Page 47 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

“Ah,” he huffed, waving his hand in the air to assuage her. “I might be fat and ugly, but I won’t bite.”

Nola finally smiled, her cheeks turning pink. She may not want to hug him, but she thought him to be a silly, funny man.

“Sorry, sir,” she said. His eyes were friendly, but she was guarded?—always had been.

Lincoln moved past Nola, patting the man on the back. “Do you have a carriage for us while we’re here?” he asked, hoping to distract Harry enough to lose interest in Nola.

The man nodded again. “I’ve got horses. But it’s going to cost you about—”

“Oh, bloody hell, Harry, give us the damn horses,” Mazie barked.

He raised his hands. “Fine. Fine. Fine.” He gestured to the rest of the crew, who stood quietly behind her. “I’ve got only four. You will have to double up on the white one and brown one—they are my strongest?—oh, and Jet! Lincoln, you can ride Jet with Miss Beautiful; he is strong but needs a firm hand.”

Nola felt uncomfortable immediately as she realized Harry was referring to her.

Now I must ride a horse with him, who knows for how long,Nola said in her thoughts.

“Aye, we’ll take what you have. Thank you, mate,” the captain said, signaling the crew to gather up their bags and swords, which were lying over the grass.

They followed closely behind Harry to the horses—one white with cute freckles all over, two black, and one light–chestnut brown with a large black ring around one of her eyes. Nola and Lincoln paired together, while Mazie shared one with Hill. He was going to need someone to steer the horse. The lanky pirate was still smashed from all the drinking an hour before.

Dyson made himself comfortable on the white horse, then reached out to grab Kitten’s hand to pull her up, sitting her between his legs. She leaned into his chest and looked back, sneaking a kiss against his dry, salty lips.

Despite being on the heavier side, Big Red climbed quickly to the horse, took hold of the reins, and looked to the captain, waiting for him to lead the way into the city.

Harry adjusted his vest and looked over to the crew, gesturing to the trail. “The festivities are over by the new fountains.” He shook his head. “?—not that old, rusted witch, she didn’t quite make it through the last storm. Beshy built a lovely clay creature that resembles more of a dragon than a bird.” He sauntered to Mazie, who looked down at the man. “You’ll see all the new tents we’ve put up. Your mother is at the far end, yellow tent, with a grey cloth over her table. She’s been doing quite well today.”

“What she sellin’ this time?” Mazie asked. “Crystals, gems...dirt?” Her words were laced with sarcasm and she averted her eyes from Harry to avoid judgment.

Harry laughed, handing Mazie the reins to her horse. “She doesn’t do readings anymore. Not since after you left.”

Mazie swallowed; her face hardened as if she was not a bit pleased with the reminder that she had left her family to venture into the sea. “Fine, whatever,” she said dryly, pulling the reins down until the horse galloped forward, Lincoln and Nola already heading down the path.

The ride to the town was quiet, other than the rustling within the trees surrounding them. Nola looked over her shoulder, and Lincoln gave her a comforting smile. He wrapped his arms snug against her waist, pulling her closer back between his thighs. The captain leaned forward, and she felt his breath against her neck. “You look like you could use some entertainment,” he said. “This is the one land you will enjoy.”

“Is this Mazie’s home?” she asked quietly.

“I can hear you, lassie,” Mazie mumbled. She did not try to hide the irritation in her tone.

Nola bit her bottom lip. “So, this is where you grew up?—you miss it here?”

“Nay,” she snapped back quickly.“And nay again.”

Lincoln chuckled. “Raven’s family are travelers. They never stay in one place for more than a few years,” he explained. “I’m genuinely surprised they are still here.” He looked over his shoulder. “Mazie, it’s been at least ten years since I met you here, hasn’t it?”

Mazie nodded but did not comment further.

Nola looked around. “I haven’t been anywhere other than Zemira my entire life,” she said. “I’m excited to explore, either way.”

Lincoln gave her another tight squeeze around the waist. She was not sure what all that meant; the way he touched her, the way his hands glided across her stomach when he gripped tight to the reins. Either way, she enjoyed his touch.

After a few minutes where everyone rode silently except for Tipsy’s drunken chants, Lincoln spoke up.

“We’re here,” he said, admiring the busy multitude around them.

The horses trotted slowly along the barely paved road. The pirates, except for Raven and Captain Lincoln, were enthralled by the commotion. Boots and Kitten giggled as she pointed to the food stands. Ardley encouraged Hill to sober up as Mazie tried to keep him on the horse.

Nola had tears in her eyes as she watched the people laugh, eat, and celebrate life. They all turned to look at the travelers, musicians, and dancers performing on a stage to their right. Lincoln, not at all distracted by the crowd, pulled back to halt their horse as a willowy man riding a unicycle zoomed by. The sun had set, yet the city was bright, illuminated with the glow of lights lining the streets and wrapped around each of the bloomed trees.

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