Page 25 of A Wrecking of Salt and Fire

“I am sorry, Princess, but that is not my story to tell.”

Her breath caught as he lay a hand on her shoulder, thinking maybe she took it too far. Maybe she should not have asked someone else the question so soon. That he would grab her and decide to lock her back in that cabin. That she would relive the horrible weeks she spent upon that ship five years ago.

Instead, he let out a sigh and she could not help but believe a part of his words when spoke again. “Ander is a good man. You may not think that now, but you will. Everyone aboard this ship trusts him with their life. You can trust him with yours.”

Chapter Sixteen

Ember

Nausea swirled in Ember’s stomach as she curled up in the bathing chambers. The Acknowledgement was approaching, and her sister just stabbed Kohl the day before.

She could not believe the words that came out of her sister’s mouth as she mulled over what happened. Was still curious about the storm she claimed kept her trapped, the tunic that she stole from an abandoned cabin in the mountains.

Ember was worried for Katrin. Worried that these nightmares were messing with her mind even during the day.

This was different than before. She never experienced hallucinations. The nightmares, yes. Crippling anxiety to be on a ship or even near the water, yes. But illusions and twists of reality—that was new.

The sun had barely risen in the sky when Ember looked out her window. She knew she should have checked on her sister after she went to see Kohl last night. Knew that look in her eyes. Light snuffed out. Knew the darkness that Katrin battled day in and day out. Saw it years ago. Saw it when she thought her sister might wither away into nothing.

Ember eased herself up from the floor, washing away the violent hurl that left her stomach, wrapping a thin cotton robe she kept on a hook around her body, tying the sash tight. She knew her sister would be up by now; Katrin always rose with the sun, preparing herself for those morning runs through the mountains with Kohl.

She wondered if Katrin would go alone today, since he was likely still under the influence of the pain tonic. Maybe she would offer to go with her. Although Ember was not as trained as her sister, she could probably keep up with her for a mile or so. At least it would be something to keep Katrin’s mind off of what she did, what she was going through.

The breeze crept in through the window, fluttering the gauzy curtains inward. If Ember was going to offer to run, she realized she better come prepared.

Ember walked over to her dresser in the corner of her bedchambers, opening the top drawer that held her lightest training gear. Ajax insisted she go down to the market and purchase everything ranging from soft, thin cotton shirts and shorts that clung close to her thighs, to thick leathers outfitted with bronze to dull a slash from a blade. She chose one of the thin cotton outfits, opting for the long-sleeve tunic instead of the sleeveless because of the light breeze off the shore, slipping them on over her undergarments.

The princess pulled a pair of leather boots from under her bed, lacing them up her calves, double knotting the bow like Ajax showed her so they did not come undone and cause her to trip.

She looked at herself in the mirror. At that new version of Ember that spurred into action the past few weeks. At the muscles forming in her once lithe arms and legs. At the determination and bravery lining her golden amber eyes.

She was proud of herself, the steps she was taking to become a better citizen of Alentus, a better Prytan for the Spartanis. She knew, once her sister saw how her training developed, that she would be proud of Ember too.

That was all she really wanted. For her sister—and her mother—not to look at her like the baby of the family, someone who needed to be coddled. Instead, she would show them that she had the strength and wherewithal to assert her rightful position as Prytan, carrying on their family’s legacy.

Ember took a breath in, realizing she did have a long way to go, but this—this was quite a start.

Approaching her sister’s door, Ember noticed Ajax speaking with some of the other guards down the hall. Looking at her, he ruffled his hand through his messy, cropped blonde hair, one eyebrow raised at her in a silent question.

Ember gave a soft smile back and began to turn toward her sister’s door when she noticed him dismiss the other guards and start to jog over toward her.

“I thought we were skipping our training this morning because of the banquet? Although I would be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed with your eagerness.” Ember could feel the gaze of those warm brown eyes trail up her body, lingering on her heaving chest and pursed lips.

“I know we canceled our training, Commander, but I thought Katrin might need a running partner. You know…with everything that happened.”

Ajax’s expression softened at her. She knew he was just as worried about Katrin’s state as she was. Maybe even more so since he knew of other terrors that may lie in the future.

“That is very kind of you. Is she awake yet? I can imagine her pacing about her chambers all night worrying about something like this. That is, if she wasn’t with Kohl the entire time.”

“I was just about to see.” Ember knocked on the door, realizing Ajax was probably right. Knowing Katrin, she would have insisted on staying by Kohl’s side until she made sure he was alright.

No sound came from within.

“Maybe she is with Kohl, then. Lucky you, you get another opportunity to skip a run. Why don’t you go change and you can accompany me to the breakfast banquet. I was hoping to steal some of the good pastries before the emissaries from the other isles arrive.”

The breakfast banquet. Another tradition that occurs before the Acknowledgement, when the heir apparent discusses their plans for the kingdom’s future and how it will impact the surrounding isles. It also served as a place for the smaller isles to make offerings to not only the prospective ruler, but also to the gods for safe travels on the sea and prosperity over the coming years. It was not something to be missed. Dancing aside, it might even have a more lavish spread than the ball.

“I’ll just knock one more time, just in case she didn’t hear me.”

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