Page 55 of Beacon

I leaned closer with a quiet gasp, hungrily studying its journey as it made its way across the blue lines resembling the sea before finally slowing, not in the middle of the ocean as I’d always feared but near a small, remote island.

Princess Seren relaxed her tense posture. “There’s reason to hope after all.” She met my bewildered gaze with a reassuring smile. “Due to its magical nature the map was able to recreate your father’s route, so there’s no doubt his boat stopped in this area. There was likely a wreckage, but if it was near this island, there’s a high chance he survived and is currently stranded there. We must discover more information.”

I listened in disbelief. Ever since learning Father’s was missing, I’d closed my heart off to the possibility he was still alive, certain I’d be unable to bear the pain should I be wrong. But her words caused my heart to stir and lift in hope. Could there truly be a chance he was alive after all?

The princess returned to perusing the map in search of additional clues, only tearing her attention away when the crown prince returned. “Perfect timing, Ronan. I’m hoping you know the island the map guided us to.”

Prince Ronan set her tea on the table beside her and settled on the arm of her seat to better see the map. She rested her hand on his knee and he took her hand; his brow furrowed in concentration as he studied the island she pointed to.

“I’m not familiar with that island in particular, but it’s near an area popular amongst fishermen, so it’s a place he likely sailed to. The islands surrounding it contain coconut palms, making it possible that anyone stranded there could survive. I’ll send a ship to investigate. Though I cannot go myself, Captain Farrell has just recently returned from a voyage, and once he rests for a few days, I’m sure he’ll be ready to leave again. He’s familiar with these waters and would the best man for the task.”

“Please arrange for him to leave as soon as possible,” the princess said.

“I’ll do it immediately.” Prince Ronan kissed her cheek before standing. She seemed too distracted to be embarrassed by his open show of affection, her gaze once more riveted to the map with as much eagerness as if it wereherfather she was searching for rather than a stranger’s.

After a moment she evenly met my gaze. “This is a promising lead, Marisa. You have reason to hope.”

At her words, Owen gave my hand he still held a gentle squeeze, and my heart lifted further. For the first time since Father failed to return home, I finally felt peace.

CHAPTER19

Isat in Princess Seren’s quarters where she’d invited me to join her and her handmaiden, Reece, for an afternoon of embroidery while Princess Lavena and Owen spent a reluctant afternoon together. I’d been touched by the invitation, especially considering it’d come from the kind, though reserved, princess who seemed to allow very few into her inner circle. Yet she’d invited me to sit with her, an action that spoke louder than any considerate words she might have offered.

I’d never learned to embroider, so while the princess and her handmaiden’s conversation drifted around me, I remained near the open window to enjoy the sea breeze’s soft caress. My perch offered a clear view of my lighthouse, the sight of which made me fiercely homesick. I stared across the ocean, searching for Father’s boat…or even the one Prince Ronan had sent out to search for him despite it being too soon for it to return. Naturally, the horizon remained empty.

Ever since yesterday morning when Owen and I had stood on the balcony to watch the ship set sail under the guidance of the magical map, I’d been struggling not to think about where the journey would lead…yet it was impossible to think of anything else. My heart wavered between believing Father would be found and fear he’d been lost. I desperately tried to cling to the hope that he was still alive and that with his return, we could resume our life at the lighthouse.

Yet as much as I missed both him and the days we’d spent tending the lighthouse together, I’d grown familiar with the royal world I’d become a part of…as well as the prince whose time with I’d grown to cherish. What would become of our relationship once Father returned? While the simple life I’d left behind used to be enough, now it almost felt…empty.

“Are you alright, Marisa?”

The princess’s gentle inquiry shattered my determination to remain invisible with only my thoughts and reluctantly tugged my gaze away from the window. I’d been staring too long with too melancholy of an air to easily explain my inattention away, though my silence provided me the excuse not to offer an explanation.

Princess Seren said nothing as she carefully studied me before concern softened her expression. “Are you worried about your father?”

I lowered my eyes and nodded.

“Then allow me to assure you that Ronan trusts Captain Farrell with the task…as do I.”

Reece eagerly chimed in. “He’s certainly worthy of such trust considering he’s the best captain in the royal fleet.”

“Is such an opinion based on the fact that he’s your husband?” Though Princess Seren’s expression remained serious, a teasing glint filled her eyes.

“Absolutely not,” Reece said. “It’s simply an undisputed fact.”

They exchanged a smile before Princess Seren turned back to me. “I cannot deny he’s the captain my husband most trusts. I have no doubt he’ll discover something concerning your father. Until then, worrying will only weigh your heart, so please try to have hope.” Her smile, though reserved, was warm and reassuring.

I expected her to return to her embroidery, but instead she beckoned me over, inviting me to join her conversation with her handmaiden. And though she certainly knew there was little I could contribute, the thought that she still welcomed my presence touched me. I hesitantly approached and sat beside Reece.

The proximity allowed me to better see the princess’s embroidery project—an intricate design of an island surrounded by the ocean, each colored thread adding enough intricate detail that it resembled a painting. I pointed to a few particular details and mouthed the wordbeautiful, hoping it and my expression were enough to convey my appreciation. Since it was so similar to speaking, I didn’t often mouth words, but those reservations were slowly slipping away along with the others.

Princess Seren blushed but seemed pleased. “Thank you. It’s a gift for Ronan. He used to be a captain and still misses his days at sea exploring the various surrounding islands.” She noticed my empty lap. “Would you like to embroider as well?”

I’d never embroidered before, but this fact was no deterrent for the princess, who took it upon herself to teach me a few of the basic stitches. I had a lot of experience in helping Father fix his fishing nets, and although this task was different, my background gave me enough experience with my hands that embroidery wasn’t too difficult to learn. The more I practiced, the more I enjoyed weaving together the different colored threads.

As we worked, the princess and her handmaiden resumed their conversation concerning both their pregnancies as well as a developing plot to matchmake the princess’s guard, Odin, with one of the princess’s servants he seemed to have recently been eying. And though I had no connection to the situation, Princess Seren still made an effort to include me.

“Don’t you think he’s handsome enough to have his choice of ladies?” She gestured towards the stoic guard standing rigidly nearby, whose steadily growing blush indicated his feelings on the nature of the conversation.

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