Reunion

One week had passed since my meeting with the Prince and I was filled with anticipation for the next. I’d been sure of my answer in the moment, but I was beginning to have second thoughts. Arsenal had none of the same beliefs my people had. We were explorers, bound to where the sea carried us. It was in our blood to adventure into the unknown, but I wasn’t sure this was an adventure I wanted to go on. Who would I be in Arsenal? It wasn’t too late to reject the proposal, but I couldn’t bare the thought of letting my father down again. He had been so proud of me.

  I was sitting in the garden again when he found me. In one swift motion I was knocked to the ground, my dress smothering and swarming me. I huffed, pushing the impossible ruffles out of my face as to not be suffocated.

  “Melle!”

  My brother laughed, taking up a defensive stance. “Come on, Kiki. I thought I told you to never let your guard down?”

  I struggled to my feet and swiped at him, but he easily jumped back. I couldn’t hide the smile on my face as I moved towards him again, this time to wrap him in a hug. He lifted me off the ground and twirled me around, still laughing. It had been over a month since the last time I’d seen him.

  “Where’s Amelia?” I pulled away from him.

  His smile didn’t fade, but I saw the corner of his lip twitch. “She decided to stay in Chamber for a little longer.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Young love. She’s too young to take a husband now, but she’s certain she’s found the one. The King of Chamber has agreed to watch over her and send a ship for her return when she wishes to come back.”

  “And you trusted him?”

  “I can’t say no to my little sister. She doesn’t get out much; I thought it’d be okay to give her a little freedom.”

  “And father was okay with this?”

  He scoffed. “Of course not, but what’s he going to do?”

  I nodded. “So, how was the trip?”

  His expression changed. “I think you might want to join us in the hall.”

  My brother sat on the opposite side of our father, a throne that was usually vacant. I couldn’t ignore the happiness that I felt to have him back, even if it was temporary. Even then, he had his head leaning on his hand, looking bored out of his mind. He hated playing royalty. He caught me staring and he stuck his tongue out. I stifled a laugh as the crew of my brother’s ship entered the hall.

  “My Lord.”

  The Captain and his crew knelt briefly before rising back to their feet. My father titled his head slightly and addressed the Captain.

  “What is it?”

  The Captain shifted in his feet. “We have received word from Chamber. The exiles have overcame five of their ships and raided them of their equipment and goods. Without those vitals, they cannot provide us with the appropriate support to reconstruct the houses destroyed by the recent storm.”

  My father stiffened. “Cannot provide? Chamber is in possession of everything we need and we have already provided them with our payment. This is not a debate.”

  The Captain looked to Armelle. My brother sighed, his royalty act dissolving.

  “They’re afraid, father. They don’t want to make the journey to Oceane without proper protection, and Arsenal has denied their assistance due to Chamber’s inability to pay.”

  “Are they asking us to pay Arsenal?”

  “No.” Armelle rolled his jaw. “They’re asking us to provide protection.”

  “Why in the world…”

  Armelle caught our father off. “We know the seas. We’re the best travelers of all the five kingdoms. They don’t want a fight; they want an evasion. They don’t own enough ships anymore to make the journey anyways. It has to be this way or our houses will not be rebuilt.”

  My father sighed. “We already provided our payment. Their refusal would mean war, if you hadn’t left your sister with them.”

  He eyed my brother with malice. My brother didn’t flinch, meeting the King’s gaze.

  “They are our allies, father. I will not condone them to war for being afraid of our enemies. They are not fighters.”

  “Neither are we.” My father clenched his jaw. “Arsenal is the expert of that field.”

  “We have to send assistance.” Armelle leaned towards him. “It is our duty to maintain the peace, even if the exiles don’t. This is what they want. They want us to be at each other’s throats.”

  After a long, tense moment my father sighed. “You’re right. We will send three ships for Chamber.”

  “I want to go.” I was surprised by my own voice.

  They all turned to me, but I didn’t squirm. Not even when my father’s eyes flared with disappointment.

  “There is absolutely no way that is happening.” He spoke slowly.

