Bound by Honor (Book 1 in the Legacy of Love Series)

Chapter 11: Uncertain Waters

The rhythmic rocking of the ship soothed some of the tension in Isolde's body, but it could not quiet her racing thoughts. She sat beside Lucien in the cramped cabin below deck, her gaze locked on his pale face as he lay motionless on the narrow cot. His breathing was shallow but steady, and the ship's medic had freshly wrapped the bandage around his injured arm. Still, seeing him so still and vulnerable sent a pang of fear through her chest, as if each labored breath was a fragile thread keeping him tethered to her.

They had made it—escaped the guards, boarded the ship, and left the clutches of England behind. Yet the danger wasn't truly over. Lucien's injuries were severe, and the strain of their flight had pushed him to his very limits. The medic had done all he could, but Isolde knew only time could reveal whether Lucien's body would mend or falter.

She reached out, brushing her fingers lightly against his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her touch. It was a small comfort, yet one that anchored her amidst the waves of uncertainty crashing through her mind. They had only each other now, stripped of titles, protections, and allies. Alone, carrying nothing but the hope of building a life together far from those who would tear them apart.

Isolde's thoughts drifted to the events of the past days—the desperate decision to flee, the battles fought and endured, and the life she'd left behind. Her title, her family, her home—all of it abandoned. Yet, as she sat there in the dim light of the ship's cabin with Lucien beside her, she felt no regret. She had chosen him; she had chosen love over every bond and burden, and for the first time in her life, she felt she was truly living.

But that didn't mean the fear had disappeared.

The creak of the ship's wooden beams and the relentless groan of the vessel cutting through the waves were constant reminders of how precarious their safety was. They were bound for France, but what awaited them across the channel was a mystery. Would they be safe there? Could they truly build a life together, free from the watchful eyes of England's nobility? Or would the crown's reach stretch across the sea, finding them even in foreign lands?

A soft knock at the door jolted her from her reverie. Isolde looked up as the cabin door creaked open, revealing the ship's captain. His face was set in a grim expression, though his eyes softened as they landed on Lucien's still form.

"How is he?" the captain asked quietly, stepping into the small room.

"He's resting," Isolde replied, her voice low but steady. "The medic said the wound was deep, but it's not infected. He just needs time."

The captain nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he surveyed the cramped space. "If the wind holds, we'll reach the coast of France by dawn. Once we land, you'll need to move swiftly. I've arranged for you to travel inland, away from the main ports. It should keep you hidden, for a while at least."

Gratitude and trepidation welled up in her chest. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what we would've done without your help."

The captain waved her words away with a gruff shake of his head. "No need for thanks. I've seen too many lives bound and broken by duty. A man who fights for what he believes in deserves a chance at freedom." He glanced at Lucien, respect glinting in his eyes. "And a woman who loves him enough to risk it all deserves one as well."

Isolde's throat tightened as she looked at the captain, his kindness a glimmer of light in the murky path that lay ahead. His bravery had saved their lives, but a relentless, gnawing feeling warned her this was only the beginning.

"Rest while you can," he said, his voice gentler now. "Once we land, you'll need every bit of strength you've got."

With a last nod, he slipped from the cabin, leaving Isolde alone in the dim silence, her hand still resting on Lucien's.