Shatter Like Glass-Cinderella Retold

Part Ten

Eyes wide, Ashen exclaimed, "The Azurians? Here?"

"Aye," George replied. "The young princesses are here for their Tour."

When a member of Azurian nobility reached fifteen, they visited each kingdom and nation to learn more about their cultures. It was on Arrow's Tour that she and George fell in love . . . and conceived Ashen's older brother. Ashen had been taken on a sort of Tour her entire life. Being pirates meant they had to travel around a lot, though they spent most of their time in Ebony. And none in Azure.

"The king and queen are just learning of this now?" Ashen asked.

"Evidently the princesses were set to visit Viridian. In light of Emlen's assassination, however . . ."

Her father trailed off. Ashen let out a string of curses. Revenge against Emlen might have just thrown her right into the hands of her stepfather. If he saw her, Nikolai would pursue them endlessly. There would be nowhere to hide.

"We have to leave," she said.

"You haven't finished healing," Smiegal reminded her.

"I have enough."

"No," George said firmly. "Your injuries might not be open and bleeding, but without finishing your healing you'd risk further damage anytime you do anything strenuous."

"Besides," Smiegal added, "we haven't found the amulet. Without it the trip's been for nothing."

"Let it be for nothing than," Ashen snapped. "Nikolai and his family will be here any minute. My red hair gives me away as nobility, and there's no way we can explain that away."

"You could shave your head," Smiegal said, half-joking.

She glared at him and continued, "Even without my hair, George, if he sees you, he'll recognize you on the spot. Your scar gives you away."

George grimaced. Nikolai's sword slashing against his face could not be a very pleasant memory, and normally Ashen would not have brought it up, but after the day she was having, she really did not feel like beating around the bush.

She preferred setting it on fire and letting it burn.

Crossing his arms, Smiegal said, "You could just kill Nikolai."

"No."

"You killed Emlen, and he didn't pose any danger to you."

"As far as I know Nikolai has never killed anyone," Ashen replied. "The people I kill are murderers. The things he's done . . . he deserves punishment, yes, but not death."

"I know that," Smiegal said. "I just don't see many options. You need this healing."

Shrugging, George said, "We could just kidnap a healer, send him back in a lifeboat once Ashen is all better." Ashen shot him a dark look.

"Not thinking that's going to work."

"It's better than your wounds opening up," he pointed out. "Or all of us getting captured."

"See," Ashen said. "It's not just about me. They'll imprison or execute you if they catch you. If they find out how Smiegal is, they'll tell his family, who will them come imprison or execute him, if he's lucky. The rest of the crew are wanted criminals. When it comes down to it, this has nothing to do with me. I'm the only one who would survive if we're caught. I will not let the people I care about be put in danger because I let Peder get the drop on me."

George opened his mouth—likely to object—but they heard voices in the hallway. The three ducked behind the wall.

"Again I must apologize for the change in schedule," a soft female voice was saying.