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He laughs a little, but not like anything is really funny. “And you ask why I worried about putting you in harm’s way.”
“What?”
“I imagine your King’s Justice very well would have chained him to the bow. He probably would have done worse. And for what? Getting upset over a few careless words?” His eyes flick to his crew. Lochlan is laughing at something Tor has said now. “We’re one day out of port. If I start hanging men overboard, it would make for a very uncomfortable journey. For my peopleandyours.”
I think of the way his men went back to their tasks so readily.The way he saidno one fights on my ship. Even I was ready to break up the fight with force, calling for Silas automatically, but Rian defused the entire situation with a few words.
It’s not just that his people are loyal. Theytrusthim.
Like this morning on the ropes, I’m in danger of blushing at him. I look away, just as the boat dips and sways, and my breath catches. I put out a hand automatically, catching his arm. It’s warm and sturdy, and again, I remember falling against him last night, in the rain.
Then I remember what he started to say. I have to clear my throat. “What … ah, what were you wondering?”
“Yes, Captain.” Corrick speaks from off to my right. “Whatwereyou wondering?”
Of course.
I turn and look at the prince. Last night, Corrick’s eyes were a little wild, every emotion plain on his face. Today, he’s locked down, as severe as ever. He’s wearing a hip-length leather jacket that’s such a deep brown that it’s almost black. Every button and buckle is in place, his vivid blue eyes sharp and expressionless. I think of the way he took me in his arms, and I want to shiver.ThatCorrick is nowhere to be found.
I don’t know what to say to him. Too much time has passed now. Do I owe him an apology? Does he owe me one?
His expression doesn’t change, but I see the tiny movement of his eyes as he takes in my hand on Rian’s arm. I unclench my fingers from the captain’s sleeve.
“Sablo cut his arm on a bit of rigging,” Rian is saying. “He’s refusing any stitching, but as we have an apothecary on board, I said I would ask you to look at it.” He pauses and glances at Corrick. “With your permission, Your Highness.”
“If Tessa is willing,” Corrick says.
“Of course,” I say.Sablo.I remember the large, red-bearded man from dinner. He couldn’t speak. I didn’t realize until now that I haven’t seen him on the main deck this morning.
“He always takes the night watch,” Rian says. “But he should be awake by now. We can head below.” He regards Corrick coolly. “You’re welcome to join us.”
The prince regards him coolly right back. “Am I?”
“Let’s see to Sablo,” I say brightly, before the two ofthemcan start a fight. “I’ll have to go to my room to get my bag.”
“I’ll escort you,” Corrick says. “Surely the captain would like to offer his officer a bit of warning. And Miss Cade can give me the details of her morning.”
Miss Cade would like to go back to sitting by the mast.
Rian’s eyes shift to mine, seeking acquiescence.
I hesitate, then nod. “Maybe we can return here,” I say. “Or your stateroom, Rian—ah,Captain. For the sunlight. If it needs stitching.”
“Certainly.”
Corrick offers me his arm, and I don’t want to take it. For him, it’s probably nothing. Courtly manners.
But for me, it feels personal. Intimate.
So much changed between us overnight—and unlike stitching up an arm, I don’t know how to fix it. I gingerly rest my fingertips on his sleeve, and it reminds me of my first day in the palace, when he was my worst nightmare and my greatest ally all rolled into one man.
When we turn away, I sense the eyes of the crew on us, but I can’t focus on any of that. I’m focused on the prince at my side, whose emotions are all a mystery.
Well, most of them. His emotions about the captain aren’t a mysteryat all.
We’re barely down the steps and out of earshot when I whisper, “He just stopped a fight, and I thought you were going to start one.”
“Good morning to you, too, Miss Cade.” Corrick isn’t whispering at all. “It sounds as thoughyouare about to start one.”
