Crimson Throne

Chapter Five

Jacques

"Dragons." I gripped onto the railing as my eyes raked over the deck below, their shadows darkening the ship before me. Would we have to make the journey to Dragon's Meadow after returning to Rosemarrow, my home? How many dragons even still lived there? I couldn't give a definitive answer, I don't believe even the best scholars in Lyier could. No one had set foot there since the Proclamation of the Steel Forge. Of course, Ava's ancestors being the sneaky bastards they are put it upon themselves to take as many dragons as they could over to their side of the water. Two weeks only separated us but who could argue with a family that controlled dragons? Even my craziest uncle wouldn't contend.

"Your Highness, if you grip the railing any harder you may break it." Jamal's voice floated into my ears, my gaze settling on him. He stared straight forward towards open water, but I noticed the cheeky smile he wore on his lips.

"Thank you for the astute observation, Sir." I replied, bitterly. He only laughed at my response, passing the wheel over to his first-mate.

Clapping a hand onto my shoulder, he said, "Your Highness, consider yourself lucky to have someone like the Duchess as your friend. I wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of her and I believe you know it in there." He jabbed his index finger into my temple before heading off below deck. I'm sure it was to get a few brief moments with his wife, someone I've grown to enjoy the company of.

"Your Highness." A crewman approached me, one I didn't know the name of, placed a letter into my hand. It was partially stained with coffee but had the undeniable scent of my mother's perfume. Glancing down at the seal on the paper, I realized it wasn't the royal seal but one the queen used with her spies. It was meant to stay far from the king's hands. As I broke the white wax seal, I made sure no eyes were on me. Her hand was distinct but it flowed differently with the words of her homeland as well as the coded message it contained. Picking out key words, I folded it back and stuffed it into the inside of my coat.

Turning my eyes to the boats behind us, I saw Ava and I prayed to as many Gods as I knew she would never see the contents of the letter weighing against my heart.

"Are you okay?" Ava leaned over to me as she nibbled on a piece of bread. Everyone agreed my ship had the best cook so we all took up eating together. Of course, Lysander and Ava traveled amongst the ships on Nesbith and Shajurn. Glancing to Lysander, his eyes were glazed over. I'd become accustomed in the last week to seeing the look on both their faces, a tell-tale sign they were communicating with the beasts up ahead.

"I'm fine." I took a spoonful of soup into my mouth as Ava placed her hand on my thigh, a gentle squeeze, then her touch was gone. My eyes settled onto her face as she began talking to Saahira and Jamal. She seemed happy but I knew better. Her eyes appeared the same as when her mother died, longing. This was the fourth time in our lives I'd seen her eyes like this and every time it only got harder.

Turning my eyes away and back to the bowl of soup in front of me, I gingerly pushed it away before excusing myself. I went below deck to my own quarters, the bed still a mess from when Ava slept in it four days prior. Everyone had to notice the bags under my eyes. I couldn't say the last time I slept a full night.

Sitting down behind my desk, I undid the binding that kept my arm securely at my side. My arm fell numbly into my lap, a birth defect they said. It was why my mother had no more children to call her own. Training as a youth had proven difficult, the prince with a birth defect. I hated myself then, now it was my greatest asset. I may have grown up smaller but that also made me lighter on my feet.