“It’s fine. The ornery bastard can call me whatever he pleases so long as he fulfills his role in all this. And he’ll do just that if he wants to get paid, won’t you, Captain.”

The man smiled a tobacco-studded smile. “Captain,” he snorted. “Ain’t never been called that. I think I like ye, Yer Majesty. An’ aye, I want me gold. Tis the only king I pledge my fealty to.”

“Which is why we chose you for the job. Magda, come aboard. We’ve lingered far too long already.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I am honored to have served you all these years, and your mother before that. But I’m afraid I will never see you again. Farewell.”

“What are you talking about? Magda, I command you to board this seaworthy vessel at once!”

It was the only time Elwyn’s handmaiden failed to obey one of her direct commands. Instead, she offered a sad smile, pressed the heel of her shoe to the boat, and shoved it out into the water.

“Magda! Magda!” Elwyn cried.

But the woman was already gone, having slipped into the shadows of the tunnel. “Oh gods,” Elwyn said. “Did you know she was going to do that?”

“No, Your Majesty. I swear I didn’t.” There was no lie in Beatty’s expression. If anything, she looked as shocked as Elwyn felt. “But what’s done is done. Give me Edward and I’ll feed him. His tiny belly must be as empty as a drunkard’s bottle.”

“I want to do it myself,” Elwyn said.

“Nonsense, Majesty. I won’t have yer modesty ogled by this cretin. Give him ’ere and I’ll do my duty.”

“No. I need to do this. I need to do this for my son. For my Edward.” Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away before they could fall. She needed to be strong for her son. She could save falling apart for after they’d reached Drouin and were safe behind the palace cliffs in the grand halls she’d once roamed as a child.

“As ye wish, Your Majesty, but if Captain Weasel ’ere so much as offers a stray glance in yer direction, he’ll feed the fish. That’s a promise, it is.”