Encouraged, we begin to dig with our hands. It isn’t long before we have more clams than we can eat.
I watch, fascinated, as Galinor arranges the shellfish over a hot rock near the fire’s flames. “How do you know how to do all this?”
Once he’s satisfied with the clam’s placement, he sitsnext to me, stretching his legs out. “I’m second-born. If Glendon goes to war, I will be expected to lead our army. As such, Father believed I needed to know how to feed and care for them as well. I can cook a few things and tend most wounds.”
I bump his shoulder. “That’s how you knew how to take care of the arrow.”
Galinor nods, and then the smile leaves his face. “With all the training I’ve done, the tournament should have been simple.”
“I heard you did well in the archery competition,” I remind him. “And you were poisoned before the joust and hand-to-hand. Lionel wouldn’t have stooped that low if he didn’t believe you would best him.”
“I feel as if the failure defines me,” he says. “I was tested, and I measured short.”
“You don’t believe that. You can’t.”
“You didn’t see the look on Pippa’s face every time I failed, every time I let her down.”
Pippa again.
I turn his face toward mine. “She’s happy now, isn’t she? Isn’t that what matters? You made that happen.” I gather my courage. “And you haven’t let me down—not even once. I’ve asked so much from you. For whatever it matters, you coming has meant everything to me.”
He trails his fingers over my cheek, and I shiver.
“You’re making it a little too pleasant to be stranded here on this island,” he teases, his voice soft. “I’m not sure I want them to find us tomorrow.”
My spirits soar at his words. I scoot closer to him andlay my head on his shoulder. He wraps his arm around my back, and together we watch the fire flicker.
A ship appearson the horizon, and my gown is still damp. There’s no way I am going to let anyone catch me in Galinor’s tunic, so I wear the wet dress anyway.
Also, I can’t bear the sight of Galinor shirtless in the bright, morning sun any longer.
Galinor puts out the fire, and then we wait for the ship, standing side by side. Dristan jumps from the vessel before it even docks. His limp has become much less pronounced in the last month, and I’m happy to see him moving so well. He races towards us and gives me a questioning look when he notices my wet gown.
“It’s nothing,” I assure him.
“You’re all right?” he asks me, and then he turns to Galinor. “My apologies. I’ve spoken with Jacques, and he’s terribly sorry.”
I cringe. Judging from the look on Dristan’s face, I’m sure the captain is very sorry indeed.
“It’s not his fault,” Galinor answers. “He warned us several times.”
Dristan turns back to me. “Did you find the Altiers?”
I nod, excited. “They’re beautiful, and their coats are soft like a rabbit’s.”
Dristan’s eyebrows shoot up. “They let you touch them?”
Galinor smirks. “I told you they would.”
“That’s amazing, Anwen.” Dristan’s eyes light. “I mighthave to request a visit from you when the foals are born in the spring.”
I nod, happy the prince looks so much better now that he’s home. Triblue suits him.
We follow Dristan to the dock. I know very little about boats, but even I can tell this is not Jacques’ ship. The body is sleek, and a carved sea serpent graces the prow. It looks nothing like the tentacled beast I remember; this one is dragon-like and beautiful.
Dristan notices me admiring the ship and turns back. “She’s mine. Well, one of mine.” He grins. “Stunning, isn’t she?”
I nod in agreement as I walk the gangplank.
