“What I’m about to say is top secret.” I lean over, my voice dropping to a whisper as I make sure the door is closed behind us. “It can’t ever leave this room. Do you understand?”
I stare at the man, not even blinking until he slowly nods. His brows are furrowed, but an interested gleam has entered his eyes. “Yes, Captain. Of course.”
“Good.” I lean back in my chair and rake my hand through my hair. “Madeline is the Crown Princess of the Ice Mer.”
A slew of colorful curses leaves Conrad’s mouth as all the blood drains from his face. I’ve never seen him so surprised, and it takes him a few minutes to regain his composure.
“Did you kidnap her?” he asks, rubbing a hand on his neck. “That's messed up, even for you, man. Shit, Erik—”
“Don’t be an idiot,” I snap, furling and unfurling my fists. “I didn’t kidnap her. Her father has called in his life debt.”
I sit back and let the words sink in. Conrad has been with me for years and knows about the unfortunate situation with Henrick. He was the one who tried to talk me out of helping the Angel in the first place, telling me it wasn’t worth it.
He was probably right. Look wherethatgot me.
“You mean...” Conrad’s eyes widen as he realizes what I’ve been ordered to do. His face pales as he swivels to look at the closed door, then back at me. Dropping his voice, he whispers, “You’re going to kill her?”
“I am.” I force the words out of my mouth despite their bitter taste. I continue, “Once I do this, I’m free from the King’s shackles. I’ll have paid my life debt.”
Conrad sits back, his blue eyes unblinking as he takes in the ramifications of what I just told him. “So she’s a dead woman walking.”
I nod. A heaviness came over the room. “But I have to take her away from the Ice Mer lands. Her father has given me specific instructions on what to do.”
“Well...” Conrad draws out the word, “shit.”
“That about sums it up,” I say, shaking my head. The movement causes my headache to worsen, and I stand, groaning. “Gods, I need some coffee.”
Nodding, Conrad waits for me to get around the desk before standing. “So, if she’s got a target on her back, can I...”
“You are not to lay a finger on her," I command, shoving Conrad back. “Don’t youeverbring it up in my presence again. Next time, there won’t be a warning.”
He straightens himself, raising his hands in supplication. “You’ve got it, Captain. It won’t happen again.”
“It’d better not. Let’s go.”
* * *
The mess hallis nearly empty by the time we get there, and Conrad disappears to go talk to Jean Luc in the kitchen. I head straight for the coffee, ignoring everyone else. I pour myself a cup, cradling the mug in my hands as the warmth seeps into my bones.
As I am about to sip the steaming hot ambrosia, footsteps warn me that someone is coming. I sigh, knowing that whatever this is, it won’t make me happy.
“Captain.” Phillips’ voice comes from behind me. There is a tremor in his voice as he speaks. “You’re needed above deck.”
“Why?” I growl. Everyone knows not to disturb me before I drink at least one cup of coffee. I might be an ass, but coffee makes me tolerable.
“I’m sorry, sir, but there is a situation with some of the cargo. We need you above deck immediately.”
Cursing, I grab a piece of fresh bread as I follow him. There go my plans for a nice, long, drawn-out breakfast. On my way out of the mess hall, I stop the cabin boy in his tracks. His eyes widen as he looks up at me, his small stature accentuated by his trembling body.
“Sir?” he asks.
“Bring some food to the lady. Make sure she’s fed, but don’t talk to her.”
He nods. “Right away, Captain.”
At least one person on this ship understands how to speak to me.
By the time the sun is high in the sky, my stomach is grumbling. The bread soaked up the remnants of the liquor in my system but did little to sate my hunger. I’ve been stuck above deck for hours, dealing with problem after problem after problem.