I didn’t know the specifics of their most recent conversation, but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. I was sure it had something to do with me. Why Kull seemed so intent on disrespecting his father’s wishes was a mystery. To be honest, I was sick of the whole situation. Neither man seemed ready to budge. They were both so stubborn I feared their little tiff would result in bloodshed.
I politely removed Kull’s arm from around my waist. “I think I’ll head down to my bunk,” I said quietly and headed away from them.
“I’ll join you,” Kull called behind me.
I glanced back to see King Herrick glaring as his son followed me.
We reached the stairwell and descended the steps. I decided I needed to have a conversation with Kull, though how to make him see sense was beyond me. But I could try.
“Kull,” I said as we reached the lower level. “You know you can’t keep acting this way.”
“Acting in what way?”
“You know what I’m talking about.”
“Oh,” he answered. He drew me to the side and pressed my back to the hallway’s wall. “You mean this.” He kissed my forehead. “And this.” He cupped my chin and kissed my lips. “And this.” He trailed his lips down my neck and kissed my collarbone.
Little sparks of electricity danced through my body. I wanted him to stop. I really did. I just didn’t have the willpower to push him away.
“Kull,” I breathed through his kisses. “Stop.”
“Stop?” He laughed. “You don’t mean that.”
I finally worked up the courage to push him away. Placing my hands on his chest, I moved him back.
He raised an eyebrow. “You really want me to stop?”
“Yes, I do. We need to talk. Not…” I cleared my throat. “…do other things.”
Most women would die for a chance to spend five minutes alone with Kull. He was the Skullsplitter, prince of Wults, seductive in every way possible, utterly masculine in a physical, sexual way. But His Majesty needed to start pondering his future and the consequences of his choices. And I needed to take a deep breath, and possibly a cold shower.
“Kull,” I said. “What did you and your father talk about?”
He shrugged. “More threats, of course. This time he wanted to take away my title as his heir. I reminded him that he had no one better to give it to. My sisters will not accept leadership. My only brother lives with his wife in the Northlands and does not wish to be bothered with politics. My father’s threats do not worry me.”
“But he could take away your title if he wanted to, couldn’t he?”
“Yes, but he wouldn’t.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve already explained it to you.”
“You said he has no one to replace you with—but what of your cousins, or your extended family, or your sister’s children? What of Rolf? He is young yet, but I suspect it wouldn’t be the first time such a young heir would be named.”
Kull frowned.
“All I’m saying is that I think we need to be more careful and respect his wishes. I’d like to earn his trust, but that’s difficult to do when you’re so close.” I felt like I’d had this talk more times than I could count.
“I see your point. But I still would not worry over my father. I admit that his commands upset me when he first told me of his wishes, but then I realized that he has no power over me. His threats are baseless. He wouldn’t dare follow through. I will not let him worry me any longer.”
“It sounds like you’re calling his bluff.”
“I suppose I am.”
“It’s too risky. If he follows through, where will that leave you?”
“With you,” he said with his devious smile. He brushed his fingers over my lips. “I shall retire to Earth Kingdom. You can continue your career as a therapist, and I shall find somewhere to hunt. We will have many children and live out our days as common Earthlanders.”
His suggestion almost tempted me. “But what of your family? What of your sisters and nieces and nephews? Not to mention the side effects of the crossing. You’d forget your entire life in Earth Kingdom as soon as you crossed back.”
His face fell. Obviously, he hadn’t pondered the consequences.
But this led me to an even greater question. I had my life on Earth. He had his here. Assuming everything worked out and his father miraculously accepted me, how would we be able to share a life together? Those were questions I would ponder later. For now, I had other problems to deal with—like the fire. And Heidel.
“Kull,” I said, “I felt a strange enchantment as we were putting out the fire. The flames turned gray, and when I detected the enchantment, I felt goblin magic.”
His eyes opened wide. “Goblin magic? How is that possible?”
“Because goblins use potions, which would have been spellcasted before the magic was destroyed.”
“Do you believe it was Geth who used the potion?”
“There’s no way to know for sure. But I’m fairly certain he didn’t follow me through the portal. And if he were here, why would he waste his time burning the wheelhouse?”
“True, unless he meant to burn the ship in a place where there is no hope of rescue.”
“But why waste his time burning the ship?
“Perhaps the fire was not his intention at all.”
“What do you mean?”
“You said that you felt this enchantment in the fire—but what if the fire was a result of something else—a mishandled potion, perhaps?”
“Yes, that is one possibility.”
“If there is a goblin aboard, it could be anyone and take any form it chooses,” Kull said.
My stomach sank. We were more vulnerable out here than anywhere else. I was beginning to doubt my decision to board the ship. I knew Kull wouldn’t like this next part, but he needed to hear it.
“Heidel extinguished the enchanted flames before I got a better chance to detect their magic.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting that she’s working with the goblins?”
I tried to
