35. An Excellent Scavenging Service

Martin greets us as we cross the colonnade, his expression slightly less welcoming than when we showed up. Cassandra Marie is with him, looking like a cat that ate a canary. Her eyes are bright, and it appears she's using a great deal of self-control not to bounce on her toes.

Oddly enough, she's not on the prince's arm, but Garret's. Soleil's brother looks mildly uncomfortable. He studiously avoids my eyes, making me wish I could read people like Lukas can.

I have no idea what trouble Cassandra Marie got into the three weeks we were away, but I'm certain I'll find out soon.

Martin's eyes move to Felicity, who walks by my side, and his smile falters. His expression becomes confused, as if he cannot understand why we would be together.

"Was your mission a success?" Cassandra Marie asks, releasing Garret to embrace me.

"It was."

She grasps my arms tightly, her eyes going wide. "You found Katsacale's treasure?"

"More importantly, we found the journal."

"It exists?" she breathes. "Truly?"

"Truly."

"You must tell me all about your expedition." She moves to Lukas, hugging him next. "I cannot tell you how much I envy you."

"First, I believe Captain Avila has release papers to sign."

Carlos nods solemnly. "You have upheld your end of the bargain. I will uphold mine."

"I'm glad your expedition was a success," Martin finally says, speaking for the first time. "Cassandra Marie has been so eager to return home."

I turn my eyes on my cousin, narrowing them slightly. What did you do?

She merely smiles, looking entirely too smug.

"Won't you come inside?" Martin says. "I imagine you're tired from the long voyage."

Cassandra Marie loops her arm in mine as the others follow Martin. "I need to speak with you for a moment."

Felicity hesitates, nervous to go ahead alone.

"Stay with Lukas and Soleil, all right?" I tell her. "I'll be there shortly."

Her eyes search mine. "What if someone comes to take me?"

"You still have the dagger I gave you?"

She gives me a weak nod.

"Stab them."

A smile tugs at her mouth. "Hurry, all right?"

"I will—I promise."

When she's safely ahead with Lukas, I turn to Cassandra Marie.

She grins. "You know you're my favorite cousin, right?"

"Only when it suits you. What happened while we were away?"

"I married Garret."

I stop dead in my tracks, turning to give her my full attention. "You did what?"

"Because of the baby, of course."

Certain I misunderstood her, and imagining the look that will appear on my uncle's face when she shares that news, I blink at her. "The what?"

"There's not really a baby," she whispers. "But that's what I told Martin."

"We were only gone three weeks."

She waves her hand. "I said it happened before I left on the expedition. A whirlwind romance. Garret, naturally, agreed to marry me to save my delicate reputation. Martin, of course, is a lovely man and was very understanding of my predicament."

"So, there's no baby…but there is a real marriage?"

"Oh, yes." She holds up the ring as if needing to prove it. "We are very married."

"Your father is going to disown you."

She laughs softly, as if the idea is ridiculous. "He will do nothing of the sort, especially when you support us."

"And why would I do that?"

"Because Garret and I will eventually have children, and you quite desperately want one of them to take the title looming over your head."

I open my mouth…and then shut it.

"You should be happy I love you so," she continues. "Do you know how close I came to marrying the Shaladan prince? Then what would you have done?" She stands on her tiptoes and smacks a kiss against my cheek. "You're welcome, Davyn."

I catch her arm as she turns to follow the others. "What about Garret?"

"What about him? He's been in love with me since we were children."

"All right…but what about you?"

She smirks, laughing to herself like I'm quite daft. "Have you seen the man—he's all muscle and dark, brooding eyes. I assure you, I am quite content."

"Never mind." I shake my head, wishing I hadn't asked. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, Davyn."

We hurry to catch up with the others. Felicity smiles when I step up next to her, but she's nervous. I might have been, too, but I'm not anymore. I know what I have to offer Martin is worth far more than her contract.

We end up in the same room we met in the first time we arrived.

The contracts are retrieved, along with the release papers. We sit in near silence as Carlos reads over them and then nods. "It all seems to be in order. We agreed you would deliver the journal to us, which you have done."

My muscles tense as he takes his dear, sweet time. Finally, he signs the papers.

Cassandra Marie is free.

The others rise, giddy, but I remain in my chair, taking Felicity's hand to ask her to stay seated as well.

