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Quickly she took stock. There was no denying that she’d enjoyed the kiss, even if it had taken her completely by surprise. She was also flattered by Raya’s attentions. She was more than flustered she was flabbergasted. She didn’t think of herself as the sort who attracted sexy pirates. Which made it all the more surprising that this handsome legendary pirate had just kissed her.

Then again, who else was he going to kiss?

“I know what you’re thinking, Amrita. I didn’t kiss you because you’re the only other person on this boat with me. I kissed you because you’re you. And that’s more than enough.”

“Am I that easy to read?” Amrita blushed.

“Like a book.” Raya brushed a hand across her cheek.

Amrita caught his hand and held it to her heart. She gazed into his eyes, unable to say the words that might hurt Raya’s feelings.

As sweet and delightful as the kiss had been she knew, deep down in her core, that it was not meant to be.

There was no logical way to explain what she knew, which was that this wasn’t right. This ship, this beautiful pirate, this time and this place. This was not her fate. Perhaps he felt it too?

Raya sat back in his seat and said nothing for a moment. Then he smiled a small, chagrined smile and executed a small, precise shrug.

“I understand,” he said. “I didn’t think it was meant to be either. But I had to try. You can’t blame me for trying. You’re such a formidable witch, Amrita. And Hera knows, you’re beautiful as well. To be honest, I’m not sure if I even want to know anymore where you came from or why. Please don’t tell me. All I know is that I’m so glad our threads have crossed. I am so grateful for every moment of this time with you. And I will continue to savor our time together, no matter what.”

“I feel the same way about you,” Amrita said.

“Don’t be sad.” Raya wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “The Fates warned me not to give my heart to you. I told them I’d just carve off a tiny piece, and trust you to keep it safe.”

“Then I hope you’ll do the same with the piece of mine that you’ve claimed.” Amrita squeezed his hand.

“I will.”

Raya looked at her for a moment longer, then tipped his head down and picked up the codex he’d been studying. Amrita unfurled her scroll. They both began reading again where they’d left off. As the ship lifted into its bubble, and the storms raged around them, Raya reached out one hand across the table. Amrita met it with her own. They laced their fingers together and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

There was no need to discuss the kiss, their plans, or anything else tonight. The past and the future would catch up with them eventually, but for now, the present was enough for both of them.

In the small hours of the following morning, Amrita stood at the stern of the ship, staring at the stars. They were the same stars that graced the same skies in her own time, but these were not her stars, and she did not feel connected to them in the same way that she connected to the night sky at home. Polaris was in the wrong place, and Venus was too bright. It made her feel unwelcome here. She didn’t know how much longer she could do this.

The second ship was no longer visible.

Amrita was homesick. She missed her people. She missed Buffalo. She wished she had paper and a pen so she could write a letter to him. But what would she say? Would she urge him to get on with his life without her, echoing her words in the library? Or would she finally break, begging him not to give up this time, to please come and to find her. She had no idea how this story would end. Only that the time would come that she would have to write that letter. Her heart feared for what would become of Raya. But it longed for Buffalo.

Please come back for me, Buffalo. I don’t want to stay here without you.

A single tear trailed down her cheek, and she wiped it away with the back of her hand.

“I don’t want him to get on with his life without me,” she whispered to no one but the wind.

“Who? Who?” Fortune was high up in the rigging, her gray feathers blending in with the night sky.

Two more weeks, she decided. She would give it two more weeks. And then she would have to say or do something to try and make her way home. She could not stay here forever, floating in circles with Raya. She would have to convince him to set her free.

Somewhere behind them a small bright star twinkled close to the horizon. It was exactly where Polaris ought to be. Right where she knew she would find it, in her own time. But here it wasn’t a star at all, Amrita realized. It was that other ship again. Keeping its distance but also keeping pace.

She was inexplicably relieved to see it there.

ON NERVES AND OTHER NONSENSE

Never wish a soul good luck

before they take the stage.

The spirits grant the opposite