Page 25 of The Twisted Throne

Which is why James had proposed to both his father and his uncle a different way of achieving peace: appealing to something that both nations worshiped in equal measure.

Wealth.

And they’d been well on their way to achieving it until the message had arrived from Ithicana requesting fulfillment of the terms of the Fifteen-Year Treaty. Now everything that James had fought to achieve was at risk of falling apart.

James stared into the waves, but instead of seeing the whitecaps, all he saw was Ahnna suspended in the water, hand reaching out to the shark. He silently cursed his father for not breaking off William’s engagement to her.Our relationship with Ithicana is old and secure, whereas our relationship with Cardiff is new and delicate,his father’s voice repeated in his thoughts.I won’t risk jeopardizing one for the sake of the other. Not when we can have both.

Bothseemed less and less a possibility after having spoken to Ahnna, for there was no doubt in James’s mind that she intended to capitalize on her position to keep trade flowing south through the bridge, the religion of wealth as much shared by Ithicana as by Harendell and Cardiff.

“Fuck,” he muttered, scowling at the surf.

“My thoughts exactly,” Georgie said from behind him. “I just spoke with our dear Captain Drake.”

James glanced to the quarterdeck where the man in question stood. Drake had hidden below while Ahnna and the crew had sailed theVictoriathrough the storm.

“The captain wishes to make port in Sableton and avail himself of the shipyards there rather than pressing on in a damaged ship to make port in Elmsworth.” Georgie rested his elbows on the rail and looked out at the coastline. “Seems he doesn’t have the nerve for Ithicanian sailing.”

“Do any of us?”

“That we do not, my friend. Once in a lifetime was enough for me. I was murderously seasick but too terrified to vomit. Misery, I tell you. Misery of the purest form.”

“Could’ve been worse.”

“Debatable. A good melee with the Amaridians would have been far more honorable than clinging for dear life to my washstand, which was the only thing in the room bolted down. On that note, we’re taking inventory, but many of our supplies were ruined with seawater, so expect lean pickings until we make port.”

“Perhaps not entirely lean.” James jerked his chin to the old Ithicanian man who’d accompanied Ahnna. Jor was currently leaning against the rail of the ship with a rod, a bucket containing three large fish next to his feet.

“Good God, they are feral, aren’t they?” Georgie muttered. “I swear if we cast the lot of them into the sea, they’d harness a whale to ride to shore ahead of us.”

James snorted softly, then sipped at the fresh cup of tea one of the servants had poured. “I thinkpragmaticis the word. Ithicana is harsh, and I suspect those who sit on their asses fare poorly.”

“Ithicana is as rich as sin, Jamie. The biggest market makers in the known world. They don’t need to live wild. They choose to. They aren’t like us.Sheisn’t like us.”

There was no denying that, yet James said, “Show some respect for the woman who saved your neck.”

Rather than being even remotely chastised, Georgie eyed him with interest. “Firstly, my good man, you always seem to think I speak my own views when in fact I speak the views of those whose opinions actually matter. Secondly, what do said views on the princess matter to you? You’re not the one who has to marry her.”

“Courtesy.” James scowled. “What sort of gentleman can I claim to be if I allow slanderous words to be spoken of the princess who is not only in my care but who has saved my life? Twice.”

“Three times,” Georgie corrected with a smile. “Since you’re keeping count.”

Three times. Whereas he had stayed at the wheel when she’d nearly gone overboard, leaving Ahnna to save herself. Shame burned in James’s stomach, and he reverted his gaze to his cup. That it had been the right move was not in question, and Ahnna herself had absolved him, but he was still haunted by his lack of action while she dangled over the seas, fighting for her life.

“While I know you ape at being a gentleman better than most,” Georgie said with a chuckle, “we both know you’ve little claim to the word. And you’ve not historically put on the pretense around me. You’re a soldier, first, and a courtier only under duress, so don’t think to fool me with talk ofcourtesy.” His friend then slapped his thigh sharply and exclaimed, “Don’t tell me you admire her?”

“Certainly not.” James handed off his teacup to a passing servant lest he look at the dregs again, feeling his cheeks heat with embarrassment. “However, I do respect her, soldier-to-soldier.”

He chafed under Georgie’s scrutiny, but his friend only shrugged. “That I believe, though I am disappointed. It would’ve been amusing for you to be the one involved in a scandal for once.”

“I was born a scandal,” James replied sourly. “No need to make things worse.”

“You know I feel differently, but I’ve reconciled that particular matter to be a point of contention within our friendship,” Georgie said. “What’s more, the lady in question approaches, so time for you to ape the gentleman once more.”

Several appropriate retorts rose to James’s lips, but he didn’t have time to deploy them before Ahnna was in earshot. She was moving stiffly, to which, given that every part of him ached from the strain of holding the wheel against the storm, James was sympathetic. “Good morning, Lady Ahnna.” He inclined his head, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Georgie bow low, murmuring, “Your Highness.”

“Good morning, my lords.” She accepted a cup of steaming tea, balancing the saucer with ease despite the motion of the ship. “No sign of the Amaridians?”

“They’d not dare sail so close to Harendell’s coastline, my lady,” Georgie said.

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