Page 5 of Betraying Korth

It wasn’t justOdette who developed a stomachache. Everyone who wasn’t a seasoned sailor spent time leaned over the bulwarks for the first day, myself included, which made tending to Odette even more difficult than normal. Once we finally got our “sea legs” as the captain called it, we managed to fare better,all except Odette, who continued to wail the loudest about every minor inconvenience.

The voyage to Haven Harbor was nearly a week long, and everyone in the rebellion was growing antsier by the day, eager to get the revolt over with. The captain and his crew were on our side, as were a handful of the guards, but all held themselves back, eagerly waiting for my signal to mutiny against the dozen men whose allegiance still lay with Odette.

Halfway between Ebora and Haven Harbor, the spot we’d designated rose on the far distant horizon. A tiny island dubbed Marooner’s Island broke up the line where the sky met the sea. Only a few more hours until it was time for action.

Curdy and I exchanged smug, knowing expressions as Princess Odette stared at the island beyond the ship’s prow. She had no way of knowing that the arranged marriage she was sailing toward would never happen.

“Troubled about your upcoming wedding, Your Highness?” I trilled, leaning on the railing beside her. “I’m sure Prince Korth is a fine-looking man, if I may be so bold. It’s fortunate the siren issue has been dealt with so that your betrothal could proceed without further delay.”

She waved her slim hand as if shooing away a pesky mosquito. “That isn’t my concern. It’s simply”—she released a long, heavy breath—“I don’t want to be treated as a bargaining chip in my father’s politics. It’s almost akin to being sold. I’m a princess, not a common slave, and shouldn’t be treated as such. I deserve better.”

“Of course.” My jaw grew rigid, but I kept my head bowed in deference so she didn’t see the anger flashing across my face. How dare she compare her pampered position to the demeaned status of those she’d sold into servitude. She benefitted daily from slaves who cooked for her, cleaned for her, even dressed her and styled her hair. She had no idea what it was like towonder when the next meal would come and had never spent a single night shivering on the streets, warding off rats. She deserved exactly what was coming to her.

Odette placed her chin in her hand, still staring at the horizon. “I haven’t seen Prince Korth since we were small children. I don’t know what he’s like now, but from my few recollections, he was dreadfully dull.”

“There have been many letters these past months,” I pointed out. I should know; I had penned all her responses.

“They contained nothing substantial.”

I couldn’t argue with that. His letters had been dull and dry. They spoke of their mutual obligation to their positions and invited her to stay in Haven Harbor for the two months leading up to their wedding to become acquainted with their customs.

I refocused my attention. “Perhaps you’ll be able to build a more meaningful relationship once you are in closer physical proximity.”

Curdy, mending a fishnet nearby, caught my eye and waggled his eyebrows while grinning lazily. He’d been at the drink more often than I thought prudent; alcohol had the unfortunate side effect of loosening the tongue of anyone who drank it, but at least Curdy had never spilled any secrets so far. He was simply more flirtatious. Obnoxious, but not harmful. I cocked an eyebrow at him but dared not do anything else in the princess’s presence. Our exchange hadn’t gone unnoticed.

“Slaves are allowed to fall in love,” Odette sighed, shooing me away with the same motion she’d used before. “Such a luxury is out of reach for me. My father wants me to be married off simply to secure his power for longer. Servants don’t ever have to worry about such things. Don’t let my melancholy spoil your own joyful romance.”

She’d meant it sarcastically, but Curdy took her at her word. “As Your Highness wishes,” he said, winking at me beforesnatching my hand and pulling me away from the bow of the ship and down the stairs before I could correct Odette’s assumption.

I followed along, paying careful attention to each crewmember’s face as I played the role of simpering handmaiden. The crewmen watched me, waiting for the signal they knew would come any minute. I shook my head slightly, and each man returned to his assigned tasks, mouth tightened into the same expression of forced patience that had been clawing at me for years.

My gaze traveled to the other soldiers, the ones whose faces I wasn’t familiar with from the secret rebellion meetings held in the dead of night. These were the guards still faithful to the king.

Curdy, after tugging me down another set of stairs below deck, led me behind a long line of abandoned hammocks and attempted to pull me into an embrace, trailing his nose up my neck, but I resisted and pushed him away.

“Stop teasing,” I said irritably. “She didn’t follow us. Why would you make her think that we have some romance going on?”

“What else am I supposed to do to stay occupied, then? This voyage has been dragging on for days, and who cares what she thinks?”

“Keep your head on straight. Besides, if all goes well, I’ll be a married woman soon.”

Curdy rolled his eyes. “Like any royal marriage is real.” He adopted a drawling, stuffy voice. “It’s our obligation to join our nations, for the good of those we oppress…”

I sniggered.

“I could help you practice kissing so you are prepared to meet this Prince Korth,” Curdy offered, trying to pull me back in.

“You’ve been drinking,” I said, shoving him away again and holding my breath.

“You could do with a few drinks to lighten up. You’d be more fun.”

“How can you even think about something like kissing right now? If you need to, go practice with Odette.” I laughed, turning my head away.

“She isn’t as pretty as you are.”

“Don’t let her hear you say that or you’ll get beheaded.”

“It’s true, though.” Curdy moodily kicked at a barrel. “And I’m bored.”

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