In Deeper Waters F.T. Lukens (acx book reading txt) 📖

nose at Tal, “and to change. Then we’ll have a very late lunch or an early supper.”

Tal’s stomach growled. “What time is it?” Heavy curtains hung from ornate rods divided the interior of his quarters into sections, and as a result, they blocked the light from his two windows.

“Late afternoon.” Corrie bounced on her toes. “You both must have been exhausted. Kest slept through the day as well, but the physician says he will be able to join the meeting for a little while.”

“That’s good.”

“What’s this?” Corrie picked up the shark’s tooth from the floor.

Tal stiffened. “It’s a tooth.”

She rolled her eyes. “I see that. Why is it on your floor?”

Tal chewed his bottom lip. “It’s mine.” He held out his hand. “Give it back, Corrie.”

She rubbed her fingers over the edges, wincing when the serrated side bit into her skin. “Make me.”

Athlen watched the scene silently, though there was a clench to his jaw and a wrinkle between his brows.

“That’s a bad idea.” Garrett plucked the tooth from Corrie and gave it back. “Tal brought me to the ground over waking him. I’m not about to see him crisp you over a trinket.”

Corrie made a face.

Garrett ignored her. “We’ll send the servants in. Don’t take too long. Mother wants to untangle this mess as soon as possible.” He paused, uncertain. “She’ll want a full accounting.” He frowned, gaze cutting to Athlen. “Best get your stories straight. Whatever they may be.”

Tal nodded. Athlen stood silent while Garrett and Corrie left, and a handful of servants bustled in. They emptied the tub Athlen had slept in and filled it with hot water. They laid out clothes for them both.

After they left, Tal walked behind the curtain and sank into the steaming water and sighed. His cuts and blisters stung, but otherwise, it was heavenly. He could’ve stayed there forever, but he didn’t have much time. He bathed while Athlen sat on the floor just on the other side of the curtain.

Suddenly Tal realized their mission was completed. Athlen had promised to see him home, and he had. His obligation was filled. After the meeting with the queen, Athlen could leave if he wanted. Athlen could leave. Tal’s heart clenched at the thought. A lump formed in his throat as tears threatened, and he swallowed it down as he hastily scrubbed the soap over his skin.

He cleared his throat. “Did you sleep well?” he asked, rubbing soap through his hair. “In the water?”

Athlen sighed. “It was wonderful. Better than the ground.”

“Did my sisters treat you well?”

Athlen huffed a laugh. “They were fine, Tal. They offered to find me my own quarters, but I told them I’d wait for you. The servants drew a bath and I… fell asleep.”

Tal’s cheeks heated. His sisters would no doubt tease him over the fact that Athlen had stayed in his room overnight. It hadn’t been like that at all, though not for Tal’s lack of want.

Braver than he felt, Tal continued. “You could’ve crawled into the bed.”

There was silence, and Tal pictured Athlen shrugging and wrinkling his nose. “I didn’t want to impose.”

Right. A small part of Tal had hoped that Athlen’s distance was due to the urgent nature of their journey, but now they were out of immediate danger and the distance remained—an invisible wall Athlen had erected since they left the cavern.

“We don’t have to tell them about you.”

“Then how will we explain your rescue?”

“You stowed away on Garrett’s boat and jumped into the water when I went overboard. Then we used the jolly boat.”

“That’s ridiculous, Tal.”

Tal sank up to his chin in the warm water. “I don’t want you to feel forced into revealing yourself. Even if they are my family.”

“It’s all right. I chose to help you, and I knew it meant telling others what I am.”

“They may not believe us. You might have to show them… something.”

Athlen sighed. “Yes. I know that, too.”

They were interrupted by a knock on the chamber door.

After the creak of the hinges, Athlen said, “The physician is here to see you, my prince.”

“Right. Let him in.”

Tal rinsed the soap and wrapped a towel around his waist. He suffered the indignity of an exam, being poked and prodded and bandaged. His shoulder was healing well but would scar. His knee was painful and slightly swollen, and he allowed the physician to wrap it to stabilize the joint. The smaller cuts and bruises and aches and pains would diminish with rest and time.

After the physician toddled off, Tal sat on the edge of his bed and dressed.

“They brought you clothes as well,” Tal said, nodding to the extra folded pile.

Athlen picked up a shirt between his thumb and forefinger. He raised an eyebrow. “I think I prefer what I have on.”

“These are nicer.”

Athlen dropped the shirt. “And these are what I prefer,” he said, sweeping his hands down his body and wiggling his toes. “If your family is about to learn that I’m of the sea, then I should keep to the aesthetic.”

Tal laughed. “Fine.”

They left the room to find lunch, and Tal’s stomach growled when they sat at a table laden with food in the kitchens. His mouth watered, and all decorum disappeared as he dug into the meal of smoked turkey, baked ham, fresh fruit, green vegetables, and soft, warm bread.

Athlen lifted a perfect red apple and took a tentative bite before diving in, munching the crisp flesh and peel.

“Couldn’t wait?” Garrett asked, ambling in and plopping into a seat.

“No,” Tal said around a mouthful of food. He shoved a slice of fresh bread dripping with butter into his mouth. “We haven’t eaten in days.”

Garrett paused in loading his plate. “Days?”

Athlen nodded, nibbling around the core of his apple. “Days,” he echoed.

“Well,” Garrett said, clearing his throat, “here. Let me help you.” Garrett took Athlen’s plate and piled on the food. He slathered cakes in syrup and jam, speared sausages with a fork, and plopped a heap of potatoes onto the side. He set it in