Ria hadn't slept the whole night, listening to every creak of the Opal's floors and walls, and feeling every bob of the ship over the waves of the sea. She watched through the window as the sky turned darkest before the thin light line of the horizon came. She'd never seen anything like it, never watched out for it when she was in Sivona or when traveling the near islands with the royal family. But when there was nothing else to do, she stayed still on the captain's mattress, staring at the strip of silver becoming a yellow burning glow with fiery red hints as if she was witnessing a miracle.

When the rays of sunrise came she got up and opened the door to find Migal on the floor, his back to the wall beside the entry, and his hand over the handle of his gun. 

Ria stood in front of him and watched how his head dangled from his shoulder, his dark hair covering his forehead, his eyes closed, and lips tight. He looked peaceful but also tired as if he too had been awake throughout the night. She had the urge to reach for him, to push away the hair from his face, but she stopped herself and wondered if she would ever feel the same as he did. Will she ever fall for him as he did with her? He was attractive, she admitted that, but she didn't feel an interest in him. She felt only what she had felt since they were children, caring for him deeply as a friend.

Ria stepped back from Migal, deciding to let him sleep. As she walked to the main deck, she heard voices, and when she looked up, she found Rodri at the helm, and Gin and Juli beside him.

Gin had one hand on the railing, leaning and partially facing the main deck. He laughed at something Juli said. Only his chuckle reached Ria--the wind carried out to the brightening morning sea any words exchanged. Ria noted a closeness between them, both emanating the sense of care for each other. 

Ria envied to laugh like that, trying to remember when she had been that happy. Despite all the riches she could touch, despite the title--princess of the Nether Isles--she had never felt the satisfaction she had always wanted. Never felt the true happiness that freedom could give.

She pushed down the bubbling feeling in her chest and moved to the stairs of the poop deck.

Juli saw her first and nodded, making Gin turn his head. When their eyes met, Ria caught the sense of attraction from him, accompanied by annoyance. The way he stared made Ria pause on a step, letting him take her in for a moment before continuing to climb on to the upper deck. 

"Good morning, milady," Rodri greeted her, keeping both hands on the helm. 

"Good morning," Ria said as she stepped at the top of the stairs. "I hope I didn't miss breakfast." 

"We don't eat breakfast on this ship." Gin pulled out an apple from his pocket and took a bite.

Ria gave him a grim look. "Some coffee then? Or tea?"

Juli snickered and lifted the waterskin from her belt.

At the sight of Juli drinking, Ria swallowed. She was parched--her mouth dry and nothing but air in her throat. 

"Here. Take some of mine." Juli lifted the waterskin to her with a mechanical hand. 

Ria looked from Juli to the waterskin but didn't sense any genuity in the gesture. "I prefer--If it's alright, I'd like a fresh one."

Juli squinted, offended. "Don't like sharing spit?" She humphed then mischievously smiled. "You're not going to survive on this ship."

Ria looked down again at the waterskin and despite her hesitation--her lack of trust because of the emotion coming from Juli--she took it and drank. As soon as the liquid touched her tongue and flowed down her throat, she coughed at the sting--burning and bitter. "It's rum!"

Juli laughed and Rodri glanced at her from the helm.

Gin snickered too. But when she looked at him, he stopped and gave her guilt and pity.

Ria wondered if she'd accidentally do psychestringere on him, but she was sure she hadn't.

The regret was all him, and he took his waterskin from his belt, handing it to her. "Here. This is water," he said as he took the wineskin from her and gave it back to Juli.

Ria took it and drank, grateful. When she finished, she licked her lips and Gin stared. Another attraction came from him--hot and sexual, making Ria's cheeks burn.

Gin gave her a one sided smile, arrogant as if he knew what his gaze did to her. "You can keep that." He pointed at the waterskin.

"Thank you." Ria searched his face for any trick but found none, and she would have stared longer if Rodri hadn't spoken.

After one last adjustment of the wheel, Rodri stepped back from the helm. "Come on. I'll take you to the stores to get some food. Sam can whip up something for you."

Ria followed Rodri down the stairs and felt Gin's gaze at her back as she made her way to the bottom. She urged herself not to look back, gripping the waterskin to her chest.

----o----

Daniluca stared at himself in the mirror--blond hair and green eyes stared back. It was the same routine every morning, the same maids that helped him with his clothes, the same attendants that served his food, the only thing that changed were the growing wrinkles at the edges of his eyes, slowly but continuously. At twenty-four, he looked much older than he should be and felt more years had been eaten away from his life. Being king was no small feat and everyday he struggled to perform the role.

Today would be another ordinary hard and busy day if not for the banging at his door. One of the attendants rushed to open it and Javo, the captain of the royal guard surged forward.

"Your Majesty!" Captain Javo said, alarmed.

"What is it?" Daniluca asked calmly, watching the captain through the mirror.

"We must speak in private." The captain glanced at the maids and servers in the room.

Daniluca turned to him. "Leave the room," he addressed his attendants and everyone headed out the door except for the captain.

As soon as the door closed, Javo reported. "The princess is missing."

"What do you mean?"

"Her bed hasn't been slept in. Her handmaids couldn't find her anywhere in the grounds. One of the stable boys saw two people coming out from the palace's back gate late last night. Both were hooded, but one was clearly female," the captain said.

"Two?" Daniluca asked, shaking his head. "Where is Migal?"

"He's also missing, Your Majesty."

Daniluca pressed his lips together unsure if he wanted to be angry with his sister for sneaking out at night, or at Migal for accompanying her, or at the guards for the lack of security. "Find her," he said in an even tone. "Make sure no one else knows that she's left the palace."

Captain Javo nodded and bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty." Then hurried out the door.

Daniluca shook his head. What was his sister up to?

She had a habit of sneaking out since they were little, telling him that royal life was not for her. Though she was only adopted, he had made every effort to make her feel like a true royal for she was the only family he had left. Nothing had worked with her and she continued with her escapades. He was used to them now but something felt different this time. He stared out through a window, watching the burning sunrise and wondering where in Sivona she was.

If you enjoyed this chapter, I'd appreciate it if you could let me know your thoughts in the comments, or give this a vote. Thanks!

-Heide