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“You want to risk your life for rocks?” He arched a dark brow.

“It sounds silly, I know, but those rocks are supposedly the key to keeping an ancient evil entity locked away.” She grimaced. “And before you ask, a month ago I would have laughed if anyone claimed such a thing existed. However, that was before magical totems came to life and tried to kill me. Before I saw what was inside the Spire. Before I heard it speak to me.”

“Could these rocks have caused the problem in Verlora?” He sounded nonchalant and yet she noticed a slight tension in him as he waited for a reply.

She shrugged. “Maybe? I don’t know. I do know without them Daerva will most likely end up the same way. The evil in the Spire wishes to end all life.”

“You’re awfully tiny for someone set on such a big task.”

“Size isn’t everything,” she huffed.

“Agreed. My father was a big man, the biggest in truth, and yet he still fell.” The captain went quiet.

“Is there a reason you followed me?” Because she couldn’t see him coming to the chapel for any other reason.

“Curiosity. You aren’t what I would have expected from a former pampered princess.”

She snorted. “Hardly pampered. Until recently, I was ignored and had no title. After all, an heir plus two spares were considered enough. Even my brother’s child ranked over me.”

“That bothered you?”

“Not one bit. I told you. I didn’t want to rule.”

“Then why not let Benoit keep the throne?”

A sigh escaped her. “Because the people deserve better than a despot. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m sure we both have better things to do than antagonize each other.”

“Just trying to have a conversation.”

A noise left her as she went to slip past him as he remained blocking the door. “More like an interrogation peppered with insults.”

He grabbed her by the arm. “Just trying to clarify a few points.”

She glanced at his hand holding her. “Release me.”

“In a moment. One last question. Your blood, it destroyed the altar.”

“What makes you say that? More likely its age succumbed to my weight.”

“You weren’t standing on it when it shattered.”

“Delayed reaction.”

“I wonder what else your blood can do.”

She yanked her arm free. “Nothing. Now if you’ll excuse me?—”

“I’m afraid you and I aren’t done, little queen.”

Before she could ask him to clarify what he meant, a damp rag pressed over her mouth and nose. A startled inhalation brought an acrid scent and taste into her mouth.

She might have struggled more if her limbs didn’t turn heavy and her eyes shut.

The last thing she recalled was his whisper, “You should thank me, little queen, for I’ve decided to take you aboard my ship after all.”

Avera didn’t returnfor the midday meal and a frowning Gustav strode down the pier, barely glancing at the departing ship. How disappointing that the captain refused to take them. Then again, perhaps for the best. Something about the ship’s leader niggled at him. The man spoke too well, lacking the dialect and slang of his crew. He had a proud bearing, which anyone could technically have, but the arrogance… Gustav rarely saw that outside the noble ranks.

The chapel door was closed, and Gustav paused at the sight of a note pinned to its surface. It didn’t say much. Just enough to have Gustav cursing.