Page 87 of Beacon

Pink tinged his cheeks to speak the title that would be mine upon our marriage. I’d wanted to join him in meeting his new nephew but had been drawn to the window upon the first sign of the approaching storm, bringing with it an anxiety I didn’t want to taint such a joyous occasion.

“Mother and Father are ecstatic about the birth,” Owen continued, as usual doing his best to ensure I hadn’t missed out on anything. “Especially Father. That child will only be kept from being spoiled by Seren’s pragmatic nature.” His chuckle faded as he finally noticed my tight expression, not at all softened even by his cheery recitation. He brushed his fingers against my hand. “What’s wrong, Marisa?”

I felt bad ruining this moment for him, even as I was grateful that I had someone to turn to during such a time. “Afraid.”

“Ah.” He leaned his elbows on the balcony and stared across the water. “Of the brewing storm?”

I took a shaky breath and nodded, my emotions too wrought to attempt any more words.

Owen bit his lip. “And your father…is likely out at sea at this very moment.”

That was what I both hoped for and feared. My hold on the railing tightened until my knuckles turned white.

Owen immediately noticed my tension. With a nervous breath he stepped behind me to wrap his arms around me. I stiffened in surprise.

“I’m sorry,” he said hastily. “Is this not—” He made to release me, but I pressed my hands over his arms wound around my waist, keeping him in place.

“Stay.”

He did. With a contented sigh, I pressed my back against him, melting into his safe embrace. It was strange how such a simple gesture could calm my wildly pounding heart and make me feel somewhat at ease, even with the escalating wind blowing across the shifting sea.

We stayed in this position for several minutes, the peaceful moment only broken when a ship suddenly appeared in the distance. My breath caught. After the many days of searching the horizon, was this finally…

Owen noticed it too and released a whooshing breath. “A ship.”

“Is it—” I was so anxious I could barely speak.

“I’m not sure. Ronan would surely know, considering the ship we’re awaiting used to belong to him. I’ll ask him.”

Despite yearning for his insight, I shook my head. Now was not the time to disturb the crown prince with such a trivial thing, especially only hours after the birth of his son. If it was the ship we sought, we’d know soon enough…even when such moment felt ages away and I felt on the brink of going mad with wondering.

“He wouldn’t mind being of assistance, Marisa, especially as he’ll only need a moment to check.” When I shook my head again, Owen carefully turned me in his arms, so I was pressed against his chest, a position even more cozy and comforting. “Don’t be afraid of seeking help, especially with something so important.”

I couldn’t speak. For as much as I was becoming used to my new voice, the fear of using it to ask for assistance caused it to recede into the more comfortable silence; in this moment my emotions were too wrought for me to even attempt to coax it out.

As if sensing this, Owen pressed a soft kiss to my brow before releasing me to reenter the palace in order to make the request on my behalf.

“Owen—” I attempted to call him back, but my voice was too quiet for him to hear. So I was left to wait with nothing but the rising wind and the ever-churning sea as the storm settled more fully, even as the ship sailed ever closer yet still too far to make out whether Father was on board.

Owen wasn’t gone long before he returned with Crown Prince Ronan with an infant wrapped snuggly in his arms. The prince was the epitome of a proud, ecstatic father, such a contrast to the worry that had enfolded him when Princess Seren had first gone into labor last evening.

Despite my rising anxiety, the sight coaxed a small smile from me. “How is princess?” I managed.

“Resting, much to her own annoyance, I’m sure. She was magnificent last night, so courageous like she always is.” Fondness filled Prince Ronan’s tone, as was usual when speaking of his beloved wife…but it was different now, deeper. “She already found sleep to be most inconvenient, only to have a great intolerance for it now that it takes time away from her being a mother, a role she’s already embraced with her usual love and determination. She was remarkable in the birth, but it wore her out. Only the thought that sleep will make her better able to care for our son convinced her to take the rest she needs.”

Love filled his gaze as he took in the baby whom he snuggled close.

“He looks so much like her. If he even possesses half of her spirit, he’ll be remarkable.” Prince Ronan pressed a kiss to the infant’s cheek, but the conversation abruptly shifted when he noticed the ship. “Ah.”

“Is it theStar?” Owen asked.

Prince Ronan readjusted his son in his arms and lifted the telescope he’d brought in order to study it more closely. He only needed a single glance. “It is, and I see Captain Farrell at the helm.”

My heart lifted at this news, even as my anxiety’s fierce hold prevented it from getting very high. News of Father’s fate was as close as that ship. The moment it docked, my life would shift—either into a beautiful reunion or the dark despair that’d come from being an orphan.

But though the word wrenched my heart, it didn’t have the power over me it once did. Though it’d certainly cause darkness to overcome me for a time, I wouldn’t be left entirely alone, not with Owen as the steady light that would see me through…along with the family that would become mine upon our marriage. With Owen by my side, I’d be able to survive any storm, no matter how fierce.

Knowing this was the ship I’d long been waiting for made it impossible to remain on the balcony. Owen arranged for a carriage to take us to the dock. By the time we arrived, the wind had picked up and the water had grown fierce.

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