Princess of Wind and Sea Page 7

  “You could have sent me instead.”

  “I didn’t want to put you in danger.”

  He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “You forget, I’ve already been exposed.”

  “I realize that, but I didn’t want to make matters worse.”

  He leaned closer, out of earshot from the crew. “I admire your abilities, but you’re not invincible.”

  He’s right, I have to remember that we’re a team, she thought. The words of Chindor, the wizard, came to mind. Before her journey to the East Kingdom, he told her that she must work with others, and use her mind, heart, and soul, to create a lasting impact.

  I still have a lot to learn, she admitted to herself, and not a moment to lose.

  *

  The crew rowed to the edge of the bay and dragged the boat behind the rocks. Aisling and the prince made their way up the incline, into the forest. Once they were out of sight, she retrieved her dagger and illuminated their path. Inside the murky woods, they looked for a swath of land where they could grow the trees.

  “It looks like there’s a clearing ahead of us,” Aisling said.

  “There’s enough space,” the prince conceded, “but the soil is sandy.”

  “That’s all right, it should still take root.” She turned to face him. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  She scanned the terrain and clutched her dagger. “With all my might, I command the earth to create a field of mature cinchona trees.”

  Aisling felt the power surge into the sky. As her energy drained, she retraced her steps back to Drayaen.

  The ground shuddered with a powerful vibration. Clumps of dirt flew in every direction. Wide trunks erupted from the ground, rising past shrubs and saplings. As they continued their ascent, green branches burst from each column. Flowers in shades of white, pink, and red sprouted as dozens of newly formed topiaries obscured a view of the sky.

  The prince stared at the explosion of new growth and shook his head. For the first time in his life, he was speechless. He reached out and pulled Aisling in front of him, placing his hands on her shoulders. They watched until the fervor dwindled. After a few minutes, the forest became silent once again.

  Aisling grabbed his hand and led him to one of the largest evergreens. She ran her fingers over the bark. “It worked,” she murmured as she turned and smiled at Drayaen. “The material is spongy, and it has a bitter aroma. It matches the sample Patrick gave me,” she declared, in an excited tone.

  He hugged her. “You’ve created an amazing supply,” he said. “This is enough for several fleets.”

  “Owen and Fionn can help us.”

  “I’ll go get them. We’ll have to make haste. It’s possible that others heard the disturbance.”

  “Are we in danger?”

  “I suspect they’ll be here by morning to investigate. We’ll have to take what we need now.”

  “All right. There are dozens of sacks in the boat. When those are filled, we’ll be ready to go.”

  The prince nodded and sprinted to the edge of the bay. After making contact with the crew, they ran into the woods to collect the precious bark before anyone else discovered their secret.

  CHAPTER TEN

  PERIL

  Dawn approached as the boat glided through the bay. The crew rowed in silence. The wind swept across the waves, disrupting the flow of the white-foamed peaks.

  Aisling sat next to Drayaen, who had a firm grip on her hand. She glanced at him and noticed the dark circles under his eyes. Her brows drew together in concern as she thought about the ceaseless activity that had consumed him over the past few months. Battles with violent weather, evil forces, and now disease, had all taken a toll.

  In hindsight, she realized that although life at sea was second nature to her, it was new for her husband. He’s not the type of person who complains, she thought, and I must do a better job of watching out for him.

  She leaned closer and whispered, “Thank you.”

  He smiled and squeezed her hand.

  Aisling turned to the crew. “We’ll take the materials to the doctor first.”

  “Aye, Commander, they see us coming.”

  As they docked, deck hands unloaded a portion of the cargo. A short while later, after Patrick received the goods, a weary group trudged up the ramp to the Saoirse. Aisling acknowledged the men for their support, and retreated to the Captain’s Quarters. Within minutes, she and the prince were asleep in each other’s arms.

  A few hours later, something woke Aisling. She sat up in bed, listening, but there was nothing. She looked out the window and saw rain splattering in sheets across the water. The low, wedge-shaped clouds formed a sinister ring around the bay. A feeling of dread washed over her, its tentacles reaching deep into her core.

  She dressed in haste and secured her dagger. After covering Drayaen with a blanket, she left in search of Ryen, whom she found on the deck.

  “Commander, the doctor sent you a message,” he said, handing her the missive. She read its contents and turned pale.

  “Trouble?” he asked.

  “It’s Maológ,” she said, her brows furrowing. “He’s worse.”

  Ryen clutched his chest. “I’ll have some sailors take you to the Cara now.”

  She rested a hand on his arm. “You may want to come too.”

  Patrick was waiting for her outside the sick bay.

  “What’s happened?” Aisling asked, her voice unsteady.

  The surgeon shook his head. “He’s in a crisis. His fever is worse.”

  “Can we give him more medicine?”

  “I’m afraid not. His system is rejecting it.”

  “Another option, then?”

  “We’re trying more cold compresses, to draw down his temperature.”

  “I need to see him.”

  Patrick rubbed the back of his neck. “You’ll be taking a risk.”

  “I know. It can’t be helped. We should summon Sean as well.”

