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“I saw the riggers lowering the sails. I knew the winds were getting dangerous. And I shouldn’t have allowed Riden to put his rope on me. It was my choice to stay up in the nest without protection.” She doesn’t look down; she keeps those blue eyes on me.
“From what I saw, it looked like you put up quite a fight.”
“Well, yes, Captain. But I should have been strong enough to fight him off.”
I kneel down to her level and hand back the dagger. “As far as I’m concerned, sailor, you did nothing wrong. You are not expected to be anything more than what you are. You didn’t deliberately disobey orders, and Riden is alive.”
Her eyes light up. “Alive? Truly?”
“Yes. The only one you owe an apology to and a punishment from is your father for scaring him half to death.”
“Rest assured,” Wallov says, “she’ll be punished.” He tousles the hair on the top of her head.
Roslyn nods solemnly before asking, “May I go see Riden?”
“Not yet,” I say. “He needs to be checked out by Mandsy first. I’m going to find her now for an update, but I wanted you to know he is all right.”
She wraps those little arms around me and gives me a squeeze before returning to her father.
I keep a hand on the railing for balance as I ascend the steps. The storm has only worsened, and I worry for the safety of the ship and crew. If we should run aground in this weather…
“How’s she holding?” I shout to Kearan once I make it up top.
“Not easily, but I’ve got her.”
I nod, tell him I’ll be back after I check on Riden, and head for my quarters. Niridia said the girls had carried Riden into the infirmary, a room with a padded table for patients, but the ship was too unsteady for him to be elevated. Eventually he had to be taken to my room. The lush carpets on the floor were the best solution. He can’t fall off there.
“For the lastdamnedtime, Mandsy, I don’t want any water! I just spent the last ten minutes coughing it out of my lungs.”
“Your body has been through an ordeal. You’re exhausted and you should drink something.” Mandsy isn’t intimidated by any of her patients. Ever. She’d treat a snarling bear if it was injured. She tries to bring the cup back to Riden’s lips.
“What I want is to be left alone so I can sleep. Surely sleep is part of your treatment?”
“Yes, but you could be concussed if you hit your head on something underwater. Someone should watch over you.”
The ship rocks. Mandsy backs up to catch her balance, but some of the water still tips out of the cup she’s holding, and Riden braces himself with his arms from where he lies onthe floor. When the ship straightens again, I step all the way into my bedroom.
“Mandsy,” I say, “go below and check on Roslyn. Make sure she’s all right.”
Mandsy treads past me as Riden looks at me in alarm.
“Did she fall into the water, too? Is she—”
“She’s fine, thanks to you,” I assure him. “I just wanted Mandsy out of here so you would stop being rude.”
His worry morphs into a glare. “I said I didn’t wantanycompany.”
“This ismyroom, and I just saved your life. You could show a little gratitude toward all the people who are trying to help you.”
He won’t look at me now. He finds his feet far more worthy of his fury.
Riden’s managed to change into some dry breeches. (I’ve already dried myself off with my abilities.) A towel hangs around his neck, keeping his hair from dripping onto his bare chest. A dry shirt lies next to him, but he probably doesn’t have the energy to pull it on.
“Do you want some help with that?” I ask, pointing to the shirt.
“If you won’t leave, then I will.” He tries to stand; at least I think that’s what he’s doing. His legs are twitching.
I rush forward and push against the idiot’s shoulders. “What are you doing?”
