Defend the Dawn (Defy the Night #2)(67)

Heat finds my cheeks. Her voice isn’t suggestive, but again, I’m reminded of Lochlan’s threats in the hallway last night. “I’m not the type to leave someone hurting either. I’m glad Prince Corrick sees the benefit in that.”

“Me too,” she says. “That’s why I think there’s more to your prince than what he seems.”

I look at her in surprise. “You do?”

“Well, your king must be very desperate,” she says, “to send the two of you off so quickly.”

I hesitate, then nod. “He is. We are.”

“It took courage to climb on the Dawn Chaser,” she says. “Rian’s not blind to that.”

I glance at the window. The prince and the captain disappeared down the steps, but they haven’t emerged. “It took courage to sail here to ask for help.” I pause, feeling warmth on my cheeks again, because that sounds more personal than I intended. “You’re truly not worried about bringing the fever sickness back to Ostriary?”

She shakes her head. “You’re all well. We’ve got more than enough Moonflower to go around.”

I suppose that’s true.

I flick my gaze toward the map on the table. “Rian said we wouldn’t have trouble until we reach the southern point of Ostriary. Are the waters there very rough?”

“They can be.” She moves toward the table and taps her fingers on the map. “It’s not even the sailing that’s the hard part. There are dozens of hidden coves along here, and the fog is dense at this time of year.”

I frown. “You mean we might hit something?”

Sablo snorts, then lifts a hand to his head in a gesture I can’t make out. I look to Gwyn.

“Pirates,” she says.

“Pirates!”

She nods, like it’s common, then shrugs. “Like I said, Crane keeps the rebellion brewing. There are just enough men still loyal to him to cause trouble. He’s still got half a dozen ships in the water, and he’s a clever bastard. The Dawn Chaser is a small ship, so they probably won’t pay us any notice, but you never know.”

I don’t know what expression is on my face, but it must look worrisome, because she smiles. “Don’t worry. Crane hasn’t been able to put a hand on Rian yet. Trust me, he’s tried. Cap’s pretty clever himself.”



The rest of the day passes surprisingly quickly, but I can’t stop myself from turning over the stories that Gwyn told me about pirates in the waters surrounding Ostriary. I should probably tell Corrick—unless he already knows. I deliberated over it earlier, chewing on my anxiety, wondering if Corrick and Rian would bring their tension back to the stateroom. But Rian eventually returned to the main deck to join Marchon at the helm, while the prince remained scarce.

Good. I certainly have no desire to go chasing after him.

As soon as I have the thought, sadness hits me in the gut. A wedge has formed between us so fast. I hate it. Is it his fault? Is it mine?

Either way, I can’t sit and dwell on it, because I’m going to make myself crazy. I eventually ask for more tasks. I’m shown a burn that needs a measure of salve, followed by a small cut that looks a bit infected. Later, Sablo gives me a needle and thread and a pile of fishing nets that need repairing. He shows me how to weave the strands together, his large hands deftly forming an even pattern that’s loose enough to flow freely, and tight enough to trap fish. Later, lunch is served on the deck, a light fare of warm rolls, soft cheese, and fried fish.

Still no Corrick.

I frown and stay with my nets, sitting on a bench along the ship’s railing. I was so eager for this journey, for the chance to do something bigger, but it seems I’ll be spending the entire trip with my stomach tied up in knots.

By the time the sun begins to slip below the horizon, the sky is lit up with shades of pink to our west, the storm an ever-present line of purple clouds to our north—though it seems more distant. Gwyn rings a bell for the crew to fetch their dinner, but I have a small pile of nets left to repair, so I don’t move.

Brock spies me across the deck before he goes down the steps, and he lets out a whistle. “Come along, miss. Tor always grabs seconds before anyone else.”

I smile. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

The deck empties, but not everyone goes below. To my surprise, Lochlan remains. I’m determined to ignore him, but he heads right for me.

I hate that my first thought is to wonder if one of the guards is still up here. It feels rude to look for them, so I keep my eyes on the nets.

Lochlan stops a short distance away. He’s quiet for a moment, then says, “Aren’t you eating?”

“I will,” I say.

He fidgets, shifting his weight, which makes me look up.

“I should apologize,” he says.

“Well, that’s almost enough to make me fall over the railing,” I say.

“Not for what I said about the prince,” he says quickly.

“Of course not.”

“But I shouldn’t have been so crass. Karri would never forgive me.” He pauses, running his hand across his jaw. “I am sorry, Tessa.”

He sounds genuine, so I nod. “Thank you,” I say.

“I’m not … I’m not worried about him tossing me overboard anymore.”