Page 35 of Shiver Me Satyr

“Now, he hasn’t shared, so it’s not ours to discuss,” I scold, but I’m nodding at Catty too. Whoever this mystery person is, they’ve got Eze’s full attention.

“You are the pirate queens of the Caribbean. Everything is yours to discuss,” Chub says as he enters the kitchen. He walks past the bowl of hardtack to wrap his arms around Catty. The pair share a toe-curling kiss before he lays his head on her dairy. “Just make sure that nutmeg sails around to the island's north end to allow her river to claim our hull. If he drives straight to the east beach, we’ll catch on the jagged bottom and walk ashore with no ride home. Boulders hide in the shallows.”

“It’s his home, I’m sure he remembers the way,” I suggest, wanting to defend me hearty.

“And he was a squirrely rascal in short pants the last time he laid eyes on it. Besides, he lived there, so he never sailedtothere.”

“Good point,” Gretta interjects.

“In any event, his determination leaves my night free. Did you need something, Captain? I am forever at your service,” Flint says with a gentlemanly bow.

Chub and Catty roll their eyes and make gagging noises.

I can’t help but giggle when he acts like this. How many nights did I dream of a courtly gentleman sweeping me off my tentacles when I was a child? Almost as many nights as myyoung adult self dreamed of what he does when he drops that veneer…

Good. Keep those smutty thoughts, Betts. You will need them if tonight goes to plan.

“In your training, we didn’t require you to learn the ratlines. It isn’t as pressing as the ledgers, navigation, and taking watch at the helm. However, I think it’s a rite of passage for everyone who goes on account to visit the Crow’s Nest. Have you ever climbed up there?”

“No, I can’t say I ever had the motivation to climb higher than a building and stand in a basket no larger than a bathtub, but there’s a first for everything.”

“Landlubber has a yellow belly,” Chub says with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Captain’s duty to make him climb up, now.”

“You aren’t scared, are you?” Gretta asks.

All four of us pirate queens turn our fluttering eyelashes to a blushing Flint.

“I’m not scared of anything except losing the favor of my lady love,” he says, taking my hand and kissing my knuckles. His nose wrinkles. I bet it’s the fishy scent.

“You’ll want to drain this first,” Chub says, holding up a mug of full-strength rum for Flint. He nods as he takes the cup. With a salute to me, he throws back the liquid and drinks his fill.

“Chug this,” Catty whispers, trading my mug of grog for another mug. I’m blasted with the scent of mint and parsley as I raise the rim to my mouth. I wet my lips with it, swirl it through my teeth, and swallow. As if reading my mind, Catty drops a rag soaked in the same strong concoction beside my plate before shecasually wanders back to the oven. I wipe my hands clean while Gretta and Chub joke with Flint.

I share a shaky smile with Flint as he pulls me from my chair. He may be scared of the climb up, but I’m terrified of the conversation we must have at the summit. What if all his dirty talk masks a true desire to sire a child? Could his bedhopping and marriage disruption hide a buried yearning for fatherhood? Will a life in the sweet trade be enough? If we eventually retire like Catty and Chub, will he be disappointed that I can’t get pregnant?

I should tell him before I completely fall in love with him…which was weeks ago.

18

Flint

The wind plays with my fears as it pulls my shirt from my trousers to wave it around my body. I don’t need its help to wave the white flag of defeat. I’m about to wave it myself. Not even the round derriere of Captain Betts above me is motivation enough to climb higher. The ropes are just narrow enough to fit in the grooves on the bottom of my hooves, so once I step up, I’m secure. It’s the reach and pull between the steps that boggles my mind. How do these people climb up here every day? My fingers tremble when I grab each rung. I was fine until we crested the upper boom of the main mast.

Then Chub yelled something, and I looked down at him.

The Old Salt isn’t tall when we’re on the deck, but from this height, he’s an ant. Not even his red beard can be discerned. My vision tunnels to his small frame, and everything else seems to fade away. I can’t take my eyes off the deck. My hooves won’t move another inch. I swallow the hardtack lodged in my throat and wish I’d saved it for later. Eating before rigorous activity with Betts is best, but if I spew from up here, I’ll need the bland grains to settle my bile into its pouch.

“Hey, are you shitting through your teeth?” Betts had climbed down to hang beside me, and I hadn’t even noticed. Her bright smile fades as she takes in my pallor. “If you’re scared, we don’t have to climb further. I won’t let them razz you aboutyour fear of heights. I had no idea. Why didn’t you tell me? Here, I’ll help you down to the lower boom, and we’ll sit together. The view is still nice—”

Just the sound of her voice grounds me and wipes my fears away. Her steady presence breaks my trance. I lose myself in her piercing green eyes, taking strength from my desire to be everything for her. My hand skims over its rung to clasp hers. I must be frozen with fright because her usually cool hands are warm. The tension melts from my limbs. I want to do this—not to avoid the teasing of the crew, which would be considerable—to prove to myself that I can rise to her level. Climbing to the top of the boat, to me, represents my climb from philanderous scoundrel to living by the virtuous pirate code.

“I have the honor to do this,” I whisper to her.

“Of course, you do, but it doesn’t have to be today.” I love her quiet acceptance more than anything.

Whether through accepting theOtherson her boat or the checkered pasts we bring with us aboard, Betts treats us as equals. Even when I was on her hit list, she gave me a chance to prove myself worthy of walking her decks. She demands that everyone else on board respect one another, too. I have no doubt she would fight for me if someone teased me for climbing down.

My foolhardy heart leans my body toward her to steal a kiss. Let the audience below think I stopped for kisses from their captain instead of being scared out of my wits. Betts allows me to plunder her mouth for as long as I need to recover my courage. When we part, her lips are swollen, deep red. A blush colors her pale cheeks. No matter how much time she spends on deck, she never tans, burns, or freckles. It’s like the sun doesn’t feel worthy to touch her.

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