Page 137 of The Sea Witch
“We position the blade to where Hydra would be on All Hallows’ Eve,” Alys said.
“And then?” Stasia pressed.
Still holding the knife, Alys gave her a wry glance. “Then, theand thenwill hopefully reveal itself.”
The ship slept around them as the group moved to the top deck, which was largely unoccupied except for the morning watch.
In the wake of the harrowing time on land, Alys drew fresh salty sea air into her lungs. Her body still continued to throb warmly in the aftermath of the pleasure she and Ben had shared, even following the terror of their flight.
Ben all but glowed with care and tenderness.
She handed Luna the blade, and the navigator held the carving knife up to the black star-dusted sky.
“There,” Luna said after adjusting its position and angle. “That’s where Hydra would be on All Hallows’ Eve.”
“And there.” Ben indicated the tip of the blade, angled toward the dark horizon. “The knife points the way to where we’re headed.”
“It’s a chart, guiding us to our next step.” Alys shook her head. “I keep thinking I know the limits to Little George’s cunning. And I keep being proved wrong.”
“Whatisthe next step?” Stasia demanded as Eris chittered with agitation. “The end of our journey, or another kataraménos clue?”
Alys leaned against the railing and folded her arms across her chest. “There’s no way of knowing.”
Everyone was silent as they contemplated this.
“Luna,” Alys went on, “set our heading and then inform the helm.”
“Aye, Captain.” Luna sped down the companionway, as if eager for her charts.
“Polly, find your berth and get some sleep,” Alys said. “Stasia, you do the same. We’ll need rest before facing... whatever it is that we’re going to face.”
Stasia gave a clipped nod and followed Polly as she went below.
Alone with Ben, Alys allowed herself to droop with weariness. He was beside her at once, offering his strength and the sturdiness of his body. For a moment, she allowed herself to lean against him.
She tried to push back to stand on her own, and fought a yawn. “Didn’t get much service out of that bed at Lambert’s.”
“We made fine use of the chaise.”
“Look at you. Preening like you’ve got the biggest cock to ever sail the Caribbean.”
“You did call itgorgeous.”
When he moved to wrap his arms around her, she eased away.
“Everyone’s asleep,” he said.
She glanced toward the upper deck. “There’s the watch, too.”
“You’ve had men aboard this ship before. Brought other lovers to theSea Witch. But,” he said, wry, “none of them were in the Royal Navy.”
“Were, notare?”
“Going back’s impossible. And I don’t want to. That’s not what I know, anymore. What I do know...” Closing the distance between them, he cupped her jaw with his hand. “I knowyou, Alys Tanner.”
He looked into her eyes, his own gaze warm and affectionate.
“That’s where the danger lies,” she said flatly.
