Page 159 of Sword & Sacrifice

“Oh, and Raphael?”

Rafe paused and looked over his shoulder, still wearing that careless grin. “Yes, Captain?”

“You’re allowed to show off your magic tricks but remember one thing—she’s my daughter, not one of your conquests.”

Rafe’s smile froze and his body stiffened. After a moment, he said, “You wound me. You know my heart belongs only to Lady Carmine. For now, at least.” The last was said with an uneasy chuckle, as if he wasn’t sure how well his captain would accept the joke.

Everett watched him for a moment before smiling at Emmaline, “I’ll let you know as soon as I hear news.”

“Thank you,” she said, then added a hesitant, “Father.”

Maybe soon, she could call him that with more confidence.

Chapter Eight

The ship’s rocking disturbed Emmaline as she lay in bed, every movement souring her stomach. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to sleep through it, only to be startled awake a few minutes later by raucous laughter. Annoyed, she sat up and glared at the door. There were several gaps in the wood and along the frame, allowing the light and noise from the hallway to leak through.

The ship shifted beneath her again and her stomach sloshed with the movement. Acid rose in her throat, and she smacked her hand over her mouth to keep it down. Someone had left a small basin in the room in case of seasickness, but if she vomited now, she would have to thoroughly clean up after herself so the smell wouldn’t cling to the walls.

There were, of course, the candies Rafe gave her. She’d stored them with her other things in the trunk squashed between the bed and the wall. As much as she loathed the man who gifted them to her, she knew they were her best option to settle her stomach.

She held onto the bed to steady herself as she approached the trunk, using her hand to guide her through the dark room. The moment she opened the lid, the sweet smell of ginger filled the air. She felt around blindly in the trunk until her fingers closed on a twist of paper. She unwrapped it and popped it into her mouth, then leaned back against the wall as she savored the treat. Though it smelled sweet, it had a hidden spiciness, a bit of heat against her tongue. As the candy dissolved, her stomach settled.

She should have gone back to sleep, but the sugar lingering on her tongue kept her awake.

Another bout of laughter drew her thoughts to the rest of the crew. They’d leered at her when she first stepped onto the ship, but when Rafe introduced her to everyone, their attitudes changed immediately. The captain must have warned them to treat her with respect. Although she would have preferred if they simply treated her properly from the beginning, this might be her opportunity to get to know them better. To let them get to know her, and her fight to save her mother.

Emmaline opened the door and followed the noise deeper into the ship. The crew not currently on duty were gathered in what Rafe had dubbed ‘the wardroom.’ Half of the large room had tables, while the other half had cots where a few sailors snored in deep slumber. They were dead to the world, completely unaware of the noise their companions made.

Most of the men at the table had tankards of ale, which seemed to increase their joy in the evening, or at least their volume. She wasn’t surprised to see Rafe deep in his cups, laughing even as he slumped over, gazing at a hand of cards.

She was surprised to find her father among the crew.

Everett glanced up from his own cards, the grin slipping slightly from his face as he spotted her.

She took an instinctive step back, worried she was intruding on this private bonding time between captain and crew.

“Em,” he said, hurrying to stand. “I’m sorry, did we wake you?”

“I was already having trouble sleeping,” she admitted.

“The waves are restless tonight,” he said sympathetically. “Let me get you some tea—”

“No,” she said, the spice of ginger lingering on her tongue. “I want to stay up for a bit.” She wrapped her arms around herself and looked down the table at the men. “What are you playing?”

“Cheat,” Everett replied. “Have you ever heard of it?”

She shook her head.

“It’s fairly easy, I’ll show you.” He clasped her elbow and guided her over to the table.

Emmaline sat down and smiled tentatively at the crew, who had lost some of their drunken cheer at her entrance.

All except Rafe. “All right, everyone, we’re starting over!” he declared, plucking cards straight from people’s hands.

“Hey! You only want to restart because you’re losing!” one of the men protested. He held only two cards and gripped them tightly until Rafe pried them from his grasp.

Rafe gasped dramatically, one hand to his chest. “Are you accusing me of cheating?”