Kintra nodded. “Evidently Uréli, the king’s firstborn heir, had been organizing a coup for some time. Alōs’s appearance was more than coincidence—it was planned. He wasn’t much older than myself at the time, but Alōs’s reputation had already spread far in Aadilor, and Prince Uréli requested he come for an audience. I’ve never been sure how much of my story persuaded Alōs into his next actions, but when he met with the prince, he agreed to bear the sins Uréli could not commit himself. He agreed to kill the king for Uréli, so long as Othébus’s wives were freed and taking child brides was banned.
“That night, the streets were in chaos,” Kintra went on, now seeming unable to stop her tale. “I still can hear how the horn blasts seemed to come from every treetop as soldiers forced discipline on any who openly celebrated the assassination. Alōs came and found me in my home, slipped right into my bedroom window like the shadow of a lost god. I had no idea how he knew where my family lived, but there he was, quickly telling me that he was the pirate captain of a ship called the Crying Queen. He offered me a place with his crew. I’m not sure what made me do it, but I went with him that very moment. I only left a note for my family, telling them that I loved them and I was not dead. We sailed immediately here, to the Valley of Giants, seeking sanctuary for a time. Apparently there had been a secret peace treaty between the people of the valley and Uréli. I guess the young girls at court were not the only ones threatened by the old king’s leering eyes. Many girls of Shanjaree sought refuge here, and it appears”—Kintra caught the gaze of an older woman sitting across the room—“many have not left.”
Silence fell over their small party as the commotion of the dinner continued to swim around them.
“Did the captain ever tell you why he searched you out later that night?” asked Saffi. “To ask you to join his ship?”
Kintra breathed out a sigh. “He said I reminded him of someone he had once cared for.”
Ariōn. The name hung unsaid, but an image of Alōs’s younger brother swam forward in Niya’s mind.
She sat beside the quartermaster, lost for words, as her convictions regarding the pirate lord echoed in confusion.
Protector, heartbreaker, liar, savior, friend, thief, murderer, monster, companion, defender.
How could Alōs have so many contradictions?
Because so can you, a voice whispered through her.
Niya glanced to Alōs’s dark form at the front of the hall. He was made up of cool shadows yet burned with such life, such conviction in his mission.
As Niya did with hers.
Her duty to her family, her king, was everything she had. Everything she believed in and would fight for. That meant sometimes committing monstrous acts in the name of good.
She suddenly felt very hot, her magic twisting in her gut as it sensed her flash of panic. She realized with a flood of dread she would have done exactly as Alōs had, to her or to anyone else who got in the way of what she was after, especially if it was to save her family, her home.
She would have broken a thousand hearts, betrayed a kingdom of people, to protect those she loved.
And there was no denying Alōs loved his brother, was still duty bound to Esrom despite his banishment, and, as evident from these stories, cared about the pirates aboard his ship.
He cared.
Niya felt far away at the thought, as though everything in the room now glistened with new meaning.
We have fought as enemies for a long while, fire dancer. His earlier words to her echoed in her mind. Perhaps it is time we see what happens when we work as allies.
Had he truly been attempting peace? Peace that he perhaps had wished they could have built had they met on a different day under different circumstances?
If my memory serves—Alōs’s voice from earlier continued to burn through her resolve—you have been seeking me out since that night. Not the other way around.
I sought you out because I had been trying to kill you!
It sounds, then, like it is you who hates me.
You who hates me.
Something shifted, hard and uncomfortable, in her chest.
Dare Niya admit that she now understood Alōs? All his motives and intentions toward her. He had been on a mission to destroy any threats in his way in order to heal from a past that still haunted him, still had his heart splintered and bruised. Niya had been a threat to him.
It wasn’t just your identity I had grown to want.
Niya’s throat felt gripped tight, unable to swallow against what this possibly meant.
Her gaze swung to Alōs’s at the front of the room.
As though the pirate could sense her pulse of panicked energy even from this distance, his attention shifted off the princess, and his glowing blue eyes locked onto hers.
Niya’s heartbeat sounded loud and uncontrolled in her ears.
It wasn’t just your identity I had grown to want.
There was a roomful of guests between them, heady music filling the air, but for a grain fall it was just her and him, fire and ice steaming the air.
“Would you ever go back?” Saffi’s question to Kintra sounded muffled in Niya’s ears, but it pierced through her bubble of spiraling emotions enough for her to tear her gaze from the pirate lord.
“No,” said Kintra. “I see no point in it.”
Saffi glanced down to her plate. “No,” she echoed. “No point.”
“Where you are born only defines your blood,” said Achak as he sipped his wine. “And even that is too easily spilled. Your home is where you’re happiest, and that, my children, can be anytime, anywhere, and with anyone.”
The sound of forks clinking against goblets had the commotion of the room quieting.
“Your Graces.” Alōs stood, and heads and bodies twisted toward where he bowed to the royal family. “I want to thank you,” he said, “on behalf of myself and my crew, for such a warm welcome. My sailors know it could not have come at a better time. Believe me when I say they were starting to look at one another like the food they have so ravenously devoured on their plates.”
Laughter filled the hall as Niya continued to feel numb and far away.
“In a show of our deep gratitude,” Alōs continued, “we would like to present your lovely daughter with a belated birthday present.”
Boman approached the table and handed Alōs an ornately carved coral box.
In shocked pleasure, Princess Callista held her hands to her mouth as Alōs placed the gift before her and opened the lid. Her delighted gasp echoed through the room.
“It is beautiful! Mother, look how beautiful it is.”
Callista lifted a silver-spun diadem from the box. Five spiraling and interlocking tips covered in glistening sapphires and diamonds.
The members of court chittered in awe as Queen Runisha leaned in to inspect the tiara.
“Yes, my light,” said the queen, her intelligent eyes sliding to Alōs, who sat back down beside her daughter. “It is extremely breathtaking. How thoughtful of you, Lord Ezra, to part with such a rare treasure. I believe this alabaster silver is only found in Esrom?”
The queen was showing her cards. I know where your origins lie, her look seemed to say.
Alōs merely smiled. “Shall we see if it fits?”
Princess Callista’s attending ladies approached, removing her current crown and placing the new one atop her head.
Niya hardly took in the next events as she watched the old diadem with the Prism Stone be placed on a plush pillow. Two armed guards came to stand on either side of the attending lady, who held it carefully a step behind the princess’s chair.
“Oh, I love it.” Callista’s smile was radiant as she gazed into the mirror one of her other maidens brought forth, tilting her head this way and that. The diamonds sparkled like her youth. She placed a hand on Alōs’s arm. “Thank you. I shall wear it the rest of the evening!”
The guests clapped before the music started up again. It was a new, quicker beat, filled with drums and the pleasant mixture of male and female voices.
The king stood, extending a large hand to his wife. With a laugh that brought a gentler light to Queen Runisha’s eyes, she followed her husband to the center of the room.
The hall filled with cheers of delight before others were moved to dance.
Usually Niya would have joined in on such a moment, but she now forced herself to the task at hand, her attentions only on one event this evening.
Niya watched as the old crown was carried, guards in tow, from the hall.
Her gaze flickered to Kintra. A shared look before the quartermaster stood, excusing herself.