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

“Your things,” the merchant interrupted, shoving the bag of supplies over the counter.

Athlen eagerly took the cloth sack and moved to scuttle away, but Tal grabbed his wrist and held fast.

“Oh no,” he said. “You aren’t running away this time. I made that mistake before.”

Athlen tugged halfheartedly but grinned, and Tal had the impression he was glad to be caught.

“I thought you drowned,” Tal said. “I thought…” His throat clogged. “I thought I’d let you go only for you to… hurt yourself, and I…”

Athlen’s smile faded. Tal’s heart ached for the loss of it.

“I’m sorry,” Athlen said. “I didn’t know you’d be upset. No one has been upset before.”

“What? Why?”

Athlen shrugged. “There’s no one to be upset.”

Tal’s throat went tight. “Are you the only one too?”

Athlen ducked his head, his hat obscuring his face. “I need to take the supplies to my friend. Her mother needs tending.” He tipped his head toward Tal, expression sly. “Come with me?”

“I don’t know if I should,” Tal said, looking around, noting the way several gruff and greasy men nearby eyed Athlen’s sagging pockets. “Shay is around, and I’m certain she won’t allow me to wander away too far.”

Shrugging, Athlen backed away from the stall. “I’m going. If you want to keep an eye on me, you’ll have to come too.”

Gulping, Tal shuffled closer, not wanting Athlen to flit away. Who was this boy who valued sea glass the same as pearls and gold? Who was he to smile slyly and tease Tal and touch him casually and make his heart race?

“Fine,” Tal said, feigning annoyance. “But after this, you have to come back and talk with Garrett.”

Athlen made a noncommittal noise, but Tal took it for acquiescence. More than likely, he wouldn’t be able to force Athlen to come back with him, but he might be able to wheedle information from him and report it back to Garrett. He could make amends for his earlier mistake. Besides, Athlen intrigued him. Tal released Athlen’s wrist, but Athlen didn’t run. He stayed right next to Tal’s side, his fingertips knocking into Tal’s hand.

They left the shade of the stall. The walkways made of broken shells reflected the harsh light, making Tal squint against the bright midday sun. The hat cast a shadow on Athlen’s features, and Tal likened it to when fog rolled in off the water at night and obscured the pale beauty of the moon.

Athlen jerked his chin toward Tal’s hand. “Why did he act like that when he saw your ring?”

Tal twisted it on his finger. “It’s a symbol of my family name. It identifies me as a royal.”

Athlen furrowed his brow. “How did that merchant know?”

“My family is royalty.” Tal hunched his shoulders. “Our symbol is on all the flags in the kingdom.”

“You really are a prince?”

“Yes.”

“And that ring says you are?”

“My brothers and sisters have them too, as well as anyone we consider family.” He spun it again, catching the jewel on his thumbnail. “I’ll give one like it to whomever I marry.”

Athlen hummed, as if thinking, then stopped suddenly at a cross street. He turned, and Tal followed.

Together they made their way from the merchant area into the residential section of the port. Athlen picked his way across the cobblestone streets. Tal followed, drinking in the sights and textures of the town, the smell of the sea wafting in from the shore and mixing with the odor of horses and people. As they went deeper into the city, the air changed, as did the streets, which narrowed from the wide, straight boulevards to cramped and twisting alleys shoved between a mishmash of buildings, as if the buildings had been there first and the streets had grown around them.

As the pair went, the people of the neighborhood gave them space—Tal in his shiny boots and royal posture complete with arrogant frown, and Athlen with his bare feet, awkward gait, and hopeful smile. Shay was behind them, far enough that Tal couldn’t hear her footsteps, but if he turned his head, he could catch a glimpse of her familiar frame.

They maneuvered a few blocks down a main thoroughfare before ducking into an alley. From there Athlen led Tal through a series of turns that had Tal questioning if Athlen knew his way at all. Before he could voice his concern, Athlen stopped in front of a small, shabby cottage tucked away in a cul-de-sac of other homes. The roof had seen better days, and a shutter hung at an angle.

Athlen didn’t knock, but breezed through the front entrance as if he belonged there, pushing over the threshold and into a two-room home. He flung off his hat, throwing it onto a rocking chair, his copper hair sticking up in every direction.

“Dara!” he called. “I got it.”

Tal didn’t follow. He paused in the open doorway, one hand on the frame, the other at his side. He didn’t see Shay behind him any longer, and he wondered if she had lost him in the chaos of the path they’d taken.

He was suddenly very aware of the fact that he was alone in a city he didn’t know with a boy who had shown no compunction about manipulating the truth. Foolish.

He called to his innate magic and let it bubble at the tips of his fingers as a precaution. He could defend himself. He’d been taught as a boy how to get away from those who would do him harm. And when his magic had manifested, his tutor had made him memorize the few remaining parchments that discussed defensive magic. He could do it, but he’d never had to, not with Shay as his constant shadow around the castle grounds. But this was his first time away from his home, and he’d mucked it up already.

He should leave. He could maybe find the way they’d come. If not, he could follow the sound of the sea, at least.

Athlen looked over his shoulder and frowned when he saw Tal at the