Page 67 of The Temptation of Roan Island

I force a cordial smile. “Captain Day, allow me to introduce my wife, Pippa Roan.”

There’s a nice ring to the name Pippa Roan that I try to ignore.

“Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Roan.” He takes Pippa’s gloved hand and kisses her knuckles. I tighten my grip on her. Admiral Day doesn’t seem to notice, his touch lingering a little longer than necessary. “I thought it was Noah who married.”

“Indeed.” I keep my response pithy, attempting to cut off the conversation with brevity.

He finally drops Pippa’s hand and claps his together twice. “What auspicious luck for both of you to find love so close together.”

“Seems more coincidental than auspicious.” I take a step to the side, pulling Pippa with me. “If you’ll excuse us, my wife is feeling a little ill and would like to rest.”

“Ill, eh?” He gives me a conspiratorial grin, nothing subtle in his insinuation. “I understand the quick wedding now.”

Pippa straightens her back, her tension snapping against me.

“Tread carefully, sir,” I say through gritted teeth.

Admiral Day’s round cheeks turn almost as red as Lake Nettor. “Please, forgive me. You’re quite right. How rude of me.” To his credit, he looks truly chagrined. “Allow me to make it up to you. Join me at my table for dinner?”

Pippa looks at me with wide, imploring eyes.

“Another time, perhaps.” I turn to guide Pippa toward the door.

“Right, right. Lots of nights left.” The captain notices our retreat and steps in front of us again. “Oh, but you can’t go to your room quite yet. There’s no meandering the ship until we reach cruising altitude. It’s a safety measure.”

It’s clear he’s already said this by the confused look on his face.

“Right,” I say. “I’m sure you understand how difficult it is to pay attention to other things when you’re on your honeymoon.”

Pippa clutches my arm, her body swaying just a little. It’s already been a long day of travel. Was it too much for her? I scan the room and find an unoccupied bench near the side window.

“Of course,” Day replies, some of the joviality of before returning. “I’ll let you two lovebirds be.”

Finally, he turns to talk to other passengers, and I lead Pippa to the bench at the front where we can sit with our backs to the group, facing the window.

“That right there is one of the reasons I don’t like to travel,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

“Do people recognize you everywhere you go?”

“Not usually on sight, since it’s rare for us to leave the island and only new moon guests join us there. But everyone knows our name and the latest gossip surrounding us. They all want a part of the Roan prestige and an invitation to the mysterious parties people clamor to join.”

At the mention of the new moon parties, Pippa looks up, her eyes catching mine. Such deep blue pools, full of so many emotions, some I can read and others I can’t. I want to dive into her depths and know every part of her.

I drop my gaze to where she’s clutching my jacket with both of her hands. She lets go and smooths her palms over the wrinkles. Her attempt to hide her nervousness—whatever it’s about—is valiant. But I see through it.

“Talk to me, Pippa.”

“It’s… I’m just…” Her gaze darts behind us before quickly turning back to me. “I’m worried we ruined everything last night.”

“I’m worried, too.” Turning slightly, my knee presses against hers. She doesn’t move away, which gives me hope. “I don’t want you to see me as the monster I was last night.”

“You weren’t a monster.”

My eyebrows lift.

She huffs, but places her hand over mine. “I wasn’t scared of you.”

Last night, there was a moment when I wanted her to be scared, to run away so I could avoid biting her. I’m so glad she didn’t. I would have missed out on so much. Not just her blood, but the sweet noises she made. The sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard. If I hadn’t bitten her last night, I wouldn’t have known how compatible we could be, how good we could be together.