Read Online Destiny by Fiona McIntosh - Free Book Online Page A

are too kind, Captain Quist,’ Hela replied on their behalf, relief coursing through her.
    Quist turned to Sarel. ‘Your highness,’ he said, this time with genuine awe. He bowed once again, deeply.
    It was a shocked Hela who responded. ‘But…how could you know?’
    The captain tried to conceal his amusement but it was clearly there on his wind-burnt face. ‘Madam, it is my business to know who comes aboard my ship.’
    ‘But I have shielded all knowledge of our identities from everyone. Even the guard back at the palace did not know about her,’ she said, looking quickly at her Queen.
    ‘No, but then I have eyes and ears throughout Cipres, through the palace in fact,’ he said, without guile. ‘Please, sit with me, let us speak over a glass of Neame’s finest.’
    Hela felt rattled but the pirate was behaving in a most gracious manner towards them. Sarel sat first and then nodded. Suddenly there was a Queen in this chamber.
    The captain bowed again. ‘We are honoured to help, your majesty. Your mother, Queen Sylven—may the gods guide her to the Light— was a great sovereign and once did me a rare kindness. In helping you, highness, I perhaps can return that gesture.’
    ‘Thank you,’ Sarel said. ‘Please sit.’
    Hela and Quist finally joined her. There was a knock at the door and a willowy young man stepped in with a tray. Quist nodded.
    ‘May I offer you wine, your highness?’
    Hela was about to answer out of habit but felt her mouth close at the look from Sarel. The child had grown up. Here now sat a Queen.
    ‘I would be delighted to share a cup with you, Captain Quist,’ she said, her tone measured, her words well chosen.
    The server stepped forward. Quist gestured for Sarel to take a cup. ‘Your majesty, may I introduce my brother-by-marriage, Locklyn…Locky. He will beensuring your safety and comfort aboard The Raven for our voyage.’
    Sarel’s eyes immediately flicked to the dark pair staring down at her. She felt her breath catch but quickly composed herself. ‘Are you the same Locklyn who risked the Kiss of the Silver Maiden?’
    He blushed. ‘I am, your highness.’
    ‘You are brave indeed. I wished very much to have been there to share in your courage,’ she said demurely.
    Hela was surprised that Sarel even knew of this event.
    Quist cleared his throat. ‘Locky was fortunate, your highness, to escape with his life.’
    ‘My grievance was validated,’ Locky added softly, stepping quickly to offer Hela a cup of the wine.
    Sarel’s gaze followed him and none of it was lost on the sharp eyes of Hela.
    ‘To close escapes, then,’ Quist said raising his cup, humour playing around his far from handsome mouth.
    ‘To close escapes,’ they replied, and Sarel smiled over her wine at Locky.

5
The King’s Secret
    Far away from the Exotic Isles, in Tallinor’s south east, a Queen finally grieved over her King. She had carried herself with grace through this most difficult of all days, holding in her tears, fighting back her bitterness, keeping her emotion entirely in check until it was appropriate to loose it. Gyl had wasted no time and already half a dozen messengers were galloping across Tallinor towards the north, south, east and west of the Kingdom, stopping only to pick up fresh horses and ride through the night to their destinations, delivering news of the death of King Lorys. She anticipated all the neighbouring monarchs would be in attendance at the funeral and extra time had been allowed for the Ciprean Queen to respond as she was the furthest afield, yet Alyssa believed the famous Queen Sylven would pay her respects to Lorys and the people of Tallinor. In the meantime, despite his fatigue, Herek had sent out messengers to all the nobles. News of the death was still to filter into the furthest parts of thecity but it would spread fast now, spilling into the countryside. She needed the nobility gathered by morning so succession could be decided without delay.
    Alyssa had done