In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens (most motivational books txt) 📕

Tal toed a hole in the sand. “No.”

“Because he would be the easiest to manipulate. Isa loves him, bless her, but, Tally, he’s not a mastermind behind anything.”

“You’re wrong, Shay. All the evidence we have points to him.”

She put her hands on her hips and rolled her head back to look at the sky. “Come along, then. I’ll take you back to the knights, and one of them will take you home. I would, but I have to lead this group to the border and wait for the queen’s command to invade Mysten.”

“No.”

“What?”

“One of Garrett’s sailors tried to kill me, or don’t you remember? Emerick has invaded our household, and I know in my bones that he arranged my murder. I’ll get home on my own, thank you. Until then you cannot tell anyone that I’m alive. It will endanger my family and you.”

Shay thrust her arm in the direction of the encampment. “We are marching to war, Tally! Our kingdom, as weak as it is, is about to strike against another on the premise of your death. You cannot shirk your responsibilities to your kingdom and hide here with these two.”

Narrowing his eyes, Tal hobbled forward. “How dare you.”

Shay didn’t back down. “You’ve had your fun, whatever that was, but now it’s time for you to return to your family and stop this conflict before it begins.”

“Fun?” Tal’s voice cracked. He stalked forward. “Fun?” Anger burned through him. Smoke curled from his fists. His body warmed with fire and flame. “You have no idea what I’ve been through. I have been kidnapped and tortured and hidden away, all to protect my family and our kingdom. I am not the young boy I was when we first set out on our journey, and I most definitely was not having fun at the expense of those I love. I am Prince Taliesin of Harth, fourth child of Queen Carys, and you will obey my command. Is that clear?” Shay’s dark eyes glittered with anger, and her jaw clenched.

Shay bowed at the waist, keeping her eyes locked on Tal’s. “Yes, my prince.”

“You will not tell my family any details of this conversation. You will not tell them I am alive. You will not give them my location. And you will not implicate either of these individuals in information you share with them.”

“You are making a mistake, my prince.”

“Then I will make that mistake on my own. When you move on in the morning, you will leave a horse behind, a fast and sturdy steed, tied to a tree with a saddle and supplies. Do you understand?”

“Garrett was right. You are a little shit when you want to be.” Tal scowled. “Yes, my prince. It will be done as you command.”

“Good.” Tal shed the royal facade, the tension of his spine loosening. “It was good to see you, Shay. I… uh… well… Athlen found this.”

Tal untied the dagger from his belt and, holding the blade, thrust the hilt toward her.

She didn’t move. “Keep it.”

“I shouldn’t. It’s yours. I thought I lost it on the beach when I fought them—”

“Keep it, Tally. You will need it on your foolish quest.”

Tal wrapped his hands around the hilt and pulled the dagger to his chest. “I’m sorry for not listening to you. I’m sorry for yelling at you and sneaking away.”

Shay shook her head. “I was devastated when we lost you. I never want to feel like that again. I disagree with the plan you’ve laid out, but I will do as you command. Just…” She reached out for him, and Tal accepted the touch to his arm. “Don’t die.” Shay looked to Dara and Athlen. “Look out for him. He may be pretending to be ready for the road ahead, but he’s been sheltered inside a castle with siblings and servants for his entire life. He doesn’t know the ways of the world outside the walls.”

“I’ll watch over him.” Athlen stuck out his chest. “He’ll make it home.”

Shay gave him a sharp nod. “Your horse will be waiting for you.”

“Thank you, Shay.”

“Good luck, Tal. Be safe. Stop this war as quickly as you can.”

“I will.”

Shay gave him one last lingering look, a small smile teasing the edges of her lips, then she turned on her heel and stalked off, hand on the hilt of her sword, hair swinging behind her.

“She’s frightening,” Dara said, coming to stand by Athlen’s side. “You’re scary too, when you transform from Tal to Prince Taliesin.”

Tal shrugged. “She wouldn’t have listened to me if I hadn’t demanded it.”

Athlen frowned and tapped his finger along the seam of his mouth. “You’re a prince.” He said it, brow furrowed. “And you can order others around to do your bidding.” He studied Tal. “She would have to do anything you asked of her?”

“Shay swore an oath to my family. She must do what the family commands. But it’s also understood that we would not ask of her anything that would violate laws or her moral code.”

Athlen raised an eyebrow. “Then, we may want to hurry to get back to the castle. She may find that being ordered to keep your secret is against her moral code.”

“She won’t.” Tal tucked the dagger in his belt. “But we should hurry.”

“Tal, why would Ossetia want you as a weapon?” Dara asked, frowning. “That’s the part I don’t understand.”

Tal stiffened. His mouth went dry. He hadn’t told her about his magic while she tended to him. She’d seen the evidence of his torture, but she didn’t know about his breakdown and his subsequent torrent of fire. Only Athlen knew. But Tal trusted Dara, and maybe it was time for his secret to be shared. Athlen knocked his fingers into Tal’s and gave him an encouraging smile.

“It’s complicated,” Tal said. “But you weren’t wrong about me when we first met.”

Dara’s eyebrows drew together in thought, then she paled and pressed her lips together. “The rumors are true, then. You’re like your great-grandfather.”

“I’m