Meanwhile, Princess Milabuella had taken it upon herself to attach herself to me like some overly eager shadow. The girl had been brooding for days, looking like she was about to start a palace coup or cry into a pillow—no in-between. And now? She was smiling at me. Smiling. Like we've been best friends since birth.
I swear it was scarier than the ocean itself.
She practically hovered at my elbow. "Lady Seraphine, do you like the sea breeze? Isn't it refreshing? I've been practicing knot-tying with the guards, look!"
She held up a tangled rope knot that looked more like a strangled octopus than anything helpful.
"I once read a book about navigating storms," she continued breathlessly. "If we get lost, I will help."
Every sentence she said clashed violently with the rhythm of the ocean like a completely off-beat drum. My seasick head was begging for mercy.
