He groaned as the large drapes opened and sunlight came streaming through the windows. The girl next to him twitched lightly. Ama? He was reasonably sure that was her name.

“You went through that whole barrel already?” Lefty scolded. Eric groaned and pulled his blanket over his head. “It took Lainey seven months to procure that rum for you Eric, it’s been a week.”

“Be sure to thank Lainey and tell her I would appreciate more,” he muttered. Ama woke and gasped, pulling the blanket over herself. “Oh, have you not met my brother, sweet one?” Lefty rolled his eyes.

“I apologize for startling you, Mistress,” Lefty said, picking her dress up off the floor.

“S’alright,” she whispered taking it from him. “Thank you m’lord.”

“Oh Lefty’s not a Lord,” Eric stretched. “Not yet, obviously, he’ll probably be a duke someday.” Lefty glowered at him and Ama ran out. “What the hell are you doing here, anyway? Shouldn’t you be in Vacana, kissing Daniel’s ass?”

“Some of us had to find a way to live, Eric,” Lefty said, “you can’t go on like this.” Eric frowned at him. “You aren’t the only one who left someone behind.”

“It’s different,” Eric shook his head. His step brother raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Marina will wait for you.” Lefty sighed and rolled his eyes. “You know I’m right.”

“Marina is not waiting,” Lefty said. “She’s fully committed to Nika Averran.” Eric scoffed. “Annalise on the other hand,” Eric stood up and stretched.

“Annalise took five minutes before she pulled Harran back into her bed,” Eric grumbled. “She can’t be alone or at least doesn’t want to be. I’m taking her example.”

“She refused his proposal,” Lefty said. Eric shrugged. That didn’t really surprise him. When it came down to it, his Anya wasn’t going to marry anyone else. Unless Carolina Dugarry conveniently dropped dead. “Eric, when did you last write to her?” Eric exhaled. “And what did you write to her.”

“I told her the truth,” Eric shrugged, “that Daniel will not be allowing our engagement to move forward.” Lefty mumbled something. “What was that Captain?”

“You’re spineless,” his brother turned to him. “And you’re ruining three other lives besides your own.” He walked out and slammed the door. Lefty had been promoted a year ago, and somehow Eric had become the troublesome brother everyone worried about.

He was not fond of the switch.

“What has Dami so worked up?” His mother walked into the room. She sniffed the air. “Goddess, Eric, when was the last time you bathed?“

“Are you going to lecture me too?” He frowned. She sighed. “I told him that we weren’t going back to Cammadan.”

“Ah,” she nodded. “Well, that’s his choice at this point.” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, I think you’re being awfully foolish, but no one is forcing him to stay.”

“And me?” He said. She exhaled and looked at him.

“You, my sweet boy,” she said, “are being forced. Though I would imagine if you pushed at all, Daniel would relent.” He looked at his mother and nodded. “Regardless, this can’t go on, and we’re all going to Vacana, so I suggest you bathe and pack.”

“What?” Eric said as she stood up. “Mother,” he started.

“Your sister has asked that we come,” Aimee shrugged. “It’s bad enough Elana is insisting Kat remain in the household,” Eric sighed, “visiting when she asks is the least we can do.”

“It’s a great honor for Kat to be Karina’s companion, Mother,” he stood up and went to a basin and splashed his face with water. “I’m not going to Vacana.” Aimee shrugged.

“You most certainly are,” she walked out, “I had a Dream that you were in the temple courtyard.” She called over her shoulder.

“That could have meant anything,” he called back. But there was no arguing with his mother’s visions.

They’d been in Vacana a week and Eric was already tired of it. Tired of Kieran Franz glaring at him, tired of dinner after dinner with some bright little debutante next to him at Elana’s behest. The days were tolerable thanks to his nieces and Kat, but in the evenings even their company was denied him.

He hated the city, hated the way it made his mother shrink, and most of all hated what it wasn’t. Hated that it wasn’t warm, or light, or fun. That he didn’t hear Lefty’s laugh from across a hall coupled with Marina’s giggle. That he wouldn’t catch Annalise’s eye and be greeted by a wink. He hated that Vacana wasn’t Dovetail or even better Brightcoast. Blessed, wonderful Brightcoast, where he’d been happier than he ever thought possible.

“I didn’t realize I was so dull,” the girl next to him smiled. She had a soft gentle face, light brown skin and twinkling almost green hazel eyes. “Or shouldn’t I say such a thing to our Prince?” Eric smirked. This one had spirit, at least.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “it’s been a trying few weeks.” She nodded, “Lady,” he started and she rolled her eyes.

“Talia,” she said. “Lady Talia Warwick.” He frowned.

“Brenton Warwick’s wife?” He asked. She nodded. “I was sorry to hear about him. We were cadets together, he was a good man.” Lady Talia smiled.

