Page 29 of Queen of Whispers and Mist

“There’s no need for such fuss on my account,” she said, glad that it was the captain seated across from her, so she could at least pretend she was unaware of the man to her left. There was no reason for anyone else to know she could feel Ronan’s attention on her like a caress. Or that she wanted to lean into it and beg for more.

“Nonsense. You’re my guest,” Calypso said, “and dare I say the fanciest one we’ve had in quite some time. Allow us our indulgences. It’s good for these mongrels to air out their manners from time to time. Never know when they’ll come in handy.”

Tiny gave an affronted sniff.

“You know I wasn’t referring to you, Tiny. Your manners are impeccable. You’re the pride of the crew. We would all do well to be more like you.”

“Thank you, Captain. You’re too kind.” The minotaur beamed, his smile terrifying but somehow still endearing.It must be the glasses, Shadow decided, fighting against a smile as he plucked the elaborately folded napkin off his plate and gently set what looked like a pocket square between his thick fingers across his lap.

The others followed suit, though Shadow’s eyes were drawn to Jagger, who, despite the band across his eyes, unerringly found his own napkin and tucked it into the collar of his shirt. His bird gave him an affectionate nibble on his ear, and she wondered just how deep their connection ran.

There was a gentle knock on the door.

“Enter,” Calypso called. The door swung open, revealing Cookie with a large tureen held between his hands. “Ah, Cookie. Right on time. Please, come in.”

Before Shadow could wonder how the cook had managed to hold the dish while simultaneously opening the door, she caught a peek of sandy hair and recognized her young friend from earlier. He was peeking around the doorway, his eyes locked on her. When he realized she’d caught him, his cheeks blazed pink and he ducked back out of sight.

“It seems you’ve been collecting admirers,” Ronan murmured.

“One could say the same for you.”

Shadow immediately wanted to kick herself.Why? Why admit that you noticed or care about his interaction with the captain? For darkness’s sake, Shadow. Get it together.

Ronan’s brows lifted, his lips slowly curling in a smile as Cookie started ladling a delicious-smelling chowder into the various bowls. “I’m surprised you noticed.”

“Hard not to notice a grown man making an ass of himself,” she whispered, accepting her serving with what she hoped was a convincing smile. “Thank you.”

“I hope you enjoy it, lady. It’s a crew favorite.”

“I’m sure I will,” she assured the cook.

Ronan sat back in his seat, arms crossed as he picked up their conversation once the cook moved on. “Is that what I was doing?”

“Not sure what else I’d call that pathetic display of male preening I witnessed.”

“I don’t preen.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Unequivocally.”

“Ohh, fancy word, Butcher. Did Tiny teach it to you?”

The crew laughed again, not having missed their exchange despite their hushed voices.

Shadow’s eyes shot to the minotaur’s, an apology on the tip of her tongue in case she accidentally offended him. But he was chuckling along with the others, his spectacles in his hand as he carefully cleaned the lenses.

Ronan glowered at her, leaning forward until he was practically speaking into her ear. “I know lots of words, kitten. I made a point to memorize the ones that made your eyes cross and your knees weaken. Do you require a demonstration?”

Too flustered to manage a response, Shadow took a large bite of her chowder. Flavor exploded on her tongue. Having expected the fare to be flavorless or over-salted at best, she was stunned to discover it was among some of the best food she’d ever eaten. “Cookie, this is incredible,” she breathed.

The big man blushed, bashfully twisting his apron in his hands. “I’m glad you enjoy it, lady.”

“Wait until you try his biscuits,” Bronn said. “They’re the size of his fist, but damned if they aren’t flakey, buttery bites of heaven.”

“I’ll make you a batch in the morning,” Cookie promised. “Along with my gravy.”

“You spoil us, Cookie,” Calypso said, earning another blush from her cook.

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