It feels oddly like I’m being fussed over, almost like this is my wedding day or something.
Frannie’s flitting around, wearing her favourite black dress and even lets me tie up her hair, plaiting it for her. At my questioning look, she gives a little smirk and a shrug.
“The crew is having a party tonight.”
“Another one? Is it another birthday or something?” I suppose with so many of them, there’s probably a birthday at least a couple of times a week.
“Or something,” Frannie replies, fluffing out her skirt.
Kit’s not our last visitor. One by one, I get a visit from Jack, popping by to see if everything’s prepared. Then Torin, coming to check that I have indeed eaten and that I’m happy for things to go ahead. And finally, Aster appears, checking in on me. His eyes flare wide when he sees me, and he puts a hand over his heart before stepping right up to me to take hold of my hand. He traces words into my arm, just like we used to, and it brings another smile to my face.
“Stunning.”
“Are you sure about this?” I ask. I know that of all of them, Aster probably had the least sexual experience, at least not recently. And something tells me he’s going to have to be very involved with the ritual itself.
“This wasn’t how I was expecting things might go between us,” he says. “But I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Not if it means we can get your seal back for you.”
I can tell he means every word.
By the fifth knock a couple of hours later, Frannie’s cackling with glee. “Oh, I hope your witch has brewed something for a boost of energy. With five of them on rotation, you’re going to need it.”
“Five? You mean three,” I reply, getting to my feet and heading for the door. “And I’m more worried about... other things.”
“You mean like chafing or friction burn?” She nods sagely as my eyebrows shoot up.
Well, they weren’t on my list of concerns. But they certainly are now.
“How long do you think it’ll go on for?” I ask.
“Hours, I expect,” Frannie says, throwing me my boots to slip on. “You want to get it right, after all. It’ll take all night ifyou’re lucky. Anyway, grab your skin and let’s go. You can talk to whoever’s at the door on the way.”
“What if they’re here for you?” I grumble, but I grab my skin anyway, throwing it over my shoulder.
Frannie beats me to open the door and lets out another mad cackle. “Ooh, things have taken an interesting turn.”
She takes a step to the side, revealing Captain Finch. He’s not wearing a hat today, with all his fresh, shiny hair on display and his shirt is held together by a single courageous button.
“What can I do for you, Captain?” I say, stepping out into the hallway.
He lets out a little chuckle. “I, uh, just want to warn you that this conversation might get awkward, love,” he says with a disarming smile. “I feel like we bonded a little last night, wouldn’t you say?”
I snort a laugh as the three of us set off toward Torin’s bedroom, where he insisted on us holding the ritual. “I’m pretty sure that awkward conversations are the theme of the day, so go right ahead. You won’t shock me.”
“Right. Well. This ritual of yours, someone needs to keep an eye on things,” he says, looking uncharacteristically unsure of himself. He rubs the back of his neck, one tentacle tugging on his hair shyly while the other gives me a little wave. “There needs to be someone keeping things on track, making sure you’re all safe. Making sure you don’t all just go into an orgasm haze or something like that.”
I know I said that he couldn’t shock me, but it feels a bit like he’s shocked both of us, judging by the way his tentacles are fanning his cheeks like they’re overly warm.
“I could help instead, if you like,” Frannie pipes up. “Just warning you that I might not be able to look you in the eye for a good six months. But I’ll do it if you need me to.”
Jack’s already said he’d rather make himself scarce this evening. So my choice is between forcing my best friend to watch me get sweaty with a bunch of men, or picking the captain, the man who always seems to put me on the back foot at the best of times. My stomach swoops at the thought, but it’s not with horror or disgust.
I should pick Frannie. I really should. But she’s right, it’ll be awkward as all hell tomorrow. And despite his oddities and his vagueness at times, Finch seems to be good at being in control.
And it sounds like that’s exactly what we need. So I find myself mimicking his words from last night.
“I might take you up on that, Captain.”
Chapter 19