  The surgeon sighed. “Your cousin was already here. All right, one at a time. And you must be brief.”

  Ryen nodded and entered the room. Aisling could see him hovering over Maológ. After a few minutes, he came out and spoke in low tones. “He’s delirious. I don’t think he recognized me.” He dropped his head and stared at the floor.

  Aisling hurried in and sat at Maológ’s bedside. She held his hand and tried to ignore the heaviness that permeated her body.

  “Uncle, I love you. Get better. You’re needed, now. I can’t do this without you.” She inhaled deep breaths, trying to steady her voice.

  His sunken eyes flickered open.

  “Uncle,” she breathed, as she increased the grip on his hand.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice weak.

  “For what? There’s no need for apologies.”

  “Listen to me. There’s not much time.”

  “What is it?”

  “I may have caused the death of your parents.”

  She leaned closer. “What are you saying?”

  “I didn’t mean to.”

  “But how?”

  “Your father received threats. I came across the letters. I… I took them.”

  “But why?”

  “I thought it was a hoax. I didn’t want your mother to be upset. She meant everything to me. You are just as dear.”

  “Where did you put the notes?”

  “With my belongings, where we used to play, as children.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Maológ’s voice faded as he struggled to speak. The words were inaudible. He raised his hand and let it drop.

  Aisling grasped him by the shoulder. “Uncle, you didn’t kill them. Someone else did. It’s not your fault.”

  “You’re an extraordinary woman. I am very glad to have you in my life. I hope you’ll always be happy.”

  “Maológ, now is not the time to leave. There’s so much to do.”

  He shook his head. H
is eyes glazed, as though he were watching something in the distance. “I see Colleen. Her sweet voice is calling me.”

  “Uncle, please. Stay here, with us,” she pleaded.

  He drew his last breath, and then everything went still.

  Aisling emerged from the sick bay in a state of numbness. She recalled hugging her cousins and telling them she was sorry for their loss. After that, Patrick said some words, but they faded into a blur. She and Sean kept each other company until she lost all track of time.

  The rain came down in torrents. Lightning flashed across the sky as the boat navigated the choppy waters. She stared into the distance and thought about Maológ.

  He had always been there for her. Despite his efforts to prevent their journey to the East Kingdom, he encouraged her to pursue the life that she wanted, even if it pushed societal boundaries.

  As a woman managing a sizeable merchant trading company, there were no other females to guide her actions. Maológ recognized this and supported her, even at the expense of his own pride. To have a niece outrank him was certainly an anomaly, but he accepted it without question.

  When she told him she was marrying Drayaen, he could have objected. Yet he welcomed her new husband into the family.

  She clasped her mother’s necklace. The death of her parents was still a fresh memory. With Maológ gone, this was the third loss in less than two years. Her heart felt like an anchor, pulling her deeper into the depths. She wanted to cry and rail against the injustice of it all, but the fleet needed her now.

  Aisling took a deep breath and turned to Ryen. She patted his arm. “I know you loved Uncle and will miss him. We’ll plan a ceremony, so he can be buried at sea.”

  “Maológ would like that,” he said in a wavering voice.

  When Aisling returned to her chamber, the prince was sleeping. She sat at her desk and wrote notes to the other captains. They would suffer from the loss of Maológ as well. She wondered whether he would have survived if he had received the medicine earlier. If her fleet was affected by ship’s fever, then there was a strong possibility that others were also at risk.

  She recalled a few of the nearby vessels. One was a Prussian ship called the Eagle. It’s too late for Maológ, she thought, but perhaps I can help the crews in port. She continued her letter writing until her hand grew weary.

  The light flickered to a meager stub. She blew out the candle and sat in the dark, watching the smoke swirl and evaporate.

  The next morning, Aisling woke up and dressed in the dark. She glanced at Drayaen, who appeared to be deep in slumber. She closed the door with a soft click and made her way down to the galley, where the cook was preparing for breakfast.

  She walked to the railing and looked out over the water. A few minutes later, she was joined by Ryen.

  “How are you feeling this morning?” she asked.

  “I imagine the same as you,” he replied, gazing off into the distance.

  “If you need time to yourself, it can be arranged.”

  He turned and shook his head. “I appreciate that, but no. I’d like to keep busy.”

  “I understand.”

  “Besides, we have a lot to do.”

  Aisling nodded. “I’ve sent notes to the other captains. Since most of the fleet is still under quarantine, they can watch the memorial service from a distance, if that works for you and Sean.”

  “Aye, it will allow everyone to say goodbye.”

  She patted Ryen on the arm. “I know Uncle wasn’t conscious when you spoke with him. He was very proud of you. He told me so, many times.”

  “Thank you for remembering.” He reached out and hugged her. “You must know how he felt about you as well.”

  “We’ll miss him,” she said, as she locked eyes with her cousin. “It’s a great loss for all of us.”

  “Aye,” he said. “A sad loss.”

  “I thought about something else we could do, in his memory.”

  “What is it?”

  “We have an enormous supply of cinchona bark. There are a few other ships in port. I thought we could share some of our medicines with the other vessels.”

