Page 20 of Pregnant With Their Babes

“Llyr is all he’s told us,” Oz offered. “Is there anyone missing from the area?”

“Or on the run from the law?” Dagr added.

“Can’t say I’ve heard tha name b’fore. Description?”

“Tall and lean. Long, curling red hair. Fair. Strange blue-green eyes. A shell birthmark on his shoulder. Strange tattoos on one arm,” Oz prattled off. “Seems to think he’s a merman come ashore.”

“A merman?” the constable asked before letting out a roar of laughter that made it hard not to smile slightly. “Does he have a tail, too?”

“No. Claims a sea witch gave him a spell to give him legs for seven days.”

“Only seven days?” the constable asked. “That’s not much time ta get inta proper trouble, eh?” He took another drink from his pint and then wiped his mouth with his shirt sleeve. “Rings no bells, gentlemen. No one’s gone missin’ that I’m aware of. Can’t say that I know of any bandits traveling about our province, neither. Most of tha problems we have are drunken sailors and tha occasional theft—usually perpetrated by one o’tha habitual offenders. Yermermanfits none o’their descriptions. We have no raving loons in tha area, neither.”

“Well, if you hear of anything—please, let us know. We’re staying here at the inn until we head out the day after tomorrow.”

“Aye,” the constable said. “I’ll find ya if I hear anything.” He rose from his seat, taking his pint and belongings with him. “I appreciate tha ale, gents. But I need ta make tha rounds and see if there’s any misbehavin’.”

Oz tipped his hat. “If any of our men get into trouble, talk to Mr. Tyler, our quartermaster.”

The constable angled his head, offering a bright smile filled with multicolored teeth. “Ah, Mr. Tyler. He and I goway back.”

Dagr watched as the constable ambled over to their quartermaster and gave the man a big hug.

“Well… Llyr’s not missing. From here, at least,” Oz stated. “And he’s not on the run from the local authorities. So what do we do now?”

“Could he have been tossed overboard from another passing ship? Maybe we should start asking some of the others here in port if they’re missing a crewman.”

Oz glanced at Dagr. “Tomorrow. Tonight was supposed to be ours. We can talk to the other crews in the light of day.” He drained the rest of his pint and hailed Myra again. She soon sauntered over and refilled his pint. “Any more rooms available, love?”

“Nay. Charlie gave ya tha good room he saves for his very best customers… and it was also tha last.”

“Damn,” Oz growled.

No more room in the inn and a man in the bed they’d planned to share.

“Yecouldalways share mine,” Myra offered, waggling her eyebrows. She moved in close and lowered her voice. “And I don’ mind that ye’d be wantin’ one ‘nother as much as I.”

Oz smiled up at her. “I’ve sailed all nine seas and you’re myfavoritebarmaid in all the world—even more so now—but I promised Dagr a night all of his own. It’ll be our last voyage for some time. I owe him that.”

Myra’s smile faded. “Last voyage? But why?”

“Duty calls,” Oz answered. “Hopefully we won’t be grounded long.” He turned his attention to Dagr. “Well—I’llbe the one grounded. Dagr will be…free… to move on. Without me.” A shine came to Oz’s eyes.

Pain lanced Dagr’s chest.

Myra only frowned harder. “Nay. It can’t be.”

Oz tore his gaze from Dagr, his lips two thin lines. “I’m afraid it is.”

Tears shone brightly in Myra’s eyes. “I’ll miss me best customers. Such gents—posh and all. Yet ye never look down yer nose like tha others do.”

Dagr took her hand and brought it to his lips. After a brief kiss to the back, he grinned up at her. She lowered her pitcher to the table and squeezed in closer to hug them both and kiss their foreheads. When she backed away, she had the shine of tears in her eyes. “When do ye leave?”

“Day after tomorrow,” Oz answered.

Myra winced. “I’ll see what I can do ta find ya ‘nother room.”

“Thank you,” Oz said, squeezing Myra’s hand.

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