Boudicca’s eyes narrow on him and the contrast between her icy stare and fluffy pale pink robe is comical. She raises a finger and waggles it at him. “I seem to remember your tail being tucked firmly between your legs during your wilderness training.”
Lachlan heaves a sigh. “Aye, and that was all your doing.” He wags a finger back at her.
She snickers as she picks her tea up again and takes a sip.
“So it’s been confirmed that there are actually creatures out there? Like someone has killed one?” I chime in, pushing my plate away now that my belly is full of bread and bacon.
“Na, but chickens and livestock go missing far too often for it to be a coincidence.”
Armedwith full packs and full bellies, we trample across the dock to the ship Boudicca secured for us to borrow. The crew isalready there loading up the horses. A wiry man with a jet-black goatee lounges on the dock when we approach.
“Dragut!” Lachlan calls loudly at the man, quickening his pace.
“Captain!” the man, Dragut, bellows in return.
The two men embrace, patting each other roughly on their backs.
“When did you return?” Dragut asks peering up at Lachlan from under bushy brows. The wide-brimmed hat on his head shading him from the rising sun.
“Where ha’ ye been? I’ve been back for months leading a rebellion with Lena.” Lachlan stares bewildered, holding him at arm’s length.
“A rebellion? And you didn’t invite me?” Dragut’s face contorts into what I can only assume is a pout. “Lena? Who’s Lena?” A red head wrap under his hat raises when his eyebrows do.
Lachlan shakes his head, chuckling, before tugging me to him and folding me under a tattooed arm.
“Dragut this is Lena. Our queen. Lena, this is Dragut, the world’s finest pirate turned naval commander—formerly of the Ottoman Empire.”
He strips the hat from his head and descends into a sweeping bow. The flowing linen blouse and trousers he wears flap gently in the breeze blowing in from off the sea. But it’s the Yataghan sword strapped to his waist that draws my eye.
“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”
I extend a hand to the man. “The pleasure is all mine, Dragut. Are you to be our captain today?”
His rough hand wraps around mine, giving it a light squeeze. It feels like a pumice stone under my grip. Dry and calloused from centuries of working on a boat, no doubt.
“Come, come, come aboard!” He says excitedly, backing onto the gangplank.
I turn my head towards Lachlan and ask under my breath, “Did you say pirate?”
Lachlan clears his throat and aims a wink my way. “Formerly.”
Dragut walks in a commanding fashion up and down the vessel, shouting orders at the crew who scurry about to do as they’re instructed. I stride to the bow, hoping to stay out of their way as they work to get us back out to sea.
Lachlan follows behind me, dropping our packs to the deck, and leaning his back against the wooden railing. He stares at the crew with a sense of longing I mirror, looking out at the water.
“Still wish you were a pirate?” I ask, remembering a time long ago near the southern creek when we were treasure hunting. Lachlan had told me that one day he’d be a pirate and live on the ocean, as we scavenged for bits of glass, porcelain, and other trinkets.
He stares at me, his mouth parting in surprise. “Ye remember that?”
I grin, looking towards the horizon where the sun begins its climb from out of the water. The wind coming off the water grows stronger, slinging my braid off my chest and behind me. I have the sudden urge to throw my arms out wide while leaning against the wind.
“Of course.” I look out at the sloshing whitecaps. “I remember almost everything where you’re involved.”
Lachlan turns to face the ocean, leaning his forearms against the railing. The wind has his dark hair sliding across his eyes, a hint of excitement lighting them, as he glances back at the busy crew.
“Do ye wanna do the Titanic scene?”
Now it’s my turn to be shocked. My mouth drops open and I turn towards him.
