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And so, he should be, the fool. He could have died there.
“We’ve never been blessed with the presence of a royal before,” said Verita, examining the scales blazing on my arm from the magic I’d called upon. “We would be honored if you would stay and rest for the day.”
Gill was in no state to travel. He needed to rest in a bath. Nemo needed some herbs for his wound. And I needed to lie down for a few moments.
“Verita,” I said, using my sweetest voice. “Would you be so kind as to show us to accommodations for the four of us, and I’ll need access to a bath for my soldier?”
“Certainly. You can use my cabin. I often rent it out to travelers.”
Verita bowed and traipsed out of the town square with Fin, Nemo, Gill, and me at his heels.
“Mira,” the mayor called out to a young woman with a funny hat on her head. “Bring water to the princess’s lodge next to the bank.”
“Yes, Mayor.” The woman bowed and scurried away to lower a bucket hanging from the well.
“Princess, is this wise?” Fin asked from behind me.
I held up a hand to silence him. This time, I would deal with Gill. It was time to settle a few things first. Such as the importance of obeying an order.
A few moments later, Verita showed us around a modest, little cabin consisting of a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom.
“I will call the maids to pour your man a bath,” Verita advised, his eyes careful and alert.
“Very much appreciated.” I flashed my friendliest smile to assure him my rage had passed. “Could I also trouble you for a healer?”
“There’s a doctor next door.” Verita bowed and exited.
Great news.
“Princess,” Fin said when the front door closed. “We should leave. They could mount an attack on us.”
“And go where?” I snapped. “Look at Gill.”
My gaze fell to him. He was deathly pale, his skin cracked and blistered. Precious moisture bled from him in the form of sweat.
Fin and Nemo carried Gill toward the bathroom.
“Wait,” I said. “As your princess, I order you to leave him in that chair.”
Three pairs of eyes drilled into me.
“Princess, he needs the water.” Fin’s voice burned with agony for his friend.
I stared at Fin until he and Nemo set Gill down as requested.
Gill stared at the floor, refusing to look at me.
“You disobeyed your captain’s order.” My voice shook with rage. “My order.”
“I had to save my sister,” he growled.
Anger surged through me like a powerful swell. I paced the floor, clawing my fingers into my palms. “How could you be so reckless? You could have killed yourself.”
Fin grabbed my arm in an effort to calm me down.
Gill’s head hung low, not from my scolding, but as if he felt ashamed for getting apprehended by the humans. “Just get me out of these shackles. My legs are cramping.”
Why, the little sea weasel. He wasn’t even remorseful. Well, he was not getting in that bath until he apologized. I’d just flooded the town square and destroyed public property to save him. Where was my thanks? We were lucky to receive the mayor’s hospitality after what I’d done. He was probably only being kind out of fear I’d do something even worse.