  “Armelle has trained me both in combat and sailing. I am just as capable as any of your seamen or sailors. Armelle will need someone he can trust, and maybe I can convince Amelia to come home. You know I’m the only one she listens to.”

  My father clenched his fists. “I said no.”

  “If I go to Arsenal I’m going to need some kind of experience.” I met his cold gaze. “I will not leave my siblings to do this on their own. We are stronger together.”

  “It’s dangerous. I’m not sacrificing my daughter to the seas.”

  “But you’ll sacrifice your son? Armelle is always out at sea. I can do this.”

  Armelle cleared this throat. “A quarter of our army is stationed at Chamber. We can’t risk bringing any more soldiers along; it would be useful to have someone who can fight aboard the journey.”

  My father turned his angry stare on my brother. They were still for a long moment, staring at each other. I almost thought he was going to reject, but finally, he let out a defeated sigh.

  “I expect you will keep her safe?”

  Armelle nodded quickly. “She will be aboard my ship and I will not let her out of my sight. We did not have a run in with any of the exiles coming or going to Chamber. I’m confident in the safety of our plan. We will retrieve the crafters and have them here in one month’s time.”

  My father turned to me. “What of your union with Prince Sadeon?”

  Armelle raised an eyebrow, but I ignored him. “His people rejected assistance of Chamber. My sibling's safety is more important than my wedding. Luckily, I know Sade will understand. Thaddeus is the one I’m worried about.”

  “Leave him to me.” my father rolled his jaw. “He cannot be angry about a mess he created. Preparations begin tonight. I want those ships setting sail tomorrow morning and no later.”

  Armelle nodded. “Everything is already in place. We will discuss game plan tonight after dinner.” He turned to his crew. “Gather the other trading crews and have them ready. We meet at Charlie’s.”

  The Captain nodded and left to do as he was told. Armelle dismissed himself and took my arm to drag me with him. I followed silently, wondering what kind of scolding I was about to get. Armelle pulled me into the lounge and shut the door behind us. He turned on me, like a predator about to devour his prey.

  “You accepted a proposal from Arsenal?” he spat the words.

  I nodded. “Father has been especially happy about it.”

  “Since when do you listen to the old man? What happened to wanting to rule Oceane on your own? What happened to wanting to join me at sea?”

  “You weren’t around.” I pushed him lamely. “I held out as long as I could, but I wasn’t gifted with your willpower.”

  “But Arsenal? They’re brutes, Kiara. Sadeon is Thaddeus’ son. That’s who you want to be married to?”

  “Sade agreed to reside in Oceane after the union.”

  His expression changed. “Why would he do that?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought he was like his father, but he isn’t. He’s nice.”

  The shock was gone, replaced with worry. “Kiara, he’s not the same little kid you used to play with in the garden. He’s an Arsenal before anything else. I thought you were smarter than this.”

  “I did what I had to do to keep the peace. What have you done for our kingdom?” I instantly regretted the words.

  He winced and took a step back. I reached a hand out for him but pulled it back soon after. Though I know it stung him, I wasn’t sure I regretted him hearing it. From the moment he’d been of age, he’d ran off to sail. He’d never wanted his birthright. Even though I didn’t blame him, he’d left me to deal with the aftermath. Our father had pushed so hard to mold me into the perfect heiress. All this weight on my shoulders was passed down only after Armelle had rejected the throne. He paced across the room for a short while before stopping and crossing his arms.

  “I’m sorry I left you here to deal with this alone, but I hope this trip makes it right. I want you to know when we set sail tomorrow, it won’t be the last time. Even when you are married to Sade, if that is what you wish to do, I will take you out again. I will make sure you get the adventure you deserve in life. Thaddeus and his people will not take that away from you, I promise. You won’t be alone anymore.”

  I straightened up. “Thank you, Armelle.”

  He nodded. “Now come on; we’re skipping dinner.”

  “Wait, I thought…”

  He shook his head. “Before every journey the crew gets together for a party. Charlie's is a code. The old man would never allow me to take you to one of these things.”

  I laughed. “You’re defying our father?”

  “That’s all I do.” He smirked. “Hurry up. They’re waiting for us.”