Page 3 of The Ocean's Heart
To protect Bryony with my life, for without her, there would be no alliance, and without the alliance, my people would surely starve.
* * *
Once Bryony was safely ensconcedin her chambers, her lady’s maid busy preparing her a bath, I hurried to my own quarters to change out of my wet clothes. This time tomorrow we’d be in view of Merida Isle—a lush paradise and our new home, once the alliance was sealed, of course.
It had been more than a century since humans had inhabited that land, back when the Northern Sea Realm had brokered a deal with humans. The sea fae would excavate human technology from the depths of the sea; in exchange, the humans would provide them with brides.
It seemed that the sea fae suffered with infertility, something my people had never had an issue with, and something which was now killing us.
The council of elders called our fertility a gift, but the younger generation knew it as nothing but a curse. More bodies meant more mouths to feed. But if our fertility was now a curse, it was one that could be gifted to a race that needed it.
Royal marriage to the sea king’s only progeny would allow the Northern Sea Kingdom to benefit from the ancient blessing that had been bestowed upon our people over a hundred years ago. Bryony carried the gift of fertility in her veins, as did all Faircaster royals. Fertility that had blessed our people in turn. The Northern Sea fae were also connected to their royal bloodline, and so by marrying King Vaarin’s son, Bryony would be ushering in a new era, not just for the Northern Sea fae, but for us all.
Once the ceremony was done and the marriage consummated, the contract would be forever sealed, and then…then I would leave for my discovery voyage.
I pulled on dry pants and a fresh tunic and twisted my hair into a knot. My stomach grumbled, telling me it was time for the evening repast.
I made my way down the corridor to Bryony’s quarters, swaying side to side with the ship because the storm was overhead now, the howl of the wind audible even below deck.
I rapped on her door, but it was Lissa, her maid, that answered, her expression etched in concern.
“Is she still feeling sick?”
“Oh yes, miss,” Lissa said. “Terribly so.”
I slipped into the room and crossed to the bed hung with gauzy nets to create an illusion of opulence. Queen Marla was all about appearances, but anyone with an eye for ships could tell that theMarilisewas on her last legs. Even then, the queen had been incensed when Father gifted her to me.
“Consider it the dowry that I know you’ll never use,” he’d said.
He knew my heart lay with the sea. Still, I’d be lucky to get a full discovery voyage out of theMarilise.
I drew back the netting to find Bryony lying on her front, her face turned away from me.
“How are you feeling, Bry?”
“I want to die…” she groaned.
“I’m assuming youdon’twant supper, then?” She gagged, and I pressed my lips together. “All right.” I softly stroked her silken hair. “Would you like me to stay with you tonight?”
She turned her head toward me, her eyes dull and dark. “Will you tell me a story?”
Although a year older than me, Bryony had always fallen into the little sister role. I kissed her sweaty brow, then mock-grimaced, which made her smile. “Whatever you want, Your Majesty. I’ll be back after supper.”
She grabbed my hand as I made to stand. “No. Not Your Majesty. Never to you, Thalia. You’re my heart.”
Damn her, she was the only person in the world who could make my steely heart melt. I squeezed her hand.
“Very well,sister. I’ll be back in an hour.”
“I love you,” she called out as I reached the door.
I threw a smile over my shoulder. “Love you more.”
* * *
The mess hallwas filled with rambunctious laughter as guardians filled their bellies with food and ale. But the merrymaking died when I entered the room. I swept a stern gaze over the gathered, noting the barrel of ale, probably already half-drunk by now. Yes, it was the night before we made land, and yes, I had agreed to two barrels being brought on board for the ship, but I expected decorum from my guard.
“Chief.” Tomas pulled out a chair next to him.
