Blood Ward

Chapter 34

I had no visits that night or thenight after as we sailed from Dravin. My body started to miss Reif'stouch. It made me glad that Beast had taken to following me aroundlike a shadow. I could kneel down and bury my face and hands in hisfur and take comfort in the warm presence whenever I chose. Oursecond night on the Cutlass, I left my dinner sitting barely touchedand walked slowly to the bow if the ship, hugging my cloak tightlyaround me. I stood staring out toward the Cheyr Mountains which werestill vaguely visible, hoping to get some sign that Reif was watchingme as well. I sighed deeply as Beast nudged my leg.

"Ye look troubled, lass," avoice said from behind me.

"Captain Brass, I didn't seeyou there," I said, turning to acknowledge him then turning back.

"Is there something out onthose waters that beckons ye?" he asked, stepping up beside me andstaring out in the same direction I was.

"No," I said smiling. "I'vea companion near Lunda whom I haven't heard from in some time."

"Ye reckon ye could see himfrom here?" Brass asked jovially.

"I suppose I'm just praying,"I said.

"No harm in that," he said."Though if I were a young lady with a man so enthralled as yers is,I would not be spending me night on the deck worrying andarticulating with an old sea dog."

I smiled again. "Heunderstands," I said.

"Well, let me know if ye or yercompanions are in need of anything," he said and then left me to mythoughts.

I sat, sliding my legs betweenthe rails and letting them dangle over the water. Beast curled upbeside me and laid his head on my thigh. "Where are you, Reif?" Isighed, sending my breath out over the water. I imagined it ridingthe air and finding him, caressing its warmth over his body andletting him know I was thinking of him.

"Dead in a ditch? Or possiblytossed in the river." Stefan's voice said mockingly.

I groaned. "I wasn't talkingto you."

"Of course you were. Do you seeanyone else about?" he taunted.

"You're not really here," Isaid confidently, hoping he would vanish. Beast looked up at me as heoften did when I spoke with Stefan.

"If I'm not here, then howare we having this conversation? You know Anders is not an allknowing sage, my lady. Just because he says I am some figment of yourmind doesn't mean I am."

"If you're truly Stefan, tellme something only he would know," I said triumphantly.

He cocked an eyebrow. "You'reserious aren't you?" his tone was laced with suppressed laughter.

"What?" I asked.

"The only way to prove anythingI say would be if you already knew it too. That would do nothing butprove I could read your mind."

"You're insufferable," Igrowled, seeing the logic in his words.

He chuckled. "I guess you'llnever know then."

"Leave me alone!" I yelledand Beast raised his head to whimper at me. "Sorry boy," I saidpatting his head.

"Temper, temper," Stefanscolded.

"I said go away," I said withexasperation.

"As you wish, my lady." Withthat, he disappeared.

"Come, Beast," I saidstanding. "Anders is waiting for us and it's too cold to behovering out here in this wind."

He barked his agreement andfollowed me below deck. Anders was sitting on our cot, his legsstretched out, crossed at the ankles and shirtless. His attention wascaught up in a book. When I entered, he glanced up, and smiled."There she is."

"What are you reading?" Iasked curiously, not having seen a good book in months, let aloneread one. I crossed the room and sat on the edge of the cot.

"The captain was kind enough tolend me a few pirate stories, with a promise not to accuse him andhis ruffians of such," he said handing over the book.

I studied the cover then flippedit open. Taking in a few sentences I asked, "Would you read to me?"I lay down next to him, still looking over the book.

He took it from my hands andclosed it, setting it behind him. "In a little bit," he promisedthen leaned in to kiss my neck.

I submitted, allowing him to movefrom my neck to my lips and kiss me gently. He took his time,undressing me and making love to me slowly. When we'd finished, Irested my head on his chest and said, "Now will you read to me?"

"Of course," he smiled,picking up the book and pulling a blanket over us against the chill.

The hum of his voice and the beatof his heart sent me to sleep much quicker than I'd thought. I wasecstatic to see I was not in my own head. "Ohthank goodness!" I cried, throwing myself into Reif's arms.

He hugged me, laughing. "Didyou miss me by any chance?" he guessed.

"I was so worried," Isaid. "Warn me next time you're going to take a holiday."

"I assure you, it was noholiday..." he sighed. "I had two of my men break off and try tohunt in a nearby village off our schedule. All of this manipulationis trying. Once they learn control, I can allow individuals out of myinfluence, but some are not as easily swayed. I've been forced tomake an example more than once."

"But things are working out,right?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, by the time youreturn, I will have things under control," he assured me. "Whereare you?"

"Crossing from Dravin toCoranthine," I said.

"That explains the rocking,"he said grimacing.

"Sorry," I saidapologetically. "I didn't realize that even sailing byassociation was taxing."

"It seems so," heconfirmed. "I must go, Stasia, my men need me."

"Just, be careful," Iwarned, remembering Stefan's dead in a ditch comment.

He frowned and touched myforehead, pushing hair from my face."You are troubled. When wespeak next, I wish to know what is making you frown so."

I nodded. "Next time," Ipromised.

"Good night, Stasia." Hesmiled and kissed my forehead.

 "It's good to see you."The dream faded but Ididn't wake up like I always had with Drust. Reif was gentle,letting me slide back to myself without disrupting my sleep.