Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

O ur final meeting was held the morning Haven Harbor’s shore came into view. Fishing boats bobbed gently on the horizon, flickering like tiny specks below the azure sky. Lighthouses punctuated the jagged coastline, their whitewashed towers stretching skyward even though their beacons were rendered invisible in the blazing sun. The Eborian flag fluttered proudly from the ship’s mast, its vibrant emerald color snapping in the brisk sea breeze.

I had devoted hours to readying myself to meet Prince Korth. Odette’s opulent gowns had been packed safely in a trunk for the majority of our voyage and were the only things aboard that didn’t feel stiff and crusty from salt.

Mother had often griped that it wasn’t fair that Odette indulged in so many sweets while never losing her trim figure, but I couldn’t help but feel grateful as I pulled on one of the gowns, a light pink one with silver trimmings. It fit surprisingly well, even though I was slightly thinner than Odette.

I ran my hands over my waist, smoothing out the few wrinkles in the fabric. Despite my best efforts, I still felt an uncomfortable layer of salt clinging to my skin, and my hair, stiffened by the briny air, resisted the curls I had tried to coax out of it. I’d been made for this fa?ade. It was the best I could manage aboard a ship, but would it be enough to win over a prince?

I shook my head and pulled my attention back to the discussion. Odette had been confined to the brig while we finished plotting. We all had every expectation that she would make some bid for freedom once we reached Haven Harbor, but I knew full well that she couldn’t swim, so her attempts would wait until we were ashore.

“It will be up to you two,” I said, addressing Curdy and Garrik, “to keep her controlled. Take shifts and let us know if you need more help.”

“A little snip like her won’t pose any problem,” Garrik chuckled while Curdy nodded fervently. “So long as you can find us work that we can all do together. I’d hate to leave my dear son and daughter.” His face twisted into a leer.

I nodded. “Of course. I would never dream of breaking up a family that is so close. Why, I heard that you do everything together.”

“It would still be easier to just kill her and be done with it,” Thad grumbled. “She’s a good-for-nothing royal, after all.”

“We still need her for questioning. I know most things as her handmaiden, but she did attend some functions without me. Curdy, you could even try cozying up to her. Let Garrik be the mean one.”

Curdy pulled a face. “Gross. But if it makes you feel better, Thad, you can think of it as death being too quick of an end for her. She ought to live the way we have. Let her experience a few weeks of being hungry and overworked. It will be a good learning opportunity for her.”

All the men laughed, but the sound was cut short by a bugle sounding from shore. “They’ve seen us,” I announced, drawing myself up proudly. “It’s time.”

The closer we drew to the harbor, the more my heart rate increased and beads of perspiration that had nothing to do with the hot weather burst into existence on my forehead and palms. Everyone in the crew, clad in fine uniforms bearing the Eborian royal crest, shot glances my way. This entire fa?ade teetered on a dangerous precipice, and I would be the determining factor as to which way it tipped. If Odette was allowed to speak before I made a good impression on the prince, there was still the chance he wouldn’t believe our story. The captain clutched the documents bearing the official royal seal, but even those didn’t feel like enough protection.

The boat’s prow cut through the water, slowing down as we drew into harbor. The sailors scrambled up and down the rigging, securing the sails and obeying whichever orders were barked at them. I tore my gaze away to search for the prince I needed to charm.

A welcoming party was waiting for us on the dock. Right away, one of the men stood out from the others. This had to be Korth. He was taller than most and dressed in pristine, starched clothing that was finer than the guards all around him, who all wore the same navy uniforms. A young girl who shared his complexion and who was dressed just as finely bobbed by Korth’s side, staring at the oncoming ship, then back up at the prince. My stomach clenched. In his letters, Korth occasionally spoke of a sister, but amid my nervousness, I couldn’t recall her name right away.

The moment the ship pulled into the harbor and had the gangplank lowered, Garrik trumpeted, “Introducing Her Royal Highness, Princess Odette of Ebora.”

“Good luck,” Curdy whispered as he bowed along with the other men. “You look beautiful.”

Korth seemed to share Curdy’s sentiment. He stared wide-eyed as I descended the gangplank as gracefully as I was able to, given that the ship still rose and fell gently with each wave that rolled into the harbor. Korth held his hand out to assist me the last few feet until I stepped onto the weathered wooden dock, the flowing satin gown billowing softly as the sea breeze tugged at the fabric and my hair. The constant swaying motion I’d become accustomed to over the last week seemed to persist even after my shoes touched the solid boardwalk. Maintaining balance suddenly demanded all my attention as my sea legs continued to react to the phantom waves seemingly rocking the ground beneath my feet.

“Welcome to Haven Harbor,” the prince said, bowing low to stiffly press his lips against the back of my hand. “I’m Prince Korth and this is my younger sister, Princess Tess.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” I said, bestowing the sort of confident smile that caught the attention of any man with eyes. “I’ve eagerly anticipated our reunion ever since parting all those years ago. I’ve treasured each of our correspondences since then.”

I smiled at Tess, glad Korth had mentioned her name, and she beamed back, her cheeks lifting until her eyes became tiny crescents. “He thinks you’re pretty.”

Korth’s face lit up like a red beacon. “Tess!” he choked out.

Tess leaned toward me conspiratorially. “He told everyone that he didn’t care if you were pretty or not, but he does. I think you’re pretty, and I know he does, too. I can tell.”

