Chapter Nine
The moon hung high in the night sky, illuminating the serene sea in a soft, pale glow that stretched for miles. The ship was a mere silhouette against the shining backdrop of the water, its masts and sails barely distinguishable in the darkness.
Willow gripped Mercy’s reins tightly. “That’s it?”
Everyone looked at her.
“That’s theSally Mae,” Landyn replied.
The crunch of the pebbles beneath the horse’s hooves mixed with the briny scent of the sea air as they made their way down the dock toward the ship.
Willow trembled. Mercy balked, and Willow steadied her instinctively. She couldn’t take her eyes off the ship.Thatwas supposed to cross the English Channel? It was nothing more than wood and sails. Well, to be truthful, it was the biggest vessel in the harbor, and all the rest were built with wood and sails, too—but to Willow, it was little more than a toy in the water. Willow felt a deep sense of foreboding. What if a wave knocked it over? What if they came upon a storm? How could they stop the rain from flooding the ship? What if a giant sea monster…
Stop it, she told herself, lifting her chin and squaring her shoulders defiantly. She would defeat this fear. She wasn’t afraid of it.
She dismounted, following the lead of the others, and took another step. She shivered slightly in the chill of the evening air. Each move brought her closer and closer to the plank that led up to the ship’s deck. She clenched her teeth with determination.
“Are you well, Willow?” Christian asked.
Raven and Sage glanced at her.
She forced her chin up and offered a curt nod to Christian’s inquiry. Beads of sweat collected at the back of her neck while her stomach twisted in knots, and her pulse pounded unconsciously in her temples. She had been tempted to drink away her worry but wanted a clear head when she finally stepped on board the ship in triumph.
Raven and Sage turned back toward the ship as they walked.
Christian stepped closer, taking her hand into his, his thumb slowly rubbing her knuckles. His stare held hers. Even in the darkness, the light from the moon illuminated his handsome face, falling over his square stubbled jaw like liquid and caressing his tender brow. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze and whispered, “I won’t leave you.”
She gazed at him with gratitude and love. He knew how nervous she was.
“Your hand is cold,” he said softly.
“It’s chilly,” she lied.
Willow’s breath quickened as she moved nearer to the ship. She took a deep breath to calm herself, pausing at the plank to look up at the vessel. It was bigger than she had thought, which encouraged her. Perhaps it would make the crossing.
“There you are!” A short man with a round face greeted them from the ship’s deck. “Come aboard. You will get no ride down there.”
Landyn boarded first, pulling his steed behind him and up the wooden beam connecting the dock to the vessel. The plank groaned beneath their combined weight. Raven followed.
Tension raced along Willow’s shoulders. What if the plank broke beneath her? She mentally shook her head. Landyn was heavier than she was, she rationalized. If it hadn’t broken beneath him, she would be fine.
“Sage,” Christian called. “Take Mercy’s reins. I’ll go up with Willow.”
Sage reached for the reins.
“No,” Willow replied firmly, her hand tightening around her horse’s reins. “Mercy stays with me.”
Sage glanced at Christian in uncertainty. He silently handed her the reins of his horse. She sent Willow a worried look before leading the horses up the plank.
Marcus passed Christian and Willow, trailing Sage.
Willow took a deep breath, feeling her heart thump wildly in her chest. Her sisters were now on the large vessel, leaving her behind to fight her inner demons. It was her turn. And still, her legs would not move.
Mercy whinnied as if sensing her battle.
“It’s time, Will,” Christian said softly, squeezing her hand encouragingly. “Either we go, or we stay.”
Willow lifted her gaze to Sage, who had paused at the ship’s railing to watch her.
