Page 86 of Fearless

I have to fight the grin that wishes to form on my lips. Torri clears his throat and flicks his gaze down to where I sit. “Miss Gray,” he says slowly, “I am deeply sorry for the distress this must have caused you. And, rest assured, I will not let it happen again.”

Leaning forward, I offer him a thin smile. “No, it won’t happen again. And rest assured that I am not distressed.” My eyes narrow slightly. “I’m disappointed.”

I stand then, letting the chair scrape loudly against the wooden floorboards. As way of goodbye, I add, “I trust we will be making it safely to Izram tomorrow?”

It takes Torri a moment to gather his words. “Um, yes. Yes, that is correct. We should be docking no later than midday.”

I flash him a smile before turning to leave. “Good.”

Kai trails behind, stopping only to throw a question over his shoulder at the captain. “Why was an Illusionist on board? They aren’t easy to come by, especially not one with sailing experience.”

“Well, I requested one from the king,” Torri explains with a slight shrug. “He would have come in handy if we encounter the beast that lurks in these waters. Created an illusion for it to chase after rather than us.”

The Enforcer seems to be mulling this over. “And what is it you do, Captain?”

Torri looks confused before a loud laugh escapes him. “Well, exactly what you said, Highness. I captain.”

“Ah, yes.” Kai nods slowly, and I study his face, unsure where this is going. “So you’re the one who was fearlessly steering the ship during that storm?”

“Aye, sir! Right up until you charged into my quarters.” The captain laughs again, slapping a hand to the table. “The Shallows are a bitch that I intend to tame.”

I can only muster an annoyed sigh at his words before Kai is heading for the door once again. “Sorry for killing your men, Torri. But I’m afraid they deserved it, so I’m really not.”

“Of course,” the captain calls after us.

“And do keep a watchful eye on your men, Captain.” Kai is halfway out the door when he turns one last time. “I know you’re capable of it.”

I follow him quickly into the hall beyond, trying to keep up withhis long strides. When we turn into his cabin, I finally blurt, “What just happened in there?”

Kai shakes his head. “He knew you needed help last night and did nothing.”

“But the storm. He said—”

“No one at the helm could see or hear anything on the other side of the ship with that rain,” he finishes for me. “But that bastard was the only one who could.”

The pieces suddenly click into place, leaving me murmuring under my breath. “The captain’s a Hyper.”

Kai rakes a hand through his disheveled hair. “He could see and hear you just fine. He just chose not to.”

I scoff. “That shouldn’t even surprise me.”

“I’ll deal with him when we get back to Ilya. But until then”—he pats the dagger strapped to my thigh—“this doesn’t leave your side. Even when you’re with me.”

I step closer with a teasing smile. “Oh, especially not when I’m with you. What if I wish to threaten your life?”

“Even after I just saved yours?” He says this fondly.

I trace a finger down his thin white shirt. “Perhaps I have yet to forgive you for chasing me across the Scorches.”

He pulls me close, his fingers tipping my chin up toward him. “And I would do it all again just to hear you threaten my life.”

“That seems foolish,” I breathe.

“Then it’s fitting.” He runs a thumb over my bottom lip. “Seeing that I am a fool.”

I raise my eyebrows at him. “You told me you weren’t anymore.”

His lips brush my cheek. I smile when they meet my nose. Gasp when they graze my neck.

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