Page 88 of Of Magic and Rum
Dad quirks a brow, emphasizing his trident, slamming the hilt against the deck with each step. “Cabin? Are you the captain of this vessel?”
Jack stands straighter. “I am.” I swear his voice deepens a little. “Sir. Majesty?”
“Sir,” my dad says, passing us and brushing arms with Jack. They’re the same height, with Dad being only a bit wider in the shoulders but otherwise having a similar build. “Will do fine.”
Tension weighs heavy from the unexpected appearance of my father and brother and my late mother. Not to mention, they discovered that I’ve not only become a pirate but also am with the captain himself. A boulder lands on my chest, and I press my hand there. But as soon as Jack splays his fingers and presses that warm palm against my back, guiding me toward his cabin, most of the anxiety melts.
We’re all standing in Jack’s quarters, and Jack squeezes past Triton to scoop a prancing Truffles from his desk. He nuzzles his fur before resting him on the floor as Laust appears from a darkened corner, yawning and scratching his sides.
“Laust, take the cat and go find some grub.” Jack edges his head toward the door.
Laust’s eyes brighten at the mention of food, and with Truffles at his side, they scurry from the room.
Triton looks from the door back to the desk, pointing. “Was that—an imp?”
Jack snatches a fig from a bowl on his desk and sits on the edge. “Yes. We don’t tend to turn anyone away here. Mythicalor otherwise.” His gaze lands on me as he pops the fruit into his mouth.
Dad props his trident against a wall but doesn’t move far from it. “And you are alright with this?”
“With what exactly, sir?” Jack looks genuinely perplexed by this question.
My mother stays at my dad’s side and delicately touches her throat. “With the magic? The fins and scales?”
“I happen to quite like that side of Anne,” Jack answers, not missing a beat and smiling at me—beaming.
“Anne?” My mother repeats, a wistfulness in her tone.
I press my fists into Jack’s desk, already regretting what I’m about to say. “I’m not sure how it should matter one way or the other to you, Amphitrite. I believe you gave up the right to be a concerned mother the day you decided the sea meant more to you.”
“Rhode,” Dad warns, stepping forward; simultaneously, Triton says, “Fry.”
My mother lifts a hand to halt them and looks square at me. “No. I deserve every last bit of it.” She folds her arms and a crease forms on her forehead. “I never forgave myself for not being able to see you grow up. Especially you, you were so young when it happened.” She pauses to look at Triton, who gives her a sympathetic frown. “I knew it wouldn’t take long for Triton to warm up to the idea that I’m alive and reconnect, but you’ve always been my little lava rock. So full of fire and grit.”
“Then my reaction shouldn’t surprise you.” A certain lightness fills my chest, and my fists relax into open palms on the desk instead.
A sad smile plays on her lips. “It doesn’t. And I can’t blame you in the slightest if you even hate me for what I did?—”
I cut her off, standing straight. “I don’t hate you.”
“I’m saying I wouldn’t blame you if you did. I can’t erase my past actions and don’t expect you to forgive me, but I ask if you can find it in your heart to someday be a family again.” My mother holds her hand out behind her, and Dad quickly takes it, threading their fingers.
My resolve grows softer, but I’m still so angry inside. “Did you make this easy on her, Dad?”
“We all have our grievances, Rhode. And I know better than to try and tell you what to do, but she’s changed. I’ve changed. Tartarus—” Dad sucks on his bottom lip and takes a good look at me. “—you’ve changed.”
My mother smiles, a reminiscing glint in her eye. “I don’t know if I agree with you there, Seid. She’s a woman now, but I still see that little girl who’d steal shells and baubles for her secret stash. The little girl who slapped an eel in the face with her tiny fins because it’d bitten her big brother.”
My throat tightens, and I dig my nails into the wood. My right central fin has a small tear because it caught on the eel’s tooth. “You remember all of that?”
“I do.” My mother smiles again. “I remember all the moments I had with you and still cherish them. And it makes sense to me why you’ve taken to this lifestyle.” She references the ship. “And—to him.” Her gaze zips to Jack at my side.
Jack rests his mouth on his fist and pans the room once he realizes we’re all looking at him. “I’ve been perfectly fine as a living backdrop to this family affair I’m pretending not to hear.”
“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you, boy,” Dad says, grabbing his trident and moving toward Jack. Triton follows him.
“Wait, wait.” I step between everyone. “Can I introduce you to him before you feather and tar him?”
My mother is still smiling.
