Page 21 of A Warrior's Heart

Instantly, they lowered their hands from their weapons, moving in perfect synchronization. Being in the military for as long as I had, I was well accustomed to discipline. However, these men were unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They were on another level entirely.

“Morning,” Seth said. He glanced nervously at the six men dressed in black before hurrying into the cottage.

Through the window, I saw Alek and Lorcan greet Seth. I didn’t hear their words, but I saw the sorrow on the prince’s face as he handed Theron over to the other man. Moments later, he exited the cottage with Alek in tow.

“We’re ready to leave,” Lorcan said, his expression and tone confident. So much like the prince I knew. However, his composure broke when the door flung open behind them and Theron ran out, his arms stretched toward his two fathers. Lorcan knelt and grabbed his son’s tiny hands. His chin quivered. “Be strong, little bird. Wipe those tears and hold your head high.” He gently tipped Theron’s chin up for emphasis. “And know that your Da and I love you with every beating of our heart.”

Tears fell down Theron’s cheeks as he placed his hand over Lorcan’s heart. The prince kissed the tip of each of Theron’s fingers. He then took off the necklace he was wearing and put it around his son’s neck.

“When you miss us, hold this close,” Lorcan said. “We’ll always be with you. Right here.”

“Always,” Alek said before pressing his lips to Theron’s wavy hair, his eyes briefly closing. He then rose to his feet, squeezing Lorcan’s shoulder to do the same.

Seth grabbed Theron’s hand as Lorcan and Alek joined us in the yard. I knew it pained them to leave their son, yet neither could stay behind. Lorcan felt it was his duty to come with us, and Alek would never allow the prince to be out of his sight.

The walk to the port was quiet.

Troy stayed close to my side while Lorcan and Alek walked on the other side of him. Eva and Nereus were in front of us, and the assassins were at our back. Reif walked with them and caught my eye as I looked back at him. We exchanged a nod before I faced ahead again.

As we neared the harbor, I spotted the Crimson Night at the dock, the black and red sails making it impossible to miss.

It was a ship that had, at one time, hunted my kind for our hearts. A ship that pillaged ports, fired canons at other vessels to sink them, and sailed the high seas as the dominating force on the water. A mermaid figurehead decorated the prow of the ship, her wooden face frozen in a silent scream.

My hand tightened into a fist at my side. Kellan wasn’t the same ruthless captain he’d been back then, yet a bitter taste landed on my tongue as I remembered all the lives he’d taken.

That’s when I noticed Troy was no longer beside me. I turned to see him staring at the ship with wide, fearful eyes.

“It’s horrible,” he whispered, his gaze on the figurehead. “This ship is tainted with the blood of our people. How can you forgive him for what he’s done?”

“Our king has forgiven Kellan for his cruelty,” I reminded the smaller male. “We must do the same.”

“I don’t trust him.” Troy shook his head and took another step back.

“Brother,” Eva said, taking his hand. “I know Kellan well. I know his heart. He is not the same demon he once was. If you cannot trust in him, then trust inme. I will never steer you wrong.”

Troy’s chin shook before he released a long breath. “All right.”

We continued forward. Kellan and Fletcher stood in front of the boarding plank and faced us.

“Ready to sail?” Kellan asked, clasping my forearm.

I returned the gesture. “We are.”

Troy downcast his eyes as he walked up the ramp to the ship with Eva in front of him and Lorcan behind. Nereus boarded after Alek, and I waited for the assassins and Reif to do the same before I followed.

“I’ll show you to your cabin,” Fletcher told me.

“I can sleep below deck with the other men,” I responded. “Give my cabin to Prince Lorcan and Alek.”

“We have our own,” Lorcan said, overhearing our conversation. “Kellan offered us one of the officer cabins.”

“How many cabins are on the ship?” I asked. My experience with ships was low, but I had seen warships with a dozen or so cabins. This one was much smaller than those.

“Four, including the captain’s quarters,” Fletcher answered. His red hair caught the sun, and the strands looked like fire. “Eva has one, Lorcan and Alek have the other, and you will be staying in the quartermaster’s cabin.”

“Troy can share with me,” Eva suggested, slinging an arm over her brother’s shoulders. He looked at me before dropping his gaze to his feet.

Fortune was in my favor. I had been moments from saying Troy could bunk withme. But only so I could watch over him.