The Firebrand Legacy Read Online Free PDF Page B

pressed the side of her neck. Prince Giles
had fierce, blue eyes that steadied on hers as his fingers pushed
her vein. This was the check that was done at Navafort’s borders.
Carine felt her blood pound as the second prince took note. The
princes were twins but looked nothing alike.
    “She has a pulse,” Prince Giles reported,
with formal language that matched his perfect posture. It wasn’t
just his posture that was perfect. His enunciation, profile, and
sleek, dark, straight hair were perfect too—inspiring even.
    He removed his fingers from her neck, and
Carine sighed in relief.
    “See?” Prince David turned to his brother.
“Told you.”
    “I need to board,” Carine said, hanging with
both arms on the wooden banister. Her feet slipped over the rope
ladder’s last rungs. She pulled herself over the banister, slopping
water onto the deck. It felt like heaven to stand.
    The ship’s sails curved white, glorious, and
taut in the wind that propelled them south. Rope piled at the base
of the mast. On deck, half a dozen crew members manned various
stations, completely disinterested in her surprise appearance.
Despite the royalty on board, the crew members wore the casual
layered garments of regular sailors. Even the captain, who stood at
the wheel on the upper deck, looked frazzled and worn as though he
were one with the ship. This was an export vessel, used to take
Navafortian cotton down south to Padliot. The princes must have
commandeered it for their departure: captain, crew, and all.
    “You can’t be serious,” said Prince Giles. He
had an angled jaw that seemed to point at her. “Who do you think
you are?”
    “I’m Carine Shoemaker of North Esten,” she
answered automatically, hands over her knees now that her two feet
were firmly planted on the deck of a royal-laden ship fleeing the
country. But after a moment of silence, she realized what it meant
to stand in this company.
    The princes, young as they were, donned
velvet cloaks over their elaborate vesture: indigo for Prince Giles
and crimson for Prince David. Their boots were of the finest
leather. Their swords hung clean and sparkling at their sides.
    Carine fell to her knees and covered her
face. “Your Majesties.”
    “Do you have any idea what you have done?”
Prince Giles asked. “You have trespassed not only on a ship but on
the company of royalty. You know what punishment we can give
you.”
    Carine clenched her teeth. If they threw her
overboard, she would have to swim back to shore where the baker was
lurking.
    “Relax, Giles,” said Prince David. “She’s
scared as anything. Can’t you tell? She’s shivering all over. Who
knows what she’s just been through? Give her a moment.”
    “Please, Your Majesties, give me passage. I
don’t care where you’re going. I just don’t want to die.” Carine
swallowed hard. She had no money to offer them and no rank to show
for herself. Her desperation forced her next words. “I can’t go
back to shore, and you don’t want me to either.”
    “Why is that?” Prince Giles moved a piece of
his hair back smoothly. His lips were thin lines, his gaze
severe.
    “Because,” Carine inhaled, “if I go back to
Esten, the city will know that its leaders are abandoning them.
What would that say about the honor of the Great Marcels?”

9 Deck
    Prince Giles raised an eyebrow as a sly smile
curled his lips. “Blackmail?”
    Carine cowered. Her one last strand of
courage shriveled at his mocking. “Please, Your Majesty, I’m sorry.
I just need to stay.”
    Prince Giles steadied his eyes on hers, but
his expression changed from amusement to assessment.
    “You can stay,” Prince David said. He shot a
glance at his brother, as though his declaration were more a
question than a decree.
    Prince Giles nodded.
    Prince David erupted in a wide grin and
turned to Carine. “We have to get to our studies, but Alviar or
Limly will find you a place to stay on board.”
    She could hardly believe her luck.