In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens (best business books of all time txt) 📗

raised her hands in surrender. “So you will have time for him? You won’t have to become an advisor to your now-married sister or be married off yourself for another alliance? What about dinners and balls? What about courtiers? Is he going to fit into that life?”

Dara wasn’t wrong. Could Athlen fit in at the castle? Would he even want to?

“This isn’t the time to ask these types of questions. I’ve been declared dead. My sister married the person I suspect of organizing my kidnapping and torture. Athlen is implicated for these crimes. And our kingdom is on the brink of war.”

“Brink of war?”

Tal frowned. “You don’t think the death of a prince by another kingdom is an act toward war? If my family figures out this was political and not about…”

“The rumors.”

“Right, the rumors. Then we’ll end up in a war manipulated by Prince Emerick and Ossetia.”

“I didn’t think of that.” She grimaced.

“Yeah, well, I am a prince. It’s more than dancing and dinners. We do have to know how to navigate political quagmires.”

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t rise to the bait. “Drink your broth and go back to sleep. You’re snarky when you’re tired. I have to go home, but I’ll be back tomorrow to change your bandages. We’ll discuss finding you a horse then.”

Tal sighed, his anger draining quickly. “Thank you,” he said, thumbing the edge of a bandage. “I mean it,” he added when her expression remained dubious. “You didn’t have to help me, and I realize keeping our secrets places a strain on you as well.”

Dara tucked her hands into her apron. “You’re welcome.” She rocked back on her heels and her nose crinkled. “You’re important to him. So you’re important to me, too.” She blew out a breath. “And I may have made a harsh judgment of you when we first met.”

“Arrogant and out of touch,” Tal parroted.

She winced. “Yes, that. I appreciate that you listened to what I had to say. You did something about it, even if I questioned your motivations.”

“You were right to. My family isn’t perfect, but we’re trying.” Tal fiddled with the cuff of his sleeve. “I also appreciate how difficult that was for you to say,” Tal said, meeting her gaze, a teasing smile curling the corner of his lip.

She pushed his shoulder and laughed. “I see why he likes you.”

Tal glanced back to the swirling water. Small fish chased bubbles at the surface, and the tide ebbed, revealing more of the rock shelf. But there was no sign of Athlen.

“He’ll come back.”

“I know,” Tal said. He didn’t doubt that, only what would happen when Athlen did. He didn’t have the strength of character to refuse Athlen again if he asserted his place by Tal’s side. He was too selfish. Athlen’s continued faith and support made him feel better, helped him assuage his feelings of self-loathing, and Tal couldn’t lose that, not if he was going to move forward and save his family.

Dara left in silence, and Tal gingerly walked back to the bed and lowered down into the warmth and thickness of the blankets Athlen had bought with his gold. He drank the broth, followed by a cup of water. He rubbed the salve Dara had left into the sores on his hands and the peeling places he could reach.

Tal kept his eyes open for as long as he could, anxious that Athlen had yet to return, until he fell asleep.

Movement beside him had Tal jumping out of a nightmare. He shot up in the bed, teetering on the edge of panic from his dreams, but Athlen’s soft voice soothed Tal before he was fully awake.

“It’s only me.”

Tal blinked in the low light. The cave was near full dark, and he could barely make out Athlen’s features save for his wide eyes. His first instinct was to open his palm and light the area with a small flame, but he paused and stared at the clench of his fist, unsure and afraid.

Athlen crouched next to Tal’s makeshift bed. His fingers were cool when they nudged Tal’s gently. He nodded in encouragement. “Go on.”

“What if I—”

“You won’t hurt me.”

“How are you so certain?” Tal asked, his voice small.

“Because I know you.”

Tal’s heart skipped a beat. His pulse raced. With a steadying breath, he opened his palm, and a feeble flame flickered to life over his trembling hand. Gently he pushed it above them, and it hovered in the air, lighting the area in a warm, wavering glow. For a silent moment they both watched the flame float harmlessly.

At Athlen’s soft and awed expression, a sense of peace settled over Tal. Athlen wasn’t afraid. Athlen still thought him wonderful, and an innate piece of Tal slotted back into place.

“See? Nothing that is a part of you could ever be bad.”

Tal ducked his head because that was the crux of it all. Magic was a part of him, and he couldn’t separate from it even if he tried. He could bottle it up, but it would always be there, simmering beneath his skin. He could either embrace it or forever be at war with himself. He’d already spent most of his life hiding, and that hadn’t worked. Denying such an integral part of his being had only made it worse when the time came to use his magic in his own defense. Maybe it was time to try something new. Maybe it was time to heal and trust himself, as Athlen trusted him.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Believing in me.”

Athlen met Tal’s gaze and gave him a lopsided smile, uncertain. “Of course.”

Tal cleared his throat. “So you’re back.”

“Yes.” Athlen placed a dripping dagger next to Tal’s bed. “I brought you this.”

“Shay’s dagger?” Tal picked it up by the ornate hilt. The blade glistened in the darkness, and the metal was slick and cool on Tal’s palm. “You found it.”

“It wasn’t far from where you lost it.”

“I’m sorry.” Tal dropped the knife—it clattered on the rock—then grabbed Athlen’s sleeve. The fabric was