If I could love him, perhaps he could love me in return.
15
CAIMAN
Every single counsellor wore black,making it impossible to forget that the castle was in mourning for the second time in as many months. Even Kerrington, who usually opted for bright, flashy colors, had on a black waistcoat over a black shirt. It matched the black bruises beneath his eyes from my fist.
Last night, I hadn’t slept a wink, leaving me exhausted, irritable, and brewing for a fight. And if Kerrington didn’t stop smirking from across the table, I was going to pick up the globe and throw it at his overlarge head. Lord Devon had tried to convince me to take today to grieve my father’s passing but the last thing I wanted was to ruminate on all I’d lost.
“That is the worst idea I’ve ever heard,” I said, delighting in the way Kerrington’s face flushed. “Sending troops to invade another country is an act of war. We are lucky that my brother’s stunt in Southbay didn’t result in more deaths.”
King Tarren’s ships had returned cannon fire but had ceased the moment the ship Alrec had commandeered was lost to the depths.
They may never compose ballads in my name or build statues celebrating my reign, but I didn’t need any of those things. All I wanted was for my people to enjoy peace and prosperity. And that wouldn’t happen if we went around with a chip on our shoulder, picking fights with anyone and everyone who crossed our path.
“Prince Caiman is right.” Lord Devon gave his son a disappointed frown. “Our aim is to maintain peace, not start a war.”
“Maintain peace?” Kerrington snorted. “Those bastards killed Prince Alrec! We should be seeking retribution, not cowering in this room.”
“Prince Alrec killed himself,” Broderick growled. “Did you forget that I was there? That I heard him go against a direct order from the captain and tell our men to fire upon an enemy ship?”
Kerrington jabbed an accusatory finger across the table toward where Broderick sat in my old chair. “You forget yourself,guard. If you were any good at your job, Prince Alrec would be here instead of you.”
“Enough!” I slammed my hands against the table, delighting in the way everyone jumped in their chairs. “I’ll not have you squabbling with our new emissary.”
Broderick whipped toward me.
“That is, if you accept the post,” I added. My original plan had been to announce the position after my coronation. Too late to worry about that now.
Broderick bowed his head. “It would be my honor, your highness.”
“You cannot be serious,” Kerrington scoffed. “What does he know about being a bloody emissary? He’s not even a member of the gentry.”
“Broderick has followed my brother around long enough to understand the ways of polite society, he is trustworthy, and, most importantly, he knows when to keep his mouth shut.”
Kerrington skulked in his chair but thankfully said no more.
“I know my father had planned on sending someone to the Black City, and now that we have our man, I will take suggestions on what our approach should be when meeting with King Tarren.”
“I could draft a letter, if your highness wishes it,” offered Devon. “A peace treaty of sorts. I believe it would be most prudent to prove our commitment to maintaining a positive relationship between our two nations.”
“An excellent idea. How soon can we have a ship ready to sale?”
“As early as next week.”
Brilliant. The sooner this matter was behind us, the better. “Broderick, does that give you enough time to get your affairs in order?”
“Plenty.”
That was one of the things I liked about my guard. The man never used ten words when one would do. “Any word from our people on what Tarren’s ships were doing in the bay in the first place?”
All the men shook their heads.
“That should be a priority as well. Open lines of communication are of the upmost importance.”
Maybe if Roisin had communicated with me, our story could’ve had a happier ending.
He’s the heir.