Chapter 176

Bastian watched Hydrangea with concern evident on his face. He knew she was upset about the kiss, but it was just a kiss. It meant nothing. He hadn't seen Hydrangea this angry in… months.

She had slapped him. She had actually slapped him.

He wasn't sure which hurt more; the slap or the angered expression of horror on her face.

His eyes drifted to her again. Her feet were surprisingly steady on the rocking boat. His eyes trailed her ridged form; her head was hung and her shoulders hunched. Her arms were crossed with her fingers clenching her upper arms.

He wanted to walk over there and give her a hug from behind, just to relax that tension from her body. He knew the emotions that were crossing her face were frustrated by the clenching and unclenching of her fingers.

He sighed and hunched his shoulders, clasping his hands between his legs.

He looked up abruptly when one of the brothers sat beside him. Ian, he believed. His blond hair was slightly longer and he had a spray of freckles all across his face. He remind him of one of Hydrangea's brothers, Asher.

"Women, huh?" He asked as he reclined against the wall behind him, that no doubt led to the cabin.

Bastian narrowed his eyes at him, he breathed a breath through his nose. He would normally casually reply to a comment like that, but he didn't want to.

"And just what are you insinuating about women?" Especially my woman?

Ian shrugged, "Nothing. But they've got testy tempers, especially when they meet Suzanne. Every girl that's ever met Suzanna usually throws a hissy fit. Not a lot of blondes like her in Cadarama." He sniffed and wiped his nose.

Bastian nodded, "So you're saying that Hydrangea is… jealous of your sister?" That was preposterous. Hydrangea was one of the most attractive women he had ever seen. He searched his mind for a second. No, she WAS the most attractive woman he had ever seen. And her character and personality were superior to Suzanne in many ways.

Ian nodded and sniffed again, "Yeah, most women who are looking for a ride with a husband are fuming." He started chuckling, "But I ain't ever seen one of them slap them."

He began roaring in laughter and Bastian turned to look at Hydrangea again. Bell Island was now much closer, the winds had helped them greatly. He could make out the details of some of the trees, and see a stone pier.

After a few minutes Ian calmed his laughter, slapping Bastian on his shoulder—which startled Bastian—he said, "I'd get some drink into her, I'm sure she'll calm right down."

"Your wisdom of women is beyond your years." He muttered, but his sarcasm went unheeded by the fisherman.

"Yeah," He stretched, "Drink always brings a woman's spirits down. Also makes them a lot easier."

Bastian thinned his lips and slowly dragged his eyes from the island to the younger man, "Indeed?" He asked sarcastically.

He was well aware of the effects of alcohol on women, but he'd never taken advantage of a woman while she was inebriated, even when they'd asked.

"Yeah, yeah. Once met this broad from Crescent, bright red hair and a crazy, fiery attitude. Didn't want anything to do with me," Bastian rolled his eyes at the man's tale, "But after knocking back a few swigs of mead, she was ready and willing."

Bastian thinned his lips once more. He turned and faced the bow of the ship, where Hydrangea was standing.

She was still hunched over, her scarf was being tossed in the breeze. It tortured him to see her so tormented and he couldn't do anything. He didn't know what to do. He'd never handled angry women well, in fact, he avoided them at all costs.

He sighed. The only thing he could think to do was give her a hug or a kiss. Maybe both at the same time. But she had gotten up the moment he sat next to her. He was a little afraid that she might slap him again, or worse. She had a sharp tongue, he knew that.

The boat docked at the pier within the hour and he untied Gravel from the post. His eyes followed Hydrangea as she slowly turned to walk down the board that Clive had kindly placed on port side.

Her expression was distant and it only made the pain in his chest worse. If she'd only tell him how to erase that emotionless expression from her face. He paused for a moment as he considered how he'd get her to tell her when a voice broke his thoughts.

"Who's there?"

His eyes landed on a man at the entrance to the stone pier, his head was uncovered revealing short brown hair and a thin beard. His clothes were simple and he had a single belt strapped around his waist, with a sword hung from it.

He stepped down the board and stood in front of Hydrangea, handing the reins to her.

He squinted his eyes at the man. He looked very familiar.

"Hugh?"

A shocked expression lit the man's face before he collected himself, "I am Hugh Kaveh. Name yourself."

Clive and Ian were both watching the spectacle from their boat.

Bastian laughed, "What are you doing here?"

Hugh turned his head, "My apologies, sir. But I do not know you. Who are you?"

"I'm here to see my mother, she has yet to meet my wife." He turned his head and nodded and Hydrangea who was hiding a step behind Gravel, her face still hidden mostly by the scarf.

"You have yet to answer my question." Hugh pushed.

"Do you really not recognize me?" Bastian asked with a tilted head.

Hugh narrowed his eyes and scrutinized him. Bastian knew his hair was longer, his beard was returning, his boots were covered in mud and sand, his clothes were much less fancier than his attire had ever been in the palace. But surely Hugh, his person, would recognize him.

Hugh's eyes widened and Bastian nodded, he felt as though Hugh was to be trusted. Especially if he was there with his mother. Why was he there?

"S-"

Bastian shook his head and smiled, "Samuel! Yes."

Hugh stared at him as though he were a ghost. Which made a fair bit of sense.

Bastian began walking forward and waved to Hydrangea that she follow him. He thanked the two brothers who were still looking between the two men with interest.

Walking closer to Hugh he wrapped an arm around the man's shoulder, upon which Hugh stiffened, "So, tell me how is my dear mother?"

"I-I… Sh-she-she's… h-how are you-you here?" He asked stammeringly.

Bastian nodded and looked back at Hydrangea who was watching him with a confused look.

"Let's walk further in." He replied as he took the reins from her cold hands. She was still frowning slightly, the crease in her brows had not left. But he didn't have time to talk to her about it.

As Hugh led them down the wide jungle paths of the island Bastian began to relay their story, in bits and pieces.

"So… Hadok was the one to get you out?"

"Yes."

"Explains why we couldn't find him in the chaos." He said, his expression was dark.

Bastian nodded and glanced at Hydrangea, she was watching her feet. "Why don't you mount Gravel?"

"I'm fine." She muttered without meeting his eyes.

"I was sent here because I requested to stay with the Queen Mother. I did not want to serve in the palace any longer." Hugh explained.

Bastian nodded. It had been just over five months since he and Hydrangea, along with Brigitte and Hadok, had been forced to leave the palace. And look how fruitful their journey had been. They'd gained nothing. Not one ally, not one army or weapon.

"The solution will come to you…" Samadur's words returned to his mind.

"Sovereign, why are you here?" Hugh broke the silence that had settled over them since his explanation.

Bastian massaged his neck sheepishly. It was strange being addressed as Sovereign. It was strange being in Cadarama again.

"I've come to see my mother." He answered succinctly.

Hugh nodded and took that as a cue not to say anymore.

They walked on in silence and finally arrived at a set of iron wrought gates. Beyond them spread a lavish garden that Bastian knew surrounded the palace hidden behind the flowering shrubs and hedges. His mother was fond of her gardens.

Hugh pushed open the gate and led them through the gravel paths and to the palace.