Once Brum was gone, Nina tried to rest but couldn’t find sleep. She had the sense that she was rushing toward something in the dark, with no way to stop her momentum.
Ylva roused them before dawn to lead them to one of the observation towers. “Rebraid your hair, Mila,” she suggested. “And pinch your cheeks to put a little color in them. Many important men will be watching the invasion. You never know whose attention you might catch.”
Nina resisted the urge to roll her eyes and obliged Ylva. If this pretense would keep her in the Brums’ household a while longer, she would gladly primp and flirt as required.
When they emerged on the vast expanse of the deck, Nina could see lights glinting off the Ravkan coast. Leviathan had crept closer to land in the night.
As they were about to enter the tower, a voice called out, “Hanne Brum!”
Prince Rasmus was strolling across the deck in a military uniform, flanked by royal guards, a grim-faced Joran at his side. At the sight of the young drüskelle, Nina felt her rage return. She’d pushed it aside for Hanne’s sake, to keep them both safe, but there would be a reckoning. Hanne might wish for Nina to look to the future, but Nina couldn’t do that until she’d made peace with the ghosts of her past.
“What is the whelp doing here?” Redvin muttered. He managed a forced smile. “Your Highness, I had no idea you’d be joining us aboard Leviathan.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“It’s only that it’s so much safer in Djerholm with the rest of the royal family.”
“Leviathan’s Mouth is safe enough for Commander Brum’s daughter. I think a fragile princeling like myself might dare it too. Especially when my country is at war. Besides, the Ravkans will need someone to surrender to. Come, Hanne, we will watch the invasion together.” He held out his arm.
Redvin stepped in front of Hanne. It was the move of a soldier, not a diplomat. One did not thwart a crown prince’s desires.
“What are you doing, Redvin?” whispered Ylva, panicked. “It is the prince’s right. Go on, Hanne. Mila—”
“Mila can remain with you,” said the prince. “I wouldn’t want to leave you alone, Ylva.”
At that Ylva froze, unsure of what to do. Hanne could not go with the prince unchaperoned.
Joran gave the faintest shake of his head, but Nina didn’t know how to stop this. She clung to Hanne’s hand.
“I’d prefer to have my friend with me,” said Hanne.
“But your friend is not invited,” said the prince.
“Your Highness…” Ylva began, taking hold of Hanne’s arm. But the prince’s stare brooked no opposition.
Hanne had never been alone with the prince before. It was not acceptable or appropriate. Unless he intended to offer her the promise of marriage. Was that what this was? Did the prince mean to make Hanne his bride or simply use her as a pawn in his ongoing struggle with Brum? Both could be true. If he took her to the observation tower without Mila there to act as chaperone, he would have to offer marriage or Hanne’s reputation would be ruined. No one would offer for her. And if he did propose, Hanne would have to say yes. Nina wanted to scream. They should have run last night, away from the palace, away from all of it. But this was the disaster she’d built. She’d placed herself and Hanne between the prince and Brum, a bulwark against war, and now they would break like Sturmhond’s blockade.
“It will be fine,” Hanne said. In Nina’s ear, she murmured, “We’ll find a way out. There’s something worth salvaging in him. I know it.”
“Come along, Hanne,” said the prince. He was still holding out his arm. It was not an invitation. It was a demand.
“You must let go,” Hanne whispered.
Never.
Nina forced her fingers to release. Hanne smiled and drifted over to Rasmus, looping her arm into his.
“See you in victory,” said the prince.
Nina met Joran’s eyes and willed him to understand. You and I have accounts to settle. Watch over her.
“Will he … will he offer for her?” Ylva asked. She’d been delighted at the notice Hanne had garnered from the prince, but this was not attention any girl wanted.
“That uncooked cutlet wouldn’t dare do otherwise,” Redvin growled. “Commander Brum would have his head.”
Redvin could bluster all he wanted. Nina and Ylva knew better. Brum didn’t have the status to gainsay a prince. Though if Brum found victory today, who knew what power he might attain in the wake of it?