Page 19 of The Twisted Throne

Setting aside her emotions, she asked, “Why would Amarid put so much effort into killing James?”

“He’s apparently got quite the body count,” Jor answered. “Until recently, he’s spent most of his time on the Amaridian border. They hate him.”

“I don’t debate that. Except why not just assassinate him? Why go through all this cost and effort to frame Ithicana?”

“To ruin the alliance?”

Ahnna made a face. “Maybe.”

Jor hesitated, then said, “Rumor has it that Edward favors him over William. Might be that Amarid hoped to avoid Edward’s retaliation by framing Ithicana. Two birds, one stone.”

It made sense. Yet there was something about it that didn’t smell right to her. Namely, what possible reason did Ithicana have for murdering James and destroying its relationship with Harendell?

Silence stretched between them, but it felt tense rather than comfortable. Jor didn’t want to be here, she knew that. His place was at Aren’s side, especially now, and regret pooled in her stomach that she hadn’t refused to allow him to come with her.

“We’ll need to organize a schedule for watch,” she said to break the tension. “Discreet, so they don’t take offense. Among the four of us, we should be fine.”

Drunken laughter abruptly spilled across the deck, and Ahnna winced as she recognized Taryn’s voice.

“Three of us,” Jor said. “Two, really, because Bronwyn will have her hands full, so it’s just you and me, girlie.” He shook his head. “I love Taryn like a daughter, Ahnna, but she was a shitty choice to bring for your guard. If she’s not half in the bottle, she’s barely able to drag herself out of bed, and while Bronwyn keeps her spirits up, Taryn doesn’t see too far beyond her own storm clouds.”

“Then it’s a good thing I didn’t bring her to watch my back.”

Jor tossed his toothpick into the waves. “Then why is she here? Other than to make a fool out of Ithicana? Bronwyn’s a Veliant, so not only is she not our problem but the Magpie’s training will ensure she doesn’t say or do anything without thought. But Taryn will pour Prince James’s fancy wine down her throat until she’s passed out on the deck, all while spewing information that we’d rather the Harendellians not be aware of.” He lowered his voice even further. “Thelastthing Ithicana needs is our largest ally finding out just how weak we are. And how badly we need them. Allies can become enemies right quick if there is something as valuable as the bridge to be gained.”

Ahnna’s stomach tightened, the reminder not something she needed. “Because she’s my cousin, and she’s not well. I need to take care of her.”

“There are other ways. Better ways. Certainly ways that wouldn’t put her antics in front of King Eddie’s bastard!”

“I need to keep watch over her.”

“Why? Because she validates the venom that spews from your lips about Lara?”

Ahnna flinched, it striking her that Jor’s jabs hurt as much now as they had when she’d been a girl. More so because he was taking the side of the outsider. “No,” she said reluctantly. “It’s because Taryn was planning to kill her.”

Silence.

“After Aren declared Lara would remain queen, Taryn got drunk. I was dragging her back to her room, and she said that if she’d known Aren would forgive Lara, she’d have killed her on Gamire. I think she’s been waiting for the baby to be born before she tries.” Her eyes burned. “I know I should’ve told Aren, all right? But I also know what he would’ve done. I’ve lost enough people without losing my cousin.”

“Ahnna…”

“It’s not her fault.” She leveled a finger at him. “Did you even bother to ask her what the Maridrinians did to her during the year she was their prisoner? Do you even care how badly they hurt her?” Not waiting for him to answer, she added, “Not only does Taryn have to carry that hurt in her heart, but she also has to carry the guilt of knowing that she was the one who was supposed to be watching over Lara. That she was the one who was duped, which means that she believes what happened is her fault.”

“We all had the wool pulled over our eyes.”

“Yes, but she thought that Lara and she were close. Friends, even. She trusted her. Liked her.” Digging her nails into her palms to feel the pain, Ahnna added, “More than just liked, I think. To discover her relationship with Lara was all lies and manipulation destroyed Taryn worse than what the Maridrinians did, so I can understand why she wants Lara dead. But I’m also not going to allow it to happen, so that’s why she’s with me. That’s why she’s on my watch. Because only I, and now you, know the danger.”

Jor exhaled a long breath. “I’m too old for this shit. But fine. Fine. We just need to find a way to keep her clear of the courtiers when we arrive.”

“I already have a plan for that,” Ahnna said. “However, if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for dinner.”

She crossed the main deck, then climbed the stairs to where thecaptain’s quarters were located. Above, clouds were thickening. The brisk wind, smelling of rain, caught at her hair. The storm she had noted before their departure was rising, but it seemed they’d skirt up the western edge of it, so she carried onward. The pair of soldiers flanking the doors bowed at her approach, then one of them opened the doors, stepping inside to announce at top volume, “Her Royal Highness, Princess Ahnna of Ithicana.”

All the men at the table rose to their feet, and she stared awkwardly at them until a servant hurried forward to pull out a chair directly across from James. Taryn and Bronwyn had remained seated, but Ahnna noted that while Taryn’s garments were plain Ithicanian garb, Bronwyn wore a Maridrinian gown, her brown hair twisted up into elaborate braids, ruby earrings dangling from her earlobes, and her face bearing subtle cosmetics. Looking every bit the princess she was.

For a moment, Ahnna regretted not putting more effort into her appearance but immediately shoved away the thought. She intended to be forthright and honest to the Harendellians in every way she could, and that meant portraying herself as she was, not disguising herself in a costume so that they would believe her something she was not. Besides, James wore a shirt that was obviously borrowed, the cuffs leaving his wrists bare and the seams looking ready to burst if he lifted anything heavier than a cup. Not a prince consumed with vanity but a soldier who wouldn’t allow vanity to interfere with duty.

Approaching the table, she allowed the servant to push the seat beneath her, none of the men sitting until she was settled.

---