Page 73 of A Crown of Tears and Treason
Nowthatwas the most heinous, disgusting–
“Hey!”
My heart jumped in my throat as Leesa marched right up to them, small steps thundering.
She pointed her finger at the large group of men, silencing them, like the instructor she was. “The future princess isnota beggar.”
I took a step toward Leesa–she didn’t need to fight my battles. Adara placed a steady hand on my shoulder. If I wanted to move, I’d have to rip out my arm from her grip.
“Nobody can know you’re here,” she warned.
“She’s nice and kind,” Leesa went on, seeming to grow a few inches just through sheer determination. “And you’re all fools for believing rumors and spreading them.”
The biggest, ugliest of the bunch woke out of his stupor first. He gave a cruel chuckle. “That’s not what the guards said. Helpless like a lamb, that one.”
My throat suddenly felt dry. Because I wasn’t helpless–but nobody could call medangerous. The Blood Brotherhood was a dangerous Clan who wanted dangerous rulers.
“You’ll all be sorry for saying that. Soon.” Leesa gave a stern, prim nod, and turned on her heels, coming back to our little team.
Keeping my face hidden underneath the hood, I gave the group of men one long look. A scar on a shoulder, a patch of hair that was combed too high up on a bald head, hairy fingers.
I’d remember them.
“Thanks,” I whispered to Leesa as we hurried to the docks. The guards would be returning to the gates soon with no snake in hand and no sign of a distressed Kaya.
It was strange to have someone on my side so fully, just because…because what? I didn’t even know. Maybe Leesa actually saw all those good traits in me. Perhaps, some day, I’d see them myself.
“You’re welcome, Your Grace. I hate liars.” She pursed her lips. She looked like a small, annoyed cat–the kind that clawed your eyes out if you angered her.
“Don’t worry, Evie,” Kaya said. “They’re just words.”
It was easy for her to say. She was the Jewel of the Brotherhood, while I was the powerless, traitorous lamb.
“At least now we know who’s starting the rumors.” I exchanged a pointed look with Adara.
No wonder Zandyr didn’t trust the guards. But the question still remained–why would they talk such nonsense about me? Frayden potentially bringing the snake into my house could be written off as a bribe, but to have more guards against me seemed…calculated.
As we neared the docks, the smell of sea and fish burned my nose hairs. The rustle of the crowd mixed in with the cawks of the seagulls flying above as waves sloshed against wood, leaving more salty marks.
Thick golden sails covered the sky. I could barely make out the turquoise ocean behind the dark ships. So many of them, all full. Rows upon rows of people walked onto the docks, shoulder to shoulder, disoriented and bewildered. I had the same wide gaze when I’d arrived in Phoenix Peak.
“There.” Leesa pointed excitedly at a stall, barely visible past the crowd gathered in front of it. “That’s where we can leave the donations.”
The basket suddenly felt too light. This wasn’t enough. It could never be enough. So many people, all of them with their hands in the air to get the day’s ration.
Nobody would go as hungry as I did.
“We’ll send more tomorrow,” I said, ignoring the harsh look Adara gave me. “And every day after that.”
Kaya clapped her hands; the ones that didn’t carry a basket. “Maybe we’ll come back to see the people.”
“Helping them is the goal,” I said, surveying the docks.
All these souls, displaced from their homes to be protected. Temporary, yes, but–
I sucked in a breath as my eyes wandered toward the nearest ship. Up on the deck, moving heavy crates and helping the civilians get off the ship was Zandyr.
A shirtless Zandyr.
