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“And I could have used an orgasm last night, so we’re all cranky for different reasons.”
“Tsai…” I rubbed at my face, trying to block out any images wanting to attach themselves to that claim. “It’s too early.”
“I’m just saying someone was trying to avoid his cabin,” she baited me. “The lord of the manor too scared to face the tiny kitty cat inside?”
“Fuck off. I’m not scared.” It was the second time I had been accused of that. My fingers tangled through my hair, wrapping it up off my face as I got to my feet.
Tsai snickered, enjoying my annoyance.
“Oh, men. And they think I’m the blind one.”
“You know, old woman, I could toss your ass off this ship if I wanted.” I strolled to the railing, peering down at the workers below, Vane and Zidane instructing them.
“Go for it.” She grinned, showing some of her teeth. “Love to see you boys be without me for a day.”
We could, but we wouldn’t want to. Tsai was embedded into this ship, into its bones, and into us. No one knew the true legend who lived among us wasn’t me.
“Though someday you will, you know.” She saddled up next to me at the railing. “I’m of the old world, which is disappearing every day. And when it finally goes, I will go with it.”
A growly noise of refusal came up my throat.
“You cling to what was, Croygen, not what could be.” Tsai’s tone softened. “You are a good man, but you have trouble letting go. Guilt, ideals, people. What you think you deserve. Holding on to what is toxic and pushing away what is good.”
“What do you mean, holding on to toxic?”
“Amara?”
“I’m not with her. Haven’t been for years.”
“Yet she still is embedded in your mind. Holding you back.”
Exhaling, my shoulders slumped.
“So, I’m gonna say this once, my dear boy.” She lifted her hand to touch my face. Then hit me with it. “Stop being a dumbass!”
“Jesus!” I tried to duck out of the way as she swung for me again.
“I’m stuck on a ship with a bunch of morons.” She tossed her arms up at the sky in frustration. “You thought we were getting all sentimental and shit. That I was sweet-talking you. No, you ass. While you’ve been finding every reason to avoid her, even sleeping like a dog, the girl has come down with a fever.”
“What?” I twisted my head to her. “A fever?”
Fae didn’t get fevers. We didn’t get sick. Though goblin metal could affect fae, weaken us, and give us something resembling human flu.
“Is she okay?”
“Why don’t you go see her for yourself?” She wagged her head like I was a simpleton.
Glaring at the old lady, I turned and stomped to my cabin. Locking my shoulders back, I blew out a breath as I opened the door. It creaked open, the salt-soaked wood making the hinges sing. My eyes adjusted to the dim room; the shades closed over my windows. Kat’s body was curled over some blankets in the corner, her head tucked away, her wrists cuffed around a pole. The goblin metal kept her lethargic and too drained to shift.
My boots hit the floor quietly as I inched closer to her. “Kat?”
No response.
Her breathing was light and fast, her frame twitching and jerking as if she was freezing.
“I swear, if you are faking this, I will tie you to the rudder.” She didn’t respond, continuing to spasm. Maybe cats were even more sensitive to goblin metal? Or maybe her injuries from the explosion were worse than I thought.
“Kat?” I crept closer, still weary of this being a trick, that she’d leap up and try to attack me. Double checking her arms were latched to a post, I squatted beside her. “Katrina?” My fingers drifted over her silky hair, reaching under until I cupped her chin, lifting her face to me.
