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Fifteen
Havana
Sunlight peeked into the room. I groaned and held a palm to my aching head.
“Afternoon,” Leon said from the table he occupied. “There’s tea and some biscuits for you.”
“Can’t I just stay in here all day?” I threw the blanket over my head. “Everything is loud and bright.”
He chuckled. “Drink, love. You’ll feel better. You’ve slept long enough.”
“Fine.”
Moments from last night flickered through my mind. Leon had been so demanding. Just thinking about how he tossed me over his shoulder sent a wave of heat through my body.
If only I hadn’t fallen asleep.
I sat in the chair across from him and picked up the warm mug. The bitter liquid made me gag a bit, but I swallowed it down, hoping this nasty concoction would make the throbbing in my head go away.
Today, I had to tell Leon the truth.
I wasn’t ready for our time to end, but I couldn’t lie to him anymore, not after the wonderful day we had yesterday.
His brow narrowed as he looked at the map on the table.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Charting my next course. I’ve already received a request to deliver supplies to the Borderlands.”
“Again? But that’s war.”
“I know, love.” He rolled up the map. “Our people are dying, and it’s only getting worse. I’d never bring my crew that close, but the Magi Council have a plan to seal the Rift. It’s a chance to stop the darkthings. I haven’t agreed yet. This was supposed to be our last mission for them.”
That’s where I should be.
Father would never allow me to go to war. After the attack with the octopus, I realized I could protect myself and those I cared for. If Leon was going to the Borderlands, I wanted to go with him, but after he knew the truth.
“Leon.” I put the mug down and stood, mainly because I couldn’t sit still for this conversation. “I need to tell you something.”
“It can wait. There’s a lot we need to discuss.” He walked around the table to grasp my hands in his. “But I have plans for us today.”
“This is important.”
He cupped the side of my face. “Aye, and we will. Let’s not ruin this afternoon. I have something special in store.”
How could I say no to him? “Promiseme, we’ll talk later.”
“Aye. Get dressed and meet me downstairs.” He winked and left.
Should I have told him now? Was it horrible that I wanted to keep him for just a bit more? Maybe if he knew I wanted to go with him, he would understand, and it would be okay.
A few hours wouldn’t be so terrible to wait.
I glanced at the open bureau where my few items of clothing hung and found a flowing white dress laid out on the table next to it, along with other dresses I didn’t recognize. It was a simple soft cotton dress with a lace bodice that tied in the front with thin straps.
Leon had bought me a dress.
A beautiful one.
