Across a Star-Swept Sea by Peterfreund Diana

Author:Peterfreund, Diana
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

REMY HELO WAITED WITH her charges at the rendezvous point. The Wild Poppy hadn’t given her any instructions on what to do once the prisoners were clear of the city limits, so she was pleased that Lady Ford had the presence of mind to corral her people out of sight until the Poppy rejoined them.

When she did, she appeared frazzled. Already, the genetemps of the spy’s disguise was fading, and she looked more like a woman in a fake beard than the salter who’d shown up at the prison.

“Is there a problem?” Remy asked.

“Not at all,” the Poppy replied. “As expected, the prison guards followed me, searched my skimmer, and found nothing.” She looked at the escaped prisoners in their prison guard uniforms and blinked twice as if forgetting for a moment why she was there.

This was not the cool-headed spy who’d wrestled her gun away with a devil-may-care smile on her face. This wasn’t the elegant handmaiden who’d laid bare Remy’s soul on the floor of Princess Isla’s throne room. Something was wrong.

“Are all the Ford prisoners accounted for?” she asked at last.

“We are,” said Lady Ford. She took off her guard’s cap and shook her hair free. “And you must be the famous Wild Poppy. Younger than I’d thought. And … more feminine.”

The Poppy inclined her head. “My lady. We’re not out of the danger zone yet. I need you and your companions to board my ship for the journey back to Albion.”

“I’m eternally grateful for all you’ve done for me and my people, Poppy,” Lady Ford replied, “but I would never be able to live with myself if I abandoned my country in its time of need. My place is where it’s always been, on the Ford estate, protecting my lands and those who live there.”

“Madam,” said the Poppy, “it’s dangerous for you here.”

“It’s dangerous for you here,” said Lady Ford, then gestured to Remy. “It’s dangerous for this revolutionary soldier who led us from the prison. But that doesn’t absolve any of us from our duties. I will give my people the option to go with you if they choose. Some already have children in Albion and may wish to be reunited with them.”

“Three of your children await you in Albion, too,” the Poppy argued.

“My children know that my separation from them is in service of our homeland.” Lady Ford shook her head. “It’s no use arguing with me, young lady. You aren’t alone in fighting to save Galatea. I have other friends on this island. We’ll find ways to hide. And we can be more of a help to you here than we could hiding out in Albion.”

The Poppy’s bushy, mannish eyebrows furrowed, but she relented, and Lady Ford left to speak to her people about who was leaving and who was staying behind.

“Now I see,” said Remy, “why the revolution thinks the Fords are so dangerous.”

“Indeed,” replied the Poppy. “Maybe one day we’ll grow up to be like her.”

Remy raised her eyebrows at the Poppy.

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