When Rayne was comfortably settled on the pillows, Eno retreated and Rayne turned his laser focus on the prince. “What do you mean? What arrangements have you made?”
Shey sighed and stared down at his hands folded in his lap. “For the past few years, a drug manufactured by the Zastrad church has been leaking into Caspagir. It’s related to their religion, and it’s forbidden for it to be shared with anyone outside of their belief system. However, the Zastrad government has done little to police its sale across their borders.”
“Deadly?” Caelan asked softly.
Shey nodded. “And highly addictive, though most users don’t live long after they start taking it. Overdoses are seemingly inevitable. We have ongoing efforts within our borders working to stamp it out, but I’ve also sent an undercover team into Zastrad to try and root out the gang or organization that is moving the drug into Caspagir. They’ve been there for the past five years.”
Rayne nodded with approval. “Which means they’ve learned the culture, customs, and language.”
“They know how to blend and avoid notice,” Caelan added.
“Yes. That’s why I’ve asked them to spare a member from the team to help you get to the Zastrad capital of Mrytu.”
“Thank you. This is going to be a great help.” Caelan walked over and placed a hand on Shey’s slumped shoulder. The prince appeared weary all of a sudden. He didn’t know if it was the attempt on their lives or the reminder that his own country was fighting a different kind of war that had nothing to do with the threat from the Empire.
Shey looked up and flashed him a crooked smile. The scars on his cheek twisted, and the weariness in his eyes remained. “Anything I can do. I’m sorry I can’t send the entire team with you, but if they’re exposed, it would take us several more years to get a new undercover team into Zastrad. That’s too many lives lost of my people.”
“One person would be best. We’re trying to avoid notice and move quickly through Zastrad. We appreciate all you’ve done for us.” Caelan squeezed his shoulder and released it, taking a step back.
“Unless you need anything else from me, Your Majesty—”
“Caelan,” he corrected with a smile.
Shey nodded. “Caelan. I’ll take my leave and check in with the captain and the head of security. I need to get to the bottom of how Empire spies managed to infiltrate one of my ships.”
“Of course.”
Shey started for the door but stopped as he passed by Rayne. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
Rayne nodded. “I’m fine, Your Majesty. Just a bit of lingering soreness.”
He bowed his head to Rayne. “Thank you for saving my life.”
There was the tiniest catch in Rayne’s voice when he said, “It was my honor, Your Majesty.” Caelan could only smile. Always proper even when other emotions were clearly at war within him. Caelan was willing to bet that far more than honor had propelled Rayne into acting to protect his old flame.
Without another word, Shey slipped out of the room, leaving them alone. Silence settled over them, seeming to expand until it was nearly suffocating. It wasn’t surprising that Drayce was the first to shatter it.
“So, I’ll be the asshole,” Drayce groaned, flailing his arms a bit at his sides. “Are we sure this was Empire-sent and not arranged by Shey? How do you know the assassin was trying for Shey and not Rayne?”
Rayne appeared ready to explode, but it was Eno who reached over and flicked Drayce’s ear as he said, “This was definitely from the Empire. Prince Shey was far too shaken, and I honestly don’t think he would have risked Rayne’s life.”
Caelan watched Rayne’s mouth fall open and then snap sharply shut with a click of his teeth. His advisor cleared his throat, recovering quickly. “In addition, the assassin was coming up behind the prince with a knife drawn. I was lucky I saw him in time to move Shey out of harm.”
“I trust Shey,” Caelan announced in a firm voice. “If I didn’t trust him, I wouldn’t have made sure that he had a connection to the Wind Stone. This was the Empire’s doing, pure and simple. We need to continue to be on our guard.”
“I can move into your chambers this evening and remain there until we dock in Sirelis,” Eno offered.
Caelan shook his head. “No, I’ll keep Drayce with me. It’ll also be handy when it comes to his seasickness. I want you to stay close to Rayne. Otherwise, we’re all in one room, and these cabins aren’t big enough for us to be that close for that many hours.”
“Besides, we have a very long car ride ahead of us,” Eno added with a smirk.
“At least I don’t get carsick,” Drayce said cheerfully.
“Thank the gods for small miracles,” Rayne muttered under his breath. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He looked worn. There were lines from the corners of Rayne’s eyes and around his mouth he’d never noticed before.