Page 25 of Her Royal Blood

“The head of my Royal Guard knows someone who might be able to get me near the Island. All I have to do is enter on my own and I can use my magic to hide myself and help Lex. I’ve been resting and my magical strength is returning. I believe that my mage abilities will help me free him.” I wasn’t sure what my wild and untamed magical skill could do, but I wasn’t going to be deterred.

I’d reunite with Lex, or die.

“I believe magic may be our only hope for Lex. We’ll continue our efforts in recruiting more forces and uniting the kingdoms against Polonius. He is ruthless and the leaders of Tobran are reluctant to risk their citizen’s lives. Not everyone has strongholds like we do to keep their people safe. He is my son,” King Helix said, in a moment of defeat as his emotions broke through his regal countenance. “Lex is my first born and is heir to my throne. As a king, I don’t want to see any of my subjects fall at the hands of our enemy. As a father, I can’t lose my son.” He looked at me with desperation in his eyes. “Please bring him home,” the king said softly. We will be forever in your debt.” He bowed his head and I saw in the gesture his desperate plea.

“We will defeat Polonius, Your Majesty.” I bowed my head in difference. “But we have precious little time. Do not lose hope, your kingdom needs you.” I looked at the king as his equal understanding of the weight of what we were up against.

“As yours needs you.” His voice was somber, but his words rang true.

I’d come a great distance from being a servant polishing banisters and washing laundry. I stood before a king I’d admired and grown up serving, as his ally. Just then Jarvis returned with a tall man in his forties who had light brown eyes and a strong jawline. He walked in looking rugged and handsome.

“Your Majesties,” Jarvis bowed to King Helix and I. “I’ve brought Derringer Motley, he is a Midnight Moon pack member and a commander of our naval fleet. He’s here to help escort Aria to the Isle of Vitoria.” Jarvis announced as Derringer stood tall with his feet apart and his head slightly bowed.

“Welcome,” King Helix gave Derringer a curt nod. “I don’t want to keep you and Her Majesty, Aria from your mission. You may use my office to discuss your plans to liberate my son.”

“Thank you for the honor, Your Majesties,” Derringer said as he looked up and I could see that Bindi may have had more thanjust a camaraderie with the commander. He was a strikingly handsome man who presented himself as a person who was comfortable with his leadership and the power it excluded.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” I stood and nodded to King Helix and then followed Jarvis and Derringer to a small room with a large wooden desk and papers in neat rows. Three leather chairs that were surprisingly comfortable despite the circumstance were situated in front of the desk.

The house must have been furnished and prepared long before the conflict with Polonius as a safe house for the king should he need to go into hiding.

“Commander Motley,” I reached out my hand to shake his.

“Queen Aria, it is my pleasure.” He took my hand and we sat at the chairs opposite the desk, not wanting to disturb King Helix’s work.

“I will take my leave of you and resume my duties in the city,” Jarvis said as he gave a quick salute.

“Thank you Jarvis, as I promised the king, I will see Lex returned.” Every time I made that vow, I strengthened my resolve.

I would see Lex again and this time, no matter what obstacles we’d face in the future, I was going to marry him.

“We’ll head out after sunset when it's safer to be out on the water without the light of day to give us away,” Derringer said as soon as Jarvis left.

“The Banshee said that you would help us, so thank you.” I smiled hoping he understood the weight of my gratitude.

“Anything for her,” his expression warmed and there was a familiarity in his eyes that was hard to miss. “We aren’t going to be able to get a boat near the shore, so how good of a swimmer are you?” The softness in his face hardened the moment we started talking about our mission.

“I can swim, I’m confident that I can make it to shore from a boat.” I said hoping he wouldn’t deny me the chance to rescue Lex.

“Good, we’ll enter at the eastern side of the island, there are no operations there since the pitaya fields are not being harvested any longer. They still have guards on the shore, but only one or two, you should be able to swim ashore and find a hiding place without being seen if we approach at night,” Derringer said and I was grateful that he didn’t question my ability to complete this mission.

“Okay, when I reach the island, I’ll need to do reconnaissance. My wolf can sense when Lex is near, I’m confident that it won’t take me too long to find him.” I wasn’t sure how much magic I’d have available to me after such a long swim, but my wolf’s instincts regarding Lex were always acute.

“We’ll stay in the area and send up smoke signals from the boat every few hours so you know where we are. We’re going to have to keep moving in order to stay out of their target range. They’ll expect enemies to approach but we want to keep them guessing. As soon as you see our signal you won’t have much time to get to us. If you don’t think you can make it in under twenty minutes we’ll be constantly moving east, make it that direction and wait for the next signal.” His somber tone had me worried but undaunted; I would see Lex again.

I agreed to Derringer’s plans and gave him leave to prepare the ship and supply it with rations and weapons. While he was gone, I went to the kitchen and had a meal, sitting with my thoughts focusing on my determination to reunite with Lex and my promise that we’d never be parted again.

By sunset I was on the ship with Derringer. As he was a man of very few words we didn’t say much to each other on the journey to Vitoria Island. I wanted to know more about his friendship with Bindi, but it wasn’t the time or the place todiscuss it. I needed to reserve all my strength for the rescue effort and so I went into the galley and rested while we sailed.

Sometime just past midnight we approached the island. From the distance it looked small and unassuming, but I imagined the horrors there. It had only been seven days since Lex’s capture. I prayed that he hadn’t suffered in that amount of time. As the boat approached, Derringer stood beside me.

“When you get in the water, stay a few feet under the surface, this will keep you from being tossed in the surf and expending too much of your energy. As soon as you hit land look for trees or shrubs to hide in and regain your strength.” He handed me a leather pouch. “This is some dried meat. It’s pretty water soluble, they’ll be safe to eat, wet or dry. The sea water salts it. My men eat this on missions all the time.”

I took the pouch from him. “Thank you.”

“Thank you, Aria. You’re doing something none of us have been able to do. I wish I could give you more than dried meat, but energy will be your weapon at this point. Anything else will weigh you down in the water.” He gave me a pained look.

He must have wanted to send me off with a sword or knife, but he was right, anything metal would weigh me down and as it was even the clothes I wore would hold me back.

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