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Captain Barvo looked unsure if he believed her, but possibly because the fae couldn’t lie, he didn’t lash out again. “You’re correct, Princess Neve. Royals adhere to codes and if Prince Gervais . . .” he trailed off, collecting himself. “I cannot spill more blood here today, in your kingdom, knowing this. I cannot bring war to my kingdom.”

“Precisely,” I said, understanding he didn’t do so out of a sense of righteousness.

Neve was right. The Crowns of the nine kingdoms of Isila did not strike one another. And if we did, it was an act of war. Should Captain Barvo proceed with the fight and his own king and queen hadn’t approved of him starting a war with the Winter Court, he’d be executed.

The fact that Neve hadn’t technically been a princess but a common fae when Gervais struck at her didn’t need to come up.

I glared at the captain. “We came to tell you the truth and to ask you to leave.Today.If you do, I will omit news of this skirmish to the diplomat we send to your homeland to discuss the aftermath of your prince’s death.” I gestured to the blood on the decks, the dead vampires and downed fae.

Captain Barvo cast his dead crew members a pained glance. A male like him would understand that, among the courts, their lives were less than that of a princess.

The captain sheathed his dagger. “We will leave. No harm will befall you from me or my crew.”

“Good,” Neve replied. “Now, can we go?”

“I think that’s for the best.” The captain stepped aside. I motioned for Neve to take my hand. She did, and I found her skin clammy, shaking.

“I’ll send a scout by last light to make sure you are gone.” I glared at the captain.

“We will be, Prince Vale,” Barvo replied. “After all, I have news to relay to my king and queen.”

Chapter 8

NEVE

The reek of vampire blood remained lodged in my nostrils as we walked away from the Laurent ship, down the series of docks, and finally stepped foot onto the cobblestone streets of Avaldenn. I blew out forcibly and inhaled deeply, desperate to free myself of the stink, and succeeded with mixed results. Though the salt and seaweed of the air blowing in off the Shivering Sea was strong, not even that could fully drive the stench of blood out.

My lower lip trembled. Stars, that had been awful. And the vampires, the way they moved and seeing their flashing fangs. I shuddered.

At least no one from our side died . . .

Two Clawsguards had sustained wounds, but they were still with us, carried back to the palace by their fellow soldiers.

I wasn’t sure how I’d decided to tell the captain I’d killed their prince, putting an immediate target on myback. I only knew I’d felt the need to because I suspected it would stop the bloodshed.

A royal attacking a royal wasn’t a matter for common sailors to undertake. No matter that I hadn’t been a royal during the attack.

But they didn’t know that.

It was a technicality. One that had stopped the spill of blood. One that would get rid of the ship. One that would buy us time.

“That was quick thinking.” Sian came up beside me. Filip fell in line next to his brother, a thoughtful expression on his youthful face. Sayyida and Vidar had stayed at the docks to watch the vampires, just in case.

“Indeed.” Vale looked down at me. “Exactly what weapon training have you had, Neve?”

The question caught me off guard and my mouth opened and shut twice before I answered. “None. I was never given the opportunity.”

What vampire master in their right mind would train their slaves with weapons? And during my time with Roar, I’d been far too busy learning about the most influential members and ways of the Winter Court to worry about physical training.

“I can slash with a dagger and . . .” I nearly saiduse a stake, which was obvious. If I wasn’t capable of sending a stake into a vampire’s heart, we wouldn’t be in this predicament. “But give me a sword or mace or anything larger, and I’d probably hurt myself more than an opponent.”

Vale nodded as though he’d expected nothing less. “We’ll remedy that. You begin training with weapons today.”

A thrill ran through me at the idea. I’d never thought much about being able to wield a sword. Training with Vale was expert training, and I was lucky to be offered such a thing.

The prince let out a long, tension-filled breath. “As my brother said in the throne room, hired blades will come for you.”

I blinked. I hadn’t even known he’d overheard that.