“Okay,” I say. “I can always buy some more next time we’re on Alamancia.”
And we make another batch of fries—all while we pretend this might not be the last one.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
NEREUS
We might be flying toward almost certain doom, but something about the way Fiona and Kye were talking to each other makes me feel like everything might be okay.
I’m not a fool. I realize there are many factors here and we’re about to go, head first, into a battle that might be un-winnable. But Fiona and Kye are two of the most determined and strongest people I know, and if they can work together, maybe there’s hope for us after all.
It’s late, and I want to make sure they’re still getting along—there have been glimpses of the relationship they used to have before that have been stamped out by their hardheadedness before–so I make my way to Fiona’s bedroom after visiting Kye’s first and finding it empty.
I tell myself that’s a good sign, but I can’t help but be a little anxious as I walk toward Fiona’s bedroom. The Wrath is huge compared to the Naiad, but I can still hear the rest of the crew walk and talk to each other.
In the distance, Gliss, the ship’s engineer, laughs. I haven’t really gotten to know her, but I’m glad Kye has some support. He obviously needs it.
I fist my hands at my sides as I try to still my hammering heart.
When I inch closer to Fiona’s door, I can hear a loud familiar sound, and it takes me a few seconds to realize that she’s laughing. Kye and Fiona aren’t being quiet, but I’m still curious, and I don’t want to interrupt.
This feels important. I should let them have this moment.
“And then after that,” Fiona says, her voice barely carrying from inside Kye’s bedroom. “I used Orion to threaten him. I think it scared him a little bit, but well, clearly not enough. Considering what happened on Borealis.”
“How bad was it?” Kye asks.
She answers him in a whisper, so I can’t hear what she’s saying.
“I’m so sorry,” Kye says. “I wish you hadn’t had to see that.”
I can’t help but smile. Just from the tone of his voice, I can tell that he’s genuinely worried for her and he’s happy to comfort her.
I’m about to knock on the door when I hear footsteps coming toward me. I straighten up, brushing myself off. From the corner of my eye, I can see Taln walking toward me.
“I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you joining,” he says.
I take a step back. “I’m aware, but I think it’s probably best if I let them have some time to themselves,” I say. “They still have a lot of things to sort out.”
“Yeah, they seem to be a dramatic species,” he says, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Before any of this happened, I might’ve taken it as a jab—because as dramatic as humans are, I think I used to have that particular descriptor cornered before Fiona came aboard—but I understand he means it good-naturedly and flash him a warm smile back. When my gaze settles on his face, I notice that he’s straining to keep his expression neutral.
I have to make an effort not to look at his leg. “How are you doing, Taln?” I ask. “Come on. Let me help you in the kitchen. I know everything’s disorganized since our quick escape.”
He regards me suspiciously but we walk side-by-side. His gait sounds strange, his footsteps different from what I’m used to. “I can’t recall the last time you asked me that.”
“I’ve asked you that recently,” I say. I’m so absolutely certain of it I’m almost a little offended.
“Right, I should be more specific,” Taln says. “I don’t recall the last time you asked me that when I wasn’t in mortal danger.”
I shake my head. “Now, don’t flatter yourself,” I say. “You’re still in mortal danger.”
He smirks. “Certainly,” he says. “So are you, Prince Nereus.”
The use of my title before he speaks takes me by surprise. It shouldn’t; this has always been how Taln and Ryker have referred to me. But everything has changed—they might be Fiona’s lovers, but they’re also her bodyguards. The Royal Guard serves the monarch and I’mnotthe monarch, I’m her betrothed.
She’s going to be the ruler, and I just have to stay by her side.
“You can probably just call me Nereus,” I say. “It’s time.”