“He was,” she said softly. “Queen Elana was very kind to give me a place in the houeshold, I was going a little bit mad on my own.” He nodded. “You coming back here has unsettled things,” she popped a bite of the fish they were eating into her mouth. He raised an eyebrow. “They all want to marry you.”

“They will all be disappointed,” he said. “There’s only one woman in the world I’ll marry. Elana knows it, she shouldn’t encourage them.” She smirked.

“Is Queen Annalise so very singular, then?” She took a sip of her wine.

“Yes,” he said simply. “She is.” He exhaled. Lady Talia regarded him.

“You’re still in love with her,” she said.

“I don’t think I ever won’t be,” he admitted. “Her current paramour, Prince Harran once told her the gods cast for us. I’m less sure about her, but I know they did for me. Annalise is the end for me.” She smiled. “What?” He said.

“The honesty is refreshing,” she said. “That’s all.” He smiled.

“Were you in love when you married Brenton?” He asked. “Since we’re being honest.” He monitored the way she put her wine glass down, then lifted her napkin off her lap.

“It was nice speaking to you, Your Highness,” she said and stood up and walked out. Elana glared at him with a deep frown. Once dinner broke up, he was standing on a terrace and she walked out.

“You should apologize to Talia,” Elana said. He looked at her. “I thought you might like her.”

“Yaya,” he said and shook his head. “I did like her, but that doesn’t mean,” his sister in law glared at him. “I’ll apologize.”

“Good,” she said. “My brother wrote me Annalise and Harran parted.” He looked at her.

“Raymond would know,” he said. “Why are you tossing pretty widows at me, then?” He asked. She smirked.

“So you think she’s pretty?” She said. Eric sighed. “I can’t have you bringing tavern girls into the palace, Eric, and I understand your,” she searched for the word, “appetite, has become substantial. Talia is an elegant solution.” He stared at her dumbfounded.

“Is Lady Talia aware of this solution?” He asked. She rolled her eyes.

“She has no interest in marrying again,” Elana said, “but I know she’s lonely as are many others who visit.” Eric exhaled. “Your mother saw you in the temple courtyard.”

“Oh she mentioned that?” He said with a laugh. Elana shrugged. “I haven’t been to the temple since I went to Rastan before,” he picked at a piece of seaweed that had dried on the railing. “How would he react if I asked to go back? You know him best.” Elana leaned forward. “I’d think he’d rather punish Franz, than Lefty and me.” Elana glared at him. “When did it end, Yaya?”

“I’ve been faithful to your brother since we took our vows,” she said. “What happened before that is no one’s business.” Eric looked at her. “I love you, Eric, you know that. I’ve been patient, we all have. But I’m reaching my limit. I know Lefty has. Do you want to know what it looks like when Kat or your mother or Simon do?” He sighed. “And to answer your first, not rude question, if you asked, he’d likely say no, he doesn’t like how Annalise stonewalled him.” Eric raised an eyebrow.

“He ordered the ferries stop,” Eric pointed out.

“She refused to negotiate and placed a ban on the Dumanis coming to us,” Elana reminded him. He frowned. The Dumanis blockade had been hard on the Island. It had ended eventually and he wondered which twin he had to thank for that.

The next day he was walking to the water garden to meet up with Kat when he saw Lady Talia sitting with a book. He walked over.

“Can I help you?” She arched an eyebrow at him. Goddess, he did like her.

“I think I offended you last night and I’d like to apologize,” he said. She closed her book.

“You did offend me,” she said, “and I accept your apology.” He sat down with her.

“I didn’t mean to imply that you hadn’t loved you husband,” he said. “My dinner manners are obviously rusty.” She smirked.

“I’d heard that Camamdan’s court is basically one brawl away from a tavern,” she giggled. “So some adjustment must be made.” He threw his head back and laughed.

“They are a good deal less formal,” he said. “Though if I said something like I did to one of those ladies I’d probably have had a knife at my throat, so I am grateful for our more restrained temperaments in some ways.” She smiled. “But I am sorry, I should never have,” he exhaled, “it was a shameful thing to say about a fallen friend.” She looked at him and pressed a braid behind her ear.

“I did,” she said softly. He looked at her, “love Brenton. I loved him very much.” He smiled. “I didn’t expect to, our parents arranged it, but I did love him and then he died and it was awful.” She swallowed. “What went wrong with you and Queen Annalise?” Eric sighed.

“My brother decided he’d rather have a war than an alliance,” he said. She looked at him curiously. “And then because Annalise isn’t stupid that didn’t even happen.”

“And Captain Lestoff? Wasn’t he going to marry The Duchess of Brightcoast?” She asked. He exhaled.

“I would miss Lefty like missing a limb,” he whispered, “but he should have gone back to Marina a long time ago, he’s just punishing himself.” She looked at him. “You do understand why Elana introduced us?”

