Page 59 of The Sea Witch
“You need rest,” Stasia insisted.
“On the ship. For now, we keep going.”
Stasia grumbled in Greek as she fell back. She took up her position behind Ben, shooting him a wary glance.
Alys marched ahead, following the sound of the water’s voice. It was a welcome distraction from her own thoughts. She’d acted without thought to save Ben. The moment she’d seen the bridge give way, she’d rushed to help him. Now she paid the price. Her legs were weak beneath her, and her arm ached as she cut through foliage and vines, and she needed to sit a minute to catch her breath.
But she couldn’t let him see how little she’d mastered her magic. She had to keep going, presenting the face of an intrepid and tireless captain.
If he felt it, he didn’t say. At least he had some sense of caution. Or self-preservation.
“Cap’n.” Susannah appeared beside her and pressed something into her hand.
They paused long enough for Alys to examine what Susannah had given her. It was salt beef, as well as one of the small sugary cakes that Josephine occasionally gave the crew as a treat.
“I didn’t ask for this.”
“For a year, I’ve been sailing with you,” Susannah whispered as they resumed marching, “and back home, we learned the measure of our magic together. Including what we need when we’ve pushed ourselves too much. Since I can’t give you a cuddle right now,” she added with a smile, “a bit of food and sugar will serve.”
Alys nodded her thanks as she took a bite of the salt beef. It was tough and briny, but exactly what her depleted body required. “You and Stasia need it, too. And give some to him as well.”
“He didn’t use any magic,” Susannah noted.
“He’s human, and humans need sustenance.”
“Aye, Cap’n.”
Everyone kept walking as Susannah handed out rations. All conversation ceased as the simple meal was consumed. It was a far cry from the fresh, hot food Josephine provided for the company when aboard the ship. Damn if Alys didn’t crave a bowl of her peppered mutton stew.
Ben meditatively chewed on the strip of meat Susannah had given him, yet his gaze was alert and attentive to his surroundings, ready in case a new threat emerged. His beard was nearly grown in now, making the blue of his eyes all the more crystalline, and his dark hair was loose about his shoulders. The crispness of his clothing was nearly gone. He reached upto slacken his neckcloth, revealing his throat, and there was a sheen of sweat in the hollow just at the base.
“Something’s amiss?” he demanded, catching her looking at him.
“Haven’t I seen you at the Wig and Merkin, drinking ale with Rodrigo Flores?”
He scowled and straightened his waistcoat. Why stroke his ego by telling him that it pleased her to see him like this, rough and disheveled? He’d been attractive as a neat, spruce naval navigator, but now he was rugged, verging on wild.
Alys took a large bite of sugared cake, sating one hunger for another.
He sucked in a breath, and stared at her. Her cheeks warmed even more.Hellfire.
She tipped up her chin in defiance. So, she had begun to find him attractive—it didn’t matter. All animals had the urge to mate. But there was a difference between her and a feral beast.Shehad control over herself.
His throat worked as he swallowed tightly.
She held up a hand, and everyone stood still.
“I hear it, too,” Ben said.
“Water over stone,” Susannah added.
Following the sound, everyone pressed forward, until they came to a shallow creek. It tumbled across wide smooth rocks, its banks narrow and pebbled.
“Small for a waterfall,” Stasia noted.
“Its source might be what we’re seeking,” Alys mused.
“We can go upstream.” Ben nodded toward the volcanic peak, still rising above them. “Likely, there’s a waterfall coming off that mountain.”
