Page 92 of Rise of the Vicious Princess

“You might be giving him more credit than he’s due,” Tal said. “You plan every word, every gesture, like you’re in a duel with the entire world. Most people don’t live like that.”

“Lady Channing could’ve been lying,” Holland said. “Have you talked to Thorsby?”

Charis shook her head. “Not yet. There was no time today.” And she’d barely had enough energy to get herself down to the docks, even after resting for much of the day.

The boat rose over a large swell and then dipped low. Charis’s knees shook, and she leaned heavily against the railing while trying hard to keep her spine straight.

Leaning toward her, Tal said softly, “Are you all right?”

“Weigh anchor!” Orayn called. Finn, one of Orayn’s most experienced sailors, and a deckhand named Shevvyn hurried to the anchor winch and began letting out the chain.

“Time to face some warships with nothing but a rowboat and our wits,” Holland said, excitement practically vibrating through him.

“Wait.” Charis’s voice shook with exhaustion, and she forced herself to stand up straight and look Holland in the eye.

“What is it?” he asked.

“You aren’t going.”

“I beg your pardon,” Holland said, his voice crisp with indignation.

“We can’t risk it.”

“What are you talking about?” Holland demanded. “I didn’t come all this way just to sit in this boat and miss the fun.”

“Yes,” Charis said gently, “you did. It’s going to be risky, and—”

“Oh, I see.” Holland turned to Tal. “It’s perfectly fine for the princess to get herself killed protecting the kingdom, but seers forbid I get to join the fun.”

“Holland—”

“I’m supposed to be with you every step of the way.” Holland glared. “We’re already taking risks. You don’t get to suddenly decide this is one risk too many.”

“Actually, I do.”

“Now you listen to me.” Holland raised a finger and shook it in Charis’s direction. “You aren’t going out there by yourself. We take the risk together, or—”

“You are not putting yourself in a position where you might die.” Charis’s voice brooked no dissent, for all the good that did with the twins.

“Then neither are you!” Holland folded his arms over his chest.

“I already am,” Charis snapped. “A spy in my bath chamber. An arrow outside the seamstress’s shop. Poison in my wine. Every breath I take is on borrowed time until the traitor is caught. If I die, at least you take the crown. If both of us die, the assassin goes after Nalani.” She sagged against the railing again, her energy spent.

Instantly, Tal wrapped an arm around Charis’s waist, supporting her weight.

Holland clasped her hand in a rare show of affection. “Fine. I’ll stay. But you’d better return.”

Charis nodded, and when Holland said nothing else, she motioned for Tal to help her get to the rope ladder that led down to the rowboat. Dec and Finn were also waiting there, each with a weapon strapped to their waist. Holland walked with them, and when they stopped at the railing, he looked at Tal.

“I actually like you, unlike most people I meet. But I promise you, if anything happens to her, I will personally disembowel you and throw you to the sea monsters.”

“Understood.”

Dec made the descent down into the rowboat, and then Charis made herself climb over the railing and onto the rope ladder. Slowly, she felt below her for each new rung, gripping the rope until her skin burned as the ladder swayed in the wind. Finally, she reached the rowboat and felt Dec’s wide hands surround her waist and gently help her into the craft.

Moments later, Finn, Tal, Dec, and Charis were rowing west toward the distant smudges that marked the entrance to Portsmith’s bay. Finn and Dec sat in the center, each gripping an oar. Tal and Charis sat at the bow, keeping a close eye on the water in case any of the creatures they’d heard before returned.

For a while, there was only the small splash of the oars dipping into the water and the distant roar of the waves breaking against the shore. Then Tal shifted closer to her, his leg pressing against hers on the small wooden plank they shared. Softly, he said, “How are you?”

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