A princess in search of her past. A boy driven by money. A crew that is loyal to the end.
Princess Ria is adopted, and she has lived with the acceptance that she will never know her real parents. But when she learns of the existence of her adoption...
Ria walked with captain Zalez under the poop deck to a wooden door that led to his quarters. Migal's footsteps followed close behind her. Once inside, the door closed and the noise of the crew on the main deck became muffled.
Ria looked around the cozy room, smaller than she'd expected. Her own room in the palace in Sivona was much larger compared to this, but there was enough space for a bed pushed to a side wall and a desk under an array of windows that lined the front of the ship. The view of the dark horizon dazzled with stars.
Captain Zalez walked behind the desk and sat on a chair as he said, "That was some game you pulled out there, Your Highness." He paused for a while, giving Ria a knowing look. "I don't appreciate being fooled, not even by royalty."
Migal tensed beside Ria. They both stood before the captain.
Being called royalty had always reminded Ria that she was not of blue blood. It didn't matter that she grew up in the palace under the king himself, she was still a sea gypsy, but one who had not adapted to the sea's way of living.
"Please don't call me that, at least not while we're on this journey. I don't want to risk anyone hearing it." She eyed the captain on his seat. "And I apologize, we hadn't intended to make a fool out of you."
"The game was to see if you were a capable and honorable crew," Migal added.
"'Can't speak for the Granacians, but my crew is honorable, and skilled enough to take on any job." Something rose in the captain's voice and Ria sensed that he was offended but the pride from him was overwhelming.
"You came out of it with a good deal. Twenty-five thousand pridas," Migal said, reminding the captain of the money.
"I wouldn't say it's a good deal until we are paid," Captain Zalez countered.
"Fair enough," Migal said.
Captain Zalez looked at Migal from head to foot, gauging his height. "And we haven't discussed any details of this job to make me believe that twenty-five thousand pridas is worth it. You also forgot to mention that we'll be stealing from Mistress Evita herself."
"It should have occurred to you when we asked for a crew member who is familiar with the Belona isles," Migal said.
"I did think of it, but I doubted." The captain turned to Ria, raising a brow. "Why steal from a woman who had been under the employ of your own father? Her riches came from your family. I'd think that you would have power over her."
That was true, but Ria wasn't a daughter of the late king. Not by blood. She was, in a way, employed by him. If not for her psychestringere, she would not have been taken in by the royal family.
The late king had also willed with his dying breath that the document be hidden from everyone, even his heir.
"It is by authority of the late king to have the document be kept safe from everyone including me and my brother."
"The king should be able to overrule that authority," Captain Zalez said.
"My brother doesn't know of the document and it does not concern him," Ria replied.
"And I suppose you won't share what that document is to anyone on this ship, not even me." The captain leaned forward on his seat.
Ria stared at Captain Zalez. His green eyes came dark, assessing her. His face was full of youth and full of promise that Ria felt she could trust him.
She said nothing, boring her own emotions into him--feelings of unwavering determination. She didn't hesitate to show him this for he already knew who she was and what she was.
The captain's lips twitched, giving her a grin. "That's a neat trick."
Ria stopped her psychestringere, cutting off the flow of her emotions. Most people she'd influenced could never catch her no matter how many times she'd manipulated them. None had ever caught her this fast. But the captain was aware the instant she did it, almost as if he was watching out for it.
Captain Zalez chuckled. "Right then. I suppose twenty-five thousand pridas is enough to stifle my curiosity." He stood up from his chair.
Ria furrowed her brows but relieved. "I'm glad we have an understanding."
Captain Zalez nodded, rounding the desk to stand beside Migal. "Well then, Your Hi--Ria. You can take my quarters. I'll be bunking with my brother. And Migal can sleep in the hull with the rest of the crew."
"I'll sleep outside the door," Migal said almost immediately. Protectiveness emanated from his chest.
Ria smiled at him, grateful for it. She didn't want to be alone, not when the crew could slit her throat while she slept. If it wasn't immodest, she would ask him to sleep in the cabin with her.
"Thank you," she said to both of them.
Captain Zalez turned to the door.
Migal paused and looked at Ria. His gray eyes searched her face. When he stood close to her like this, Ria noticed how tall he was--the top of her head only came up to his collarbone--making her feel safe in his care.
The way he gazed at her now reminded her of the first time she felt his attraction toward her. During a summer day when the royal family went on a trip to one of the nearby islands of Sivona. They walked on the beach, the late king and queen leading the party, and concubines behind them. At the tail end of the parade, Ria and her brother followed. And when no one was looking, Ria fell behind and sneaked away, hiding under a coconut tree. But Migal caught her. And that was when she felt it--the way he looked at her was different, a wanting grew in his eyes. He made small talk, fidgeting with his thumbs, and she had never seen him so nervous before.
Ria smiled at the memory, passing the emotions to Migal who dropped his shoulders, relaxing. He sighed and shook his head. Ria could make him sense the feelings but she couldn't show him the memory, but he smirked as if embarrassed, as if he could see himself sweating, rubbing his neck, and stuttering that day.
"Let me know if you need anything," Migal said, still smiling before he turned and followed the captain out the door.
"Thank you," Ria said again.
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