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“You look tired,” he said. “Come. Get some rest.”
“And where will you sleep?” I asked pointedly.
“Have no fear of me, Princess,” he replied. “I will bunk in another suite for the duration of your stay on the Humility.”
“That’s kind of you,” I said, still feeling suspicious.
“Do not make the mistake of believing my commitment to morality as kindness. Kindness is weakness. Morality is fairness. I do what is moral.”
“And murdering an innocent man for an unattainable ideal?” The magic in my blood began to spark, just a little. “Is that moral?”
“If it were truly unattainable, it wouldn’t be.”
He was so damnably unperturbable. I could toss out a million valid arguments against him, and he’d never budge in his conviction.
“What about Arceneaux and the Tribunal? You’re fine to let them carry on as always? Is what they do moral? Is putting me into their hands knowing that they’ll execute me moral?”
“I must think of the greater good,” he said calmly, and changed the subject. “In recognition of your limited time, I will not seek to confine you while you’re on this ship. You’re free to wander the decks as much as you wish. I think you should.” He breathed in deeply, closing his eyes as he filled his lungs with the frosty air. “Take as much of this world in while you can.”
I didn’t know if I should thank him or throttle him.
I chose neither and spun on my heel.
“Where are you going?” Castillion asked.
“To see Onal,” I replied. “I find myself craving more sensible conversation.”
“She’s delirious.”
I glared at him over my shoulder. “I know.”
* * *
When I got to Onal’s bedside, I was pleased to find that her fever had broken. The healer was hurrying out, a harried look on his face. “She’s all yours,” he said, relieved.
“What did you say to him?” I asked, taking the stool at her bedside.
“I asked for a drink,” she said through cracked lips. “He gave me water.”
“Foolish man,” I said. “Did he provide you a suitable alternative? Brandy? Bourbon?”
“Nothing,” she replied listlessly. “He said that Castillion doesn’t allow spirits aboard any of his ships.” She clucked her tongue. “Then I berated him for killing me, because this is obviously the After.”
“Obviously,” I said.
“What are we doing here, girl?” Onal asked softly.
“I did what I had to do,” I replied, “to keep you alive.”
“It was a poor trade.”
“Of course it was,” I said, giving her a tiny smile. “I know, I know. I’m a foolish girl, always making bad decisions and terrible mistakes.”
She gave a deep sigh. “Well, you come by it honestly.” Then she added quickly, “From your mother’s side of the family, of course.”
“Of course.”
“What are we going to do, Aurelia?”