“I’ve been offered up before,” she said, “though the monster I was being sacrificed to was less appealing.” He looked at her. “You know what your sister in law is like, and my status is convenient for her ends. No husband, so no threat there, but my reputation doesn’t require the protection of her other girls.” Eric frowned at her.

“That doesn’t make it right,” he said. She shrugged and leaned back.

“What’s that got to do with anything? It wasn’t right when your father pressed you mother into marriage, it wasn’t right when Lord Brayton tried to take Cammadan’s throne, it wasn’t right that Brenton’s ship went down, it wasn’t right that you were pulled back here away from the person you love,” she sighed, “right or wrong doesn’t matter when things simply are.” She stood up. “I appreciate the apology, your highness.” He cynicism shocked him almost as much as the whole situation.

For all his show of disapproval Eric invited her to his villa for supper that evening, and to his credit a buffet had been laid out. But as it turned out she didn’t care for the pretense.

She didn’t speak a word and breezed past him into the bedroom. He chuckled following behind her and taking her by the waist and turned her face and kissed her.

“You’re sure?” He murmured.

“Yes,” Talia exhaled. He began to massage her breasts under her gown. She whimpered as he slid his hands through her laces and undid her.

“Before we go further, My lady,” he said, “I want to warn you my tastes are particular.” She was trembling as he tackled her back onto the bed. “And I’m not gentle.” She exhaled as he pressed her hands above her head and held her wrists down.

“I wish to please you, My Prince,” she demurred. “Do you want to bind me?” She teased. He smirked.

“Perhaps another time,” he said, “but I’m glad you’re open to it.” She shrugged.

“I like to play,” she whispered and kissed him. He pressed into her and took her roughly. She whimpered a little and thrust up, but mostly knew the game, and let him have her.

“When do you leave?” Talia lounged against the bed. He looked at her.

“I’m not going, apparently,” he shrugged. She raised an eyebrow. “There is apparently a worry about security.” She nodded. “I’m glad of it.”

“I thought you’d want to,” she said. “Isn’t Rainiere your friend? Surely you wish to support him?” He cupped her face and kissed her.

“Rainiere is sure of my support,” he said. “It’s for the best.”

“Is this about,” Talia started and then stopped. She looked away, “never mind.” He grabbed her chin.

“What were you going to say?” He said sharply.

“Is this about her?” She asked. He inhaled. “I’m under no illusions about what this is, Eric, but I won’t be your excuse to avoid something difficult.” He stood up and started dressing.

“It’s none of your business,” he said sharply. “Are you unhappy with your position in my life Talia?” She stared up at him. “If you are, I’m sure Elana can find another place for you.”

“Do not speak to me as though I’m other people.” Talia said simply, her eyes not leaving his. “I’ve heard what you whisper in the dark and I’ve let you put your hand around my throat, do you think I’d do that if I thought you the vicious, cruel, thoughtless creature they do?” He blinked at her, startled. “You can hide your heart, freeze it, even, but I know you. Hide from her for the rest of your life, if that’s your wish,” she stood up and pulled her dress on, “but don’t do it with me.” She walked out and slammed the door. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. She didn’t understand, and he’d been sure that she did.

He sent her flowers by way of apology and the next night she’d come back. They didn’t discuss it further.

Eric wasn’t sure why he’d been expecting a warmer welcome in Brightcoast, but after Annalise’s initial embrace he’d found himself lost. He’d asked Lefty and Raymond to meet him in the apartment he’d moved into, though his brother remained stony and silent. But he needed to know the truth.

“Tell me about him,” Eric asked. Lefty rolled his eyes and Raymond glared at him.

“I’m not doing this,” Raymond said.

“Doing what?” Eric said.

“Emotional reconnaissance,” Lefty said. Eric gasped, offended. “Oh please, we all did it for each other for years, don’t act offended.” Raymond smirked.

“Anyway, who says I’m on your side this time?” He shrugged. “I like Prior, and he’s Evan’s family.” Eric scowled at him. “She was miserable for years and now she’s not, well, I mean, before this whole mess she wasn’t.”

“Does Talia know you’re here?” Lefty asked him. Eric looked at him. Raymond frowned.

“Who’s Talia?” Raymond asked. Eric sighed and pressed his fingers on the bridge of his nose. “Wait, you’re waltzing in here all, tell me about Annalise’s engagement, and let’s act like nothing happened, and there’s a Talia?”

“Karina and Kat didn’t tell you?” Lefty said. “Lady Talia Warwick, she’s a widow, she’s one of Elana’s ladies and she and Eric have been sleeping together for a year.”

“It’s different,” Eric shook his head. “And I gave Kat a a note for her.”

