“Marina?” Bonnie sat across from her, legs crossed at the knee. She’d forgone the eye patch, which pleased Cali, especially since the pirate had the most beautiful blue eyes Cali had ever seen.
Cali wrenched her gaze from Bonnie’s eyes and nodded. Wax slid down the candles in the candelabra and puddled on the scarred wooden table, as the light flickered restlessly and sent shadows dancing across the ceiling.
Bonnie took a sip of brandy, wincing less that she had when she’d first tasted it. “The hold is more secure than it looks, and Gert will ensure she doesn’t escape. Besides, she’s had a discouraging few days. I don’t imagine the hellkin has much fight left in her tonight.”
Cali thought of Marina standing at the water’s edge, soaked to the waist, screaming at a rowboat. “I almost felt sorry for her.”
“Almost.”
“Almost,” Cali confirmed, swirling the brandy in her glass. “Where are you taking her if not back to the Known Lands or onto another pirate ship to work off her passage?”
Bonnie’s gaze drifted to the map on the wall, the one with the sea monster sketched at its edge. “There’s a place on our way.“ She brought her eyes back to Cali. “Somewhere Marina can’t do any more damage. Not easily.”
The captain seemed to consider adding more and then decided against it, which Cali might have pressed her on if the knock at the door hadn’t interrupted them.
“Enter,” Bonnie called, reaching for her eye patch and quickly slipping it on.
The door swung open and Marvella came in sideways, holding a cloth-lined basket in both hands. Behind her, Thrain ducked through the doorframe, and Bramble rode his shoulder with his tail curled around the dwarf’s neck for balance.
The cook set the basket on the table. “Coconut sea lime scones,” she announced. “This batch is the best of the bunch.”
Thrain straightened to his full height and hooked his thumbs into his belt. “I helped.”
Bramble twisted on his shoulder and made a face, suggesting that the dwarf had been less help than the raccoon.
Cali laughed. “I don’t doubt that you both helped, and I’m fairly certain I know who did most of the work.” She reached for ascone and inhaled the tangy-sweet aroma that prompted her stomach to growl insistently.
The pantheri was used to delicious pastries. Both Lira and Pip had spoiled her with baked goods, but the warm scone she bit into was surprisingly delectable. Especially considering that the dwarf wasn’t known for sweets.
“Marvella,” Cali said through a mouthful of crumbs. “This is delicious.”
The cook flapped a hand as if dismissing the compliment, but her chin rose slightly. “It took three tries to get the balance between sea lime and coconut just right.”
Cali took another bite and closed her eyes. “Worth every try.”
Bonnie had already bitten into her own scone and let out a moan as she swallowed the first bite. “I wouldn’t object to more baked goods of this kind becoming a regular feature.”
Marvella cleared her throat and busied herself straightening the cloth in the basket. “Glad you like them.” She tugged her kerchief tighter. “I’ll say this. I’m going to miss having a proper assistant in my kitchen.” She shot a look at the raccoon on Thrain’s shoulder, who lifted both small paws in a modest gesture. “The wee beastie has a knack for pastry work, and the dwarf is not entirely useless.”
Thrain beamed as if she’d heaped a mound of flattery on him.
Marvella turned on her heel and waved for the others to follow her. “Come on, then. We’ve got more work to be done to prep for breakfast in the morning.”
Thrain followed her out with a wink to Cali, and the captain’s quarters were quiet again, except for the swish of water againstthe hull and the contented creak of the wood planks. Since they’d returned to The Cruel Mistress and Jolli had nestled snugly alongside the hull, the sounds of the ship had been less mournful. Wood-song creaks had replaced the keening moans, and it was clear that the two boats were happy to be reunited again.
“Marvella’s going to miss him more than she lets on,” Bonnie said as she stood and pulled off her eye patch again.
“Do you mean Bramble or Thrain?”
The captain chuckled. “Both, I suppose.”
Cali was surprised by the captain’s sudden pacing in front of a wall of bookshelves. “They will too, I’m sure.”
Bonnie nodded, pivoting on one foot and clasping her hands behind her back as she walked a small circle. Finally, she stopped in front of Cali. “What if he stayed?” Before she could ask which one again, Bonnie added, “Thrain.”
“Thrain?” Cali blinked at this. “I thought you didn’t allow men on your ship, and this was a temporary exception.”
Bonnie frowned. “That’s true.” Then she nibbled her lower lip. “Then you should stay instead.”
