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“How is he?” she asked.

Vincent had dozed off sitting on the floor with his head against the arm of the couch. He roused and put a hand against Kaerius’s sweat-beaded forehead. “He’s alive.”

At this touch, Kaerius curled onto his side and coughed violently. When the coughing subsided, he merely lay there, limp and exhausted, his chest heaving. He tasted salt and mucus.

“It’s strange that he makes no sound,” the princess said. She knelt by Kaerius, who had his eyes closed and was so dazed that he did not at first hear or understand the sound of her approach. Then she put her hand on his chest, and he opened his eyes to see her sweet, pale face.

She held his gaze. “I am sorry for involving you in this disaster, Kai. You have acted with courage and honor, and I wish I could to repay you as you deserve. Captain Brighton and I will watch for the ships from the upper lookout. Sir Vincent will take you in to my father’s chambers, along with the rest of the royal guard.

“If and when we see the ships, Ralph’s party may mount an attack on His Majesty. If you stay with him, you will be as safe as my guards can manage.”

Kaerius put his hand over hers and moved it a little, so that her palm was flat against his thundering heart.

She gave him a melancholy little smile. “I feel it too. I wish… never mind.”

He rolled over to his stomach and put his hands beneath his shoulders, and then with a great effort, managed to shove himself up to hands and knees.

“I’ll help you to the inner chambers with my father,” said Marin quietly.

But he stood and offered her his hand, then bowed over it to press his forehead to the back of her fingers.I will not hide in safety while you face Ralph. Do not ask it of me, Your Highness.

Chapter 21

The gray morning light could not compete with the golden light of the lantern on the table.

“I’ll be back in a moment,” Marin said, and she hurried back into the royal chambers to kiss her father one more time. This gave Kaerius a moment to straighten his shirt and trousers and pull on his vest and jacket.

Brighton leaned on the doorframe while Kaerius finished dressing. “How do you feel?” he asked.

Very, very strange. This must be some human illness.Kaerius’s fingers shook as he fought with the last buttons on his jacket. His cheeks were flushed with fever, and his hair was damp with sweat on his forehead and at his temples.I need a bath, but I will wait until Ralph is dead.He grimaced at the thought of Marin wrinkling her nose in disgust at the smell of sweat on him.

He felt sour, sticky, and annoyed. If he must die fighting, he wanted to be beautiful as he did so. She deserved the best of him, and he did not want to disappoint her. With some effort, he put this frustration from his mind. What she needed now was not his handsome face but his courage, ferocity, and skill.

“Well, it’s probably terrible for you, but in a pinch, I’ve found that getting thoroughly chilled helps control a fever in the short term.” Brighton smiled grimly.

Perhaps I should go swimming again.Kaerius looked up at the larger man.I should be armed. What of you? I thought you were at the edge of death.

Brighton straightened. “Here. It will buckle onto your belt.” He handed Kaerius a sheathed knife. “I really shouldn’t ask this of you, but we’re desperate.” He met Kaerius’s gaze seriously. His pale blue eyes were shadowed with fatigue, pain, and lingering bruises, but he looked alert. “Whatever happens, your priority is the princess’s safety.”

Kaerius scowled.I am offended that you think it necessary to say that.

The guard sighed.

Marin stepped back into the room and strode toward the door with quick, sure steps, as if she had left all her trepidation behind with her father. She carried a long, wooden tube in her hand.

“Your Highness,” Brighton murmured, and he stepped aside to let her precede him out into the hallway.

Kaerius followed, slightly annoyed that Brighton had taken the position nearest the princess. But as they strode through the halls, he found his breath coming short, and it was all he could do to keep up with the princess’s pace and Brighton’s long, easy strides. He tried not to gasp audibly, though his chest felt like the iron bands around it were tightening with every minute that passed. A number of guards followed them. Lila had apparently been instructed to remain with the king, as that was the most protection the guards could provide.

At last they stepped from the palace onto a section of the road with a platform built atop the sheer cliff face from which one could see most of the beach at the bottom of the cliff to the leftand the protected bay before them all the way to where it opened to the deep ocean beyond.

Marin walked all the way to the stone wall at the edge of the overlook and raised the wooden tube to her right eye. For several long minutes, she said nothing. Then, without a word, she handed it to Brighton.

After a minute’s careful study, Brighton said, “I only count three. There are likely others hidden behind the point.”

“I agree.” Marin pressed her lips together.

What is that?Kaerius gestured at the tube.