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tended to the sails, mopped the floor, or assisted the captain with various tasks.
    “ What are your duties while on board?” she asked Nathenek.
    “ You,” he said bluntly. “The emperor assigned me the task of hunting you down and bringing you before him to be executed. He gave me endless resources to do so.”
    A thought occurred to her—did Nathenek know why Emperor Hamen wanted her dead? Perhaps he was unaware of who she really was—the one person Emperor Hamen feared—the legitimate heir to the Emperion throne.
    She needed to tread carefully. “You mentioned I’m the first prisoner you’ve ever dealt with?” Rema casually asked while leaning against the railing and gazing out at the ocean.
    “ Yes. Usually I assassinate the target immediately. You’re the first one that I’ve had to bring to the emperor for termination.”
    Even though the warm sun beat down on her, she shivered from hearing Nathenek’s cold words. “Can I ask you a question?”
    “ You can ask,” he said, leaning on the railing next to her. “It doesn’t mean I’ll answer.”
    She played with the end of her rolled sleeve, trying to decide how to phrase what she wanted to say. “Why does the emperor want to see me executed? Why can’t you kill me like all the others?”
    Nathenek ’s eyes sliced over to Rema, analyzing her. For a brief second, she thought he knew the real reason.
    He looked back out at the ocean and answered, “I’m sure you know King Barjon is the empress’s brother.”
    “ I do.”
    “ And you plan to kill him in order to take the throne.”
    “ That is correct. But do you know why I want to take the throne?” She turned to face him.
    “ The rebels claim you are the true heir.” He peered down at her.
    “ I am,” she said. “King Barjon slaughtered my family in order to gain control of Greenwood Island.”
    “ Yes, I know all this.” Nathenek crossed his arms. “What are you getting at?”
    “ I’m just wondering how well you know your history.”
    “ My knowledge of Emperion is impeccable.”
    They stood facing one another. Rema wondered how receptive he would be to learn of her true lineage. Would he embrace it? Or kill her on the spot?
    He leaned toward her. “How well do you know your history?” She was about to answer when he continued. “Because I doubt you know anything about Emperion, our customs, or how intimately your suitor, Darmik, is connected to the ruling family.”
    “ I know the emperor is Darmik’s uncle,” she admitted.
    Nathenek smiled. He didn ’t understand that Darmik had denounced his family and was no longer loyal to them. He looked at something behind her. She glanced back and saw a hooded figure go below deck.
    “ Why is Trell here?” she asked.
    “ Why do you care about the old man?”
    “ Because he’s an elderly gentleman and his health is failing. I can’t imagine what the emperor wants with him.”
    He rubbed his face. “You weren’t supposed to know he was here,” he mumbled.
    “ Why? Are you going to kill him? Or is he giving information to the emperor?”
    Nathenek rested against the railing. “There’s a group of dolphins.” He nodded toward the water.
    Rema saw the beautiful , dark gray creatures zipping along the surface of the ocean. “They’re magnificent!” One jumped out of the water and dove back in. “I’m glad I got to see this. I never knew such creatures existed.” She’d been sheltered far too long. There was so much of the world she wanted to see and experience.
    He smiled.
    “ Are we here for any particular purpose? Or are we just enjoying the sun and view?” she asked, changing the subject.
    “ Nothing with me is ever for pleasure,” he replied. “We’re here to practice.”
    He moved away from the railing to the center of the deck, motioning for her to join him. “Since you’ve been exercising in the room, I assume you did some training while at the rebel camp?”
    “ A little,” Rema replied, standing