Page 33 of Seaborn and the Seven Seas

“Oh, Fraya. Um… I’m lost. Jina and Ranis—”

“They’re on the deck waiting for you.” She gave nothing away in her expression if she knew I’d been spying on Theron. “I’ll take you to them.”

I felt grateful she hadn’t said anything. Or maybe she had seen me and was too polite to say so. Either way I was never going to be able to look at Theron or the blonde again without my face catching fire.

I followed Fraya down the passage, her reddish hair catching the torchlight like embers, green eyes sharp and calm. Two daggers sat at her hips as she swaggered across the deck like she owned every plank. Confident. Unapologetic. I wished I could be like her.

The deck was alive with the low murmur of the crew, some gathered around other tables, talking among themselves, cups in hand, paying us no mind. I spotted Jina and rushed toward her.

“Where have you been?” Jina sounded exactly like Nam when she scolded me.

“I—um—”

“I was showing her around.” Fraya winked at me, then pulled up a barrel and dropped next to a man with a scar across his chin.

Oh for goodness’ sake. She knew. She absolutely knew.

I dropped onto a barrel between Jina and Ranis, willing my face to return to its normal color.

“Why are your cheeks so flushed?” Jina patted my hand. “Try this.”

I grabbed it and drank without asking what it was. I assumed it was water.

The bitter liquid hit the back of my throat like fire, and I nearly choked, slamming the cup down as I bent forward.

I sputtered, coughing, eyes watering, half my drink spilling by my feet. “What—what is that?”

The table erupted in laughter, and someone refilled my cup before I could object.

“Ale.” Ranis patted my back, grinning. “You’ve never had ale before?”

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “I’ve never had anything before. We drank water in the cavern.” I looked down at the cup with deep suspicion. “That isn’t water.”

Fraya snorted, smacking the bearded man on the arm. “Barron, I told you to add water.”

Barron leaned back, broad through the chest with a dark beard. Thick forearms planted on the table, hazel eyes bright with too much drink.

“She’ll get her sea legs.” Barron raised his cup toward me. “First time drinking ale. Tonight is a good night, lady. You’ll get used to the taste.”

“Your name?” A lean man with a scar along his jaw, dark hair pulled back in a rough braid, sharp dark eyes shifted toward me. “We know your friends but not you. Jina calls you Sis. Is that your true name?”

“Jimin.” Fraya shook her head. “Maybe not the best time—”

“It’s all right.” I wrapped both hands around my cup. “I named my friend Jina because it sounded pretty and delicate. Just like her.”

Jina leaned her head against my shoulder, her cheeks going pink.

“Perfect for her.” Ranis grinned, raising his drink toward her.

“And what do we call you?” Jimin leaned closer from across the table, the scar along his jaw catching the moonlight.

I was quiet for a moment, peering up at the stars scattered thick and white across the dark sky. This moment. These people, this strange warmth spreading through my chest, I wanted to hold on to it.

“Call me Star.”

Jimin nodded as if he approved. Barron raised his cup toward me. Fraya smiled.

“Star.” Jina dragged the word out. “I like it.”