My fingernails dig into the ship's wood railing as I bend over the side and empty the contents of my stomach. I spent the first day of our voyage in my quarters, trying to avoid the inevitable by sleeping. My efforts served me well until tonight when the winds picked up and waves grew. I shuffled my way to the deck. Thankfully, most aboard the ship aren't awake to witness my moment of disgrace.

I heave until my ribs hurt and there is nothing left in my stomach. With a groan, I stand upright and drag the sleeve of my tunic over my mouth. My sweat-soaked hair whips around my face as I look up at the clusters of bright galaxies. "Is this your way of punishing me for cursing you every day for your asinine laws? Can you blame me? Can you fucking blame me?" I scream into the ether.

"Do you really expect the Statera to answer?"

I spin around to find a young woman standing behind me. Her tunic and breeches are filthy, covered in a red sauce. Garlic and lemon permeate from her as she steps beside me and rests her elbows on the railing. She clasps her brown fingers together, looking out at the sea with wide eyes surrounded by long lashes. None of it bothers her—the wet air, the swaying motion, the uncertainty if we are headed in the right direction. I'd sever a finger for an ounce of her composure right now, but I settle for conversation to take my mind off what lies ahead.

"I don't expect much from the Statera anymore, so I definitely don't expect it to answer," I say.

She casts me a glance from the corner of her eye, and her full lips pull into a smile. "Good, because you are more likely to get an answer from the spirits on this ship."

A humorless chuckle escapes me and carries away on the wind. "I'm sure that those before me have nothing to say. If my grandfather had his way, he wouldn't have let both my mother and uncle live to separate his kingdom. I've done away with traditions and divided my people. I've turned the kingdom as they knew it upside down, and they are all rolling in their graves."

She falls silent and wraps her hand around her thick black braid, twirling the loose ends around her fingers. Her eyes lock onto something that's not there, and she cocks her head as if she is listening to someone talk. She sets me on edge, and I back away from the railing, ready to sprint back to my quarters.

"Micah isn't disappointed in you," she says without feeling. Her voice is monotone and sets my nerves on edge.

"Pardon me?"

She looks up at me, and her pretty face changes. The soft curve of her chin is still present, but her jaw appears more defined and her eyes hooded. Features that are not her own fade in and out like a ghostly mask. I blink several times, but the image doesn't go away. If I didn't know better, I'd swear I'm looking at—

"I am proud of you, nephew," she says, her tone deeper and the precise way she accentuates each syllable, different from the way she spoke a minute ago.

I jump back and hold my hands in front of me to keep a distance between us.

"Micah?" I whisper, like I might scare him away, and he nods. "Impossible."

But it's not impossible. I've heard the Esspress ship crew partaking in their morning and evening rituals. They open themselves up to the spirts, giving them access to their minds and bodies. Normally, they shout out messages from the beyond as one of their own transcribes them for records. The practice is odd and alarming, but it's no different from my people using their gifts to defend our land or complete everyday tasks. The Statera calls all people who it has given powers to use them for the good of their kingdom. Esspress and Pliris may have different traditions, but we agree it's a disservice to hold back what the creator has blessed us with.

"How can you not be disappointed in me?" I ask. "I couldn't stop the Allaji from taking Raelle, a good portion of the kingdom is on the verge of riots, and I spent the first weeks of my rein in a drunken stupor. I'm a complete disaster. If it weren't for Borin and Abrum, the entire kingdom would be up in flames."

Micah's laughter leaves the lips of the girl, and she smiles with a wide grin...Micah's grin. "You think I kept Lucent afloat on my own? Ruling is not only about leading; it is about knowing when to delegate and admitting that you cannot handle it all on your own. The best skill a leader can have is the ability to listen to their people. Taking their concerns under advisement goes a long way."

"I don't think any amount of listening is going to salvage my relationship with the people when I throw them into a new war."

"You are making hard decisions, and those will never bode well with everyone. Welcome to ruling a kingdom, Kyron."

I chuckle at his easygoing attitude. It's a far cry from the man who bared the heavy weight of a crown. He was a kind and just ruler; one who was loved by his people. As much as I value Borin and Abrum's guidance, I need to know what he would do in my place. "And if you were to advise me on my decision to save Raelle, what would you say?"

