Duty & Monsters: Royalty & Romance, #2

By J.L. Meyrick

Captain Grace Peregrine finds herself in a new, unwanted role. Leader of her community, helping the island rebuild after Valentine's attempted coup.

 

Freddie, no longer a Princess, finally finds her place in the world. Training to master all the elements of ship life, she searches for a way to help people in a way she never could at the palace.

 

Sent on a joint mission to Ablunora to carry precious cargo across a sea at war, the pair learn to grow and love apart. Freddie meets a mysterious woman. Charged with her protection, she navigates the line between duty and romance.

Grace struggles to make meaningful connections after her recent loss, but a new face promises to introduce new challenges.

 

Join Grace and Freddie on this new, polyamorous adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.L. Meyrick
• Release date: Mar 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9781919617596

Book preview

Duty & Monsters

Royalty & Romance: Book 2

J.L. Meyrick

Copyright © 2023 by J.L. Meyrick

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact [e-mail]

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Book Cover by Artscandare

Formatting by Star Child Designs

Editing by SJS Editorial Services

Images by pch.vector on Freepik

1st edition 2023

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Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Dedication

To those who insisted on hearing more about Grace and Freddie, Crowns & Swords was meant to be a standalone, now it’s a fully-fledged series!

Content Warnings

If required, please keep these content warnings in mind when reading Duty & Monsters.

-         Grief

-         Fear

-         Parental death

-         Graphic bloodshed.

Author Note

To my family, because I know some of you will read this, this is your friendly reminder that this book contains explicit scenes of a sexual nature. Should you decide to read them, please don’t mention it to me, it’s far too embarrassing! I’d much rather believe you skipped over them.

Chapter One

Grace

Rough waves battered the ships in the harbour, trying with all their might to push them over and claim them for themselves. It was a futile effort. The masts stretched to the sky, sails restrained until they were called for once again. Feet pounded across the decks, shipmates darting about their daily tasks. The Sea Dragon, amongst others, was stuck in the harbour for over a month since the recent incursion, waiting while their captains worked to rebuild the small community island.

Gusts of icy wind flew up the harbour and through the small town, patchwork buildings dotted around the courtyard. Well-weathered planks next to freshly lumbered wood were the only evidence of a recent altercation. The town was almost back to its odd sense of normal after the brief incursion of Valentine and his crew.

The prince-turned-captain had taken control of the small community for a short time, attempting to turn them into his own private army. His high-born arrogance turned into determination to make his mark in the ongoing war between the three kingdoms. His victory was short-lived. A swift uprising amongst the island’s inhabitants had seen to that.

Muldotrens continued to roam the seas, attacking both Venetian and Ablunoran ships alike. The attacks had started randomly some time ago. Information about the war was scarce in the pirate community, even with their own princess hidden in their midst.

Captain Grace Peregrine had spent some time with the former princess, trying to work the war to her own advantage. So far, the only plus was being able to avoid warships, their paths being laid out for Freddie to snoop before her escape the night before her sham of a wedding. Sadly, that information was now worthless in the face of an ever-evolving wartime landscape.

Captain? a deep voice shook Grace out of her internal monologue.

Yes, Hawthorne? she replied, shaking the memories of the recent past from her mind. Her right-hand man stood beside her, towering over her head. To a stranger, Hawthorne appeared to be a terrifying man, broad and dark skinned. But Grace knew the man to be endlessly kind and protective of those he considered family.

Your presence is required in the hall, the towering quartermaster informed her, gesturing behind them to the building standing as the central meeting point for their small community. Grace nodded and led the way. Ever since her defeat of Valentine, the townspeople had looked to her for guidance. Their former leader, Jaques, fell at the start of the incursion, Valentine took him out personally. It wasn’t a role she ever envisioned for herself, but it was required for the town to get back on its feet, so she did what she could.

The heavy wooden doors stood open already, waiting for her to enter. The strong winds outside would make their closing difficult, but the promise of an incoming storm made it a sensible step. Hawthorne, inevitably thinking the same, ordered them to be closed. The groan of the century-old wood echoed around them as they walked deeper into the building. Grace couldn’t help but feel trapped as the echo rattled off the walls.

A ruckus of voices called out from the inner hall. The townspeople were waiting for her to voice their concerns. Grace used to attend these meetings a couple of times a year, sitting to the side, invisible in the wash of faces. Now, a place awaited her, at the head of the room, all faces pointing towards her.

The chair sat empty, waiting for her to sit and begin the meeting. Grace could feel the eyes of the room on her back, the pressure of her assumed role weighing on her. Her heart beat a little faster despite her not moving, her palms prickling with nerves as she made fists. She was happy at the helm of a ship, calling orders down to her crew. But this was a step too far into power for her liking.

A hand brought her out of her inner thoughts, placed on the shoulder of the chair that sat in front of her. Glancing up at the owner, she met beautiful brown eyes. Freddie stood ready to support her, a small smile encouraging her to sit. Her heart calmed; her hands loosened from fists. Taking a deep breath, she sat down and began the meeting.

