’m not taking the position of first mate now.” I looked over at Sky. “I can’t believe you’re giving up.”
“Fine. Sebastian?” He looked over at the round man with red hair.
The man grinned proudly. “Aye, cap’n!” He saluted and marched up to the helm.
“See?” Sky smirked. “That wasn’t hard.”
“I just can’t believe you would abandon your post like this. You knew your responsibility as first mate when you agreed to be mine.”
“Well, apparently, you need someone boring and not as adventurous as your first mate,” Sky retorted and sat down at my side.
“Then you get to row,” James countered.
Sky grumbled and took the oars.
“That’s what you get for stepping down,” I teased. I looked over Sky’s shoulder to see the shoreline. “One thing is for certain. This time, you won’t miss out on the adventure.”
fifteen
I kept my eyes on the cliffs as we neared the shore. They were far taller than any cliffs I’d seen before. I’d never sailed up the eastern coast because Captain Avery never did.
When we made landfall, it took Ulrich a moment to climb out.
“Are you going to be okay?” I asked, eying him.
He didn’t meet my gaze but nodded. “I don’t know what they’ll say. I’m trying to remain positive. I wish I had thought to bring some sort of royal garment with me, but I don’t even know if anything survived.”
“You said they know you.”
That broke his concentration enough that he finally looked at me and gave a faint smile. “Yes. Prince Mathias and I have been friends. I only worry if tales of Delphi sinking have already reached them. Because that means my people would have told them I died.” He shook his head. “We have a long way to travel, and without any form of land transportation, it may take us a few days to get to the castle.” He began trudging through the sand.
“Days?” Sky gaped. “Days?” he repeated, looking at James.
“Well, you don’t see a castle along the shoreline, do you?” James asked with a dramatic flurry. “Considering we don’t have any transportation but our legs, you should have known it would at least taken longer than today.”
Sky grumbled under his breath. “I don’t like walking.”
I laughed and gave Sky a playful nudge. “How hard could it be
?”
“Don’t say that.” James flinched. “You know it’s bad luck.”
“You and your silly superstitions.” I rolled my eyes.
“I wouldn’t have them if things didn’t actually happen.” He inclined his head at me, eyebrows raised.
“Yes, well, I don’t believe in superstitions,” I boasted proudly, puffing out my chest for emphasis.
In the distance, thunder rumbled.
I looked to my right—northward—and spotted dark clouds in the distance.
James leaned to my ear. “Told you so.”
I frowned. “You can’t tell me I am the cause of those thunderclouds.”
He shrugged. “You said it wouldn’t be difficult. Now we have clouds coming our way.”
“And it snows in Zelig,” Ulrich added, looking over his shoulder at us. “Have you ever experienced snow?”
I shook my head. “We went through a hailstorm once.”
He nodded. “Pretty, when we aren’t stuck walking through it. It’s lighter than hail, but the storms can be equally miserable. Like hail, we could get sick from being in the cold. But hopefully that won’t happen.” He glanced at the clouds uneasily.
“Great,” I muttered.
The nearer we drew the cliffs, the larger they felt. I then spotted the pass Ulrich mentioned. It didn’t look too deep but had a wandering road that reached the top, not unlike the zig-zagging pathway on the cliffs back home.
When we were almost to the pass, a mighty voice bellowed out to us, “Go back from whence you came! We don’t allow strangers here.”
Ulrich stepped forward. “I am Prince Ulrich of Terricina.”
The voice didn’t answer right away but soon came again. “If you are the prince, why haven’t you entered from the southern side of the country?”
He sighed. “It’s a long story, one I wish to tell the king and queen. I’ve come to seek their aid in a time of need.”
“What sort of difficult time?”
“We’re wasting time right now,” I muttered.
The Siren Princess Page 12