Page 15 of The Twisted Throne

Ahnna looked to her brother, who was standing at the edge of the pier, gesturing angrily at the sunken ship. She waited, hoping he’d look up. That he’d look back. That she, for once, would be his priority. Aren only carried on down the pier, gesturing at the merchant vessels on the horizon waiting to make port.

“Aren will wish to say goodbye to you before you board,” Lara said. “He’s only—”

“We already said our goodbyes.”

“You two need to resolve your differences,” Lara said under her breath, then she shook her head. “I’ll see that your things are brought aboard. Bronwyn, sober up. This isn’t a holiday.”

Bronwyn gave a jaunty salute, but Taryn muttered, “Fuck off, Lara,” before striding toward the ship. Bronwyn winced, then said, “Will be good for her to get away to somewhere with no Maridrinians.”

Ahnna wasn’t entirely certain whether Bronwyn was speaking about her or Taryn. Possibly both, and Ahnna didn’t disagree. If she never saw another Maridrinian again, it would be too soon.

Lara’s face was tight with frustration. “You’re Maridrinian, Bron.”

Bronwyn only lifted one shoulder. “Yes. But I didn’t lie to her face for months. Not everyone is going to love you, sister mine. That’s just a fact you must learn to accept.” She bent down and kissed Lara’s stomach before whispering, “But everyone loves you, little one.” Then Bronwyn linked her arm through James’s. “You have anything to drink on your boat, Your Highness?”

“Ship.” He cast a backward glance at Ahnna, amber eyes flicking between her and Lara before he said, “At your leisure, Your Highness. We sail when you are ready.”

Ahnna watched Bronwyn lead him away, wanting to chase after them but knowing that she had to say something to Lara,who was staring at bits of rubble lying on the pier between them. “I hope it goes well, Lara.” Blue eyes lifted to meet hers. “Truly. I look forward to learning the name of my niece or nephew. Take care of Aren, because we both know he won’t take care of himself.” Hesitating, she added, “I’ll do what needs doing. Ithicana will have Harendell’s support, but more important, it will have its trade and gold so that you can rebuild Ithicana and make it strong again. I swear it.”

Not giving Ithicana’s queen a chance to respond, Ahnna started toward the ship. The gangplank was in place, and she made her way up it to find a hand reaching out to her. Her eyes shot up to find James waiting for her, arm outstretched. This sort of courtesy was unfamiliar to her: Ithicanians offered each other aid when needed, not out of courtesy, and she stood frozen for a heartbeat before taking it.

His hand was warm, his palm callused. No surprise, given he could clearly fight, though what did shock her was how much larger his hand was than her own. At over six feet in height, little about Ahnna was small other than her breasts, a sore spot in her vanity, and few men other than her brother made Ahnna feel short.

But James did.

“You might have mentioned your identity,” he said. “I would have behaved differently, had I known. Apologies for my conduct.”

“If you’d behaved differently, we’d probably be dead,” she said. “But next time, I’ll be sure to inform the sharks to give us time for proper introductions.”

It was meant to be a joke, but James didn’t laugh. “I’ve never seen anyone do what you did with that shark. Thrice your size, yet it gave way to you. Why?”

Ahnna hesitated, then said, “By making her believe I’m not prey.”

Silence stretched.

“What did it…didshethink you were?”

The air felt suddenly charged, the question deeper than the words suggested, and Ahnna’s heart whispered,I don’t know anymore.Aloud, she said, “Jump overboard and ask.”

Again, he didn’t laugh, only looked down at her with an expression that made Ahnna feel like more than she was.

Her heart was thundering, the humid air suddenly too thick to breathe, but Ahnna didn’t know how to cut the tension. Well, she knew how connections were built when people fought side by side, cheating death, but he was a stranger. More than that, James was anoutsider.Which meant keeping her walls up.

Realizing she was still holding his hand, Ahnna dropped it and took a step back, suddenly aware that she was sodden and barefoot, her undershirt clinging to her breasts, which probably explained why all the sailors were staring at her. “I should find dry clothes. I’m sure you wish to do the same.”

He drew in a sharp breath, then shook his head. “Of course. Apologies.”

He gestured to a young woman who stood with a lowered head, her light-brown hair twisted into a tidy knot at the back of her head. “Hazel has served my family’s household for many years, and I will leave you in her capable hands while I see to getting the ship under way. If there is any comfort you find lacking, please give it voice. We serve at your pleasure.” He bowed slightly. “If it pleases you, I would offer you, and your ladies, my company for dinner.”

“Uh…” She hunted for words, for while her mother had foisted endless lessons in Harendellian etiquette upon Ahnna, that had been a lifetime ago. “It would be our pleasure to join you. Thank you.”

“I look forward to it.” James bowed again, then disappeared down the corridor.

“This way, my lady,” Hazel said, curtsying. “We must get you out of those wet clothes before you catch a chill.”

Ahnna bit down on a snort of amusement, because remaining dry in Ithicana was borderline impossible.The Harendellians are different,she reminded herself.They aren’t like you. They haven’t had to fight to survive every goddamned day of their lives.

Following the maid into the stateroom, she glanced around the small room, which showed signs of having been recently vacated by its prior occupant. There was a sock in one corner and a small portrait of a woman nailed to the wall, both of which Hazel discreetly tucked into the pockets of her skirts. “I’ll see after your trunks, my lady, as well as bring you warm wash water.” She bobbed another curtsy. “This was not how we wished to welcome you, Princess. Your rooms in the other ship were beautifully appointed, and…” Tears welled in the young woman’s gray eyes, and she broke off, her slender body shaking.

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