Page 40 of Blood of the Stars

Both men eyed each other warily for a long breath. Gaeren spoke first.

“I can’t bring a traitor aboard my boat.”

Orra snorted. “I’m not sure it’s always clear-cut who betrayed whom. Riveran only has his mark because he’s been forced to partake in black market trade. And now he can’t even do that. Which leaves him no way to support his wife and child.”

The surge of pity that flowed through Gaeren ended at the mention of Riveran’s family. Perhaps if he hadn’t broken his bond with Enla, he wouldn’t have needed to deal in the black market.

“Riveran needs a job, and you can provide him one as crew aboard your boat.”

Gaeren’s mouth swung open to protest, but Orra went on. “It’s the only way I’ll come with you. If you won’t provide him means to support his family, I’ll need to hire him to escort me to Bamboo Island instead of you.” She eased out of the hammock, standing tall while brushing off her fading cloak, as if allowing Gaeren time to recover his pride.

He clenched his jaw. The idea of agreeing to her demands burned, even though Larkos had lost two crewmen because of the rushed departure. What would the others think about Riveran? Those who didn’t know him would be horrified at the idea of a marked traitor coming aboard. Sailors were superstitious enough that they’d see it as all sorts of bad luck. And those who knew Riveran would be sure to spread their opinions over Gaeren’s supposed acceptance of the man who had betrayed their family.

And yet Enla had warned him to trust the traitor.

“I could cover it.” Riveran’s gaze ended somewhere around Gaeren’s elbow. There was a flicker of hope on his face, surprising Gaeren. Riveran wanted to come.

“No,” Orra said. “That’s the reason you developed the infection. It needs to heal in the open air.”

Gaeren swore, running a hand through his hair. He didn’t have time for this. “Fine. But keep in mind that sailors found committing acts of treason on the high seas are judged by the captain and crew. You won’t be given the mercy of waiting to disembark for a trial on land, especially not with that on your forehead.” He gestured at the ugly brand.

It was possible the men would set Riveran up for failure, wanting him to be keelhauled. Eight days was plenty of time for them to lay any kind of blame at Riveran’s feet.

“I’ll take the risk.” Riveran’s agreement came quickly, his mouth very near to a smile. Even Orra’s lips tilted up in something resembling satisfaction.

The whole walk to the shore, which was slow thanks to Orra still being weak, Gaeren couldn’t help feeling tricked.

Sure enough, the two men who rowed them back to the ship glared daggers at Riveran and Gullet while sneaking the occasional peek at Orra. Gaeren boarded Starspeed first, reaching out a hand to help both Riveran and Orra up the ladder. Gullet took to the skies, aiming back toward land as if showing his irritation at their plans to be at sea.

When the rest of the crew saw Riveran’s forehead, the unsurprising mix of fear and dark hatred left Gaeren defeated. No one dared question their captain, but whatever clout Gaeren had earned with the men had just gone down several notches.

“Who is she?” Lenda’s question brought everyone’s gaze to Orra as she swung her legs over the edge of the ship. Expressions shifted; backs straightened. A few men used their fingers to comb back their hair. The older men’s eyes shined with interest, but the fresh recruits’ faces held longing and homesickness, which Gaeren didn’t usually see until they’d been at sea for weeks.

“Orra and Riveran will join our voyage. Riveran will take over swab so Breeve can focus more on cooking. Maybe actually make a decent meal while we’re out here.”

A few men laughed or grunted, some elbowing the young man whose pimply face turned pink.

“Orra will bunk with Lenda and her maid. She’s our tracker, and her duties begin once we reach Bamboo Island.” Gaeren bristled as the elbowing started up again. “She’s here as a guest of the family of Elanesse when she’s not in my employ.”

Orra strode to Lenda, either purposely ignoring or unaware of the crew’s leers. She gripped the younger woman’s hands, whispering something that relaxed Lenda’s clenched jaw into a hesitant smile. The two headed toward the stern, bending to enter the captain’s cabin and shut the door behind them.

The men’s distraction disappeared with the women, and their hateful eyes trained back on Riveran.

“Weigh anchor and man the sails.” Gaeren passed in front of Riveran, drawing his crew’s attention away from the traitor’s mark. “The Sun’s sleep will be here soon, and Starspeed doesn’t need to run aground because of childish grudges and superstitions.”

He grabbed the mop from Breeve’s hands, passing it over to Riveran without ceremony. The men broke into action, including Riveran, who shot Gaeren a look, his eyes more grateful than his stiff salute.

Gaeren turned away without acknowledging it, determined not to let Riveran’s circumstances garner any more pity. He joined Larkos at the helm, arms folded, gaze across the water. High laughter drifted from the captain’s quarters below him, making him wonder how Orra had won Lenda over so fast. Probably the same way she’d had Riveran spilling secrets about their childhood.

In the night, taking her to Bamboo Island had seemed right, like a spot of good fortune. Now her presence felt too large, like she’d taken over his entire mission and made it her own. He’d have to be cautious.

He’d wondered if she was a noetic when she knew his name. Maybe she’d tuned in to his thoughts when he’d tried tuning in to hers. Then he’d thought she might be somatic, since she’d cleaned out Riveran’s infection. She could have used supplies from town, but few people knew such skills without being somatic progenies. Perhaps she had a rare secondary spoke and she was both. But what spokes, or even rim magic, would allow her body to return to life the way it had the night he’d found her?

“You never fail to surprise me.” Larkos grinned lazily even as his focus remained on the water, his hands guiding the wheel with a precision Gaeren couldn’t help admiring.

“Who wants to be predictable?”

Larkos laughed. “I think there are plenty of people who want you to be predictable.”

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