Page 99 of Daughter of the Dark Sea

“We’re taking my ship.”

“Captain . . . maybe we should—”

“We’re taking my ship!” she snapped at Samuel.

She wouldn’t have her plan to reach the Shannara Territory jeopardised. By sailing with her own ship, she could control the navigation—and Blake’s employment. It’d worked out perfectly so far, with Theron’s urgency to reach the Citadel.

As his escorts, they would be invited onto Talmon Island, and into the renowned Citadel. Where she could sneak off and trek across the island to Shannara, leaving Blake in charge ofHell’s Serpentand the crew. He wouldn’t be able to join the army if his captain had abandoned her post. It was a risk she was willing to take. For him.

And it’d keep her at a distance from the Skytors. She’d bet her entire coffers they’d avoid Talmon if they could, seeing as it was the empire’s headquarters.

Yes, it was all coming together nicely.

Even if it meant she may never become admiral. May never fulfil her vow of eradicating pirates. But she couldn’t do any of those things anyway with this death sentence hanging around her neck every second of every day.

“Taking your ship where?”

Kora blinked at the figure lurking in the doorway. “Bree?”

Bree stepped forward, holding her chin high as her rounded blue eyes grazed over the tense individuals in the room. Her royal-blue skirts swished around her, so eerily similar to the colour ofDemon Sea Siren. The finest goldjewellery adorned her, dazzling against her deep, rich skin, and her braided hair was swept up, the golden-infused braids floating around her neck with each step.

“Miss Hydrafort,” Erick bowed. “We’re just in a meeting—”

“I can see.”

Only an individual of noble status would dare cut off the commodore. Bree’s inquisitive stare flicked over Kora before landing on Blake, and Kora’s gut knotted.No, not now, please.

“Where are you taking your ship, Kora?” Bree approached, placing a hand on her friend’s shoulder, her fingers curling until they bit into her tunic. “Are you leaving me again?”

Kora forced a smile. “I can’t stay, unfortunately. We’re heading to the Citadel.”

“Oh!” Bree clapped her hands. “Amazing news! I also require travel to home.”

“You’re going home?”

“Yes, my father has summoned me,” Bree glanced sideways at the map. “Can I travel with you? It’d besogood to spend some more time together.” Bree smiled sweetly at Blake, and nausea churned within Kora.Calypso spare her.

“We have no time to escort civilians,” Theron’s brooding voice cut through like a cold splash.

A small snort sounded from Samuel as Bree twirled on her foot to face Theron. Their similarities were uncanny as they both regarded each other, casting the same, judgmental royal stare over each other. She hovered at his muscled frame, breath hitching.

“I can assure you I’m no mere civilian,” Bree paused, her full lips pursing. “But . . .whoare you?”

“Theron,” he replied bluntly. “Royal sentinel to the Staghart family.”

Bree’s slow blink was her only indication of surprise, followed by a toss of her braids over her shoulder. She stepped closer to Theron. “Well, Theronwith no last name. My family owns the Citadel, and I will be coming on this voyage. I’m sure, as two people cut from the same expensive cloth, you would understand the necessity of a summons.”

Kora raised a brow at Bree’s boldness and cut a look towards Theron. Indeed, he’d never shared his last name, or Callan's and Ivar’s. A shroud of mystery surrounded this male, as dark as his own shadow. Theron stilled as Bree invaded his proximity, her bosom fluttering with each breath.

“Perhaps we can spend the voyage getting to know each other,” she purred. “I’d like to get an insight to what my cousins are up to across the seas.” She placed a jewelled hand on his armour and Blake tensed. Bree was outrageously brave. No,stupidlybrave.

Theron looked down his nose at Bree. Disgust, or something similar, fleeted across his face before it tightened, and he adverted his gaze from Bree to Kora.

“Be ready to set sail at dawn, Cadell.” He strode out.

Ivar melted from his shadowy corner, silently prowling across the wooden floor. He paused next to Bree and dipped his head, his dark eyes devouring her, before following Theronout of the manor. Aryn’s inquisitive stare never left Ivar’s movements until he was out of sight.

“Well,” Bree flicked her fan open and fanned her chest, drawing the eyes of all males in the room, except Erick. “Isn’t this exciting?”