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Poseidon. Sitting beside him was driving me crazy. I wasn’t sure I could get the thought of being in his embrace out of my mind. Nor did I want to.
The horses and wagon kicked up dust as we took off down the path.
“Captain,” Gill said from behind me. “When we get to town, I want to trade the rum for a horse, and go find my sister.”
“I cannot allow that,” Fin replied. “You didn’t fully recharge at the lake. We need to get back to the sea. Then we can figure out our next move.”
Nemo and I exchanged a glance.
Judging by the darkness storming across Gill’s face, I sensed an argument brewing. “So, even after all the times I saved your ass, her father trumps my sister.”
“Gill, we need the merarmy behind us to rescue all the other creatures and destroy the pirates.”
“I’m not leaving her behind. She’s all I have left.”
Believe me, I didn’t want to leave his sister or the other merfolk behind, either. But we didn’t know how many pirates we were up against. My men were weak from dehydration. The brief soak in the water was not enough. We had to stick together and work as a team. One rogue and rash merman was not going to free merfolk from the grasp of ruthless pirates working for an evil collector. Together, we were stronger and had more chance of success.
Fin stood firm. “As your commanding officer, I order you to stay with your unit.”
Conflict flashed behind Gill’s eyes. His forehead pinched, and his jaw tightened. I knew that look. The look of defiance. I recognized it because I’d seen it in myself—the guilt between staying and going when I’d objected to attending courtly functions and acting on my parents’ demands.
Fin placed his hand on Gill’s shoulder. “Sleep on it, Gill. Okay?”
Gill grunted. I wasn’t sure if it was his agreement or refusal.
Obviously, he thought Fin and Nemo had taken my side because I was a princess. But Gill’s heart ruled him, and he wasn’t thinking straight.
“Don’t think of disobeying an order, mersoldier.” The words, aimed at Gill, spilled out before I could control them.
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Gill said. “And probably wouldn’t be the last, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart?Why, I ought to punch him for that. How had this merman remained in the merarmy with an attitude like that? Who would want to fight beside someone who wouldn’t have their back? No, thanks. Perhaps it was best to let him leave now. He was crazy and had a death wish.
I hated to admit it, but there was the deeper, selfish, and ashamed part of me that didn’t want Gill to go. I wanted to break through the thick wall that separated us. But after the way he’d treated me, maybe it was time to give up on that idea, and admit it was a one-way crush. I knew when to stop wasting my time.
Another league down the road, we came to a tavern where we disembarked the wagon and gave it to the stable boy to lead the horses away. Tonight, we’d rest here, think on things, and leave at first light.
