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By the time I’m done talking, Sedge has made the coffee, already poured into the mugs, and his eyes are as wide as saucers.
Wow, he seems to say and I realize I really do have quite the story to tell. Perhaps I’ll write it all out one day.
A slow clap and jangling noise comes from behind me and I turn to see Nerissa standing there, smiling at me coyly, her hands pressed together, her pearl and shell bracelets rattling.
“I thought I knew your tale, but I didn’t think it would be quite like that,” she says. “Do you have my coffee?”
I nod and grab the mugs from Sedge, handing her one. When I had passed by her earlier she had seen me drinking coffee and there was such an envious look on her face that I asked if I could get her one.
“Shall we go for a walk?” she asks me.
“That sounds fine,” I say, knowing walks up and down the top deck were a common way for the crew to let loose excess energy. That and swordplay.
“I have much to discuss with you,” she says.In private.
That last part makes me flinch. It came directly inside my head.
It’s okay, child, she goes on with a secretive smile.You can answer back too.
I glance at Sedge but he’s gone back to chopping vegetables for supper.
You can hear my thoughts?I think.
She scrunches up her nose.Maybe try again, really project to me.
Can you hear me now?I say, thinking harder.
She grins, her teeth glowing white.Loud and clear. Come now and walk with me.
We go up the stairs to the top deck, our hair blown forward as the wind meets our backs. The scent of land is stronger now and it feels like the wind is pushing us faster toward it.
The crew looks up as we pass. I notice now that they revere me with respect and warmth, I suppose because they’re both used to my presence and it’s obvious now that the captain and I are having an affair. The hostage is no longer here against her will.
But while they look at me like I’m part of their family now, a feeling I enjoy very much, they look at Nerissa with suspicion still. Even with her free to roam the ship and the fact that she stays out of everyone’s way, they haven’t been able to let their guards down. Especially Thane and Cruz. Seems she’s rattled them both to their core.
If she’s bothered by this, she doesn’t show it. When she walks, she walks like a goddess with her head held high, her perpetually wet ivory gown trailing behind her.
“What seems to be the matter?” I ask her.
She gives me a dry look for already forgetting the whole speaking-inside-of-our-heads technique.
You know I saw things when I looked into Thane’s crystal ball, she says.Things I am not allowed to repeat, just so we are clear.
Did you see Henry’s death?I ask.
She gives her head a shake, her mouth set in a grim line.I saw a death. I saw it at the hands of that man. That Ed Smith. But I did not see who it was.
But you knew someone was going to die, I say looking at her in surprise.And you didn’t say anything.
I did. And I tried to tell you the best I can.
Why can’t you just come out with it? What happens?
It is hard to explain. It’s like I am physically unable to.
So you can only give us clues and hints, then?
Yes,she says, giving Sam a polite nod as we pass her by. Sam smiles at me but only scowls at Nerissa. The sea witch sighs in response, her expression crestfallen.
