CHAPTER NINETEEN
Sophia stood by Ishjemme’s docks, staring out in the hope that one of the incoming ships would bear good news. She watched as ships and smaller boats came and went, hoping each time one pulled up to the docks that it would bring with it the one message she wanted to hear:
Sebastian was coming for her.
She’d started by looking out from the castle’s walls, but that hadn’t been enough for her. What if Sebastian came and found himself turned away, or was even attacked as one of Ishjemme’s enemies? Sophia couldn’t stand for that to happen, so now, each day, she came and stood by the docks, waiting and hoping.
Briefly, she saw a young man whose broad shoulders reminded her of Sebastian, and she found herself starting forward without even thinking about it. Then the young man