Martin's eyes go between us again. "It seems Davyn and I have business to discuss," he announces. "I hope you'll all make yourselves comfortable and join me for dinner tonight."

Lukas pauses in the doorway, meeting my eyes. He nods, wishing me luck, and then slips out.

Once the door closes, Martin turns his attention to us. "I cannot even guess what situation has brought the two of you together."

"You didn't send your thief to the island to snatch the journal out from under us?" I ask.

Martin's eyebrows fly up. "What are you talking about?"

"Jude told me to join the mission and steal the mage's tome." Felicity leans forward, her eyes flashing with indignation. "On your orders."

"I didn't order that." The prince looks genuinely flummoxed. "Why would I do that? The woman I was hoping to marry was under Milindrian control until their wretched king got that ridiculous journal. All my family wanted from this was the Cursed Isles."

I glance at Felicity. She looks livid.

"Jude told me if I retrieved the journal, you would free my siblings and me. And you're telling me you didn't even know?"

He shakes his head, looking thoughtful. "Are you unhappy here, Felicity?"

"Unhappy? I haven't seen my brother or sisters for months!"

Martin glances at me, uncomfortable with the female display of anger and likely looking for an ally. "Why…?"

"Because you forbade it," she snarls.

"Felicity," I say quietly. "When was the last time you spoke with Martin directly?"

She looks at the prince, suspicious. "When we arrived in Shalada."

I turn to Martin. "You might want to question your cousin."

"So it seems." He frowns at me. "I apologize for the misunderstanding. I hope this won't cause strife between our families or our kingdoms. I didn't know."

"I'll accept your apology, but only on one condition."

The prince waits.

"I'd like to buy Felicity's bond."

Martin frowns, sitting back in his seat and crossing his arms. "And how much are you willing to pay? She was a rather expensive investment."

"Are you familiar with Brinhelga?"

"Who in the area isn't?"

"My dragon slayer killed her on our return voyage. I made an interesting discovery while recovering the mage's tome from the Sea Rose's wreckage."

Martin leans forward. "I'm listening."

"Do you know how many ships Brinhelga took down in her lifetime?"

"I can't even guess."

"Dozens, and they're all wrecked in the same area. Many were merchant vessels carrying gold and goods. There are treasures galore hidden in that section of the sea."

"Where is it?"

"I'll mark it on a map…as soon as you sign Felicity's bond transfer."

"One thief for a fortune?"

I nod.

"How do I know you're not bluffing?"

I reach into the inside pocket of my jacket and pull out a handful of gems. They catch the light as I drop them on the table. "These are just a few things I recovered while looking for the journal. I assure you, there is more."

"How are we supposed to recover them?"

"I happen to know of an excellent scavenging service. If you're interested…" I chuckle. "I'll offer you a reasonable rate."

Martin runs his tongue over his front teeth, intrigued. Finally, he leans across the table and offers his hand. "You have a deal, Captain Greybrow. Let's draw up the papers."

Felicityand I leave the room an hour later, our business complete. Looking like she's in a daze, she walks by my side.

"Are you all right?" I finally ask, pulling her into the tropical garden that overlooks the sea so we may have some privacy.

"You did it," she whispers. "I'm yours."

"Correction." I hand her the signed papers. "You are yours."

She bites her bottom lip, pushing the papers back at me. "I have to pay you back."

I cross my arms, refusing to accept them. "For what? I gave Martin something that didn't belong to me and made a business deal in the process. The way I see it, we all benefit from this arrangement—you, me, and Martin."

She clutches the papers to her chest. "I'm free?"

I step up close, setting my hand on her cheek. "Yes. You and your siblings."

She chokes back a sob and throws her arms around my neck. "Thank you."

I hold her tightly. "Felicity?"

"Hmm?"

"Will you marry me now?"

She pulls back, looking up at me with her pretty brown eyes. "Davyn. Truly?"

I sink onto one knee in front of her, holding her hand. "I would be honored and grateful if you would be my wife."

"Because you pity me?" she asks softly, a smile flitting across her face even as her eyes gloss with tears.

"No." I stroke her hand with my thumb. "Because I love you."

She swallows, nodding. "All right."

I stand, laughing. "Just all right?"

"Yes, I will marry you, Davyn."

I pull her into my arms, so grateful we were given another chance.