Page 21

“Dad—”

“You have no idea how much I love you.” His eyes lifted to mine, and he looked more ferocious than an angry bear. “That I would give my life here and now so you may live. That I would be broken beyond comprehension if I ever lost you.” His eyes started to mist with a fog that rose from the sea. “That you and your brother are the single most important things to me in this world. I thought the love I had for your mother triumphed all—and then I had you two. I wish you could understand what a blessing you are to me.” He breathed hard for several seconds then forced the mist in his gaze to dissipate.

“Dad—”

“You had your turn to speak. Now, this is mine.” He leaned over the table as he came down on me. “I had greater reasons for teaching you all those things than preparing you for a crown. I taught you to survive. There may come a day when you need it—and you will live because of it.”

I wanted to speak, but I knew he wasn’t done. Nowhere near it.

“I admit that my focus was too sharp, that I blurred out all other aspects of life as if we were at war this very minute. But when you’ve endured the hardships I’ve endured…” He hesitated, his eyes flicking away for a moment before he came back to me. “It’s hard to think of anything else.”

“What hardships?—”

“I support whatever you desire. Whatever your dreams may be, I will help you reach them. I’m sorry that I made you think my love is conditional, Lily Rothschild, because it’s very much the opposite.” His eyes started to mist again. “I’ve failed as a father for letting you believe that, even for a second, and I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart.”

It was like a dagger to the heart. I felt sick from the injury, from the pain I’d caused. “You’ve never failed as a father, Dad.” I reached my hand across the table to where his lay. My fingers grabbed his, and I squeezed them.

He inhaled a slow breath and bottled his emotions the best he could. Then he gripped my hand, squeezed it like I dangled over the edge of a cliff. His other hand cupped the back of mine, and he cradled our hold. He stared for a long time, cocooning my hand in his embrace. “My greatest dream was to be a father. The day your mother told me she was pregnant…was one of the happiest of my life. And then you were born…and you wereperfect. Watching you grow into this smart, independent, and strong woman has been everything I’ve ever wanted. A dream come true.” He lifted his chin and looked at me. “I’m proud of the woman you’ve become, regardless of the title you hold, regardless of how you choose to spend your life.” His love and affection were visible in his gaze once more.

“I’m sorry for what I said.”

He shook his head slightly. “It’s my job to support you—and I failed.”

“You didn’t fail?—”

“Fatherhood is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the best thing I’ve ever done. And despite the fact that you’re an adult now, it’s still my job to support you and guide you. I lost my way, but I’ve found it again.” He released my hands and pulled his hands back to his body. “Tell me what you desire,Zunieth.”

I felt the change in our relationship, the way we grew further apart for a moment but came back together stronger than ever. “All I’ve known is the Southern Isles. I want to see more of the world. You told me you used to be a pirate, that you saw the most amazing places and met the most interesting people. That’s what I desire.”

I waited for his disappointment and admonishment. To tell me that a life of adventure was no place for a woman. That it was unsafe and foolish. But he smiled slightly and gave a nod. “A life of adventure and exploration… We’ll make it happen.”

“Really?” I asked in quiet surprise.

“Yes.”

“You aren’t going to tell me it’s dangerous and stupid?”

“You already know those things, Lily. I’ve taught you to sail through the harshest conditions. I’ve taught you to fight a man twice your size. I’ve prepared you for the life you want, and that makes me proud.”

It was that easy—and I should have known it would be that easy.

“You’re young, with a long life ahead of you. Enjoy it.”

No other woman could tell her father she wanted to be a pirate and he would approve. He would tell her to stay home, to find a nice young man, and get married. To have children and devote her life to raising a family. But not my father.

“But I still have more to teach you before you leave. Is that okay?”

“Yeah,” I said with a smile. “I’m not in a rush.”

4

LILY

With every passing day without food or water, I grew weaker.

I turned away from the sun during the day to protect my skin, but I continued to sweat and lose precious fluids. The nights were worse because of the wind and the invisible waves. Splashes of water would come from nowhere and strike me in the face. It was ice-cold and salty, but it kept me awake.

By the third morning, I couldn’t keep my eyes open.