  “Uncle would have liked that idea. I’ll send messengers across the bay.”

  They said goodbye, and she headed to the Captain’s Quarters, her thoughts turning to Drayaen. He must be hungry by now. She had a feeling it was going to be a long day.

  He was still sleeping when Aisling set the tray on the table and reviewed the ship’s log. After nibbling her meal, she ventured onto the deck. The efforts to scour the ship were in full force. The crews had made significant progress. Food and water were being boiled, and lines were strung for hanging linens and clothing. As she spoke to the crew, an assistant approached.

  “Commander, I have a message from Patrick.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, tearing open the missive.

  It was a note of condolence, similar to the one she had sent him, with one addition. She read the final sentence again with a sense of relief. It appeared the patients in the sick bay were improving, due to the cinchona bark. Good news at last, she thought.

  A few hours later, after organizing the medicinal supplies and dispatching a small crew to make the deliveries, she returned to the cabin.

  When she opened the door, the room was dark, matching the outside gloom. She had assumed the prince would be awake. After removing her cape, she walked to the bed and reached out to touch him.

  He was burning up.

  Her heart raced. She turned him over and gasped. His neck was covered with red blotches. When she spoke to him, he was unresponsive. She flung off the sheets and scanned the room. The water from the breakfast tray was still on the table. Dipping a cloth into the cool liquid, she covered his forehead with the compress. Her limbs became shaky as she tried to block out her fear. She summoned her first officer and returned to Drayaen’s side.

  A few minutes later, there was a loud knock. She ran to the door, clutching her necklace.

  “What is it?” asked Ryen, sensing her distress.

  She spoke in low tones. “The prince is ill.”

  “How long has he been like this?”

  “I don’t know. When I returned last night, he was asleep. I assumed he was tired.”

  “What do you need?”

  “Please signal the Cara and ask Patrick to come now.”

  “Anything else?” he asked, his gaze darting over to the bed.

  “Yes. Water, clean cloths, and fresh linens.”

  “Right away.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We need to be positive. He’s a warrior. This is a battle he will fight, and win.”

  She nodded as he rushed out of the chamber. Her eyes began to water as she gazed at the prince. “I can’t lose him. I won’t,” she murmured, rolling up her sleeves.

  Nothing would separate them again.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  THE HEALING HEART

  The knocking was insistent. Aisling flung open the door and stared at the group in front of her. Two assistants brought supplies. Behind them stood Patrick and Hanu.

  “Thank you for the quick response. I’d let you in, but I don’t want to risk your health.”

  “Commander, I’ve already been exposed to the illness,” said Patrick.

  “I’ve been working in the sick bay,” Hanu added. “There have been no negative effects.”

  “That’s very generous of you.” She waved her arm and held open the door as they entered.

  The doctor examined the prince. Aisling crossed the room and noticed his grim expression.

  “How is he?” she asked.

  Patrick grasped her arm and moved them away from the patient. He spoke in hushed tones. “Commander, it’s bad, I’m afraid. He’s not responding well. It’s a serious affliction.”

  Aisling’s heart started racing. Their conversation seemed to be a repeat of the one they had the previous day. “What do you suggest?”

  “Cover his body with
cold compresses. We need to draw down the fever. Once he wakes, give him the medicine.”

  “What’s the right dose?”

  “One cup, three times within a twenty-four hour period. I’ve written the instructions for you. I’ll come back in a few hours.”

  Aisling nodded. “Thank you all.”As they left for the Cara, she summoned an assistant. “We’ll need a small tub of cold water and more clean sheets.”

  “Right away, Commander.”

  A short while later, he returned with the items. Aisling soaked the fabric and wrapped it around the prince. She moved her chair next to the bed and gazed at him. With her magical powers, she had always felt in control. Now, she had never felt more powerless in her life.

  At least she could tell him stories. This is what Uncle used to do when I was ill, she thought.

  Aisling recited updates about her family’s estate. She described the exterior and the gardens, and was about to launch into details of the house itself. All of a sudden, she came to a halt, realizing that her powers were not yet exhausted. With the Nawab’s dagger, and the one from the pirate’s cove, there were commands she could still try.

  She summoned her wand. It illuminated the room, creating rainbows of color against the wall. Raising it to the sky, she intoned a passionate decree.

  “I command that frozen ice appear on the deck of the Saoirse and the Cara,” she said.

  Never before had her edict been so specific. She exhaled deep breaths and felt a surge of energy leave her body. Securing her sword, she rushed outside, running headlong into the crew.

  Ryen moved through the crowd of men and stood in front of her. “You’ll never guess what happened. It looks like winter is upon us,” he said, gesturing at the nuggets of frozen crystals.

  Aisling nodded and smiled. “It’s an unexpected gift. We can carve off some blocks and use it to treat our patients.”

  There was excited chatter as the sailors peered at the grog they had been drinking.

  It was frozen solid.

  When she woke up, it was dark, and quiet. She gazed at the prince and reached for his hand.

  It was icy.

  Aisling wrapped him in dry blankets. She began rubbing his arms to increase circulation.