𝖈𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖆𝖎𝖓| Nikolai Lantsov

Altering Course |

"Saints, I almost didn't recognize you."

I looked up at Nikolai from where I'd been looking out the window at the horizon, where the darkened waves met the equally dark sky. I raised mu eyebrows, gesturing to my simple greatcoat and furry hat obscuring my dark features.

"It's not a disguise, just to keep me warm." I replied.

"Oh, love, if you needed to keep warm, you could've just asked," he said, leaning down to my ear before adding huskily, "My jacket would do much better."

I shoved him lightly away, rolling my eyes at his boyish antics. That grin of his that was nothing but mischief, it didn't change when the rest of his features changed. The twinkle in his eye when he found something amusing. The tilt of his head whenever anything interesting happened that he wanted to remember. Saints I could watch him do anything and I would still admire him.

Earlier today, both Nikolai and I noticed that the winds were begging to change so we decided to change course. If Mal was right, we would find the sea whip very soon.

Nikolai and I were going over the plan when Alina burst through the door.

"Did Mal tell you to alter course?"

"No, that would be you captains." Nikolai said, pointing back and forward between the two of us.

"Why?"

"It's a brief change to make use of the Eastern wind. We'll make better time." I explained, sitting down in Nikolai's armchair.

"You're tracker wouldn't say why, but of all the islands, he believes the Sea Whip is here." Nikolai pointed at one of the small islands on the map in front of me. "You want to explain that?"

"No." Alina mumbled.

"What's this about?" I asked sensing the change of her tone.

"I'm the client."

"No client of ours has ever made such demands." Nikolai scoffed and walked off to the side to pour himself a drink. If I didn't know any better, I'd say the man had a drinking problem.

"No client of yours can do what I can do."

"Fair enough." Nikolai agreed. "But my co-captain can do better. But that's not what this is about, is it?" His comment sent shivers down my body and caused me to slightly smile.

"What do you mean?"

"Trust is a tricky needle to thread for all of us Miss Starkov." I suggested. "You need to trust that we don't have some ulterior motives."

"And we need to trust we aren't chasing a myth." Nikolai adds, resting his back on the counter and crossing his arms over his chest. "You can't do it all on your own... you need us."

"And you need me if you're going to get your money. We all know that's only as long as I remain valuable to you." She said and here I was thinking we were finally getting close.

"You're not just sunshine Alina. You're hope for the future." I sighed.

"Seems its not us who need convincing of that." Nikolai added. His veiny hand tracing the brim of his glass. "It's you."