“Thank you very much,” I told her. Then I smiled at her, ensuring my dimples were visible to Korth. “If we’re all telling secrets, I think your brother’s very handsome.” Tess giggled and pressed her fingers over her mouth while Korth’s face darkened to maroon.

After quickly welcoming the rest of the crew to Haven Harbor, Korth offered me his elbow and escorted me farther up the beach, where the ground changed from soft sand to swaying grass then to compacted earthen roads. A carriage waited for us, adorned with intricate carvings and gilded accents and drawn by four dappled horses. The polished mahogany panels gleamed in the midday sunshine, and curtains were drawn back from the windows so anyone watching would be able to see the occupants inside.

Korth certainly knew how to make a good impression. He sprang ahead of me to open the carriage door and give me a hand up, then did the same for his sister before climbing in and seating himself next to Tess, opposite of me. The sound of the lapping waves and screaming gulls couldn’t drown out the pounding of my heart as I settled myself onto the plush velvet cushions.

The Falada was still barely visible over the sandbanks. At some point, a child had constructed a large sandcastle, and the distant images of the other mutineers scurrying about, unloading cargo and signing papers, made it appear like they were the tiny occupants of the sandcastle’s highest turret.

“My attendants?” I inquired politely. “I trust they will be taken care of?”

“They will be shown to the castle and settled within the hour,” Korth assured me, also watching out the window.

The driver clucked to the horses, and the last thing I saw before the carriage whisked the dock from sight was the majority of the rebels waving from the shore. A genuine smile broadened across my face as I waved back at them until they faded from view.

I turned my attention to my fiancé, but Korth didn’t appear talkative. Brow perspiring slightly, he sat rigidly upright with his hands curled into fists on his knees and stared at a point just over my shoulder while his sister cheerfully chattered away about the finishing school she would go to when she turned fourteen in a couple years. Each time we passed over a bridge, Korth would stare out of the window as if he longed to leap from the carriage and fling himself over the ramparts.

My own sweating would become very unladylike soon. The weight of our entire mission pressed on my shoulders and clamored in my ears in a way that left my mouth dry and my smile frozen in place. Surely a prince ought to say something to the woman he planned to marry. Was he simply nervous about meeting his betrothed, or did he suspect my treachery?

“I’m glad to finally see you again,” I told Korth during a break in Tess’s monologue while she drew breath. “It’s been so long since the siren plague began that it feels surreal to be here at last.”

He nodded. “I know the feeling.” Then, because he seemed to be scrambling for something to say, added, “Was your voyage eventful?” in a voice just as stiff as his posture.

“Not particularly. A few mild bouts of seasickness, but there was no trouble with any sirens and we didn’t even have a single rainstorm. I wish I had more interesting events to report.”

“I’m glad you arrived safely.” Korth took several deep breaths as if to ask another question, and though I waited expectantly, he closed his mouth each time.

“Tess,” I said, turning to his sister, “how old are you?”

“I just turned twelve,” she answered proudly. “I’m old enough to help with trials now.”

“Oh really? How exactly do you help with those?”

As Tess eagerly told me all about the duties assigned to the royal family’s representative at each major criminal trial, Korth discreetly slipped a piece of paper from his pocket and examined it, unsuccessfully trying to hide it behind his large hands before replacing it again.

When Tess drew a breath, Korth asked in a rush, “Odette, what are your hobbies? It has been some time since you mentioned them in a letter.”

“Sewing, dancing, playing the harp, and taking long walks,” I said, listing off several of the pastimes that Odette’s tutors encouraged her to pursue.

“Good, good.” Korth fell silent again and stared out as the carriage trundled over a bridge spanning a river. Tess jumped back in again, clearly used to her brother’s poor conversational skills and made up the difference.

As Tess continued her monologue recounting several trials she had attended to watch her mother or brother oversee, Korth slipped the paper back out of his pocket and glanced at it, his eyes skating back and forth.

“What’s your favorite food?” he asked, returning the paper to his pocket.

“My favorite is yams with tappa rolls!” Tess piped up. “It’s even better with a glaze dip.”

“I asked Odette,” Korth gently reminded her, turning his attention back to me.

“Sugared figs,” I said. Then, because I couldn’t immediately recall any of Odette’s other favorite dishes, added one of my own. “And clam stew.”

“We don’t have many figs on our island,” Korth said slowly, then brightened and added, “but we have plenty of clams. I’ll have the cooks serve them every day.”

I was about to say that there was no need to go to any trouble when I remembered that I wasn’t Dahlia anymore. I was Odette, and Odette would demand special treatment. Although, if I wanted Korth to fall in love with me as Odette, I would need to be a tolerable person. “That is extremely generous of you. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to trying some of your local cuisine as well.”

Korth’s mouth remained in a firm line, but he inclined his head, which I took to be a good sign.

“You need to try the tappa rolls,” Tess chirped.

“We’ll have to have some at the feast when your brother and I get married. How does that sound?”

“Good! When will you get married?”

“In two months,” Korth interjected. “But it can be extended if needs be. I don’t want her to feel rushed.”

“It isn’t like I haven’t waited for years already and written to you as often as possible,” I quipped, my mouth twitching. “I feel like I already know you very well.”

Tess laughed. “I think Korth is the one who doesn’t want to rush. He never hurries.”

I winked at her. “Then we won’t rush him.” If Korth was too shy to accept my flirtations, the next best thing was becoming friends with his sister. Sisters have a way of convincing their brothers, which would come in very handy for me.