Page 38 of Astrid at Sea

“But you hate the water,” I protested.

Her next meow said, “You hate the water too, but you’re still going.”

“I just want to help, Kis,” I sighed and lifted her to bury my face in her fur. As sassy and troublesome as this creature could be at times, I wouldn’t swap her for any other cat in all of Jorvik.

“This is your last chance to change your mind,” Viktor whispered in my ear, placing his arms on the rail on either side of me, trapping me and Kis between it and his chest.

“I’m not going to change my mind,” I told him, leaning back to rest my head against his chest. “I just want to be of some help.”

“Without the risk of sounding condescending…” He nuzzled his face into my neck and stroked a hand through Kis’ fur. She began purring and moved to lay on her stomach, granting him more room.

Right there, she reminded her of me, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Like mother, like daughter.

Viktor sent me a funny look, but I shook my head.

“Without the risk of sounding condescending,” he repeated. “You’re not a very good swimmer. Or good at fishing.”

“I know, but Jerrik needs help,” I told him, my lips tugging down at the corners as a wave of hesitation washed over me. I wasn’t nearly as confident as I had been moments ago, but perhaps that was just false confidence. “And you never know; I might be able to pick it up after some practice.”

“I hope so, my siren,” Viktor chuckled and pressed his lips to the slope of my neck. “I love you, Astrid,” he exhaled deeply.“Your willingness to help with everything is so beautiful. I really admire that in you.”

“Nearly as beautiful as me?” My lips twisted into a teasing grin as I turned around in his arms to face him, with Kis pushed in between us. Not that she seemed to have any qualms with the position. In fact, she meowed and made a show of getting more comfortable, basking from the warmth that radiated from our bodies.

“Nothing is as beautiful as you, my siren.” He pressed a soft kiss to my lips.

The kiss didn’t last long as Kis meowed in protest, scratching at his chest.

“Let me take her from you,” Viktor chuckled, reaching for her.

Kis hissed at first and scratched at Viktor’s arms. He winced slightly but, other than that, didn’t appear to be fazed. When he settled her in his arms, gently rocking her like one would do to a baby, she meowed and laid her furry head on his arm, getting comfortable. She looked like she belonged there, and he looked like he belonged with something small like Kis in his arms.

And then suddenly, I couldn’t get the vision of my husband holding a baby out of my mind.

My eyes widened before I could control my reaction. It was too early to be thinking like that.

Far too early.

“Why do you look like that, my siren?”

“Like what?” I cleared my throat and glanced over my shoulder, watching Jerrik wait patiently for us to finish up here so I could join him.

“Like you’re spooked.”

“I’m not spooked.” I rose on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips, hoping to distract him. I quickly kissed Kis’ head as well. “I don’t want to keep Jerrik waiting. I’ll see you both later.”

“See you later, my siren. Stay safe!” I heard Viktor call after me, sounding somewhat confused. I couldn’t blame him for sounding that way. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, and I knew I needed to get away from him if I wanted to stop thinking about him with a baby in his arms.

Our baby.

What better way to clear my mind than to spend the day at sea, fishing on a little rowboat?

I smiled apologetically to Jerrik when I reached him. “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting long.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he dismissed. “I’ve already loaded the rowboat with everything we need for today. Including some bread if we end up staying out later than planned. Once we get in, one of the others will help lower us onto the water.”

I nodded and climbed into the boat, choosing to sit on the middle plank so regardless of where Jerrik sat, I would be close to him. With the both of us out on the sea together for so long, it was an excellent opportunity to get to know him better.

“Who’s going to lower us?” I asked, turning my head to glance around the top deck.

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