Thank you for joining me today. Why don’t we kick things off with the latest rebuilding report? Grace said, turning to Yaxen. Hawthorne’s partner had taken charge of the rebuilding effort, ordering in the supplies required to get things back to normal.

All buildings have now had the external structure completed, and most are nearly finished internally. We should be moving people back to their own homes next week. Yaxen stood to give his report. We will have supplies leftover at the end of the building effort to restock our stores.

Excellent, I like what I’m hearing, Grace replied. How are the injured faring?

Most are back to their normal lives. We have a few left in the medic building, recovering from burns and broken bones, an older woman replied. Evelina ran the medic centre. She stood at four foot nothing, yet when she spoke, she commanded the room. Almost everyone here had been healed by her at some point in their lives. Most even owed her their lives.

Excellent, thank you, Evelina, Grace said, dipping her head as she spoke.

Has there been any word about Valentine? Are his people searching for him? Grace asked the room. Everyone had their own sources across the seas.

Valentine’s brother still searches, a voice replied from the crowd. Grace could feel Freddie freeze next to her. The brother Freddie's parents once promised her to but had never met. The idea of it left a bitter taste in Grace’s mouth, forever glad that she had escaped before Freddie and the prince married, forced together into an unhappy marriage of convenience. From what Freddie had told her, Prince Lysander was unhappy about the wedding.

I heard the king has all but given up on him, another voice called out.

That would leave the prince as heir, wouldn’t it? Grace asked.

Aye, but that won’t happen for some time.

I wouldn’t be so sure. I heard they haven’t seen the king for several weeks. The queen has been making royal appearances but rarely with a smile, a familiar face added, one of Xander’s crew. Grace’s heart pinched with the reminder.

So, the prince might soon be king, interesting, Grace replied. A new tactic might be just what this war needs.

I thought the war was no business of ours? Hawthorne asked, brow arched.

It’s not. But it still affects us, clearly, Grace answered. The war has already reached us, so the sooner it comes to an end, the better.

What do you suggest? Hawthorne replied.

Nothing yet. We aren’t in the position to interfere. But if a chance arises that presents no risk to our community, I believe we must consider it. To protect our way of life. Grace surprised herself with her decision. While she would never agree with what Valentine had planned, she would consider a less lethal end to the war for her people.

Her people.

She hadn’t thought that before. The idea was still uncomfortable. The weight of her new responsibilities still pressed down on her. The sooner they found a more suitable leader, the better. Someone who dealt with the stress of leadership better.

Does anyone have any other business? Grace opened up to the group. Almost immediately, voices clamoured to be heard over one another, everyone eager to share their ideas and grievances. Grace momentarily wondered how long this meeting would last.

Over an hour later, Grace stepped back out into the open air, gladly breathing in the salty air rather than the warmth of the meeting room. Freddie walked beside her; their hands entwined once more.

Now, was it really that bad? Freddie asked with a chuckle.

I’m not made out for this job, Grace groaned, letting her head fall back as she gazed at the sky above.

You’re a great leader. Just ask the crew, Freddie replied.

Maybe on the ship, but not in the middle of the whole community, Grace added, rehashing the same conversation they’d been having over the past month, never coming to a satisfying conclusion.

Just wait, you’ll soon be back out on the water, and you’ll relax into leadership again. Freddie squeezed her hand, pulling her along the side of the hall. Bishop’s getting annoyed with me again.

He’s not the most patient of men. I still don’t understand why he offered to teach you, Grace replied. I’m glad, but it’s out of character for him.

I think I’m doing quite well with the lessons. Once we’re back out on the water, I should be a fully functional crewmate. Freddie laughed. No more almost falling overboard for me.

I should hope so, Grace replied, not liking the idea of having to fish Freddie out of the treacherous ocean. Without thinking of where they were heading, Grace led Freddie past the houses on the east side of the island, winding a path past the rebuilt houses, heading for the open area on the edge of town.

The grass is coming on nicely, isn’t it? Freddie said softly as they stopped in front of the stones.

Once the flowers bloom, it will look lovely, Grace agreed. The community used the clearing as a cemetery for a while, but with the nature of the work, not many came to be buried here, most being lost to the seas. Those who were lost in the fight had nearly doubled the clearing's occupancy, their stones standing out as the newest in the group.

Grace knelt in front of one stone, her throat tightening up as grief washed over her once more. Her mind flashed back to the moment she lost him, the sight of the blade poking out from his chest, the blood staining Valentine’s polished floors. She closed her eyes as the tears escaped, running down her cheeks. Freddie knelt next to her, wrapping her arm over her shoulders.

He’d be proud of you, you know? Freddie said. Proud of what you’ve done for the town.

I just wish he could be here with us. I miss him, Grace whispered, trying not to get choked up on her words. The pain in her chest refused to relent, burrowing deeper every time she stopped in front of the stone.

I know, sweetie. I know, Freddie whispered as she pressed a kiss to her temple. Grace was grateful for her patience. They’d come here almost every day since the burial. Freddie had barely known the people who had died, yet she visited their graves with