Chapter One
I’d never seriously considered the merits of flinging myself off a cliff until today.
Now I was walking toward said cliff, stars twinkling above, sand squishing under my bare feet. A warm breeze flowed through the air, and my white chiffon fluttered, brushing against my skin.
It would be quite the scandal if anyone knew the princess of the water court was currently slinking around outside, alone and unprotected.
But that was the point. I wanted to be alone. This would likely be the last night I would ever be able to do something like this, and I was going to take advantage of it. A final reckless act before everything changed.
I could just hear my mother’s voice in my head.You’ve really let me down this time, Gabrielle.
If she only knew the ways I’d actually let her down, but I was not thinking about that tonight. Not when I had more important things to do. Things like free-diving off cliffs.
The ocean waves rushed up over my feet, the water warm and inviting. I looked out over the inky black of the sea, a sheath of heavy fog hanging above it, the view murky.
High and jagged cliffs rose in the distance. In the night, they looked like monsters, snaggletoothed and ready to devour anyone who attempted to climb them. I remembered the stories I’d tell my brothers about them when we used to sneak out, the three of us, adventurous and carefree. But my brothers were never cowed like I expected them to as I described the stony jaws of death that would snatch them up should they come too close. They were as fearless as me.
Now I was alone. Carrying on the torch of stupidity for all three of us. If they were here, they’d no doubt be by my side, likely the only ones encouraging this foolish mission.
“You know, I’d love it if just once you’d include me in your harebrained schemes,” a voice said from behind me.
I jumped, turning to see Leoni standing there.
A look of amusement lined her face, her red-gold hair in a tight bun atop her head. She planted her hands on her wide hips, adorned by a golden belt that cinched her chiffon to her waist, a sword hanging at her side. “I knew you were careless, but attempting this, on the eve of the most important day of your life? You’re being an idiot,” she said in a singsong voice.
I crossed my arms. “You realize you’re talking to your future queen?”
She cocked a brow. “Apologies. You’re being an idiot, Your Majesty.” She dipped into a curtsy.
I spun on my heel. “Well, this was a nice chat. Let’s just pretend you didn’t see me. None of this happened,” I called behind me, continuing on my way down the shoreline.
“I know what you’re doing,” she shouted, “and I’m not going to let you.”
The point of something sharp poked into my back. Spirits below. I sighed. “Is this really necessary?”
“Yes, because if anything happens to you, it will be my fault, and I will lose my job, and probably my head along with it.”
“Wow, that’s so sweet.” I put a hand to my chest. “Glad to know you care so much about me.”
That wasn’t fair. Leoni had been my best friend since we were children. I knew she cared, and I also knew this job meant the world to her. She loved what she did—was my fiercest protector. That’s why I’d recommended her for the position. But tonight, I didn’t want her to be my captain of the guard; I just wanted her to be my friend.
I slowly turned. “Put down the sword, Oni. I’m not going to fight you.”
As many times as we’d sparred and trained together, I wasn’t in the mood for it tonight.
She eyed me warily and slowly lowered her weapon. The gold cuffs around her arms glinted in the moonlight as she relaxed her shoulders. “There’s a reason you and your brothers never attempted this. Because it’s stupid. It’s dangerous. And it might get you killed.”
I eyed the tall cliffs in the distance, and my heart squeezed. Yes, it was all of those things, but I had to do this. Leoni didn’t get it. After tomorrow, everything would change. I wouldn’t have the freedom I had now, wouldn’t just have Leoni watching me. It would be everyone, all the time. This was truly the last day of my life I’d be able to do something so reckless, and I wanted to. Not just for myself, but for Mal and Lochlan.
Leoni’s face softened. “Fine,” she said.
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re not going to stop me?”
“Would I be able to?”
I smiled. “Not likely.”
She heaved a big breath. “Then let’s get this over with. But if you die, I will find a way to bring you back just so I can wring your neck.”
