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“Your Highness,” he said, jumping down and taking my hand, leading me to the cart.
“Thank you for saving us,” I said, staring into his eyes, noting the honey flecks in them. “All of us.”
“You’re welcome, pretty little lady.” He was so bold as to press his face forward, apparently assuming I’d reward him with a kiss.
I twisted his face and pecked him on the cheek.
The hollowness of his laugh and the way he rubbed the spot my lips had touched told me it was as rare day when a woman knocked him back.
Someone’s knuckles cracked behind me. I assumed it was Nemo, given his little jealousy act from earlier.
One of the horses snorted, and I flinched. With a shaky hand, I approached it and stroked its furry neck. The hair felt silky and a little dirty, as if grit clung to its coat. Still, it felt smooth and nice to my touch. Surely beat a gooey and slippery seahorse any day.
Blade pointed to a step between the ground and the top of the cart’s wheel. “Put your foot on the mounting step here.”
When I lifted my leg, I wobbled. My skirt was quite heavy, and it was going to take a bit of getting used to.
“Here.” Blade grasped my waist in one hand and my butt in the other and boosted me onto the step as if I weighed nothing. Then he gave me another little tap and winked when I’d settled. “That’s a fine royal ass.”
My, he was a cheeky one.
Nemo’s knuckles cracked again.
Fin and Gill were around the back of the wagon, rearranging a few barrels of rum, their tridents, and two chests.
Blade jumped up after me and put the horse’s reins in my hand. He squeezed my fingers before climbing down.
Nemo sighed. “I’m not getting into that cage again.” He jumped into the seat beside me and smiled.
It was nice to see that even with his optimistic outlook, he was flawed with a jealous streak. Now, he didn’t seem too perfect.
“Guess we’re riding in the back, Captain,” Gill said to Fin.
“Thanks, brother.” Gill wrapped his arms around Blade and patted him hard on the back.
“You owe me.” Blade’s wicked grin promised Gill trouble in the future.
“No more boats,” said Gill as he eased into the wagon like an old man.
Blade laughed and raised a hand as he strode off into the night.
“Wait,” I called out after him. “Where are you going?”
“Taking these clowns back for questioning,” he said.
“But I don’t know how this works.” I glanced down at the reins in my hands. During my brief captivity, I hadn’t exactly studied the pirates when they’d driven the wagons. If I couldn’t figure it out, we weren’t getting very far.Damn Blade for leaving us stranded.
I turned to Nemo. “What do I do with these?”
The giant merman shrugged. “I think you wriggle the straps.”
I tried that, but the horses just snorted, as if laughing at me.
“Give it a bit more oomph, Princess,” Nemo encouraged.
I shook the reins harder, and the horses grunted. I tried one more time, cracking the leather straps, and the horses jolted forward.
“Watch out,” shouted Nemo, pointing to the other wagon directly ahead of us.