"I believe my darling Borin sleeps soundly on this ship. He supports your quest, does he not?"

"He does."

"Then you already have my advisement. No one will represent me better than my husband. His words to you are as good as mine."

I stare at my boots and nod. It's a relief to know I have my uncle's approval. He would never put so many lives in jeopardy if he didn't believe in the cause. I would never turn back without rescuing Raelle, but it fortifies my resolve to know he would do the same.

A dainty hand slides under my chin and lifts my face in a firm motion. Flashing over the girl's brown eyes is Micah's green gaze. "You will make mistakes, Kyron, just know that you have already achieved so much. You have unified the kingdom and have stopped the acts that tore apart so many families. In your brief time as ruler, you have achieved feats I could only dream about. Raelle may have been trained to be queen, but you were born to be king."

Few things twist my heart and bring tears to my eyes, but my uncle's words are one of them. I bite down on the inside of my cheek to stop my chin from trembling and wipe my forearm over my face. "I don't quite understand all this spiritual shit but thank you for making yourself seen."

"I do not entirely understand it either. And you are welcome, my king."

Micah's face fades away, leaving me looking at the cook. She blinks like she is coming out of a fog. After several seconds, the essence of her seems to return to her body, and her eyes spark with life again.

"Are you all right?" I ask, placing a hand on her shoulder to steady her.

"I've never done that before. It was like I was here but outside my body," she says breathlessly.

I guide her over to the side of the ship and help her sit down against the rail. Crouching in front of her, I say, "That was a hell of a first time talking with a spirit. You were possessed by a king."

"You could see him?"

"Yes. Your face changed to look like him."

A huge smile pulls her lips wide, and she hysterically laughs. "Do you know how rare that is? I've always heard their messages, but I've never personified them. Only the most powerful Esspress can open their bodies to the spirits."

"Congratulations. And thank you for letting my uncle speak to me through you. I really needed to hear what he had to say."

"I'm happy I could help, Your Majesty." She bows her head to hide her smile.

Footsteps clap against the deck, and I find Rowan coming toward us. His gaze darts from me to the cook and lingers on her. He stands a little taller and his steps seem to take on a swagger. "Is everything all right here, Your Majesty?" he asks in a deeper than normal voice.

I cock a brow at the formal address and stand. "We're good, just getting some fresh air."

The cook rises on unsteady legs, shuffling to the side. Rowen and I both place a hand on her shoulder to help her stay upright.

"Are you all right, miss?" Rowen asks.

"Just a bit lightheaded," she says, the excitement of what happened still evident in her voice.

My thumb brushes Rowen's hand on the cook's back, and I'm hit with the overwhelming sensation of concern and lust. I pull my hand away, hoping to shake the feeling. My gift as a Cognus isn't my strongest power, but I can feel one's emotions through touch. It can be invasive, and I try my best not to take advantage. Sometimes it is better not knowing what others are feeling. This would be one of those times.

"I think you should let Rowan walk you back to your room. The time you spent out here seems to have drained you," I say.

"I think you're right," she says and releases a slow breath through pursed lips.

I turn my back to her, placing me shoulder to shoulder with Rowan. Leaning in, I whisper, "It's up to you now. Make sure to offer her your arm and ask her a question or two about herself." I'm sure the young, powerful Esspress will be eager to share her new self-discovery. With two swift pats to Rowan's back, I leave him to it.

Greer waits for me at the doorway to the bowls of the ship. She crosses her strong arms over her chest and looks past me to Rowan and the cook. "Is it wise to give him that kind of hope when we are so close to war?"

I look back as Rowan offers the girl his arm. "He'll need all the hope he can get to face what lies ahead."

I drape my arm around her shoulder and guide her inside.

The waves don't bother me the way they did before. I can withstand their constant rocking and even find a sliver of peace in it. It was because of them that I heard the words I needed to renew my confidence. I never questioned if I was doing the right thing for Raelle. I will burn down all five kingdoms if that's what it takes to bring her home. But knowing my actions align with Micha's—a king I aspire to emulate—reinforces my decision.

In less than two days, we will reach the Allaji island's shore. Although I hope for a peaceful rescue, there is a good chance that the men and women with me will go into battle. Lives will be lost, loved ones taken too soon from their families, and one side will end up the loser. And in the end, I will bear the consequences of my actions with the certainty of a king.