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I lifted my head and let my eyes adjust, remembering that unfortunately this was all too real. I was still here, trapped on the sea, centuries in the past and miles from any hope of finding Milo. And the compass of my heart seemed to be spinning out of control. Maybe Cordelia was right. Maybe I didn’t have a soul.
I stood up, balancing as the ship leaned in the rolling night waves. Making my way back up the top deck, I returned to my spot where I’d tried painting earlier. Sitting crisscross beside the stains from my earlier “painting,” I tilted back my head and gazed heavenward. The light of the stars above was unlike anything I’d ever seen. The constellations shone brighter and more numerous than even when I’d watched them with Milo on the lighthouse.
He wasn’t kidding when he said there was no better way to stargaze.
I smiled to myself, imagining him here with me, watching the stars on a sailing ship in the night. With a drawn-out sigh, I looked back down, tucking my knees up to my chest. What I would give to find him and sit under the stars with him one more time.
The sound of soft singing drifting in the air caught my notice. I glanced up, looking for the source of the sound. Shadows contorted every shape on deck, and even with the dim lanterns of the ship and the moonlight reflecting on the water, my vision was obscured. The only people I could make out were a handful of crew members on the night shift, and it the song clearly wasn’t coming from them.
I leaned in the direction from which the voice came. It was male, but still gentle. It seemed to come from the stern. I followed it, my footsteps steady in the slightly too-large boots I wore. As I neared the stern, I saw Bellamy seated along the hull with a leg propped up to rest his elbow, a bottle of rum dangling in his hand. He was watching the water, singing softly with his back to the ship. I crept closer, stopping a few feet away to listen to the song as each word lazily drifted from his lips.
Lost out at sea
Do you dream of me?
By the call of the waves
I hear you and seek you
Till again the roaming sea
Brings you back to me.
I thought the tune seemed familiar, but my body stiffened when I heard the second verse.
Down by the shore
Meet me once more
By the light of the moon
Love me, then leave me
With the dawn rising
Haunt me forevermore
“What was that song?” I asked, my voice gentle to keep from startling him. I knew I shouldn’t be striking up something else with Bellamy, especially not out here alone on the back of the ship. But I had to know how he knew that song centuries before he met Serena.
He turned to look at me, a tiredness in his eyes that seemed uncharacteristic for him.
“Aye, just a sea shanty.”
“That was no sea shanty.” I straightened my shoulders, stepping forward. “That song sounded…special. Am I wrong?”
“You’re onto something, lass,” Bellamy grumbled. “But you remember how I said I have no room in my heart for any mistress but the sea?”
I nodded with a raised eyebrow, noting his shining eyes and unguarded way of moving.
“That’s because the sea keeps my secrets. It’s always just between her and me.”
“And what did you tell her tonight?” I climbed up onto the hull with him, dangling one leg over each side and turning to face him.
“You’re too curious for your own good, love.” Bellamy grinned, raising the bottle of rum to his lips again.
“Well, how about a deal? I tell you about where I’m from and I tell you a secret of mine if you tell me about that song.” I crossed my arms. “Oh, and I’ll forgive you for that uncalled for move back there.”
“You mean the kiss?” Bellamy rubbed the scruff of the dark beard covering his jaw with his ring-covered fingers. “That was just for show. In front of my men. Have to keep up the morale out here and keep the reputation.”
