Page 73 of Ruthless Scoundrel
I nod. “I’ll tell you soon.”
She sighs deeply, her annoyance clear in the way she draws it out.
She can be annoyed. I’ll tell her everything soon.
Alejandra calls out commands the closer we get, ensuring we’re prepared to dock. Unlike at the smaller mining operation, we will be going all the way into port here and be able to disembark straight from the ship. And that should be the last we’ll see of the good captain.
The mark on her wrist isn’t broken, and she can still hear, so I know she hasn’t betrayed us. Perhaps she never will. An alliance with a princess is a powerful thing, one she will likely need in the future if she’s to overthrow her uncle.
With every league closer we get to port, the band around my chest tightens. I have to tell Reina the truth soon. What if she doesn’t care? What if…what if she rejects our mate bond? Am I to wander the world for the rest of my too-long life, pining for a woman who refuses to accept me?
“You’re hurting me,” Reina says.
I relax my grip on her. “You’re especially sensitive this morning.”
“And you’re especially nervous. I don’t like it,” she says.
Her eyes are round and hold so much worry. I don’t ever want to be the source of her fear. I don’t want her to be concerned that I don’t have this under control, because I do. Don’t I?
“Too longatsea and notinthe sea,” I say to cover my real fear.
She hums, unsatisfied with my answer. “You’re going to tell me everything.”
“Soon,” I say again.
We pull into port slowly, and the long paddles come out once we’re within the larger commerce area of the harbor.
“I’ll be seeing you again, Amaya,” Alejandra says when we bump against the stoppers at the dock.
“I look forward to the day,” Reina says as she extends her manacled hand for a shake.
“What are they teaching you?” Alejandra tuts with amusement and glances around at her crew. Satisfied that everyone is busy with their work and not watching our interaction, she puts out her foot. I tap her toes with mine. Reina scowls, then follows suit.
“The Sly Sailor has decent prices and rooms. It’s closer to the harbor, but you’ll be safe to bed down there for the evening,” Alejandra says. “In the morning, go to the east end of town to get your supplies. Cheaper there. Look for a donkey or an ichan from the farms on the community boards. Might get a deal.”
I nod, despite knowing exactly where I’m headed already. “Thank you.”
The captain dips her head and then leaves us.
“Ichan?” Reina asks.
“It’s a large snail-like creature. Slow but strong, and never needs to sleep.”
“Snail,” she says with a wince.
“You’ll get over it, just like you did ripping guts out of fish with your bare hands.”
She pales at the mention, and I almost laugh. She’s too easy to rile.
“Why would we want a slow mount if we’re going to be ‘late,’” she asks, and…good point.
“We don’t, but I wasn’t about to tell the captain that. She was trying to be helpful.”
Reina laughs, the sound a delight to my ears. “Incredible.”
“Me?” I preen. “Yes, thank you.”
“No, that you havemannershidden somewhere under all that scoundrel.”
