Page 40 of Seaborn and the Seven Seas

I snorted, the first easy feeling I’d had since last night. “I’ll get you something to eat. Perhaps with your stomach full you’ll feel better.”

“Thanks, Sis… I mean, Star.”

The name sounded different coming from her, softer somehow. A name that fit better than I expected. I would have to get used to it. We both would.

The ship moved with its usual rhythm. I went to the kitchen and asked for some bread and water. I took them to Jina, then went back outside to get some air.

“Good morning.” Ranis leaned against the railing a few feet away, the early sun warm against his dark skin and green eyes, his brown hair tousled from sleep, sleeves rolled to his elbows like he’d already started the day’s work.

He carried himself easier. His shoulders sat looser than they had on Russo’s ship, as if the weight he’d carried under that man had finally vanished.

“Morning,” I managed.

“Jina—”

“She’ll be fine. I’ll go check up on her soon. I just wanted some fresh air.”

“As you wish.” He dipped his head once. “Duty calls.” He flicked a thumb over his shoulders. “But first, morning meal awaits.”

Ranis went off with Jimin, leaving me alone at the railing. I stared out at the gray smudge of land growing larger on the horizon, keeping my eyes on the shore and away from the rest of the ship, away from the stairs leading below, away from anywhere Theron might be, away from the memory of last night that I couldn’t seem to leave behind.

I didn’t know what I’d say to Theron if I saw him. Thank you felt wrong. Are you all right felt presumptuous—as if a man who could snap a neck without flinching needed checking on.

“There you are.” Fraya approached the railing, reddish hair pulled back, strands escaping in the wind.

She reminded me of Minha. I wondered if Minha would have liked her. I wondered if I’d ever get the chance to find out.

Fraya leaned against the railing beside me.

“I’m so sorry about Barron,” she said. “I know you two didn’t know each other, but he was...” She trailed off, staring out at the water. “He was one of us.”

Theron sure worked fast on telling his people about Barron. I supposed he had too. The crew would notice him missing. And who would get rid of Barron’s body? Toss him overboard?

I didn’t know what to say. I’m sorry felt like a lie. He tried to kill me felt cruel. So I said nothing.

She bumped her shoulder gently against mine, in the way Minha sometimes did. “You look like you didn’t sleep.”

I smiled.

“Come on.” She grabbed my hand and led me down to the galley.

The space was hot and loud, crew moving in and out, pots clanging, a couple of men and women at work. One stirred an oyster soup, another tearing bread into chunks.

Fraya steered us to the far side, away from the heat and noise, where the air was quieter, and pulled two barrels from against the wall.

She disappeared for a moment and came back with a small cup of liquid, steam curling off the top.

“Drink this. It’ll help you relax.”

I wrapped both hands around it, grateful for the warmth against my palms, and sniffed. Something earthy, slightly floral. “What is it?”

“Valerian root, lavender, honey, and a few other things.” She shrugged. “Theron’s good with things like this. Keeps half the ship stocked.”

I took a sip. Warmth spread through my chest and I let out a long sigh.

“Can I ask you a question?” The tea loosened my tongue to someone I just met, but her sweet voice and her persona made it easy to talk to her.

“Of course, anything.”