The cabin Santino had given me below the quarterdeck was small and compact. A little table was positioned in a corner, flanked by two wooden chairs, and there was a trunk beside the bed. I could hear the shouts of the crew above as they went about their chores.
Somehow, I managed to get up and wash my face with a jug of water left in my room. Feeling a little better, I decided to go above deck.
Santino’s ship, the Starfire, was sleek and beautifully built. The huge masts soared above me, swaying gently in the salty spray of the wind and piercing the morning sky as the enormous ship cruised over the waters of the azure sea.
I looked over to the other side of the deck where Santino was busy expertly helping his men hoist the immense black sails as they caught the wind. His bronze skin glistened with perspiration, and his long dark hair whipped around his face as he shouted orders to his men and adjusted the rigging himself.
He looked at me and bowed; I raised my hand to wave a greeting. Santino had changed from last night and was clad in a loose white linen shirt with billowing sleeves, half open at the front, on top of tight black leather pants and high boots. A sleek rapier hung at his side, fastened to a belt loosely slung over his hips.
This was a whole different side to the Santino Valasis I had met at the masquerade ball in Calos. This was the pirate prince, the scourge of the seas, the man other men only spoke about in awe and women in hushed whispers. He was an impressive specimen, tall and broad-shouldered with a lean, muscular body.
I noticed some of the crew gaping at me. Santino beckoned a deckhand and passed him the ropes he was holding. Turning on his heel, he strode across the deck toward me, and the rest of the crew scattered to their stations at his command.
The wind ruffled his hair as he came up to me and brushed my fingers with his lips. “Good morning, Princess Firedrake.” His voice was deep but gentle. “I’m glad to see you are up and about. You gave us quite a scare there when you collapsed after using your magic. It was an impressive show you put on last night. I can understand why Morgana wants you gone so badly. I, for one, wouldn’t want to get on your bad side.”
My cheeks heated at his words, and I mumbled something about not knowing how to control it.
Santino dropped his joking stance and his eyes softened as he looked at me intently. “I have traveled all the way to the Sea of Shadows and beyond,” said the pirate prince. “And I have never seen anyone do what you did with the water in Calos.” He paused, looking out to sea. “I may not know a lot about fae magic, but I am pretty sure the magic you performed last night was greater than most fully trained water-fae. And I have seen many strange and wondrous things in my travels. It has been a while since I have been so impressed with anyone. Your fortitude and courage are extraordinary for one so young, and it is an honor to have you aboard my ship.”
“Thank you for everything you have done for us,” I said, finding my voice. How was I supposed to respond to such a grand compliment? “I will find a way to repay you one day.”
He bowed and kissed my hand, glancing up at me through thick lashes that framed his amber eyes, and winked. “I look forward to it.”
I laughed and swatted his arm. “Flirting won’t get you anywhere, Santino.”
“It was worth a try,” he grinned. “I will go and see how our friends are faring. Lord Delacourt is not happy with his lodgings and has been hassling my steward for better quarters.” He rolled his eyes. “I don’t think he understands the difference between a ship and an inn.”
He mumbled something about sons of nobleborn lords. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched him jump down two steps and walk briskly across the deck.
Strong arms clasped me around my waist. “I’m glad to see you have recovered, my love,” Rafe whispered.
I smiled and turned to face him. “If you hadn’t been there . . .”
He put his finger to my lips. “You don’t have to thank me, Aurora. I would do anything for you. You know that.”
My heart leapt in delight as I gazed up at his sinfully handsome face. “You have already done so much.” Brandon’s warning rang in my head, and I knew I had asked too much of Rafe as it was. “You have to go back, Rafe. Captain Gerard told me things have become much worse in Eldoren.”
“I know,” he said with a sigh. “I leave tomorrow at dawn. Santino’s ship will drop me off a little farther down the coast. I can take the king’s road back to the capital from there. I have lost enough time as it is.” He clasped my hand in his. “Kalen has decided to come with me—he needs to find out what happened to his mother.”
I nodded. “Yes, of course, I understand.” It was safer for Kalen to stay with Rafe.
What else could I say that didn’t sound childish and selfish? I knew he had to go back and I had to go to Elfi—that hadn’t changed. But I had hoped we would have more time.
“Silverthorne is in trouble and the Blackwaters have some sort of strange hold over my father,” said Rafe, letting go of me and taking a step back. “I have to return to Neris and find out what is going on.”
I held on to the railing behind me for support and kept quiet, letting him talk.
He stood beside me and gazed out to sea. “I’ve been foolish and blindsided by my feelings for you. I made a
