Page 24 of Vengeance of the Pirate Queen

“Captain,” I remind him through gritted teeth.

“Captain, stop flattering yourself.”

“I—You—” I break off abruptly. I’m certain I’ve never stuttered before in my life, and I can’t imagine why I’m starting now. When I can collect myself, I begin again. “You told Alosa you would only join her crew if I was the one in charge of watching you during your probationary period.”

“I was a drunk. I said and did stupid things. I thought Enwen was good company, for stars’ sake. My judgment was altered.”

“Are you saying I’m only appealing to you when you’re drunk?”

A silence so thick I could cut it with my rapier fills the galley. Why did I suggest something so stupid?

“I’m saying I’m stone-cold sober now. I’m different.”

“Why?” I ask to change the subject.

“Why am I different when I’m sober?”

“Why are you sober now?”

Kearan says nothing for so long that I wonder if maybe he’s fallen asleep. Then, “That’s your fault.”

“My fault?”

“You dumped my flasks of rum overboard.”

“I’m to believe you were helpless to procure more?”

“No, it was a gesture that showed me you cared whether or not I was sober. You cared about me. So I did my best to quit and clean myself up.”

“Care?” I ask. “I don’t care about you. I did it because you stank, your teeth were yellow from the indulgence, and I knew it would piss you off. It was amusing to me, a way to give myself a reprieve from your stench.”

“Well, it worked, so why are you so angry?”

I take a breath to calm my voice. “I’m not angry.”

“Neither am I.”

“Good.”

Why does it infuriate me so when he tries to get in the last word?

“Kearan.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t be familiar with me again. It’scaptainto you or nothing at all.”

I leave lest he try to get the better of me again.

But he still manages, “Aye-aye, Captain,” before I’m out of earshot.

IN THE MORNING, ITis not a kitchen girl but Roslyn who delivers my breakfast.

“What are you up to?”

“Why do I have to be up to something? Can’t I just want to do something nice for my captain?” she asks.

She sets the tray down on my desk and steps back. I keep my eyes on her as I crack one of the hard-boiled eggs. Beside them are strips of bacon and a mango cut into squares. Roslyn says not a word until I’m halfway through my meal.

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