Page 117 of Tell No Tales
"Captain." She grinned at the title. Gods, Vadim would do anything to see the girl smile more. She deserved it.
"I was hoping you would take me up on my offer to navigate for you, now that you have three shifts of air weavers."
Efren finally met his gaze with a huff of breath that plumed in front of his face. "We'll be home soon enough."
"We will." Vadim sighed. There was no reasoning with the captain. "I'd hoped you and Niall would take more of an interest in the emperor."
"You've already got Stan and Tovey spending every waking moment with him." Efren growled. "You find Jermain so detestable?"
"He's the most powerful earth weaver I know, but he's only got earth, and that's a weakness when it comes to fire. He can put a fire out once it starts well enough, but air weavers can starve a flame before it lights." He grinned at Trin. "Besides, Jermain has a student on board. I'm sure he can teach you a few things you didn't learn at the academy."
She grinned. "I would like that very much."
Efren shook his head. "If you make me regret this, so help me, Vadim. I will feed you to the sharks with no qualms."
"I won't let you down." Vadim did his best to keep his elation off his face. One overexcited smile would surely make Efren regret the decision before he took the helm. For once, Vadim wasn't thinking of sabotage, but Efren didn't know that.
"You'll take the afternoon shift so Hannah can watch for trouble from afar."
"Aye."
"You'll let me know at the first sign of a ship."
"Aye, Captain."
"And you'll stay on course for Aquarion, not divert to Landale or Glamiere or anywhere else you think the emperor should go?"
"They're coming to us on Aquarion," Vadim said. "Coryn will, too, but that's another matter."
Efren scrubbed at the creases in his forehead and puffed out another cloud of air. "Fine. I'll expect a full report each night before Olivia takes over."
"As you say."
Efren shook his head. "Don't wreck my ship."
"If I do, I'll have Stan and Jermain put her back together, good as new."
"I can help," Trin volunteered.
"That's the spirit." Vadim grinned at her, which only made Efren glower more.
Hannah called to Trin, pulling her attention to the railing so they could shout over the wind.
"Klaus is talking adoption once we get to Aquarion," Vadim said. "She's not too old for all that, is she?"
Efren looked much more at ease when they weren't discussing the fate of his ship. "Not too old, if that's what she wants. Have you asked her?"
"Klaus already bowled her over with the offer to move in with us." Despite his harsh tone, Vadim couldn't help but grin. Klaus was a force to be reckoned with, as Trin had said. Vadim wouldn't have it any other way.
"You, a family man." Efren scoffed.
"I always wanted a family. One better than mine, anyway."
"Klaus and Trin are good for you, and we'll all be sad to see the kitten go." Efren pointed to where Mewskers was clawing his way up to the crow's nest along the main mast.
"It doesn't have to end like this," Vadim said. "You saw what happened when I had my own ship. I'd rather sail on yours."
Efren laughed. "I happened. As long as you don't turn on me again, I promise not to sink you."