“It really isn’t,” Lefty said. “And you with the gods damned notes. Can’t you just have a conversation with a woman?” Raymond sighed.

“You’re seeing someone consistently?” Raymond asked. “Caro’s network said there were a lot of them,” Lefty rolled his eyes.

“Oh, there have been plenty,” Lefty said. “Talia’s just, more permanent, than the others.”

“You’re one to talk,” Eric said. Lefty shrugged.

“I’ve never pretended to be respectable,” he said, “or to be pining for my great love while having half of Vacana suck my cock.” Eric stepped up to his brother. “You’ve always judged her so harshly for finding comfort, but it’s because you think she’s like you. You think she’s distracting herself, playing until you two can complete whatever story you made up sitting on that lighthouse for all those years,” Lefty looked at him. “You’re so afraid that’s all you were to her, a plaything, a distraction. Like Talia was to you.” Eric frowned

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Eric said.

“Because Tristan Dugarry sure as hell wasn’t disposable, or Harran and now Prior,” Lefty said. “So it has to be you, right? You’re the plaything, the one that doesn’t matter. Because if she’s like you, she couldn’t possibly love you and them.”

“I know she’s not like me,” Eric hissed. “That’s the problem.” Lefty smirked. “I love Annalise, I only love Annalise, I have only ever loved Annalise. And it’s not enough.”

“No,” Lefty said, “it’s not. And it took her a while but she caught on.” He turned and left the room.

“Huh,” Raymond said. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice it in Rastan.” Eric looked at him. “He’s furious with you.”

“Yes, he is,” Eric mumbled. “Ray, I’m glad you’ve gotten everything you wanted,” Raymond looked down. “You’re a mastero and you have Evan, and I’m glad for you. But you understand that there was a cost.” Raymond looked at him.

“Yes,” Raymond said, “and I’m sorry that you were the one who had to pay it Eric.” Eric nodded. “You’re not playing fair.”

“Never said I would,” Eric smirked. Raymond exhaled.

“There’s not a lot to tell. He’s a good man, he’s been excruciatingly patient, and he stood by her. He’s a damn good fighter, the twins think he hung the moon, and even Aaron only questions her ambivalence, not him. Marina’s still in denial, but mostly because I think she thought she’d lose Lefty forever if you never came back. Now that that’s clearly not the case, when she comes back, she’ll likely come around too.” Eric looked at him.

“When she comes back?” He said. Raymond exhaled.

“Nika and I agreed,” he said, “we can’t, when we talk about her,” he closed his eyes. “She’s coming back, she has to come back.” Eric looked at him.

“Nika and you?” Eric said. Raymond nodded.

“We didn’t freeze for four years, Eric,” he said, “life happened. Nika and I are friends, we’re close friends. Marina and Annalise are my family, the same as you and Elana and the girls.” He stood up. “And Evan and Prior are too. Prior is like his brother, they’re so like you and Lefty I have to laugh sometimes.” Eric smiled.

“I hate that I missed it,” he said softly.

“Missed what?” Raymond said.

“When you became a man,” he said. Raymond blushed.

“So one of Elana’s seeds bloomed?” Raymond asked. Eric shrugged.

“Talia’s not like the others,” he said, “she’s not a simpering virgin who wants a tiara and she understands my,” he sighed, “limitations.”

“Uh huh,” Raymond nodded. “You have to tell Annalise.” Eric blinked at him. “She never forgave Harran, not really, for not telling her about Brea.”

“His wife?” Eric said, “I thought that was all after,” Raymond shook his head.

“Two years, before he came to Dovetail,” Raymond held up his fingers. “And not a word before he got her into bed and then Brea came here.” Eric swallowed. “Athena told Prior the one thing he can never do is leave her. You already left her Eric, if you also lie to her,” he shook her head, “or keep secrets, or make her feel like by loving Prior she betrayed you, it’s over. You know that, you know her.”

“I’m not in love with Talia,” Eric said. “It’s sex and companionship, and,” Raymond looked at him.

“And if you tell her she’ll understand that,” he said. “If you don’t tell her, she’ll never trust you.” Eric sighed. “She went to the manor, to help heal her uncle, you can probably find her on her way back.” He left.

Annalise had made it clear that she wasn’t making any decisions, but that conversation on the beach. Her certainty of her duty and she’d left him standing there. His hands hand found that pendant on her throat. She belonged to someone else now, she wasn’t his, if she’d ever been.

He looked up to her balcony at the palace and saw her looking down at him. He’d do what he could, he’d help save Marina, for Annalise and for Lefty, and he’d go home. Maybe marry Talia, if she was open to it. That would piss Daniel off. If Annalise could decide to make one of her pretty guards a king, why shouldn’t he make a noblewoman he enjoyed a princess?

He looked up and saw Annalise standing on her balcony.

And that was why. Because he’d always been looking for her. Always.